parables

So, I am headed to lunch yesterday, enjoying the beautiful weather and the company with which I was traveling. We were dissecting what had happened at church and praying over those things together. (yes, I pray with my eyes open when I drive!) The conversation actually was about whether we would all leave and continue business as usual or whether there would be change in our lives. It seems I am growing weary of the knowledge that we spout without change in how we live and certainly did not want another Sunday where the truth went forth and left us unchanged. I find that I am continually asking MYSELF how these things should change how I walk and live, in addition to asking if I am guilty and need to repent of the things that have been brought to light. For too long, ALL OF US have listened to truth declared and agreed with it, while thinking it did not apply to us or that it was meant for someone else. I have been guilty of such thinking, however, the Lord has changed my heart and is making the cry of my heart that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be true of my feet. So, I was spending time, evaluating my own heart and then found myself realizing that I can't be the only one that struggles with such things. I believe that many of us can walk away and say that was great....that really needed to be said...without evaluating our own hearts to see if it was aimed at us-instead we agree, but do nothing and somehow don't even see that it was all about US.
I have come to a place where my first instinct is beginning to be....is this true of me and what do I need to do to repent and get right before the Father-before I begin to pray over the others in the room that need to hear these things as well. In dealing with my heart issues in this way, I have stumbled across a truth that has caused me to wrestle with why so many hear truth and do not respond or don't seem to be pierced by it.
For years, I have thought that the reason Jesus spoke in parables was to illustrate so that others might better understand His teaching. Yet, recently it has come to my attention that this is not necessarily true. In fact, it is the exact opposite. Jesus makes it plain that the reason he speaks in parables was to make it hard for people to understand, that those who truly WANT to know the truth and are pursurers of it will indeed chase after it. For those who are not really interested, it will pass them by and they will never even know what they missed.

Mark 4:1-12
1 And He began to teach again by the sea. And such a very great multitude gathered to Him that He got into a boat in the sea and sat down; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.
2 And He was teaching them many things in parables, and was saying to them in His teaching,
9 And He was saying, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
10 And as soon as He was alone, His followers, along with the twelve, {began} asking Him {about} the parables.
11 And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but those who are outside get everything in parables,
12 in order that while seeing, they may see and not perceive; and while hearing, they may hear and not understand lest they return and be forgiven."

Did you see that? To those outside the Kingdom, they get everything in parables-that while seeing, they don't really see or perceive. It doesn't pierce them. While hearing, they do not hear or understand, or else they would return from their wicked ways and be forgiven. But they don't return. He who has ears, let him hear!
Jesus doesn't teach in parables to make it easier, but to weed out those who are not really hearing and seeing. He is NOT trying to make it easier, make it more understandable. He is trying to make it hard...so that those who TRULY want more of Him will chase after Him. Jesus is not for the faint of heart or for those who are looking for an easy gospel. Jesus wanted his followers to know that there are no short cuts, no easy ways in the Kingdom.

Sometimes I think we are just like those outside the Kingdom....we don't see the forest for the trees. We think it is cool to see change in others, while not realizing we need it in ourselves. I don't say that lightly. I am sure there are those who think that about me-always speaking and never looking at myself. But that is not true. I do not speak or teach anything that I have not sorted through with Jesus first and have spent time confessing and crying out for Him to change it in me before I challenge people with it. And though I am in process like everyone else, I am quickly coming to a place where I must first deal with ME-otherwise I invalidate the gospel with how I live. Which means, I am spending a lot of time asking Jesus to reveal in me His truth and change me from the inside out.

However, one of my greatest fear is that we would be in the presence of truth and walk away unchanged out of a careless neglect to look at our own hearts. That we would be like the people of Jesus' day....it would be nothing more than a parable to us and we would miss the teaching and the depth behind it. Why? because we are not in the Kingdom. We see, but do not perceive. We listen, but do not hear or understand and are not forgiven.
I guess I walked away from church with a prayer in my heart for myself and for those who were there....this could be just another parable Sunday. Another Sunday, where we think the message was good and what needed to be said was said, but we do not see or hear the truth that was aimed our own hearts.
God give us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church.....and please don't let these things just be another parable in which many miss the point of application for EACH of us. Call us to repent, change, worship and confess. Don't leave us unchanged or unaffected. May God open our hearts to truth that we might look in the mirror and see how it applies to ME.

Matt 13:15-16
15 For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I should heal them.'
16 "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.ALL FOR YOU

spill the beans

Did any of you take classes on how to talk and share with people about your kids? Did any of you take classes or have someone explain to you how to tell people about your grandchildren? Did any of us have someone give us a three step plan to best communicating about our spouses or the ones we love dearly?
Of course not....what a stupid idea....the thought that someone would have to teach us how to talk about what we love is crazy. It is preposterous to think that we would not share with someone else about our own children, our grandchildren or our spouse. The idea that we could not communicate to someone else about our best friend or the ones we love is ludicrous.
Why is that? Because we have a real relationship with them. Because we have EXPERIENCED them. Because we KNOW them. Because they are on our hearts. You can't keep yourself from talking about what/who you love. You can't NOT talk about the one you are in love with. You can't help but describe the sweetness of the child and describe how you long to just bury your head in their neck. You can't stop yourself from sharing pictures and stories about the grandchildren that overwhelm your heart. You can't keep yourself from talking about that friend that means the world to you. You just can't NOT talk about what is on your heart.
It is the same for me and my relationship with Jesus. I can't NOT talk about Him, about my love for Him, my passion for Him. I can't keep myself from sharing with others the pictures He is showing me in His Word, the truth He reveals about Himself. I can't stop thinking about Him and therefore talking about what He speaks to my heart. No one has to teach me to talk about Him. No one has to explain to me how to talk about Him. And no one has to show me the right way to do it. It just spills out of me. He is the Love of my life and I can't not "spill the beans" when it comes to what He is doing in me. Every moment of life leads me back to thinking on Him and what He is teaching me. I find illustrations of Him in the way the grass is mowed and in how the rain falls. Why? because I can't NOT talk about what is written on my heart.
Why is it that so many find it so easy to talk about so many things other than Him? Why is it that He is not the first thought of our morning and the last at night? Why is He not at the center of every conversation? I know most people think I am strange and struggle with my intensity, but how is it that we are not all more intense? How is it that if we are in relationship with Him, have experienced Him and He is written on our hearts that He does not just pour out of us? How is it that we can KEEP from singing His praise, praying to Him, worshipping Him and talking about Him?
No one has to tell me talk about Jesus....I just do. He is on my heart....and spills out of me. Maybe that is weird....but quite honestly, I think it is more weird that we call ourselves Christ followers and yet spend more time talking about the things of the world than the things of Heaven.
How can I keep from singing......? I can't.....He is on my heart....He is what I love.....He is real and I have a relationship with Him....I have experienced Him....and I will not be silent. How can we be? If He is on your heart....SPILL the BEANS...don't hold it in. ALL FOR YOU

power of the run

Man.....I almost missed it....the power of the run, that is. I almost opted to stay in bed. I almost justified myself out of the run. I am tired and could certainly use a few more minutes to rest. And the house, well, the house needs some work. I will just spend that time in Bible study.
But the call was clear and I had choice-run or not. I dragged myself out of bed, grabbed some juice and ran to the Word. There I heard the call even louder...run, Christy...run. So I laced up my shoes and donned my ipod and headed out. At first, my heart wasn't in the run. It wasn't really even in the walk. That is until the words of a familiar song began to ring in my ear. Glorious.....over us....You shall reign Glorious. And then I knew why my feet were on the pavement and my heart began to catch up with my feet. Glorious....over us....You shall RAIN Glorious. I heard Him speak....You want rain....RUN....it will be glorious.
I began to ask my heart some questions, questions that have been circling in my head, but today I cleared up within my own soul. WHY RUN? Why sprint? I mean, I know I am walking with God, so why do I need to run? I knew the answer and have been disciplining my heart for months now to chase after that, but today I was reminded of why we are called to run.
Because WE miss out if we don't.
I know that was deep. And for many it won't matter because they don't want more. To which, I respond by questioning the reality of their love. For those who truly love know that you can't go without and you want more. You are never satisfied with only a small part of that which you love...you want it all. We all may be at different stages, but running is NOT an option.
And that is why I run....hard and fast after Him. I am not satisfied with just a part. I love Him so much that I will not be held back or deterred from running hard after Him-because I know there is more. I don't necessarily NEED or WANT anything from Him....I just don't want to miss out on HIM. The experience of knowing intimately and being one with Him.
I am struck by how often we think that just "happens" and how anti scripture that is. We are commanded to run after Him. We are told to seek, perhaps grope for Him. We say we want Him, but not bad enough to run.....so do we really want Him? Or do we just want what He has to offer, part of Him....the part that benefits us.
I don't want to miss out on HIM. And so I run.
As I got to the hill (the hard part of my run), I had a choice....I could slow down and take it easy or I could press in hard and sprint. As my soul began to well up with these things and I was running into the sun, blinded to everything else, I began to sprint up the hill. My breathing was labored. My heart was racing. My muscles were screaming. But I reached the top and realized....Running towards the SON, even up hill and with everything screaming at me, is worth it when He reigns/rains Glorious.
I have a friend. (I know...it surprises me too!) We were talking last week about chasing after Him, loving Him and following hard after Him. I have been talking a lot about being consumed by Him, obessed with Him and possessed by Him. But she summed it up best. "I just want to be eat up with Him".
Me too.....Let's run. ALL FOR YOU

Servant Leadership

While at Disney Word last week the crowds were overwhelming. Because it was one of the busiest weeks of the year, Disney had many of their execs out in the parks working and helping the staff. I assume the point of this activity was not only to help the staff, but also to allow the execs to experience what the "real world" is like in the busiest of days, thus helping them to know how to make better decisions. It was obvious who the execs were...they were dressed differently (not in those crazy colorful uniforms) and they all had nametags and ID that showed who they were. It is actually a pretty cool concept. We should all have to step into the shoes of those we are making decisions for so that we know how to make better decisions.
However, there was a mark of leadership that absolutely floored me from the execs that were all over the parks. Every one of them walked through the parks, helping, answering questions, but everyone of them were carrying a trash picker. And as they were going, they ALL picked up the trash that was lying around and disposed of it. They didn't tell someone else to do, although they certainly had the power to do it. They didn't ignore it, even when they knew there were others whose sole job was to take care of the trash. They didn't assume someone else would see it and take care of it. They all were looking for and assuming resposiblity to pick up the trash as they went about their jobs.
Wow....now, that is a picture of Servant Leadership. Execs with trash pickers. I guess the thing that struck me was that if Disney gets that....why doesn't the church? That we are all called to be servant leaders. We are all called to pick up the trash as we go. That we should not assume someone else will take care of it, think it is someone else's paid job or tell someone else to do it. We can't ignore it. We are called to AS WE GO, be servant leaders.
So, pick up a trash picker and start serving....the church has got to be better than Disney!

ALL FOR YOU

Resurrection

Wow....why would He say that?

John 20:17 Jesus said to her, "Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, 'I ascend to My Father and your Father, and My God and your God.'"

I mean really? Jesus has just been resurrected and Mary is so overtaken with that truth that she wants to do nothing more than be with, cling to and hang on to Jesus. To touch Him, love on Him, rejoice with Him...to just BE with Him. And yet, Jesus tells her to stop it. There are many differing reasons why. The main thought being that He had not ascended to the Father yet and that He was not staying. Although He was here, He was still going away and she should not cling to Him but rather do what He says...which is GO to my brethren.

Throughout the gospel accounts of this passage, Jesus is consistent about the same command.
In Mark 16:6-7
6 And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, {here is} the place where they laid Him.
7 "But go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He said to you.'"

In Matt 28:5-10
5 And the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.
6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
7 "And go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going before you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you."
8 And they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.
9 And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they shall see Me."

And then in the last verses in Matt (just 18 verses later than the previous) He again tells them to Go and make disciples of all nations.

Why is it that Jesus was so plain to say don't cling to me, but rather go and take the word, tell the disciples, make disciples? I am so struck by this thought....and the power that rests behind it. The truth of the Crucifixion and the resurrection are not for us alone. It is not merely for us to cling to and rest in. Oh...I have my get out of hell free card-I am protected. In fact, He was very plain to tell us NOT to sit back and cling to Him and do nothing. His very words to ALL who came in contact with Him after the resurrection were to DO SOMETHING! He gave us an instruction, a command of what we are to DO with the truth we know. We are not to sit back and just cling to it...but GO AND SHOW, TEACH AND TELL others about these things. And yet, how often we sit in our comfort and cling to the God we think we know and never DO what He commanded us to do with the truth that was revealed.

I love that I am CLINGING to Him. I want to be like gum in His shoe, stuck in the crevices and unable to be shaken loose. I want to cleave to Him as if super glued together, unable to be pulled apart. But I also want to be clear on what I am to do-and that isn't just to sit on my blessed assurance, but to GO and SHOW forth the truth. He is ALIVE! And we must cling to and rejoice in that. But if we never make disciples as a result of that....then we are totally disobedient and disrespect what Jesus did for us on the cross. How can we NOT be making disciples when it was the ONLY and last command given by our risen Lord?

ALL FOR YOU

Clarity, amplify and understanding

Clarity means to give clear understanding. Amplify means to make clear so that others can have clear understanding.
Recently, while at a Student Life conference called Clarity, I kept hearing the Lord say AMPLIFY. I didn't really know what that meant, but I began to seek the Lord and what He was wanting from me. Amplifiers are those devices that make the signal stronger, enlarging, enhancing and making things clear.
Nehemiah 8:8 is where we sat all weekend in the conference. It says; They read from the book of the Law of God, translating to give the sense so that they understood the reading.
The Word translating means to give clarity. But it also means to amplify. Although I didn't know this til I got home and dug into the Word...It became clear why God was saying amplify to me. My life is to be given to amplify and bring clarity from the Word of God so that others understand.
Clarity means AMPLIFY which means to give clear understanding. This is my job!
Time to AMP it up!

ALL FOR YOU

friends

A remarkable picture of surrender is found in the image of Ruth. She lived in Moab with her husband, until he died. It was then that Naomi, her mother-in-law, decided to return to Bethlehem. She urged Ruth to stay in her own land where she was known and where she would have the greatest opportunity of provision via covenant marriage. Naomi knew that Ruth's following after her might not be the best thing for Ruth-after all, she would be leaving all she knew to surrender her life and be loyal to the covenant commitment she had made to Naomi's son and give up the promise of her own future to care for another. Regardless of the implications, Ruth begged to go with Naomi, saying "don't beg me to leave you or to stop following you. Where you go, I will go. Where you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."
This kind of loyalty is rare and priceless. Ruth bound herself to Naomi out of Covenant, regardless of what might be lost for her. When all natrual reason shouted for Ruth to remain where she was and not follow Naomi, she rebelled against the norm and surrendered her life to serve another. Her decision to do so was anchored in relationship and rewarded with blessing. Ruth's affection and commitment to Naomi was undeniably abnormal in the eyes of the world. It was also crazy to think that she would give up her own life to serve another. But more than that, the depth of relationship between these two women was what motivated Ruth's surrender. It is the picture of Lovingkindness-the verb of Covenant, the lavishing action of binding yourself to another-not in word alone, but in heart and in deed. In surrendering and losing her life, we know that she actually gained it. For, it was in that moment of surrender, giving her life in relationship to another that God blessed her and gave her a future and a hope in Christ.
Most people miss this remarkable truth. That when we bind ourselves one to another, laying down our lives for one another, we don't actually lose, but rather gain. It is in serving one another and entering into Covenant relationships that we will find ourselves driven to deeper surrender than if we had journeyed alone. It is in loving deeply and surrendering fully that we will exalt our Savior and glorify a God that blesses those who make the holiness of another as important as their own. It is in giving your life away, that you truly find what life is for.
These two women, bound their hearts together and because of their loyalty, commitment, desire for the other's well being more than their own and faithfulness to Covenant, they find themselves written about for all of history to see as the picture of giving your life to another and receiving more than you could ever have imagined in return.
We should all be so blessed to have a friend like this. ALL FOR YOU

take over

“He will NOT be added to your life. He comes in to take over or He does
not come in at all”.
He is not interested in being top of your list. He wants to BE the list. There is no second, no third, no competition. You are HIS. He takes over-or He isn't coming!
ALL FOR YOU

knowing you

I have been sitting in the Word "TO KNOW" for the last few days, just thinking about what the Bible says about KNOWING the Lord. It has been His desire from the beginning for us to KNOW HIM. It is why He has revealed Himself to us, sent His Son to rescue us, came to abide In us and will return again for us. All because He wants us to KNOW HIM. To be fully Known and to fully love Him. INTIMACY. Ironically, the word for to KNOW is YADA, which means intimacy. It is actually a Jewish Idiom for sex-meaning, two becoming one. He wants us to be ONE with Him.
I don't think we can truly fathom what that really looks like. We have glimpses of what the purity of intimacy might look like-in Covenant marriage and friendships, but even that to some degree can not compare with understanding what it truly would be like to be naked, unafraid and unashamed. Loved not matter what.
God's CHECED for us, His loving Kindness towards us because of Covenant is unceasing, everlasting, full of compassion and mercy-simply because He has sworn by Himself to reveal Himself to us. It is not based on anything we do, but solely on His love for us. Why? because He wants to allure us to KNOW Him, to YADA Him.
Knowing You, Jesus, Knowing You
There is no greater thing....
You're my all, You're the best
You're joy, my righteousness
and I love You Lord.
Isn't that the picture of Checed and Yada? NO greater thing....than to know and be known, fully loved, laying your life down for Him and for one another. Can this be attained....I am certainly working on it.
ALL FOR YOU

When it RAINS IT POURS

Okay, so I have been praying for rain since about November of last year. And my heart has been set on "spiritual" rain. Begging God to bring change, transformation from religious to intimate relationships. I have been all about getting naked before Him and allowing the fallow ground to be broken up in my life, so I could receive what the Lord has for us.
Well, when you pray for those kinds of things...you had better get ready. For one, the Lord broke up the fallow ground and then He began to rain. In fact, it rained out my eyes for nearly a month. I couldn't stop crying because of being so overwhelmed by what He was doing in me.
And now...I am absolutely blown away by what He is doing for us. He is raining down his benefits upon us. And we DO NOT deserve them. In fact, we don't even NEED them. It isn't as if we have been crying out in desperate need for "things". We have simply been crying out in desperate need for HIM. And the result...we got both!
Last week, the Lord gave us a suburban and boat. Yep, the Lord just plopped it in our laps and blessed our socks off. Jim was so excited. He has a MAN car. And the cool thing is it was such an answer to prayer. I had prayed only the week before that God would give us a car we liked to drive, for free. And then 8 days later...there it was...sitting in our driveway. But, not only a car...a boat! something for us play on with our family. Something to give us refuge. We weren't looking for either of these things. We were simply looking for Him and He gave us more...
If that weren't enough. God gave Jim a Harley last week. NO, we didn't buy one. God gave one to Jim-for free. He has wanted a motorcycle for years. It is the one thing he really enjoys and it helps him clear his mind of the cobwebs. But he has not chased after that dream. And then, out of the blue...we walk into the Harley shop and there is one sitting there with his name on it. God's CHECED(lovingkindess) towards us. We were awed and stunned. I stood there crying on Jim's shoulder as I realized that God's covenant love for us had just been expressed in the desire of his heart.
So, as we are reeling from the after shock of those things. We step back and ask what did we possibly do to deserve any of this? God reminded me...nothing...we don't deserve it. He just loves us. He just wants to lavish Himself on us as we chase after Him.
While sitting in that thought, thinking things could not get better, I take Drew to the orthodontist this morning to have his braces taken off. We had to pay the balance before they would do that. $450...we were having problems pulling that money together. So, when I got there and handed them my check and she wouldn't take it, I was a little baffeled. However, she began to explain that our debt had been paid. She was told to tell me that our church took care of the debt we owed. Which was SO cool. I honestly almost danced right there in the office...well, that is after I picked my jaw up off the floor. The LORD PROVIDED. And my son got to see the greatness of God and His provision. I will write more on that later...but for today...I am living proof that when you pray for rain and are seeking the Kingdom first...all these things ARE added. When it rains, it pours.
ALL FOR YOU

forget NOT HIS BENEFITS

So often, all we think about is what we have to give up in order to follow Christ. And there is CERTAINLY a cost that we must count in order to follow. But, I have been thinking a lot about what I GET...because I follow Him. This passage has been such an encouragement to me in that thought!

Ps 103:1-22
1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, {bless} His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things, {so that} your youth is renewed like the eagle.
6 The LORD performs righteous deeds, and judgments for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
9 He will not always strive {with us} nor will He keep {His anger} forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Just as a father has compassion on {his} children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are {but} dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; and its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children,
18 To those who keep His covenant, and who remember His precepts to do them.
19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.
22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the LORD, O my soul!
(NAS)

ALL FOR YOU

STRIPES = HEALING

Gabby, my niece, said her prayers with my sister last night, which is a rare occurance these days as she doesn't get to go downstairs to put the girls to bed right now. She decided to say them with her Mom upstairs before she went down to bed. This is here story....
She prayed her normal little prayer, then finished up by saying, "and God please make everyone who is sick to feel better and make everyone's boo-boos all better, because we know that by the stripes of Jesus Christ, we are all healed." I sat in awe as she said "Amen" and pecked me on the cheek, then ran off down the steps to bed. Of course, my emotions are in overdrive right now, but tears rolled down my cheeks as I sat there thinking about what she had said, knowing that she said it, meant it, and believed it was true, with all her heart. It convicted me to the core, knowing that we pray things like that all the time, but I can honestly say, we probably don't necessarily believe it to be true with all our heart. There is something to the scripture that tells us to come to God as little children, and that a little child shall lead them, because there are days my children teach me more about Jesus than I have learned in a lifetime. Her prayer changed me, it changed my heart, because I know those are more than just words we say, I truly believe that by the stripes of Jesus Christ, I am healed. It may not be the physical healing I am looking for at a particular moment, but I am convinced the spiritual healing of a heart is of far greater significance to God than these earthly vessels we posses that will pass away!

Just another "tiny confirmation" from God that I do hear His voice when I stop long enough to listen, and sometimes it comes in the form of my children!
ALL FOR YOU

Loving Jesus....living like it!

Hosea says, let us press on to know the Lord….
He will come to us like rain.

We have been praying that the Lord would rain. We have begun to see a sprinkling in some lives of the just that. I love the first part of that passage... The word for Press….is to harass. I LOVE THAT WORD. Cause it describes me. I can be down right annoying, harassing. In fact, for most people…I am just TOO much. Too many words, too much attitude, too pushy, to fast, to edgy…whatever…just Too much.

But, while I am more than most people can handle….I have the same desires as any of you.....All of us were created with a desire for intimacy. To be fully known and to fully know. We all long for relationships where we can be ourselves and still be fully loved, not having to pretend or hide. We all long for relationships where we are not just the known, but we know. Where we are trusted and where others reveal themselves to us.
We all long for relationships where we are not just NEEDED but wanted. I have tons of relationships because people need me. Church, friends, family, children, even my spouse at times. But what we long for is not to be needed. It is to be wanted….wanted just for ourselves. Loved….and wanted-for NO REASON or need.

Although, we have this desire-to be fully known and to fully know, the world that we live in has messed with our idea of intimacy. We live in a world of messed up relationships. We have seen intimacy go a rye. We have watched the love between husband and wife be far from what we would call intimate. We have seen our mom’s and dad’s live lives that we want nothing to do with. We have heard of or maybe experienced the hurt of a parent not loving a child as they should. Or perhaps, you were lucky enough to miss all of those, but somewhere a friend wounded you deeply. We have all been wounded by relationships.

And so all of us….in some way, shape or form, have decided to build a wall around our hearts to keep from getting hurt. We have garrisoned ourselves behind this wall, allowing some closer than others, but even then, we are afraid of the risk of being known fully and knowing fully because of the hurt that has come. We all miss out on the joy of intimacy. For some of us it is missing in our marriages, others with our parents or children. For a lot of it is with friends.

The enemy of our souls is at war to make sure you don’t have intimacy.
The devil is not really concerned with making you bad or making you sin. He isn’t all about tripping you up. He does all those things….but the ultimate question is WHY?

From the beginning God created man for relationship…for intimate relationship. It is not good for man to be alone. Man spent his days enjoying the fruit of GODS labor and walking with Him in the cool of the day. He could talk with Him and enjoy Him. Then God gave Him a wife….to continue intimate relationship with. A physical oneness that further pictured the intimacy God created for man to have in relationships.

But then the serpent entered the picture. And he deceived Eve with his crafty questioning. And sin entered our world. For most of us, we have thought that was Satan’s main objective. To cause us to sin. But do you really think that he is interested in making us bad people, sinful people? Could it be that the plan was much deeper than that….and we have not seen it.
From the beginning, it was the enemy’s plan to use sin to break intimacy. It has always been and will always be his desire to steal, kill and destroy our relationships with God and with man.
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have {it} abundantly.

And so, his plan was not to make us sin, but to use sin to break our intimacy. God created us for fellowship with Him. He does not want duty, religion, church or even obedience. He wants an intimate, passionate, thriving, love relationship with you. He wants to be fully known by you. He wants to reveal Himself to you. He wants to walk with us in the cool of the day. He wants us to love Him….
Not just NEED HIM…although we do…but to WANT HIM.

Intimacy can not be forced….that is called rape. True relationship is forged from freedom-to choose because you WANT-not need. It comes through unplanned, unforced time, walking in the cool of the day. And so God allows us choice….the ability to choose to walk with Him or not. The ability to choose to have intimacy with Him or not. He will not rape you.

The dilemma is that we think we have intimacy with God….and we don’t. The enemy again keeps us from intimacy not merely by our sin, but also by deception. (just like Eve.) True intimacy can not take place…is not real when we hold back, are not honest, fully given, abandoned, all in, transparent, vulnerable, consumed, passionate, made accessible/not hiding.

Intimacy can’t happen as long as we are hiding behind walls. Look at what happened with Adam and Eve.Intimacy was broken…they hid. With God….with each other.
So many of us are hiding. And miserable. We desire intimacy, but the very thing we desire is what we fight against because we are afraid of the risk. And the enemy wins again. For that is what he wants…to destroy intimacy with God and with one another.

You see, this Jesus put it this way….everything is summed up in ONE Word…LOVE. Love the Lord and Love one another. And so the enemy is standing against those two things….trying to destroy love and intimacy between God and man.

And so God sent His Son to restore the relationship that was broken. To restore the intimacy. However, the battle still rages….the enemy trying to keep us from that. This is the battle….not just sin….but over relationship…over intimacy with God.
It is why he longs for us to engage in religion and miss intimacy.
It is why he tries to deceive us into thinking just a little of God is enough.
It is why he works to try to satisfy our soul with other things.
Anything…to keep us from pursuing, harassing, pressing in to KNOW God more.

There is NO drive thru window for intimacy. It takes time to fall in love…to give oneself to another and to abandon everything and everyone else for what you set your heart upon.

So Set Your heart, covenant to love God and others...and don't be deceived. Intimacy is far more than just loving something. It is being joined to it. The two becoming one. It is what we were created for, with God and with man. Don't miss the joy of intimacy because you are afraid of being naked....get real, get honest, get undressed and quit hiding behind those walls. And know that you are loved, known fully and still loved. And then start loving others that way!
ALL FOR YOU

backwards and forwards

Looking back is not a bad thing...going back is a whole other deal. Scripture is very plain about us leaving markers of rememberance so that we can see, know and remember what God has done in the past. But Scripture is also very plain about us moving forward.
I think of the children of Israel constantly wanting to go back to Egypt-to slavery-instead of moving into the Promised Land. What a stupid thought! And yet, we are just like them...not looking back to remember, but wanting to go back. God is not about the rerun, the past or keeping things the same. God is the God of the create, the new thing and the future. All of time is marching towards His return-not going back to the way things used to be.
In fact, Jeremiah puts it this way....You have forsaken me, you keep going backward, so I will stretch out My hand against you and destroy you. I am tired of relenting.
Wow...that is pretty plain...going back is a matter of forsaking Him...because He is going forward.
So, if we are going with God...we are going to be moving forward...not back!

ALL FOR YOU

Pass us by?

Jesus put the disciples in a boat and sent them out on the water to strive against the wind. The WORD actually says that they were harassed, striving against and fighting the storm. Jesus, seeing them fighting against them, walks out on the water-INTENDING TO PASS THEM BY. Is that possible? Jesus sees us in our sinking ship, fighting against the waves, harassed by a storm and all He intends to do about it pass us by.
I don't know about you, but I have been struggling with that thought. That is, until I realized that Jesus is not interested in saving my sinking ship or helping me strive against the wind. The WORD tells me that HE is in charge of the wind. He can hurl one or stop one. He is sovereign and puts us in the boat to strive against the wind. Why? So that we will cry out to Him. It wasn't until Peter cried out to Jesus...Lord, if that is you, let me walk on the water with you! I want out of the boat...I just want walk with you.
For most of us, we want Jesus to save us IN the ship. But Peter understood what Jesus was doing...Jesus intended to pass them by if they stayed in the ship. He was waiting for someone...anyone to cry out and get out of the boat and walk with Him. Sure that seems risky...the waves are just as rough outside the boat. But Peter understood that waves outside the boat WITH Jesus were better than waves inside the boat without Him.
Jesus intends to pass us by...unless we will cry out and get out of the boat and walk with Him. We can sit in our sinking ship or we can walk on water. But the choice is ours...
Jesus...don't pass me by...I will cry out...I will get out of the boat and walk with you. I will abandon the ship and run to you.

ALL FOR YOU

My heart follows my feet.....
I have long believed that obedience in Scripture is a misunderstood teaching. For God does not merely desire our obedience, but our hearts. However, I also believe that sometimes our hearts just need time to catch up. Which means, I obey-even when I don't feel like it and my heart will catch up. It is a matter of disciplining our hearts, setting our hearts to chase after the things of God. Because every thought and intention of man is wicked (Jer 17:9 9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?)
I KNOW and readily acknowledge that my heart is prone to wander-probably more than most. Therefore, I-like Paul, find it necessary to "run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (1 Cor 9:26-27) I must RUN and beat my body to make it a slave to God, to righteousness to, to grace, to Love, to holiness, to pursuing Him.
This is WORK. It takes being intentional. It takes laying aside every encumbrance and running after Him. It takes sacrifice, dying to self and focus. It takes accountability. It takes the Word of God.
I don't want to be disqualified....so this is NOT an option, but the demand of life as a believer. And quite honestly, there are days my heart just doesn't want to do it anymore. I get tired. I begin to wonder why do I even try. I struggle with results. I fail...I fall....I become angry at the lack of produce and fruit. I get tired of swimming upstream in the religious pond. I get weary and lonely...My heart wanders....

And then the WORD comes alongside my wandering heart and sets my feet to the path....
Do not grow weary. Do not lose heart.
Gal 6:9 And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary.

Why?
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; {and} that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him {be} the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

And then I am reminded that my heart will follow my feet.

KEEP RUNNING, buffeting....even when your heart wanders...so that Christ may dwell in our hearts and we will know the Love of HIM who is able to do more than we think or ask. Don't lose heart....set it...and run.ALL FOR YOU

shoes

For Christmas, Jim got me some new shoes. They are beyond cool and extremely special, mainly because they carry a message from my heart to my feet and from my feet to my heart.
Years ago, the Lord impressed upon my heart the PURPOSE of life is to LIVE for HIS GLORY. And that is where my sign name came from...the word Doxa is the word for glory in the GREEK. (kinda like NIKE means victor!) It has been the heartbeat of every step.
Recently, the Lord has made me start running. Just a word picture of what my life is to be about to RUN for HIS GLORY. Because most everything in my life has some sort of JESUS significance...so that I will constantly be reminded of whose I am and who I am....Jim got me RUNNING SHOES that say just that. DOXA CJU. That's right. ON THE SHOE...from my feet to my heart and to my feet again...RUN FOR THE GLORY of God. Doxa!

ALL FOR YOU

Friends with BENEFITS!!!

I was thinking on the unfathomable riches of Christ and the NEED to talk about what we HAVE IN HIM now...not just the fact that we get eternal life after we die.
I ran across this Scripture again in Psm 103.
This is a REALLY COOL list of what we GET NOW!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases;
FORGIVENESS, HEALING
4 Who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
REDEMPTION, RESCUE from the PIT, CROWNED with COVENANT and COMPASSION
5 Who satisfies your years with good things, {so that} your youth is renewed like the eagle.
SATISFACTION, GOOD THINGS, RENEWED STRENGTH
6 The LORD performs righteous deeds, and judgments for all who are oppressed.
DOES GOOD THINGS, REVENGE
7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.
REVELATION of HIS PLAN
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.
COMPASSION, GRACE, PATIENCE, COVENANT
9 He will not always strive {with us} nor will He keep {His anger} forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
MERCY, restrained WRATH
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
COVENANT LOVE
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
REMOVED OUR SIN
13 Just as a father has compassion on {his} children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
COMPASSION
14 For He himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are {but} dust.
KNOWS US....that we are NOTHING-but still loves us
15 As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; and its place acknowledges it no longer.
17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness
to children's children,
18 To those who keep His covenant, and who remember His precepts to do them.
EVERLASTING LOVE, COVENANT, gives us RIGHTEOUSNESS
19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will.
22 Bless the LORD, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion; bless the LORD, O my soul!

If that isn't reason to BLESS HIM....talk about HIM, live for Him, change for Him, listen to Him and meditate on Him....we are not all in...and we are missing it!
ALL FOR YOU

stiff neck

Been thinking a lot about stiff necks these days. Why? because mine is! In more ways than one.
I have an injury that keeps me uncomfortable. But since Christmas, the pain has increased and I simply can't hardly stand it. The bulging discs, bone spurs and muscle spams-along with the just plain tensing of the muscles is just about all I can take. All that, adds to the stiff neck, because the muscles clamp down and won't let me move...so I don't. The stiff neck keeps me from doing what I should and from the mobility I need to have.
So, I am seeing a dr to help with that problem. I go 3 times a week and he "snaps" my neck, trying to put things back in joint, but also to loosen up the muscles and the stiffness.
But that is not my only problem. My heart is a little stiff necked too.
Acts 7:51 says "You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did."
Prov 29:1 says A man who hardens {his} neck after much reproof Will suddenly be broken beyond remedy.
So, I am seeing to it that my neck is not the only thing that is getting snapped back into place, but my heart as well. I don't want it broken...which is what the Lord promises if I continue to stiffen my neck to HIS desires.
The choice is mine...the choice is yours.
Stiff necked, unrepentant and stubborn, resisting the Holy Spirit and eventually broken....or we can do whatever we have to do to make sure that our necks/hearts don't become like this...but are pliable in the hands our our MAKER.

ALL FOR YOU

Religious Freedom Day

Well, tomorrow-Jan 16th is Religious Freedom Day. I am sure it is not what I am thinking. It probably has to do with recognizing everyone's right to choose their own religion and to worship how they choose. Which, quite honestly, I am thankful for, because it is what gives me the freedom to worship and serve the God I love without threat of losing my life or freedom.
But the thought that really rings my bell has nothing to do with freedom of religion, so much as it does with freedom FROM religion.
I have spent a lot of time recently allowing the Spirit to reshape my thoughts on following Christ-to be Christ centered and not man/religion centered. My-how this has changed my thinking. To allow Christ to determine all things and not what pleases man, what I like, what tradition dictates. To begin to beg the question...is Jesus pleased? Does this really represent Christ and how He thinks or merely reflect the religious laws of man.
The Pharisees had almost 700 additional laws to the Bible. Stuff they made into laws-in addition to what the WORD said. Stuff that they began to make equal to the Word..saying that people were sinning if they did not follow them. Wow...I see so much of that in church today. People who make "laws" out of traditions, ideas or opinions and try to make people obey them simply because they like that stuff.
I am so glad that Jesus died to set us free from that stuff-from that religious stuff that messes with our heads. Jesus is so much more than following man's rules...He is life and breath and in Him we live and move and have our being.
So maybe, tomorrow...we might celebrate Religious Freedom Day by simply saying...It is for freedom that Christ died, therfore STAND FIRM in your freedom and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (religion!)Gal 5:1

ALL FOR YOU

revival

Revival is coming....a week from Sunday-it starts.
We have been preparing for this time and are working hard to be sure that it is exactly what the FATHER wants it to be. Our only goal is to be sure that HE is pleased with our offering, for if that is true, we WILL reap the reward of His presence with us, His power on us and His reviving of us.
As we have been preparing, we have been praying diligently for the Lord to direct our steps, our hearts and our minds to WHATEVER it would be that would glorify Him and bring Him pleasure. Now, I know this may sound odd...because typically when we think about Revival...we think about ourselves. We think of Revival as a time for God to do something to us....and I guess there is some truth in that. But Scripture teaches that we come to WORSHIP HIM and as a result receive a blessing....not the other way around. And so we have been wrapping our hearts around what HE would want.
In so doing, we have been praying through the times of worship....what that should look like, begging God to show us what songs He wants sung, how and when. The order of worship, the enviornment He wants created. And so we have been having rehearsals. I know that sounds crazy, but we have. This is NOT about pleasing everyone in the room. That will NEVER happen. But if when we are done, the Father is pleased, then we have done all that we were supposed to do.

I was standing in my kitchen talking with a friend this week. I was asked what we were doing on Thursday night. It just popped out...."we are having revival rehearsal". I was looked at like I had lost my mind. Revival rehearsal? What is that? Before I could stop myself, I responded by saying "we are going to practice dying and allowing the Lord to breathe new life into us so that we are revived." A kind of spiritual CPR.
I was trying to be smart....but those words have rung in my head for days now. Maybe we do need to have Revival rehearsal. Maybe it needs to be the habit of our life. To die so that He might live. To die, so that He might breathe new life into us. To die, so that He might revive us.
Next week isn't about pleasing people, getting something from God or even what music is done. It isn't about the speaker, how many show up or who stays away. Next week is about GOD. The reason it is called the REAL THING REVIVED-Revival is because it is time for us to set and focus our hearts on where they were supposed to be in the first place. To come and worship. To bless God. To Honor Him. To be sure He is pleased with our offerings and sacrifices. Isaiah 1 tells of a people that God became wearied with because their offerings and multiplied sacrifices were nothing to Him, they were a burden to Him. Next week is about making sure that our offerings are pleasing in HIS sight and that HE alone is worshipped, honored and asked.....is this what YOU wanted.
In the meantime, maybe we need to have revival rehearsal. Maybe, we do need to practice dying so that He might breathe on us. It is in that moment that we will see the rain. When we have died....and He is raises us to new life. I am still praying for a downpour.....but in the meanwhile, I am having rehearsal....how about you?ALL FOR YOU

Real Me?

Be the real you...even if it rocks people's boats.
Let people feel the weight of who you are...and let them deal with it. Don't pretend to be something you are not.
I often rock people's boats...not just because of what I say, but because of who I am. It is only recently that I am realizing it is more about because of WHOSE I am and what I am NOT that people are aggravated with me.
But I will be the real me....Christ in me...even if it rocks people's boats.
ALL FOR YOU

When did we get over the CROSS

I guess it happened sometime, but I don't really know when. Someone, somewhere decided church should be a civilized activity. I understand the reasoning-reverence and all that. But I am really struggling with the whole idea of just being tame, being civilized, being respectable....being...casual.
I mean, when did we decide that we could think on what Christ did for us, what God gave for us and be like....um...cool. When did we stop screaming at the top of our lungs, rejoicing and sharing that with all we know? When did we become so ungrateful that we stopped talking about the Cross and Jesus? When did we start belittling Him and making much of everything else? When did we...when did I...get over the cross?
In recent days, I have discovered something....I didn't. And that is why I am so weird. I didn't get over the cross. I didn't forget. And it is why I am a burr in the saddle for so many...who would like to be casual. How can you be casual about the cross.
We need to stop and think....when did we get over the cross...and just started chasing the American Dream? When did we decide that it was more important to find our missing cell phone? When did we forget what was done for us?


ALL FOR YOU

what have you read in redbook lately

Last Sunday, several of us went to see WE ARE MARSHALL. It is a pretty good flick (more language than I like) and the message is a tear jerker. I walked away with a couple of thoughts that have pricked my mind.
1. The way you play today is how you will be remembered. This is sooo true. What you do today will mark your legacy and who you will be. We must make everyday count for the Kingdom, for the glory. There are no off games, not downs we can loaf on. We MUST be ALL IN for His name and renown are at stake.
2. Rise from the ashes and grab glory. Wow, what a cool thought that God turns ashes into beauty, that He takes our death and gives life. That out of the ashes of our lives, He can receive glory. But it takes us dying...it takes us getting to the ashes, before we will ever see glory.
3. What have you read in redbook lately. No, I am not talking about the magazine. I am actually talking about the book with the red letters in it...you know Jesus' words outlined in red. What have you read...what has Jesus said to you lately from the pages of Scripture. I am awed at how few people even spend time in the gospels any more... and miss out on what Jesus has to say.
I don't think I will stand and scream WE ARE MARSHALL... but I might be found screaming...WE ARE YOURS.
so play today like you want to be remembered
die that you might rise out of the ash to give Him glory
and spend time reading the red book
ALL FOR YOU

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