compromise?

This past weekend, while away in Charleston, I went to see a movie. A movie, that quite honestly was raunchy and I would not recommend. However, even in my error of going, the Lord seemed to use it to question my heart and it’s intention.
The movie was about an election where the final deciding vote came down to one man and what he would choose. When the candidates discovered that this man would decide their fate in the election, they began to court him in order to swing his vote their direction and a competition to win his heart began to ensue. In wanting the vote and approval of one man, both candidates began to compromise on their beliefs, their character and their integrity. The entire movie was about how these two men forsook everything that they had stood for, believed in and testified to in order to get the approval of one.
Sitting in that theater, the Lord quietly asked me the question, that I will ask you today. A question that for most of us, we will deny and say no to, but we will be dishonest if we do. A question that if we answer yes to, will cause us to have to reevaluate everything and redirect our choices, our love and our hearts. A question that will challenge our faithfulness, our integrity and our heart.
What is the question? ……Would you sell your soul for the approval of one man?
While these candidates compromised everything for this one man, I had to question my own heart and see if that was true of me. Do we sell our souls, our values, our beliefs, our convictions, the truth…ever, for the approval of another man? We know what is right, what we believe, what is true, what we value, but we compromise in order to please another.
This could happen at work, compromising in order to please our boss. Or at home, compromising in order to please our husband or wife. At school, to be accepted and liked. All of us at some point choose to compromise who we are for the approval of another. We sell our soul to please another man.
As I watched on the screen and became disgusted with what I saw, the Lord began to show me that my heart was just like those men. Willing to compromise to please another. And therefore, had become an idolater in the process. For when you put anything or anyone before pleasing God, you have given it the place God alone deserves to occupy and have raised up an idol in your life.
Scripture is plain to say in Gal 1:10 “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.” That if we are seeking to please men, we are not His bondservant. Wow, now that hurts.
So to answer the question….will you sell your soul for the approval of one man? I had to answer both yes and no. Deciding that from this time forth, I would not compromise to please any man. Not family, not friends, not anyone. No, I would no longer sell my soul for the approval of another man.
And Yes…I would sell my soul for the approval of ONE MAN, Jesus. That my heart’s cry was that I would desire to love and please Him alone. This is no easy task. So as of today, I have begun to ask Him to accomplish that work in me. To make me love Him and want the approval of Him alone, selling my soul for Him alone and to Him alone, not compromising for anyone else. Selling out to Him. I have not arrived, nor have I got a bead on how to accomplish this, but I am quite sure the Lord will do the work in me, if I will comply. Will you join me in selling your soul to the ONE MAN and selling out for Him? Instead of being compromisers to be a man pleaser here?



ALL FOR YOU

readying the way

As we prepare for worship on Sunday, the Lord has reminded me that there was a voice of one crying out in the wilderness, used to prepare the way of the Lord. Do not misunderstand….I am NOT saying I am that voice. But I do believe that as we move towards what the Lord has for us on Sunday that He has a message for us to dwell on this week. A message to prepare our hearts to meet Him corporately on Sunday. And that we should not come to HIS house unprepared for what HE wants to do, but that we ought to heed what the prophet said and prepare the way for the Lord to come and do a mighty work.

Isa 57:14-15 says;
14 And it shall be said, "Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove {every} obstacle out of the way of My people."
15 For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, "I dwell {on} a high and holy place, and {also} with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

If we are going to encounter the Lord and be prepared for a mighty work from Him, then we have to prepare the way over the coming days and remove the obstacles out of the way for one another. For many of us, there are things standing in the way that will keep us from hearing, seeing and experiencing God this week. Yet, if it is the desire of our heart to experience Him, then we must be compelled to deal with the obstacles so that we GET all He has for us.
Part of that dealing is that we prepare our hearts to be revived by Him because we understand our need for Him. Understanding our need for Him comes from a humility that wants to do nothing but make much of Him. He dwells with those whose hearts are fully given and whose desire is to make much of Him at all times.

So, this week, would it be possible for us to humble ourselves, not talk of our needs or problems, but perhaps focus on just making much of Him all week. Talking of His goodness, His faithfulness. Using our down time to bless Him and to worship Him. As we make much of Him, we are preparing the way for Him to come, removing the obstacles and reading our heart for what He wants to build within it. Be intentional…just talk of His greatness and what He is teaching you.
And then get ready…for as a body of Christ, if we will join together, He will descend in a cloud of glory on us corporately and show us great and marvelous things that we have not conceived or dreamed of.
I am looking forward to it.
Join the Journey….
ALL FOR YOU

wrecked

The events of recent days have brought me to a place this morning of leaning into the Father, perhaps more than ever. There are two things that happen when you get to that place. You GET to SEE Him very clearly-if you wipe the wax from your eyes and allow Him to give you eyes to see AND you SEE yourself very clearly. Both have become evident to me in the last few days.

First, The Lord reminded me on Wed night while praying of 1 Kings 18. Random scriptures brought to mind are typically a stirring of the Spirit for me, so I immediately went there and was confronted with the story of Elijah. These verses are precious to me…They have been verses that I have clung to over the last months… truths that He is PREVIOUS, PROTECTOR and PROVIDER. Over recent months, God has proven that these are attributes that are not just on pages of Scripture, but truth we can lean on…I had no idea why He took me back there on Wed, but today, I know.

God is Previous. Today…in the midst of yucky circumstances with the wreck…He had gone before. From changing cars, although I WISH it had been mine that was wrecked, we might have all been injured had that been the case, to David fixing the lights on the trailer. The Lord spoke this morning and said He is our rear guard. And I am quite confident that the lights in the rear were a guard against further injury or damage. Even to the messages we heard about storms and Jesus being in the boat. He was previous in writing truth on our heart and the hearts of kids.

God is Protector. While my heart wishes that he had protected the car from damage, we can not deny that He protected ALL of us….keeping the other vans from wrecking in circumstances that we still aren’t sure how that kept from happening. And that we all walked away without injury from the wreck…and not just us…but others too. Not to mention that He held off the rain and protected us from the storm while we awaited the tow truck.

God is also our Provider. And though circumstances seem rough in the repair and management of the car, I was reminded by the Father that He has already shown up big in being Previous and Protector, that we can trust Him in the Provision as well. He provided the car the first time and He is already at work to grant provision again. And so I will pray that He provides…

From beginning to end…in His Previousness to the Provision…we can see God if we will look up instead of looking at the circumstance.

This is where I failed yesterday. Instead of immediately being thankful and grateful for His previousness and Protection…and trusting His provision, I merely was aggravated with what happened. But for some reason there was a lesson we/I needed to learn. Part of that lesson began with seeing God and not the circumstance. And that lesson led to seeing my own sin. My heart was not quick to be thank God for His protection or that He had been previous…but instead was frustrated. I was not quick to see where He was at work. And while I was sat in a car, the kids that were with us leaned into the Father. The kids led….

I was frustrated with the circumstance, but the kids circled up and prayed….something I did not do. They went from van to van and blessed the Father. They then began to talk of the sermon from the night before about Jesus being in the storm… and in the boat with His disciples and how Jesus had been with us. They immediately ran for truth and practiced what they had heard. I was so proud of them. Glory was given immediately and the Father was pleased. They had a life lesson….and passed.

Me, it wasn’t until this morning when I heard the Father say….you have yet to thank me…that I humbled my heart and got past my own pride and got facedown in the shower to thank Him. There was a list…a long list of things to be thankful for. The Lord-even in my sin-was still busy providing and proving His love. And I was humbled once again at His great heart to move us towards Him.

ALL FOR YOU

Come away with me

Time away is good. Time away is Biblical. However, time away is not meant for our entertainment, our relaxation or our laziness. Sometimes, we plan vacations and time away, but we come back more tired than when we left, because we fill our days with activity. Or perhaps we go away and do nothing, but because it was not rest for our soul, merely rest for our bodies, we come back to the rat race and it only takes 30 min for you to be right back in the same state of stress you left.
Over recent months, the Lord has been calling me aside and quite honestly, I am not good at that. But I have found in the coming aside, that I find His Presence and my heart is refreshed.
I wanted a place of no distractions, no people calling or beckoning me, nothing to draw my attention or entertain. So I found a place at the end of world and answered his call to come away with Him. Many times we go away and the time away is all about the food we will eat, the places we will go, what we will do or how we will spend our time.
With some encouragement, I laid aside my watch and my phone and walked away from them both. Setting my heart on heaven alone and choosing to let no one and nothing distract...Jesus and I had a date...
I spent long hours in the Word and in prayer. With praises ringing constantly from my ipod and nothing but the view of His creation out the balcony window, I found my heart being soothed by the stillness. And for the first time ever, I think I found some balance...the ability to be still and rest-not lay around and do nothing, but to seek Him hard and fast and still find rest for my soul.
We all have busy lives and busy schedules, people calling and voices that demand things left and right. Families are great and blessed and given by God, but they often drain us as we serve them. Church is precious and we are called to be a part of it, but we can often lose sight of Christ even in His house. Jobs are necessary and we must work as unto the Lord, but they often consume us and keep us from Him. And so, the Lord calls us aside. Not just every once in a while, but He calls us aside regulary for times of refreshing. (Acts 3:19) Times where we can repent and return to the Lord, find His presence and we can recover our breath and find cool shade in His shadow.
Sometimes that looks like an hour stolen or an evening of solitude. Other times, it might require a day away or a weekend removed from the world. And yes, this requires discipline, because the world, our jobs, our families, our lives will beckon us to stay, not go, keep going or try to coax us to engage in entertainment instead. But God knows...in the moment you trade time with Him for the pleasure of this world, that you will have joined the throngs of people who were like Eve...missing Him and end up hiding from His presence instead of lingering in it.
So, at the end of the world, I answered His call to come away with Him...and I was not disappointed. He was there and expereincing His Presence doesn't compare to anything this world can offer.
Jesus knew we would need these times. And thought people probably won't understand, it is both Scriptural and profitable.


Mark 6:30-32
30 And the apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught.
31 And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while." (For there were many {people} coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)
32 And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.

Jesus' call to us is...I have heard your cry. Life is busy and you have done and taught much. So...come away with me to a lonely place a rest for a while. And so they did. They went away with Him...
And we should too....go away with Him. It is His call and His answer to the crazy life. It is not vacation...it is not finding a place to go and spend time and relax...it is a place to meet with Him. Take a friend and go...Jesus told the disciples to come with Him...but it was with the intent that they would go and be with Him. (often we spend time with family or friends and it is all about being together with them and Jesus is just tacked on.)
Wouldn't it be awesome to come aside weekly and come away regularly with Him? It is what our lives are missing. It is the answer to the stress of life. Be still and KNOW that He is....

ALL FOR YOU

stand on the shore or BE the pier

Recently, a friend sent me this picture of a pier. I have one similar to it that I took myself, but for some reason, when I got the picture, it evoked in me a thought that I couldn't escape.
Perhaps, it was the pilings driven into the sand, deep so that the pier would remain stable when the storm tossed waves crashed against the pier, trying to rock it's foundation to no avial. Perhaps, it was the idea of being able to stand out IN the water on the pier and feel as though you were walking on it, above it and through it.
And while those are certainly things that I could make "preach", I think the thought that continues to strike a chord in my soul has more to do with standing on the shore. We stand on the shore and look at the firm foundation of the pier, seeing it's strength and it's stability. We look at the pier and sometimes even enjoy it's view, walk out on it, but only to return to shore. We stand on the shore and look at the pier...
Nothing wrong with that...I guess. But what if instead of standing on the shore looking at the pier, we became the pier. That person that was driven deep and had a rock solid foundation that couldn't be shaken. That person that stretched out past the safety of the shore into the deep water, seeming as if they could walk on it, in it and through it. That person that made a way for others to walk out further from shore into the deep to experience greatness. That person that went further so that others could too.
I love to walk the beach, stand on the shore and enjoy the view. But I think I want to BE the pier. Building a pier is no easy task. It doesn't just happen and it is not without undergrowth that has to be stripped away even after it is established. But we need some piers....people who will go further and make a way for others to see that the shore is not the coolest place...it is nice, but reaching for the deep is awesome.
Let's drive some pilings down, make a firm foundation and build a pier....
ALL FOR YOU

sometimes it takes shears

Recently, we had to move two of my favorite plants-butterfly bushes. They had grown huge, but were in the way of some changes we were making. So we decided to uproot them and move them. At first, it seemed like that was going to work great. But gradually, we realized they seemed to be dying. What was once vividly alive and growing, was slowly dying because of change. Desptie the watering, the leaves were turning black and falling off. And after a few days, they were just two dead plants in new places. The uprooting had brought what seemed like death.
In a last ditch effort to save them, I had Drew take the shears to them and cut them back to just a few feet off the ground. We continued to water them and waited. Within 24 hours, it happened. New growth began to spring forth from what seemed like a dead plant. It was only a small sign of life, but life was there. The shears were needed for the plant to grow. I was so excited...
And then I heard Him speak. It was so plain. This plant is just like life...and just like church. Sometimes things we love get in the way of changes that need to be made. And so we have to uproot those things and place them elsewhere or allow them to be moved so that they are not destroyed in the changed. Sometimes we have to seemingly let things die in order to allow for change. But much like my trees, when we take the shears to things, prune it back, new life is cultivated from something that needed to be moved and seemed like it was dead.
I was thinking about my life and how sometimes things, good things, have to be uprooted in order for change to happen. How things have to die so that new life can happen. How things have to be stripped and pruned, using the shears to bring new life from what seemed like was dying. We have a tendency to cling to what was...instead of embracing new life.
Maybe it is time for us to uproot somethings...to move it around. And it might die. Or maybe in the pruning and in using the shears, new life might be brought forth. For life is found in dying.
I think I will let go of what was and look for what is to come. Move what needs to be moved. Shear what needs to be sheared...for I don't want to just enjoy the growth of the same old bush forever. I want something new...
For when I moved the bush...I divided it and got 2 out of 1. And BOTH have new growth. It just works that way.

ALL FOR YOU

What might He write in the sand to You

John 8:3-12
3 And the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst,
4 they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.
5 "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?"
6 And they were saying this, testing Him, in order that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with His finger wrote on the ground.
7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him {be the} first to throw a stone at her."
8 And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And when they heard it, they {began} to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the midst.
10 And straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
11 And she said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go your way. From now on sin no more."]
12 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Would it be words of ownership and forgiveness or words of condemnation that sent you running? Would it be words of love and compassion or words of judgement? Would it be the list of your sins or perhaps the list of what has been given grace? As I thought about what might be written in the sand to me...one morning on the beach, the Lord took me on a journey that was precious...His Words to me...
And yes, I am an adulterous woman...not physically-against my husband, but spiritually against my Father. And He sees and knows...and offers words...to a woman who should be condemned, but is given grace.


ALL FOR YOU

Words

Words are a gift for me. I love them and the Lord seems to give them, both in written and spoken form. I am not sure why, but they are something I have come to love. They are my love language and they represent more than just words, but the heart and soul. I have learned to choose my words, for I am beginning to understand the value and power of them. And I have been careful to use my words because I understand the significance and meaning of them.
In recent days, I have come to understand why I love words. Because Jesus is in them. In the Beginning was the WORD and the WORD was made flesh. His Word is not far from us, it is in our mouths. Indeed it is our life. The Word of God, just ONE Word from God, can radically change all that we are.
Because He is in the Word and the Word is in us...using our words is very important. Sometimes we choose to withhold them and sometimes we spew them. Other times we we choose to manipulate people with them, while occasionally, we use them to express our emotion and feelings.
God intended for us use our Word. God breathed life into HIS Word so that He could use it to reprove, rebuke, teach and correct. The Word became flesh so that it could be among us, indeed in us. And how we choose to use our words is indicative of what we are doing with Him.
I have been guilty of late of withholding words. And that is wrong. He did not give words so that we could just sit on them. It is why I have not blogged in a while. So, tonight, I use words....HIS.
The pursuit of God is not an easy journey, nor is it one that many embark upon. Few traverse the trail to reach more of Him and even fewer step outside the boat onto the water to experience the greatness of a God they only have read about. But God is not a God to merely be read of on pages. He is a God that is to be sought after, found and experienced. But only for those who are willing to move from the place of complacency into the place of pursuit...and this will cost us. Following hard after Him is not for the faint of heart, but for the brave of heart who will dive deep and not just play in the shallow end of the pool.
So I will use words....It is worth getting wet to dive deep and experience the greatness of a Savior, the beauty of holiness, the grandeur of abundant life, the majesty of presence, the mystery of grace, the treasure in a field, the joy of a journey, the favor of the King and the blessedness of knowing you have and will see more.
I realized today...that part of stumbling on the journey is when we don't use words. When we withhold them. Time to use them...He is.
Don't miss it....
ALL FOR YOU

my soul waits

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made
me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further
grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want
to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more
thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee
indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul,
`Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.' Then give me grace to
rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so
long. In Jesus' name, Amen.
TOZER
ALL FOR YOU

needy people

We are a people who pretty much can provide for ourselves....aren't we. Because that is the world we live in...where we go to work, provide for our own food, shelter and 401k, we have become a people who are very self reliant, self dependent and independent from God. We don't FEEL NEEDY...because we aren't. We are capable and doing just fine on our own. But as William Wilberforce said..."Prosperity hardens the heart."
Hosea 13:6 says "when I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisifed, they became proud;then they forgot me."

But God addresses this kind of people. Malachi 1 tells us that God is not good with leftover sacrifice, independent living or people who don't really need Him. God is not sitting in heaven, hoping for something from us because that is better than nothing. He is wanting ALL of us. He said, "Oh that there were one among you that would shut the gates, that you might not uselelessly kindle fire on My Altar. I am NOT PLEASED with you, nor will I accept your offerings." God wanted to the temple gates shut because the people were offering halfhearted, lame sacrifices to Him. He was saying He would rather have NO worship than apathetic, lukewarm, halfhearted worship.

Tim Kizziar says..."our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter."

We would NEVER say out loud....we don't need God. That would be blasphemy. But the reality is that we live like. And it is not until we see our great need for God that we will truly respond to His greatness....and that is when worthy offerings, sacrifices and worship begin. God does not need us. We need Him...and to think otherwise is deception. And while we won't admit it...if we were honest...our lives demonstrate that we live depending ourselves, not realizing our need for Him.

Perhaps it is time to throw ourselves to a God that we desperately need and to respond to His greatness. And to quit working to be what only God can be in our lives....the provision for all we need. Perhaps we should stop working so hard to succeed and work on the things in life that really matter....acceptable sacrifices to Him. This will only come...when we see our need....
We are needy....ALL FOR YOU

You would ruin MANURE

In the same way, any of you who dos not give up EVERYTHING he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33

Salt is good,but if it loses it saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Luke 14: 34-35

Jesus is addressing those who aren't willing to give everthing, who won't follow Him all the way. He is saying lukewarm, halfhearted following is useless, that it sickens our souls. He is saying that kind of salt is not even fit for the manure pile. Wow...how would you like to hear the Son of God say..."you would ruin manure."
When salt is salty, it helps manure become fertilizer...but lukewarm and uncommitted faith is completely useless...it can't even benefit manure.

CRAZY LOVE
ALL FOR YOU

NOT HALFWAY

When I was in school...I was in the Marching Band. It was a really BIG deal...We were really good and it was a privilege to be a part of it. Literally...the football team played so the band could march every week. It was that big a deal.
But when I started in the band...there were a few rules laid down...one of which was-you do what the director says, when he says it and you don't question it. Our band director owned us...and not just on the field. We knew that we REPRESENTED wherever we were. Once we put on the uniform, we were to remain in full uniform. There was no option to only partially represent. Even if it was blazing hot...we looked the part...all the time. Our actions off the field, dictated our participation on the field. If we did not maintain grades, exceptional behavior on and off the field...we were no longer welcome to represent. When he spoke, we listened. And if we chose not to listen, there were swift consquences...for EVERYONE, not just ourselves. He owned our time. We rehearsed 5 days a week for a less than five minute performance once a week. We spent hours in rehearsals....approximately 15 hours a week...after school, in addition to performances. And you didn't opt out for something better.
But I think the thing I remember the most...is He never demanded any of these things. We knew the rules. We knew the consequences. He never raised his voice or demanded that we listen. If we chose not too...he would stand quietly and say....I have all day...when you are ready...we will proceed. Immediately, we would realize that we would be here all night if we didn't link up and pay attention. But he never had to demand, he only required. And if the requirements were not met...you were not a part. It was that simple.
You either represented fully or not at all.

I was thinking about all this in relationship to our walks with Christ. Why is it we think we can represent Him...be a Christian (which means a little Christ...or Christ's representative) and not fully represent. Why is it we don't realize that He OWNS US and our time-on and off the field. Why is it that we don't understand that there are certain requirements that must be met to be a part of His "band"...He will not raise His voice and demand, but He does require...and if we choose to not live up to the requirements....then we will not be a part.
We would not have been a very good band if our director had settled for half hearted and only a little devoted followers. He required the best. And he got it. And those who chose to settle...and not live the life of standard...were not a part-and they missed out on being the best.
Likewise, God will not settle for half hearted, half devoted followers. He requires...not demands...the best. And he will get it...and those who do not...will not be a part.

Chan says it like this...Jesus didn't say that if you want to be a follower you COULD do it in a lukewarm manner. He said...Take up your cross and carry it.

Jesus requires....that followers NOT BE LUKEWARM...there is not an in between option for the less devoted. You are either a fully devoted follower of Christ or not a follower at all. ALL FOR YOU

Recently, the church offices-or what was the church parsonage-was moved. Because of the new Children's Theater, we need to move the house. A moving company came in and began to prepare for the move. I was amazed at the ordeal it was. They first removed all the brick, penned it up from underneathe so they could place the big steal bars underneathe for travel. They detached the house from the foundation and spent days totally undoing it, so they could move it. I kept thinking...why? What a pain? All this undoing just so it can move.
And then it struck me. It is a word picture for life. A house undone can move. A house that is all put together, is stationary.
Isn't it funny how we long to be all put together and have everything totally "done" in our lives? Isn't it odd that we spend our days making sure our life is not out of control or undone, and hiding what might be the fraying of any edges where that might happen. And in so doing, we are doing nothing more than making totally sure that we don't MOVE at all.
God has called us to be a people on the move. We are not to be sitting still, but to instead be walking forward with Him. And yet, instead of realizing that prepartion for that moves, means an undoing so that we are not attached to the location we are in, we choose to fight that movement everystep of the way by refusing to be undone. And in so doing...we miss Jesus...and all He has for us. For our undoing, means we are able to move. It means we have no other foundation than that which is moving us...the King of Kings.
I watched as they put that house up on wheels and rolled it down to it's new location. I thought....hmmm...a house undone, on the move, not clinging to past, but headed for something new. Perhaps, that is what God has for us, if we would simply embrace a little undoing....
to that I say....Let's Roll...put me on wheels and MOVE ME.
ALL FOR YOU

american idol

Last week on American Idol, the contestants closed out the show by singing "Shout to the Lord". The words to the song are strong and have been used to stir the heart of the church for years. However, I was somewhat disappointed, when they changed the words at the beginning of the song from MY JESUS, to My Shepherd, omitting Jesus' name from the song. Aggravated that they did that to Jesus name, I was a little disheartened. However, on the following night, they again performed the song, only this time to say Jesus' name. Idol redeemed itself.
I was thinking about how funny it is to know that even the IDOLS Shout to the Lord. The AMERICAN IDOL sang His praise and made His name known. It so affirms what the Word says in Rom 14:11, "For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." God is very specific in Isa 42:8 to say "I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to graven images."
There is coming a day "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." It is GOING to happen. We can either choose to bend our knees or have them broken, but we WILL worship Him-HIS WAY. It makes me laugh to know that American Idol got to shout to the Lord...but so few of those who wear His name really do that. Maybe, we ought not let Idol out do those who are truly following Him. ALL FOR YOU

When you come in the back door of my house, entering into my kitchen...there are words that you can't help but see. I LOVE words...used to edify, they have the power of life in them. Jesus is the ultimate picture of WORDS...becoming life and dwelling among us.
Years ago, I read a book that talked about Sanctuary being a place where you are cleansed, where you come higher, further and closer to the Father. Those words are etched into my soul. And so, above my back door are words that read "Welcome to Sanctuary".
I want my home to be a Sanctuary...the place His glory dwells, where people may come and be cleansed, drawing higher, further and closer to the Father. I want it to be a Refuge, a shelter....a Tabernacle, a Tent, a Temple, a House that is His.
But today....those words are more precious than ever....I want those words to be true not only of a church or my house, but my life. To be a place, a life, where covenant has caused multiplication and where He dwells...where nations will know that He is the Lord because my life has been set apart and where He abides in my midst. I don't want Sanctuary to be a place...so much as it is about who I am...a Sanctuary because of His mark on me. ALL FOR YOU

time away

Since the first of this year, the Lord has been challenging my heart to not only run hard and fast after Him, but to be faithful to find times to rest. The Father has been so gracious to remind me that I run harder, faster and further when I rest.
The Word is plain that we are to take a SABBATH. Time to regroup and refocus on Jesus. Not to play or entertain ourselves. Not to take naps or veg out. But days where we just get in His face and worship. While the 10 commandments set aside a day that we are to celebrate the SABBATH, Jesus was even more precious to set an example of more than that. Scripture tells us that JESUS, GOD HIMSELF, was faithful to take time AWAY and to spend it with His Father. He went to the garden, to the Mt and into the wilderness...to see HIS FATHER...to seek HIMSELF. And when He went away, He often took that inner circle of those He loved. Jesus knew and valued time AWAY. Jesus knew that He needed to set the example of sabbatical, Sabbath and time away pursuing the Father. This was more than just a daily quiet time or a trip to church. This was TIME...to linger...with Him and be AWAY.
This is a discipline that we as believers have chosen to disregard. Due to the fast pace of life, the responsibilities of our world and the lack of motivation, we rarely decide to choose to go away and just seek Him. It seems crazy. I mean when we have time off...or take time off...should it not be to go on vacation, to entertain ourselves, to spend time with our families? While all of those are great things, I am wondering why we will sacrifice to have time away for the things we want and yet we do not intentionally set aside time away-as Jesus did- to pursue Him. We will go to conferences, come to church and participate in camps or events, but what about following Jesus' example-of just going AWAY.
I have asked myself that question a lot over the past few months. Why is it that we think we can do without that which the very Son of God had to have? He set an example that we think we can do without. Or perhaps, it is not that we think we can do without it so much as we just neglect that due to schedules and business. We lean on our own abilities instead of trusting what He says we need....I have been the worst at this. While, trying desperately to pour life into people, filling my schedule so full that by the end of several weeks, I feel drained and empty..I just keep pressing on. I love that my cup is empty and that I have worn myself out for the Kingdom, but I am finding that it is in those moments that greatest temptation, sin, failure and flesh surface.
Jesus knew this. It is why He set up a commandment and set an example to spend time AWAY. He knew that we would/could get drained from all the pouring out and never take enough time to fully recharge. You can sustain that for a little while, but when people are constantly expecting you to keep on doing what you have always done on an empty tank, sooner or later, there will be a problem.
I wondering if we might consider such times as these, as times to fast from the WORLD. To realign, refocus and be sure that our hearts are set on Him.
The Lord told me last October that He wanted me to build into my schedule times to get away and do just that...realign and refocus, spend time just chasing Him. And so, I decided that for the first time in my life that I was going to go AWAY. No kids, no husband, no TV, no entertainment...I was going to spend time pursuing Him. And since then, He has been plain that I am to build that into my schedule regularly....dates with the "KING"....
And while it has been difficult to schedule, complicated to take care of my kids and people have not understood why, it has been the most amazing thing I have ever done with the Lord. And now, it is time that I crave...I hunger and thirst for Him and time with Him.
In fact, I have just returned from some time away. The Lord was precious and I had the privilege of meeting with Him. I am sitting at my desk right now...looking for my next date. Anxious about what He will share and give. Awaiting time with Him and excited, anticipating it as if it were just as important as any other appointment that I place on my calendar.
And to think...I have spent 37 years, merely satisfied with moments, when I could have had more. If only I had set that time apart. I am certainly not trying to applaud my own efforts in this area...for I have fallen miserably short...but what I do want to share is that I have discovered a vital discipline in my life that has been missing. It is Scriptural. And it is changing me. And perhaps...you have been missing it too.
Maybe, we should all make a date with the King and go AWAY. Take someone precious with you-as Jesus did...but run away and be committed to pursue while there. And see what it does. I promise you won't be disappointed. Wouldn't it be nice to stop the grind of life just for a moment and see Jesus, face to face?
Make it happen.
Doxa
ALL FOR YOU

blinded

There is an old song that says…blinded by the light. That was me today….Blinded by the Light.
The thought started in TREEHOUSE this morning. While leading the kids in worship, the spotlights shining down on us, I looked up to see the WORD’s and found myself blinded by the Light. I couldn’t see anything. I had looked dead into the Light and was absolutely blind as a result.
Of course, it passed and I was able to see again. I walked backstage and was thinking about how I was blinded by the Light, when it hit me. Funny, standing in TREEHOUSE, isn’t that what we want. To be blinded by the Light. To have His Light so shine down and overwhelm us that we can see nothing but His Light. To be looking for HIS WORD to us and have Him shine into us the Light of the knowledge of God in the face of Christ. To be blinded by Him, so that we can see nothing and be determined to know nothing but Christ and HIM crucified.

I think I want to be blinded by the Light….how about You?
ALL FOR YOU

Treehouse grand opening

ALL FOR YOU

in the light

Saturday was an EXTREMELY LONG day. We had been at the church ALL day long, setting up for the GRAND OPENING of TREEHOUSE in the new building. We had been working on lighting set up, sound and placement on the stage. We had been through a series of rehearsals already and I was sitting on the front row, watching the drama play out one final time, when Lindsey came and sat down beside me. We were both tired, but excited. There had been a moment in rehearsal where I watched the words that she was saying from the stage in a "role" she was playing become very real of her heart. She wanted to go to the party. We talked about that for a few minutes and then we began to chat about all the lights.
During the course of the day, we had to adjust the lighting because it was so new that it was almost distracting for us. It was hard to stay focussed because we couldn't get the Light to shine exactly where we needed it to. We had great help, who figured it out and by 7:30pm we had it all exactly where it needed to be. But in order to be sure that I stood in the light, exactly where I needed to be, they put a small piece of tape on the stage. A marker, where I was to stand, so that I would be sure to stand in the light.
As Lindsey and I were chatting about the lights, I looked at her and said, "I just have to be sure not to miss my mark. If I am off the mark, I won't be in the Light. Where I stand, determines if I am in the light or not." And then it struck me....the words spewed out of my mouth as I spoke of lighting issues, but they immediately pierced my heart...and hers. She just looked at me and went....wow...that was good.
While we were talking about lighting on a stage, my heart screamed with the truth that had just popped out of my mouth. Unintentionally, truth had pierced the darkness and my heart.
Where we stand makes a huge difference as to whether we are in the light or not. If we are off the mark, we will not be standing in the Light, but in the darkness. How easy it is for us to miss the mark. To sin and fall short of the glory of God. The Light shines in the darkness, but we can certainly choose to stand in the darkness instead of the Light. If I am going to stand in the Light, I must stand on my mark. And not move...or else I won't be in the Light. The choice of where I stand, determines if I am in the Light or not. So missing my mark...is not an option. ALL FOR YOU

filters?

Have you ever heard of cleaning your mirrors with a coffee filter? Well, I had never heard of such thing. Of course, the only thing I want to do with a coffee filter is MAKE COFFEE. But, I have this friend who says filters do a really great job of cleaning mirrors because they don’t leave any lint on the mirror itself. When she told me that, I just stood there thinking….no way. What a cool word picture.

So, I have been thinking about filters and mirrors for the last few days. Filters are used for coffee makers, to keep the grounds from being in your coffee. Mirrors are used to see your reflection. But what if we used a filter on our mirror? Mirrors are not intended to have filters. They are there to show a true and honest reflection of what is real. If we filter the mirror, we don’t see what is truly there.

However, the other side of that thought is that if we use a filter in our lives, then the reflection we see will be pure, without blemish or defect or lint. It removes those obstacles and things that cloud our vision from seeing what truly is.

But, perhaps the real lesson here is that we should use a specific filter to help with the reflections that we see in the mirror. The Word of God is like a mirror and a filter. It can be used to filter out what doesn’t need to be so that we can be a clear reflection of the Father. It is also a mirror that we can look into and see what needs to be filtered so that we can look more like the Father everyday.

God was us to be able to look in the mirror and behold the glory of God…without having to use a filter to see. He longs for the day when our reflection is merely Him looking back at us. When we are transformed into HIS image, displaying His glory, unfiltered, unveiled…no obstacles in us seeing or being this.



2 Cor 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Doxa
Christy Upton
Take my yoke and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest. My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
for more....check out http://doxaglory.blogspot.com

ALL FOR YOU