Christ's Journaling Zealot

Uganda: Pearl Of Africa

2011-04-28T17:43:00.000-07:00

I was thinking how its a funny thing, pearls. We all know the nice redemptive story of how the precious stone is created. Some piece of sand gets lodged in an oyster, the living organism of the oyster then over time coats the granular and produces the sought after pearl. It’s your classic Cinderella story—with a bit of a Little Mermaid twist I suppose. Britain’s Prime Minister, Winston Churchill visited the luscious country of Uganda in 1907 and was the first to call it the “Pearl of Africa.” While Churchill was referencing the landscape in this now war torn country, the 24-million people who call the place home are the ones who truly make the land precious.

You may have received many a letter from me over the past few years. However, some of you may be new friends whom I have not shared this part of my heart with. Where ever you fall into that sphere of friendship with me and my family I would ask you to take a moment to let me share a piece of the burden God has placed within me. I have always been enamored with trains, planes, maps, adventures, and stories of lives changed. Growing up I didn’t understand why I had such a draw towards these topics, not until the first time I was offered the chance to travel to a far off country to share God’s love. That’s when it all clicked. This passion for far off places and daring adventures was God’s way of whispering his longings to reach a people often overlooked. Since this realization God has lead me to three foreign countries and an outlook changing week in the slums of Los Angeles. Through this I’ve been blessed beyond words by many of you repeatedly supporting me. Now I am asking that you don’t allow this recurring, neatly folded letter to become white noise. I believe I’ve been allowed to go on these trips in the past, in preparation to step out and take a trip back to continent that stole my heart on my first trip in 2007 to South Africa.

This time I don’t have any details to share of how I and 20 others from my church are crossing the ocean to reach out to the people of Uganda. This time—its just me. I am joining Ugandan Pastor, Jackson Sangoya, the founder of Christian Life Ministries on a trip to Seeta, Uganda July 14-August 1. I have discovered how there has never been any quicker way to reduce me to tears then to share the plea of this war torn country. I have often said how I need the occasional reality check, whether that is in the form of a memoir of someone who has lived through unspeakable circumstances, or watching a film about true events. When I popped in the documentary “Invisible Children” to watch one afternoon a few years back, I had no idea what God was getting ready to do in my heart. As the film detailed the lives of these children who are forced into a life of killing, my heart broke. I sobbed uncontrollably as it showed children weeping over their lost parents, many of whom had been killed at their own hand. This is a country that has been torn apart by an internal war for over 20 years, and none of the people who live there have been able to stay indifferent. They have all been affected, whether their children were kidnapped by the LRA (a rebel army) and forced to be soldiers, or they watched their siblings brutally kill their parents, or they perhaps have witnessed a loved one slowly pass away as a result of AIDS. In one way or another, this once beautiful country has become a waste land of overlooked humanity.

With the growing desire to go and love on the people of this country, I decided that if I didn’t act on it soon, the opportunity would pass me by. I felt like God was saying this was the year to step out. With Christian Life Ministries I will be spending most of my time in the villages of Seeta and Lira. Seeta is a village that is committed to providing a home for many widows and women who suffer from HIV. While many of these woman have lost their children to the LRA’s cruelty, the ministry has began to bring back their joy by allowing them to be house moms for some of the thousands of orphans cared for by CLM. In Lira, the ministry has created a fresh start place for the surviving young victims of the LRA to recover and re-learn what it is like to live life outside of being a war criminal. I will have the amazing opportunity to help the house moms at these villages, serve them in the name of Christ and to love on them as well as the kid who stay there. For me to go, I still need to raise $3000 by June 30. If you feel lead to support me financially you can write a tax deductible check to Christian Life Ministries.

So friends and family, I just want to update you on how things are going as I have been raising money for my trip this summer. Along with the support letters I have sent out, I have been doing a text book drive and a garage sale of sorts to raise the funds. At this point I have about a third of the funds that I need in order to go to Uganda. At this juncture I would ask you to continue to partner with me in prayer over the people I will encounter as well as the fundraising process. I also want to ask if you would consider supporting me financially if you haven’t already? I of course want to thank those of you who have year after year helped me go to these places that God opens the door to- you are irreplaceable. You are all such a blessing, thank you for everything.

My hope is that perhaps the beautiful people of Uganda will yet be known for their love and joy that can be found in Christ. Maybe the country’s appearance as an insignificant grain of sand can still be seen transformed into a pearl once more. Maybe what they need is someone like you to reach out. Maybe you’re able to go someday or maybe you’re able to give.I don’t think that I am some super hero who will single handedly change the nation in three weeks. But what I do know is that I feel called there. Not everyone is, not everyone has to go. But I feel like I have to be obedient to what God has laid on my heart, and I can’t do that without your help. Thank you for considering supporting me, and investing in the Pearl of Africa.

Thoughts on direction..

2011-04-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

+Ephesians 1:8,17(NLT) He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding...asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

I have been praying a lot lately that God would just give me some divine direction in some decisions that I have at this stage of my life. It seems like at every turn there is a potentially life altering decision to be made, and that is a reality that strikes an indecisive person like me with fear. I know that any decision made out of fear is tainted and may cloud my discernment in what God is trying to tell me. I also know that I want to make my decisions with a foundation of faith- confident that my God can creatively intervene in any situation as he works all things to my good. (Rom 8:28)

This morning as I sit at a Starbucks in the beautiful city of Colorado Springs, the sun is shining out side the window, the breeze is waltzing with the bare branches of the trees and the Rocky mountains frame a picturesque sky. With this majestic sight before me I came across the above verses. With a gently whisper that I imagine was akin to the voice God chose to speak to Elijah with in the mountain side cave I heard something pressing on my heart. The Father simply whispered, "What if your asking for direction is a request slightly off aim? Ask for understanding, ask for wisdom. These things will lead you to a deeper knowledge of me. Once you know me more deeply- direction comes naturally, and it wont be something to fear. Isn't a clearer understanding of me a more precious treasure then a revelation of the next 6 months of your life? Do you trust that I have your every day written in my book?"

The admonishment of James 4:2-3 came to mind. I was asking God for direction, but were my motives misdirected? I know God does not look down on my asking for direction, it isn't that I felt he was correcting me for some wrong doing. He wants to bless me, the Spirit has promised to lead me into all Truth. If I change my prayer focus from clear direction, to deeper wisdom- the decisions that lead to my future and its direction will fall naturally in line with his will and heart for me.

I know that some things God speaks to us is a personal word, but with the joy I find in writing, I felt this was another gentle lesson that God may have to teach you too. Maybe it was just a lesson God wanted to open my eyes to, maybe my motives were slightly askew from what they should be as I sought God's will for my life;his will for the next year of my life. But if this is for you to hear, then please read it and take it to heart. Maybe God is calling you to deeper knowledge of him, and that may mean letting go of the strict ten year plan you created when you were in 8th grade. Maybe God is calling you to a spontaneous life that is lead daily by reliance on him; daily trust. No prayer is over looked by God, but if he impresses on me a way to pray that is more in line with his heart-wouldn't I be a fool to over look it?

God forgive me for seeking direction alone. I was looking at that prayer as a means to an end. I was asking for quick definitive answers and was missing out on the joy that can be found in creatively discovering the next chapter of life you've written for me. Holy Spirit, thank you for leading me into all Truth. Help me to rely on you, may I invite you into my every day, every decision, trusting that you are imparting wisdom freely as I ask for it. May the wisdom and understanding that you reveal to me lead me deeper in to you. Above all else- God- if I am closer to you, to your heart, my life will be enriched so much more then having my life plan cemented. May I never forget the faithfulness you've displayed in my life in the past. Father God, increase my heart's capacity to breathe in wisdom, open my eyes to the Spirit of understanding.

Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done." -C.S. Lewis

Still Reflection

2011-01-27T20:46:00.001-08:00

I have undertaken the effort to be very intentional about my time spent in the word these past three weeks. Now, I readily acknowledge the inerrant power of the Word and its ability to help us hear the voice of God. But recently I heard a testimony from a friend about when he first decided to believe in Christ. He didn’t know much about God, but he had access to a Bible and he dove in, head first. He took it for face value. He took God at his Word—literally. Though he didn’t understand it, he knew the very act of reading and trying to retain even the smallest bit of these scriptures would be a life altering act. Thinking this way is what lead to my friend’s believing the Bible when it says “…In Christ you are new creation.” He decided it could only mean that he was an innocent man behind bars. His testimony now includes the miraculous way that God restored his life after time in prison. Taking the Word for what it says, like the fact that it doesn’t return to God without accomplishing its purpose, can take a lot of determination. This is a task that at times can be hard for a kid like me to do, seeming I grew up seeing the white haired Daniel who pet the kittens in the den and the ginormous Goliath mocking the scrawny Jr. higher David all against the backdrop of a green felt board. Some Biblical texts can become monotonous if you’re not careful. In light of my friend’s testimony and the focused prayer season that the I had the opportunity to take part in, I decided to go at my time in the Word with fresh eyes.

What better scripture to dive into then the all familiar Psalm 23. Here the felt board would’ve displayed a nice winding blue stream that trickled out of a nearby rock, a few white cotton ball lambs dreamily gazing up at the ruddy young David (somehow looking just like the one that threw a pebble at the giant—though this song of his was very likely written years apart from that). I found it so easy to just skim over the words, mentally completing the familiar phrases. I caught myself and read the passage again, trying to see how I could apply the specific verses in a personal way. That’s when verse 2 stuck out in a new way. Humor me will you? Take a deep breath before you read the familiar words…no presupposed ideas floating around without supervision please. ..

+Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

He leads me besides still waters…we often take this as refreshment, which is a fine interpretation. God does refresh us. But as I closed my eyes and let myself envision this strong, protective and loving Shepherd as we took a walk in my meadow I saw a wide river. The water was still, motionless; not to the point of stagnation, but to the point of reflection. Here, at this place where He makes me take time to rest, breathe and think, here we pause at the side of the river. And here I can see my reflection in the light of the glory that comes from the one with whom I walk.

With a still river residing in this meadow one would be able to hear the voice of the one who was with you. Is it possible that God leads us to the quiet places of rest so that we can reflect on the state of our lives? Maybe we are brought to such a place so that we are able to examine our relationship with God? As we look down at a reflection of ourselves, and we can clearly hear the voice that wants to guide us, maybe this is how our soul is restored. This is the place where we can be honest, stop hiding our faults as if God doesn’t already know, and let him lead us in the paths of righteousness that he has for us. After all, the Word says that he leads us there, not that we desperately search for the righteous paths. After reflection at the still waters, he simply leads as we submit.

Sounds like a nice concept, right? I think it is. But here is the catch (I never claimed there wasn’t one so stop rolling your eyes), we need to stop seeing the truths of the Word as pretty concepts. The messages that we hear from on the weekends or through the ear buds of an Ipod need to be more than a check on our To Do List. It’s time to take the Word for what it says. Take the time to listen to God. We can spend all our prayers crying out to him about how much we need direction, or how we need to hear from him, but if we don’t pause to listen and reflect, well we could be missing it. Take the decisive time to step away from the raging waters of your daily life and let this God who leads you in paths of righteousness take you to the still waters to reflect.

Preaching To the Choir

2011-01-09T18:36:00.000-08:00

Every once and awhile a song will come along that I can only explain as an encounter. The artists involved in its creation probably heard its faint whispers from their vantage point whilst they were soaking before the Throne of the Grand Composer. Well recently I heard the song “All the Poor and Powerless” by Sons & Daughters. The lyrics, harmony and instruments tug on your heart. It has recently become the central soundtrack to where ever God is leading me right now.

The other day as this song’s lyrics were resonating in my thoughts I found myself reading the below scripture in which the ancient Prophet Ezekiel was reprimanding the spiritual leaders…

+Ezekiel 34: 4-6 You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. ⁵ So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. ⁶ They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them.

My heart quite literally breaks at passages like this. What a tragedy that God would ever have to speak out against the leaders of the Church. These very people who are supposed to be a picture of God to those around them—they are not even seeking out the lost. But can I say that today, here and now, we are really even beyond that? I am sure that you are able to come up with one or two ‘christians’ that could fall into the category of this scripture. Would someone else name you? Maybe I should instead ask whether you would name me?

I recently read a poem by a class mate that recounted her experience growing up in a ‘christian school.’ After lines about the rigidness of the program she writes, “God I am willing to acknowledge you/ But after twelve years of being forced to do so,/ I am not willing to step back into your house.” The saddest part about the conclusion of her poem is I can’t really blame her. Too often it seems many Christians, well meaning or not, have driven people away from the Church rather than welcoming them in. When I read this poem written by a friend I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and beg her to remember, the church is not GOD. GOD doesn’t disown you when you do wrong. He doesn’t disqualify the broken, and He doesn’t abandon the needy. But as I had this thought-- I felt my heart sink. No, the hurt people who dwell with in the walls of the church—they are not God himself. But should I really be pleading with someone to not view the church as God? The Church is supposed to put flesh to the Words and Actions of Christ.

One Sunday morning as I was singing in worship at my home church, the room was erupting and passionately singing out the lyrics “Shout it out, go on and tell it to the mountains, go on and scream it to the masses, that He is God.” I had to stop and think, are there those of us that actually go out and truly proclaim his goodness like we so comfortably sing from inside the walls of church? How many of us are really living lives that declare who the LORD of our life is? Are they walking out of these doors after singing these songs and screaming to the masses about our God? Am I?

I don’t have some super solution to the sickness I see in many parts of the Body of Christ, I know that many a church is being used in amazing ways. Not supposed to despise small beginnings right? Start small, start here. Live what you believe, let word and deed go together. I know there are genuine leaders and people in churches world-wide, I guess I am writing simply to ask you to allow your words and actions to not be contradictions. Help the word Christian deviate from being a synonym for judgment and hypocrites. Maybe we’ll reach a day where the cry won’t ever have to be uttered, “Jesus—save us from your followers.”

Love Much

2010-12-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

+Luke 7:47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

If I were to be entirely honest with a person sitting across from me at a coffee shop in regards to this verse, I would have to say that it haunted me for a time. My first reaction to reading this scripture is something akin to having wounded pride. The thought flickers through my mind, ‘just because I didn’t spend a season of my life purposefully walking away from God-am I only able to love others to a certain capacity?’ Maybe I even allowed myself to buy into this lie because it was a way to pacify my apathy when it came to love in action. These thoughts amongst others have lead to me grappling with the validity of a testimony that is surrounded by the walls of churches. Mine was a childhood surrounded by felt boards and Easter sunrise breakfasts (which I clearly remember sleeping through).

As I got older, and people would ask what my testimony was, I began to feel like didn’t have anything worth telling. I knew God had saved me, but was it possible that having grown up knowing about him from day one could have actually negated my ability to experience his grace in some way? God had miraculously rescued people in my life from life altering addictions, he had healed them from terminal illnesses, He had plucked them out of cycles of familial destruction. Me? I said a prayer when I was five years old. Big deal.

In the last few years God has begun to show me the reality behind the lie I had believed. In the very act of letting myself think this way I had begun to buy into the Pharisee’s propaganda, after all what had I been forgiven of? You know, since I had grown up in church.

+James 2:10 And the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as the person who has broken all of God’s law.

Just because my sins have been so much more inverted then that of someone who found salvation on the streets doesn’t mean I’ve been saved from any less. The question that I now have had to wrestle with is whether my hypocritical tendencies are worse than an open disobedience. But does it matter? I can’t judge the actions and heart of another when I have been hiding behind the faith of my parents for half of my life. In the past years I came face to face with the ugliness of religious routine. I found that it traveled often with it’s best friend of being offended quickly. But my life, though it may not be a spiritual Cinderella at first glance, is all the same a testament to the faithfulness of a powerful and loving God. Is a shattered life put back together any more miraculous then the whole piece of glass remaining intact?

No matter that state you find yourself in—you have a story to tell about God’s grace at work in you. This truth has only become all the more clear as I continue to be privy to the stories of other’s lives. Never take for granted the chapter God has written for you. Don’t write yourself out of it by assuming someone else is better or lower than you.

I have been forgiven for all the things I’ve thought, for all the things I’ve done and for all the things I would have done if I didn’t have the people in my life God has blessed me with. My one lie, my one hard hearted response to God-more than qualified me for separation from my Savior. Yet I find myself with a melancholy smile playing on my lips this night, as I am—underneath it all—content. I’ve been forgiven much. God help me to also love much.

As a Result

2010-10-25T19:00:00.001-07:00

God did it again. You know, when he sneaks up behind you and puts his finger on that one lesson that you've learned one thousand times before-but got so busy and distracted that your forgot it again? Yeah, he did that to me. I was reading during my God time and came across a verse I had already underlined in my Bible. This means of course that I at some point found it profound and wanted to remember it. However this day as I read over the verse one single phrase stuck out.

+ 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NLT) "And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. ¹³ May he, as a result, make your hearts strong, blameless, and holy as you stand before God our Father when our Lord Jesus comes again with all his holy people. Amen."

Did you catch it? Paul is encouraging the believers to continue in the pouring out of their lives in love. We all know about the times that Jesus specifically shared how the greatest commandment, even about the Law of Moses, is to LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul, and to LOVE your neighbor as yourself. (Matt 22:34) How far we stray from this reality of faith! How many churches make the Gospel all about the style of music they play, or the color of the carpet-or my personal favorite, the version of Bible you read. That's a deal breaker. No, Jesus on more than one occasion stressed what the hinge of the door of salvation was-love. To love God, and to love others.

Now while many a church is debating whether the keyboard is worse than a drum set there are many Christians who are working on their spiritual complexion. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not just harping on churches. I love church. I love the body of Christ; there is just the reality that many who claim to be part of this body are actually currently taking a saw-zaw to their ankle. I don't feel too horrible about calling out the pride filled Christian because I've been there. I've been self focused and misdirected. But God's grace and loving family have helped me realign my own focus. Like I said, we as 'the church' can get so wrapped up on achieving holiness that we forget the reason that we are to be holy. God called us to be holy-for he is holy. But his holiness draws the lost to repentance. It's always about others; it's never been just about you. We have to stop getting so caught up in fixing ourselves that we stand right in front of a person and watch them crumble, and we never lift a finger from our own face to help them.

I want to propose to you that you should stop fixing yourself. Some friends and I have been discussing this and it just keeps coming up. Now this isn't to say that we ignore our own problems, Jesus also addresses hypocrisy. Yes grow, be challenged and address the issues in yourself-but not at the expense of the people in your life. If we would open our eyes, if we would stop looking in the mirror then maybe, just maybe, others would have the chance to see the piece of God you've been so zealously polishing and hording. If you read the scripture I mentioned again, it says that God is working out love in our life, so that it over flows—and as a result we become strong and blameless and holy. And isn't the Bride of Christ supposed to be spotless and holy? How else are we ever going to get there without love?

Love other people today. Let God do a work of holiness in you. He calls us to be holy like he is holy-and he is love, as a result, God will see us as holy.

“Summer Air from Somewhere”

2010-08-29T17:27:00.001-07:00

Summer air symphony outside my window,

Riding on the fresh after breath of the moon.

What if I could catch you in a jar and study your unique tune?

Who is it that directs with sounds so sweet?

Do the stars twinkle to keep the time?

I wonder whether the crickets know their strings were assembled by the Divine.

The breeze that builds the acoustics so resounding,

Helps to amplify the trees rustling percussion.

Me? I am just a passerby who paused as I sauntered past the amphitheater.

This one located at the somewhere along the intersection between dream and thought.

I marvel at the harmony so true-

A sound hardly touched by ivory and wood.

This summer's symphony will soon give way to autumns textures and colors,

A canvas composed of artistic picture rather than a midnight song.

No matter the lyric, artistry or allure-the author tis all the same.

He is the one who sings the melody, a thread woven through all our joy or pain.

Heavy notes of love and faithfulness-so soothing for one to hear.

So whether you sleep, wake or rise-

Remember who you are in this grand composer's eyes.

End the question of the summer air from somewhere-the source is deeply known.

When it next comes to mind-take the time,

To listen to that which is sung around the throne.

A summer air's song from somewhere.

The Door Unopened

2010-08-03T19:15:00.001-07:00

As usual, I have found a new meaning in a portion of scripture I've never seen enlightened before. A new dawning of understanding came over me as I was reading through the ministry of Peter and his adventures in Acts. I found myself reading the account of when he was in prison and has a miraculous release from his bonds. I previously blogged about how God spoke to me having a grasp on the vision for your dreams and future in "Following your vision out of the prison." This time around through Acts God placed his finger on another arena entirely. He was making my throat close and heart pound at the question-do you love me enough to wait for me?

You see, once Peter was lead out of

the prison in Acts 12, we then see him coming to the home of friends who were interceding on his behalf while in bondage. Now this is one of those instances that this narrative of Peter may not have been inspired by the Spirit for this exact illustration-but God wanted to speak to me, and I believe you, on this subject-and this particular passage is what he used. As Peter arrives at the door, the people inside are praying their guts out for him. They want him to just magically show up. They are praying a prayer that most in the back of their m

inds may be thinking, if ONLY he would just miraculously show up at our door-if ONLY God was supernaturally deliver him! And then, the most amazing thing happens. As the people in the house are eagerly and ardently seeking God for Peter to be with them-a knock on the door is heard. A young gal runs to the door-looks to see the answer to her prayers-Peter at the door. So what does she do? Does she burst open the door like an excited grandmother receiving her check from Publisher Clearing House!?! No…she runs back to the room where the others are and declares "He's here!"

How odd. Think about it, the answer to her prayer is there, but she is more excited to tell others about it then to experience the miracle. The thing God showed me was what made my throat close a little. Take this and make it an analogy of your spiritual life. As I looked at it in this filter-I am the person in the house, praying and praying for God's presence, for an encounter with him, for a flicker of his voice, for a sense of his beautiful face. We pray, we cry, we eat dirt in our 'prayer closet'. Then at the first sense of his presence-when the goose bumps rise on our arms we think mission accomplish and leave our room after a time spent in the word and think "mission accomplished," but we just heard a knock, recognized Jesus and ran off telling everyone how huge our God time just was. How often do we turn away before really ope

ning the door to let the Father enter his Temple?

How often at that first little sign we boast to others of the righteousness

we feel we're experiencing- but Jesus is still outside the door waiting?

What if we opened the door

to him fully when he knocked, when he came as we so ar

dently prayed for him to come?

What if God actually came to the door with intentions of going inside?

The Word says in Revelation 3:20 "Here
I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

He doesn't want you to run away at the sound of his voice and think that is all there is. He wants to spend time with you- he wants to be nourished with you. Imagine that, we are certainly strengthened in his presence, but he finds joy, fellowship, and yes strength and delight in spending time was us to! How much more could we be used, how much more of Jesus would we know if we opened the door? Then look, really look at what the Word says after those inside FINALLY open the door for Peter…

"Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed." (Acts 12:16)

The pastor at my church said something this last week that made me catch my breath, one of those confirmations from God- "The degree of value you place on the presence of God determines the measure of access you have to the impossible." We should jealously guard our time with God-value it, make it a priority and never underestimate what God has planned for you. Do now allow this to lay guilt on you, may it place you in holy dissatisfacti

on with your time with God. May you hear his continuous knocking, his calling to us-his yearning to answer your prayers-and let him in. Let his presence saturate your life.

Lord teach us to wait on you, may we not sell ourselves short so that we run and get all self-righteous about the whisper we heard from you when you want to fellowship and have a conversation with us. God we want to see you face to face-give us the patience and endurance and expectation to walk forward and open the door.

(Photo by Linda Sannuti- check out her awesome pics at http://linda-sannuti.artistwebsites.com )

The Joy of “Cross-Eyed” Retrospect

2010-07-03T20:21:00.001-07:00

I've been reading through Job. Quite an interesting book that I could say a lot about, but I want to narrow my thoughts to one particular portion of this theologically challenging correspondence. I'm not here to debate whether God ever allows painful things into our lives or how Satan can enter God's presence like that, no; I'm just here to share with you something that God brought to light for me recently when I was reading Job. If you have ever skimmed over Job or heard a pastor preach on it somewhere, I'm sure you know the gist of the story. A wealthy, faithful follower of God all the sudden has tragedy strike and looses everything that ever meant something to him. All the while his friends, maybe well meaning, try to get him to admit some hidden sin that would explain what he was going through, and Job declares he is innocent. Many times we uphold the idea that Job was so righteous never getting upset with God through all this…and I have to ask you if that's how you view Job-have you ever read his letters? The Book of Job is full of Job's honest and heart-wrenching prayers asking God why this is happening. He seems to feel insignificant in God's sight, otherwise why would this be happening? It is as if he questions how God views him, but all the while Job understands the power of God, if you have the time; it's a complex book to read through-but it's amazing what you'd find. The portion that struck a chord with me was found in chapter nine, one of Job's responses to his friend…

+ Job 9:32-35 ³² "God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. ³³ If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. ³⁴ The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. ³⁵ Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.

What a vivid picture of a man who is lost in his sorrows. All Job can see is how despised he is. The only thing he can comprehend is how god MUST be angry with him because of all the horrors he was going through. And then his line is nearly heart breaking. He details the need for a mediator. He just wants to feel heard by God, to understand why he is dealing with all the pain that has latched itself to his life. All he sees is his sinful state, he knows that he couldn't ever come to God in that way, but what he hasn't understood yet is how God wants Job to come even in this state. It's reminiscent of the cry of Isaiah when he realizes he is ruined for his sins are in the presence of the KING. (Isaiah 6) Have you ever felt the distance from God when you needed him the most? Ever felt that what you've done is so wrong that God couldn't want you to approach him in this muddied state. I know the feeling, praying the same thing over and over with seemingly no response-if only there was someone who was there…someone who could be in God's presence and state my case, intercede for me. But there is. That's just it, we DO have a mediator, and we can turn to Jesus. Job lived thousands of years before Jesus came in the flesh. In fact, many scholars believe that Job was the oldest book written; chronologically it would most likely be intermixed with the book of Genesis.

If he only had the ability to see the sacrifices as an image of the coming Savior, but Job lived before Moses' time, this could be why we never see a reference to God's provision for the people of Israel that is looked back on by so many other Old Testament books. Just imagine it; Job's only context of god is however he had revealed himself to him in a clear and personal way. Job, even a in his distress while questioning God's love for him still understands pieces of his character. What would I have reacted life if I wasn't able to look back to the cross? The people of Israel could look forward knowing God was a deliverer. They had a picture of it, they had been promised a redeemer. They had the cloud and pillar of fire, for all we know about Job, he had no such physical manifestation of God. He was only able to respond to God through hi innate desire for purpose, love and connection. We don't know how he first came to know God-but I can't imagine how I would've been able to respond if I couldn't look back to the cross.

Job saw his sinfulness, and he felt inadequate to state his case before a Holy God, and all he wanted was somehow to feel like someone was listening to his plea. As I read this, I was deeply convicted. All those times that my prayers seemed to hit the ceiling, as they mingled with my tears…I had the immeasurable blessing to be able and look back on the cross. My Mediator was listening; my mediator was lifting up his own prayers on my behalf. Job eventually came to the realization that God was there-but what would I have done in that situation? How grossly my trust in God would've been in comparison with Job's. We have it clear and laid out, that even in those hard moments-our sacrificial mediator is interceding on our behalf.

+ Hebrews 8:6 But our High Priest has been given a ministry that is far superior to the ministry of those who serve under the hold laws, for he is the one who guarantees for us a better covenant with God, based on better promises.

I guess I want to encourage you, take a lesson from Job, his life crumbled and he still held to a God he had never seen. We have access to a text that tells us all we need to know in order to get close to a REAL and PERSONAL GOD. We can look back at the cross. We have the assurance that our God brought the mediator-what measure of trust it took for Job to trust God to come through centuries down he line. The Hebrew people looked forward with verbal promises spoken. Next time you feel your life is crumbling, maybe that's today, remember that you can turn to a God who has already come through for you. How can we not trust him when he has placed Jesus always in the throne room to intercede? I don't know if your heart was pricked by the example God brought to confront me. All I know, is that next time I'm feeling like my life has taken on a new pain, I have no excuse to not present it before God and KNOW he hears, just look back . See the cross. See your mediator always before the throne.

A Word for Those Afraid of the Flame

2010-04-18T19:57:00.001-07:00

I find comfort in the reality that we serve a God who doesn't hesitate to help us live up to what our highest potential is. Our God wants to see us walking in all he has for us-the processes however to training ourselves to run that race in a way well done-that's not always a path marked with rainbows and puppy dogs. Sometimes leaving our fluffy little house of pillow soft friends and candy sweet words can hurt like a bee sting in the ankle. But one thing I know is that when we find ourselves in those painful situations-our God can work all things for our good (Romans 8:28) I also know that God can often call us to move beyond the boundaries of our comfortable routine. And I have personally experienced what happens if you too long resist that leading. When I ignored God calling me to change an area in my life, or to address a distraction-eventually I was able to ignore his voice speaking to me about that issue. When we do that we are pulling away from God's growth process for us……with all this and more weighing heavy on my heart at this week's Sunday night prayer service, I felt God speaking to me. I felt convicted at his words-and I know that he wants YOU to hear this too. Please don't push away God's leading anymore in that area that is on your mind right now…please read this word with an open heart to hear what God may be speaking to you, and if your palms get sweaty and your heart beats a little faster-remember that we can only ignore God's voice so long until we become experts on the phrase "those who have ears but cannot hear"

+Hebrews 12L29-28 (NLT) Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.

"My child- you have strayed from my fire. The answered prayers were hot and burnt a sensitive place on your heary. Did you see that as you pulled away- I wouldn't continue to purge with out your wiling submission? Come close again-I've removed chains but there's more. Let me burn away all that lies in the dark corners. Come further still. You see the pain. You hear the anguish-will you still choose to draw near? Will you let me come as close as I desire? Dear one, do not draw from a shallow account. Deeper, closer I call you to carry a cross-but not alone. But you must take it up with eager focus. Not a cross of a task, not of a call, not of a ministry, but a pursuit; a passionate pursuit of me. No other cross will be heaver for the weight of your soul is in every splinter of the wood. Every heart beat for me is another step closer to the flame. Come take a closer walk by the fire. The chains do not just break, in my presence they are melted into holy ore. From the ore I forge anew the sword of the Spirit that come from the lips of the King to battle on your behalf. Closer I call you to the flame. Forever Faithful is he called, the One who holds out his hand to you, has He not been there before? Does he not know the price? Does He not offer a cry at your pain? Come and turn to the flame to be cleansed and strengthened. He who has called you is faithful, he will do this."

+James 4:7-10 (NLT) So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to god and God will draw closet you, wash your hands, you sinners; purify you hearts, you hypocrites. Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laugher, and gloom instead of joy. When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.

When you ask God to help you grow and declare that you want him no matter the cost-he will answer that prayer, my question for you today, and it's a question that I had to review once more for myself is this, am I willing to receive the answer to my prayers? Will I draw close to a flame that will burn me, but also keep me soft clay to be molded at the hand of the Potter? Be willing to embrace the healing pain of letting you're selfishness be seared away from your spirit. This is more than lofty words and fancy talk. God can lead you day by day from the decisions you make to the thoughts you think. He wants to be so intimately involved in your life, he wants you to be able and sense his voice when he speaks to you. But he leaves the decision in your hands; will you pull away from the flame-afraid of the healing fire? Or will you walk into it, knowing that the ONE who had been there before will hold your hand as you are renewed. I pray that you embrace the devouring fire of our Holy God and carry it with you where ever you go.

Forsake Your Fear, Another Levitical Lesson

2010-03-13T20:05:00.001-08:00

Many of us have some habitual sin in our lives. We lie. We steal. We gossip. Or maybe it's some other unspoken; maybe it's just choosing pride over humility. Maybe it's a habitual sin of ignoring what God has pressed on your heart to do. No matter what it is, we often find ourselves deliberately choosing to disobey God. I've been there; I continually have to walk away from there. This is part of the flesh vs. Spirit battle that we are constantly subjected to whether we engage or not. These thoughts and others came to mind as I read in Leviticus 26. The chapter appears to be addressing two subjects; namely obedience and disobedience to God.

+ Leviticus 26: 14-15, 36-37 'But if you will not listen to me and carry out all these commands,15 and if you reject my decrees and abhor my laws and fail to carry out all my commands and so violate my covenant…36 " 'As for those of you who are left, I will make their hearts so fearful in the lands of their enemies that the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them.37 They will stumble over one another as though fleeing from the sword, even though no one is pursuing them. So you will not be able to stand before your enemies"

The surrounding scripture explains how God went through all these efforts to capture the heart of the Hebrew people, but they continue in their sin. This is a certain parallel to us is it not? Maybe it's just me, but I find myself in disobedience often enough. Now this is not to make you feel condemned, but I want to show you what exactly our disobedience is costing us, and maybe you can identify, like I did, some of those areas you are having a deaf ear in. So my question to you is what happens to our spiritual life as a result of a repetitive disobedience?

1-Constant Fear The scripture says how these people who have abhorred, or detested God's will be afraid of a falling leaf. They will be living in such constant fear of their enemy that a falling leaf would terrify them and send them running. We make fun of people who jump when we pop out from behind a corner at them-let alone someone who sprints away when a leaf falls from a nearby tree. I can't say how this may be true in your life-but I can tell you how I've seen this played out in my own. When I am walking in disobedience in some arena of my life, I know that I live in a greater measure of fear. My main leaf is that of worry and anxiety and stress. It can all build up on me at once and I am so worried about what I'm supposed to do next-I often don't take the time to think on whether there is an area in my life that I haven't surrendered to Christ. What's your leaf? Maybe identifying it will take you to the root.

2-Falling Under False Pursuit "They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them" Many of us have a hard enough time walking out our spiritual life in a day without feeling the enemy must be hot on our tail. The car doesn't start, you finally get it working and that one customer at work comes in and chews you out, phone call comes where you find out your insurance is going up for some reason or another-you know that the sword of the enemy is swinging at you. But this scripture says how, when you choose to ignore the will of God for your life, you may find yourself running from and FALLING when there is no one pursuing you. Can you imagine all the Christians you've met that live a defeated life-they could be running from a fictitious sword. God may have freedom for you-but because you are weary in following through on something God has asked of you-you can't even see that you are protected. You fall and give into the attacks because you are too busy looking for the enemy rather than pursuing God.

3-Defenses Fail "you will not be able to stand before your enemies." In Ephesians 6 Paul admonishes us to stand and after all we've done to stand, stand. When we find ourselves in some habitual sin that is controlling the rest of our lives, or we have purposefully and methodically hardened our hearts to God's voice-we are unable to stand against the enemy. We open ourselves up to the attacks of the accuser when we turn our back on God and face the enemy defenseless. We leave ourselves powerless and weak because we are denying God the ability to bless us. So when the enemy truly does come against us in some way, we can't stand. No longer are we running from leaves or falling under an imaginary sword-we buckle when presented with an attack. Those moments when some truly life changing news has been delivered to you and you feel like just can't breathe, you can't bare it anymore-the enemy has found you nearly defenseless.

Now please remember, this is all as a result of deliberately walking away from what God has clearly directed for us. I've been there; it's a nearly daily battle go stay away from this place. This place is not without hope. God laid this out to the Hebrew people so that they could see the sin in their lives and repent. He wanted to be the one to fight for them, he wants us to stand and after all we've done to stand-stand. He wants us to confidently walk in authority over that which seeks to destroy his plan for our life-but we must clean house. I encourage those I know that when God confronts them with something in their life that needs improvement-then do it. Just deal with it, do all you can to deal with it. Jesus told us to cut off our right hand if it causes us to sin-sin is not something to take lightly. I know personally what it's like to purposefully overlook an area that God had his finger on-it places a heavy burden on your shoulders that makes it difficult to stand under. This sin can cause you to be so bound to fear that you feel hopeless-but dear friend there is hope!

+ Leviticus 26:3, 6-7 " 'If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands... 6 " 'I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country.7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you."

Did you see that, a complete turnaround, this portion of scripture that precedes the others-it details our position when we obey the word of God? When we are walking in faithfulness before God, this is not perfection, but a heart set on Him, with that mindset we are able to once again wield our sword. No longer do you have to run from the enemy! No one will make us afraid and the sword will not be near! Dear one please take encouragement from this word. If you feel enslaved to some sinful tendency, whether action or emotion-please know that the fear you live in doesn't have to dominate your life anymore. You can route your enemy rather than buckling under the pressure of their sword. Our God is faithful to make a way out-he wants you to turn to him and his forgiveness is deep enough to take you out of the pain you find yourself in.

Won't you ask God to help you identify the leaf of your fear and lead you to the root that causes you to feel under pursuit? Would you turn to God and let him defend you? He is waiting for you to turn to him-take up your sword and engage. Forsake your fear.

Right to Redeem, a Levitical Lesson

2010-02-22T18:14:00.001-08:00

I have been reading through the Bible with my Church. I haven't yet done this task in one single year of my life, so I'm trying to stay on track with it. Before I sit down to read for the day I ask God to open my eyes and ears to receive what Word he may have for me that day, with this prayer has come some interesting illuminations of the scriptures. Now I don't claim to have discovered some truth that NO ONE ELSE has ever realized, I just see these whispers of God breathed inspiration as something that God was using to speak to me where I am at right now. Now I have also learned lately that there is usually someone right next to me in the same spot, I just too often have tunnel vision all wrapped up about ME, so much so that I can't see my friend next to me. So I share this, just in case you are that dear friend standing here, dealing with the same issues, struggling with the same lies, or hurting over the same pains. I want you to know that you are set apart person, beloved of the most High King and a priest in the bloodline of Christ. So as we stand here with our tunnel vision straight ahead, let's pause and look at these gentle writings that God inked on my heart that are found amidst his dissertations to the Levitical Priests of old.

+Leviticus 25:32 The Levites always have the right to redeem any house they have sold within the cities belonging to them

So this isn't the most amazing verse I've ever read. But let me try to not bore you as I give you the context. Here we are reading of the guidelines for the tribe of Levi as they were in the wilderness with Moses and the Israelites. This particular section of scripture Moses is delivering the instructions of the Lord on the subject of property. He explains how the land that is sold outside of the city walls cannot ever be redeemed by the people of Israel. It goes on and on about this until it comes down to talking about the Levite's ability to redeem their property. While all the other tribes would have to sell their property once and for all, God allowed for the Priests to claim back their property.

I read this and a thought sparked, the priests, were able to ALWAYS, no matter what, claim back what was theirs. How many of us feel like we have let go of something that we may never get back? The bitterness that you've held onto for too long left a burn mark on the inside, you lost your peace. The impure thoughts and actions that dominated your life have left you feeling like a white washed tomb, you feel at a loss for inner purity. You spew angry words all the time at the people closets to you, you lost your contentment. We all have areas of our lives that we feel we lost. Maybe there are areas of your life, areas that are pieces of who you are and you feel the enemy, satan, has taken possession of these. You may even look at this passage and feel a twinge of envy for the priestly people of ancient times. They were able to redeem their property whenever they wanted-I can't even stand up to reclaim the strength God says I'm supposed to have.

Did you know that "you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own special possession…" Did you read that? Maybe go over it again. Yep, still says the same thing. This scripture from 1 Peter 2:9 in context is speaking to the believers of the time. The ones who chose to embrace the cornerstone of the Church, Christ. It relates us to a kingdom of priests. WE are the chosen people. Do you feel it? When God whispered this to me my pulse picked up. Maybe this is part of the point. Maybe this is what God wants you to see at this place of your life-You are able to redeem, to claim, to take back the property that another has been occupying. Maybe this is what Leviticus is telling you right now, you can claim back the land you let be claimed by depression, the areas of your thoughts that you've given ownership over to worry, lust or pride.

We are of the HIGH PRIEST's blood line, Christ was the ultimate intermediary between the human race and God the Father, and we are now called to act in the same manner, to intercede. And with this come the ability to redeem any area you have forfeited. So take up the land that you sold. Redeem the peace, redeem the direction, and redeem the joy. How? Take the authority that is in Christ and live not longer allow the enemy a foothold in the areas of your life that you have been weakest. Begin to operate in the priestly authority that you have-redeem what is rightfully yours. Do not let the thoughts and emotions that are from satan live in the land that you have a right to. You have the right to redeem.

I Wish My Life Was an Algebraic Equation

2010-02-04T16:28:00.001-08:00

Have you ever gone through those times when there are these random circumstances that just stack up? Whether it's the daily stress or something major that hits you in the forehead-it is in those moments where the average person who gets to experience 'life' has two choices. Trust God to pick you up and make the best out of the situation or wallow in the confusion and self pity of the whys. You know those whys; they hid under your pillow at night and laugh at your sighs. They also seem to favor poking you in the eye whenever you start to read the Bible. Oh and don't forget the friendly whys that sneak up on you when you FINALLY had this part of your life lined up, those whys come in and pull that perfectly placed center piece of the obscure puzzle aside and now you don't even have that light blue blotch matched to go above that tree and under that slightly grey cloud.

Ok so maybe you don't take the evil 'why now?', 'why me?' or 'why this?' situations and equate them to obnoxious puzzles-but I wanted to share with you that in those moments, in the times when nothing makes sense-God does. I have found that God's faithfulness is the star of the show when I feel overwhelmed by all the little things or the not-so-little things. It is such a blessed thing to be able and rely on an unchanging God who, according to James 1:17 is "the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

So dear friend I write this little blog in efforts to encourage you in the midst of what you're going through, big or small –God takes note. Big or small, it matters to you-so it matters to him. Big or small-I too feel overwhelmed at times, and the only place of solace I find is in the arms of the Father who does not change, the one who is faithful when we are unfaithful. So where does puzzle pieces and algebraic equations come together in this heart rant of mine? The entry below is one of my journal entries with my expression of how I don't always understand the reasons for things, and how unfair logic can seem. There is a line that we have to find of logic and faith-but in the midst of this difficult task, we can ever lose track of God's faithfulness and the reality that HE has the plan all worked out, we just don't see the big picture or know where all the like colored puzzle pieces fit..So if you want to find a kindred heart that has felt lost and confused with why life doesn't just 'work' then hello friend, sit here with me and we'll see if where this puzzle piece may fit...

"Me? I am not one for mathematical processes to roll around in my head. But I kind of wish my life was a variable. You see, in math there are unknown variables. But through a known process the unknowns become more then Xs or Zs. Why doesn't the Xs of my life become 2s so they can add to 4? Why can't I have the steps written on the board in bright clear colors? Why do the number and letters all seem to run together? Where are the people who figured this out before me? Why can't I just try harder to understand and see the formula work?

I guess that sometimes you have to cancel out numbers to make the formula work, so the Xs blur my vision as frustrated tears fall and mix with the eraser shards on my failed attempts at working the formula out.

Me? I hate numbers. I hate how much sense they make. I hate that there is so much UnChAnGiNg logic to be wasted on formulas and processes when the unknowns Xs in my life involve God allowing me to be in community with imperfect plans and people. He is perfect, how wonderful that HE is faithful, yes he is my CONSTANT. However my variables seem to fluctuate from one side to the other. My logic gets tossed out the window and trampled underfoot as I hope the mud will clear to reveal neat rows of 1 2 3…

Me? I hate the unknowns, the Xs that taunt me. I just wish that my life was an algebraic equation…."

*Our only steadfast defense against life's certain uncertainty is unconditional trust in a Savior who loves us more than His own life. –Beth Moore

*Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. –God (Psalm 89:33)

Where is your river Jordan?

2010-01-23T19:43:00.001-08:00

I spent some focused time with God today. Those seemingly to rare moments when you are able to actually shut the door to the room you are walking into and just blare some worship music and spend some quality face time. Those moments that seem to be all to infrequent. As I popped in my new Jesus Culture CD and just got into the Word and prayer a few things came to light. My skills from Radiant School of Ministry when Pastor Jon taught us about really looking into the context of a verse came out. So I would like to share with you the things that God showed me in the hope that God would speak to you in the way he did to me through these scriptures-and just perhaps It would spark a greater hunger in you to look into the Word and let God reveal them to you in a way you haven't ever seen before. So come with me to cross the river Jordan wont you?

+Psalm 42:5-6 Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in you God! I will praise him again-my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember your kindness- from Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.

Now if you are like me I had the first part of that verse underline-you know how it is- you think YA God! I trust you even though I'm sad!! Ya! And then you start to trail off as you read about Mount Hershey is it? And that one river? And Mount Marzipan-isn't that a food or something? Maybe its just me...but that is how I read that verse. I have no clue what David was speaking of here with the random mounts and rivers.

Today, however as I read I decided to look into it. What was David talking about? So I grabbed out my handy dandy Bible Dictionary and looked up "Hermon, Mount" then flipped over to "Jordan River". This is what it said that I found noteworthy-

MOUNT HERMON
Also known as the "Sacred Place" in the local language, this Mount is also assumed to be the Mount of Transfiguration.
This mount was year round covered with snow. Even through the parched summer months there was snow on the hillsides in the shade of trees on this mountain. DON'T MISS THIS- In the summer, due to the amount of snow on the Mount, there was a dew that would descend on the surrounding valleys even in the midst of the dry parched times.
This mountain and its snow was part of the source of the Jordan River…
JORDAN RIVER
David was probably referencing when he was fleeing the rebellion of his son Absolom and he crossed the Jordan to protect himself from harm.
David may also have been turning his mind back to the fact that as Joshua lead the Hebrews across the Jordan River they finally were entering the Holy Land, they were receiving their promise from God.
This was also the river where in the years to come John the Baptist would baptize Jesus Christ as Jesus was initiated into his time of ministry.
"Ok cool, it's a place with some stuff going on" you may think. But friend! Did you see what David was thinking of? Did you see what he was prophesying about? David was passionately declaring that he would remember all God had done for him in relation to these places. David remembered the refreshment that God provided in the parched valley. Is it too far of a connection to make that as he remembered the kindness of God in how he answered his prayer "As
the deer pants for the streams of water, so I long for you. O God. I thirst for God, the living God…" He prayed this at the beginning of the very same Psalm. David was a poet, he knew how to use metaphors, allegories and a simile like the best of them-he was thanking God for his kindness in revealing the satisfaction to his thirst for the Spirit-do you need to have your thirst quenched in this dry land? Do you feel like your standing at the foot of that mountain-you see the snow and hear the waters that flow in the Jordan, but you still dry inside? God in his kindness wants to show you the dew of Heaven, the dew of his presence.
And do not forget this is very likely the mount where Jesus was transfigured, where he went up with his closest disciples and met with his friends of old. If this was the same mountain-perhaps David was prophetically speaking of how God was quenching his thirst by revealing friendship, glory and a piece of heaven? He wants to have that face to face fellowship with you, he wasn't to show you his kindness with unveiled glory. This is all theoretical, but the connections all seemed to come into place as I looked into Mount Hermon.
The Jordan River was the symbolic border line that the Hebrews crossed as they entered the Promise Land-so I ask you, what promise have you been waiting for? There is a kindness God wants to show you, he wants you to know that the promise he has planted in your heart is obtainable when you follow him, when you love him and when you trust him.

So dear friend, I hope you can read between the confusing lines above and hear the heart beat of your father speaking through the heart of a great man of God-David. Would you join in David's prayer and say that no matter what is happening around you, whether the 'land' is parched, whether you have yet to reach the promise land-will you remember God's kindness? Will you dig into the WORD to hear the heartbeat of the father on the other side? So I challenge you, find your river Jordan, cross it and don't forget the kindness that God showed you on the Mount.

Words Laced With Conviction

2009-09-01T10:20:00.001-07:00

Will you humor me and imagine something with me? What would happen if there was a generation that lived on the earth today-a generation that let their actions flow out of their core convictions? Imagine if the Christians alive today actually lived out their day thinking about the all powerful and all loving God who wanted to reach every person they passed by. What if we really understood the undeserved love that is lavished on us every day? How would you act differently? Would you smile at the people whom you passed on the street? Would you take the time to say 'how are you'-and really listen to the answer? All this was stirred within me at the Radiant Youth Conference I attended this weekend. David Perkins' closing session challenged us to live without caring what others think- to live radically found on our convictions.

+ Romans 11:33-34a Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How wonderful are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking?

This is the God that we serve. He is wonderful and marvelous; we don't even pray like he is so awesome. God help us!

Have you ever been convicted by a fictional character? Any avid readers would know what I'm talking about. I recently started to read Francine River's Mark of the Lion Trilogy, in it there is a young Jew girl named Hadassah. You see her stand up for her convictions in face of most horrible ridicule. She never speaks a sentence without allowing her heart for an Almighty and all loving God to shine through. Rivers depicts young Hadassah as such a convicted young woman that I felt my heart ache to live with such zeal, such passion. I like to fancy I have my helping of zeal, but when it comes down to it-how man opportunities, the little one-have I passed up in the last week alone. How many conversations have I been involved in without as much as a thought of letting my God come into the conversation. You ask me and I'll tell you God-he is my all, he is my life. But are my actions, my conversations reflecting that? I was moved to tears reading Rivers' book about a girl who faced death because she knew one who held her life. We can't even endure the mocking expressions of friends, let alone the leering of thousands as we are lead out to the center of an arena where hungry lions await. Dear one, how much could God reach our friends-our coworkers-our family if we would make every decision based on the convictions that our hearts were tied to.

One afternoon as I let my mind muse over my life, over my convictions, over the seemingly lack conviction in my conversations- and God laid this poem in my heart. I pray it speaks to you. I pray it challenges you. I pray it convicts you.

Words Laced With Conviction

I want to speak words laced with conviction

In light of heroes of the past

Shadow to follow-their words did last

My steps have hardly followed.

Their words I have borrowed.

But now its time.

I see a girl standing in the arena

No sign of fear upon her face

The crowd jeers and lions roar

She is solid to her core.

An unseen God holds her tight.

The smile on her lips reflect days past

When she stood and broke fear-

Those are the times she felt him most near.

With death at the door

Pain round the corner

Suffering was a small cost.

Her words rang true in the ear of accusers

Her words were laced with conviction.

The conviction I feel with comparison done-

I can hardly stand tall.

Falling down has been my pattern

My fears had wrapped me tight.

But to a fight I've been called-

Flesh against Spirit.

Words of lie are on my tongue

But how am I to live a life without a care?

Will my God carry me there?

I know he has seen passed opportunities-

Too many to count!

Does he still care to use me again?

Am I able to walk the path

Only martyrs go there.

I am to die to self daily.

But my words are full of me

Words are things to easily taken

Words are things to be treasured and spoken

Stand up for your beliefs.

Declare the One God's Glory

Live a life of love

Out loud speak the words-

Words laced with conviction.

How do I measure up?

Fear or Faith

Pain of Peace

Chilled or Charged

Hateful or Healing

Dragging or Determined

Shy or Saving

Helpless or Hearty

Angst or Righteously Angry

Careless or Convicted?

With the power I know

With the Father I have

With the glory I've seen

I must stand.

I will follow the path walked before-

Silence won't rule me now.

My words will drip with passions aflood

No excuses to grand

No hesitation to true

My god calls me forward

No matter the depth of friction

I will speak words of Conviction.

+Job 37:1-5 My heart pounds as I think of this. It leaps within me. Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as if rolls from his mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and his lightening flashes out in every direction. Then comes the roaring of the thunder-the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain the thunder when he speaks. God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of his power.

Friend-this is the God we serve, this is the one we have the privilege to announce to the world. How do we ever go a day without tears for the missed opportunities to point the way? How can we go one more minute without an ache in our souls for a passion that consumes? May your passion be for God alone, and may that zeal rise up in a fire that burns in your words. I pray that God would awaken this generation to live radical lives that drip with the living water that is offered from a mighty, powerful, loving God.

Ruth’s Word of Abundance in HIS Absence

2009-08-24T17:37:00.001-07:00

I recently shared with you the things God revealed to me through the beautiful story of Ruth. On the day that he was speaking to me on that subject and pointing out the little treasures amidst the sand, he also spoke a rhema word, a Word for right now, a sort of word of wisdom. This little whispered word to my heart I believe was also meant as a shout to your soul!

Allow me to remind you of the points that I discussed in "The Ruth In The Rest Of Us" and you can see how God just nailed these nuggets of truth home as he spoke a personal word to my heart.

Ruth was lead back home by the voice of one who has been there.

Follow the leading of those who have been there.

Ruth chose the set-apart life.

Our life's destiny could be changed by a small hinge in the door of destiny. Look for your peripety-live a different life then that of the word

Ruth moved forward.

Take the initiative to keep moving forward, then allow God to direct you.

Boaz offers refreshment and Ruth recognizes her insufficiency

When you feel insufficient-God offers refreshment and rest as we worship him.

Boaz provided an abundance.
1. Jesus came to give life and life more abundantly!

Ruth took hold of what was legally hers.
1. Take what is legally ours-Jesus paid the price, don't waste the inheritance!

Boaz fights for Ruth
1. Jesus our Redeemer has fought and still battles on our behalf today!

With these points on my mind I listened to the Spirit whisper the following words to my heart-let them sink in. Let him speak to you in the way only he knows how to.

"Dear one, do you see my hand moving and working? In the little things child-Oh Beloved do you see the provision I left behind? As you slowly opened your eyes to see how I was drawing you to myself. Do you see my child- I have moved in the circumstances to bring you back to me and to my home land. Oh beautiful child-listen to the instruction and allow me to fight for you. I will not force your hand. But Oh the joyous tears that overspill as I see you prostrate at my feet. Oh! The surge of my heart as I see your willing heart ready to come to my household. But dear one, please, please listen to what you have to do. I must go and fight. I will rightfully and legally take my rights to you back. Will you wait? Oh child do not grow weary in your waiting. Oh beloved- if you only allow me to provide for you whilst I am not present. Before all the witnesses of Heaven I took your name, took your heart as my own. But will you be waiting for me? Have you done as I asked? Did you walk away from your surrender empty handed? Oh dear child-dear bride of mine- see your cup overflows in my absence how much more as my beloved wife whilst you be provided for! Now come to this new life. Come to this new family and see how I have reversed your end-From widow to wife, bereaved to a blushing bride, from famine to feast. Yes, from seemingly insignificant to the bloodline of the King and his inheritance. Come lay at my feet. Beloved-my Beloved and Bride I say Come."

+ Psalm 19:5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.

God wants to move in your life, all you must do is listen to his voice as he calls you even now to wait for him in his seeming absence, because dear child-dearly beloved of the MOST HIGH REDEEMER-your God is giving you the abundant life in his apparent absence. Hear his plea-feel his heart beat and respond. Enter into this life that is meant for more than to just survive. Your Prince has legally taken your name-now set him as a seal upon your heart-take his name. Walk in his ways-live always out of his inheritance and his home. And trust-you must trust him, he knows your needs. He is attentive to your hearts innermost desires-he is taking you to a new level of fellowship-spend your every moment with him on your mind. He is working a miracle in the mundane circumstances of your life. Embrace the abundance in his apparent absence!

The Ruth in the Rest of Us

2009-08-15T20:58:00.001-07:00

I have just recently finished up Beth Moore's study on Esther and one point that she stressed was how God sometimes chooses to conceal his majesty so we can find miracles in the mundane. Well as this thought had been in my mind I found myself reading the book of Ruth. As I read through it I started to see God's majesty working in the mundane things of Ruth's life. I then began to see a parallel between us and Ruth. Many a person has drawn the conclusion of Christ as our "kinsmen redeemer." In other words-as Boaz was Ruth's redeemer- so is Christ to us. But God began to speak to me about a few other similarities that we can draw and I wanted to share. These are just little things that brought a smile to my face and a warm rush to my heart as I saw God yet again speaking to us through his amazing Word. Whether your familiar with the story of Ruth or not, I pray that these little illuminations speak to you as they did me.

You can almost see a parallel of a person's walk to salvation as you watch Ruth's journey to becoming part of Boaz's household. In Ruth 1:7 it talks of when Naomi sets out from her home land and " took the road that would lead them back to Judah."

Ruth was lead back home by the voice of one who has been there.

Naomi had been there. She knew the direction of home, and Ruth set out with her in the direction of home. Who is it in your life that helped guide you home? Whether you were once a wandering prodigal who left home for the world and returned through the love and concern of a friend, or if you were lead home-to saving knowledge of Christ by a respected leader-someone has taken the time to sow into your life and help you take the road that leads you home. Take the time to thank God for how he brought these people into your life through his divine providence.

Then in Ruth 1:15-17 we see how Ruth passionately declares her faithfulness to Naomi and Naomi's God. Naomi asks whether Ruth would just go her own way as her sister-in-law did when their husbands died. She advises her to do the same thing. However Ruth was different-she chose to be different and set her life apart. "Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God."

2. Ruth chose the set-apart life.

When we make the decision to be serious with our relationship with God, it may not be a heart pounding, world altering moment but it will change the way you live the rest of your life. God calls us to be a set apart nation, we are holy unto him. We have to be different then the world. We aren't going to make a difference in this world if we blend in. You parents aren't going to make the decision for you. In fact people you trust might suggest you do otherwise-but you have to make the choice. You have to decide, am I going to live this life for God or not? Will you allow yourself to have God and God alone as your Lord? You tell me, its up to you.

Another point that struck me was found in chapter 2:2, the simply sentence that reads "One day Ruth said to Naomi…"

3. Ruth moved forward.

This was a pivotal moment for Ruth. She didn't know it-but it changed the course of her life. Again, riding on the shirt tails of the Esther lifegroup study-this was the hinge in the door to a reversal of destiny. This seemingly mundane moment where Ruth took the initiative to head into the field-it changed her destiny from widow to wife. I've heard it said, and found it personally to be true, that God can't direct you when you're not moving. Only when you take steps forward, can God turn you to the right or left. He orders your steps, but he won't make you move. Are you crying out to God for direction only to find yourself standing still? What is God calling you to? Move forward, it could just be the hinge point to a door of destiny!

Here is the moment that we meet the 'prince charming' of our story. Honestly it makes me think of in Beauty and the Beast when Belle is sitting on the fountain singing of her book- you know the scene! Let me sing it to you as I unfold this awesome story of Ruth! "Oh! Isn't this amazing! Its my favorite part because –you'll see! Here-is where she meets prince charming! But she won't discover that its him till chapter three!" For our story it even happens in CHAPTER THREE! Back to Ruth- she is going out into the field like SHE decided to do. And she meets Boaz, who when he finds her gleaning from his field, kindly declares in chapter 2 verse 9 "And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water…"

4. Boaz offers refreshment and Ruth recognizes her insufficiency

Oh Beloved! Do you see it!? Jesus is the living water, and he offers it freely without judgment. We are receiving blessing from a place not our own-look at Ruth's response to the kindness of Boaz. Ruth 2:10 says "Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. 'Why are you being so kind to me?' she asked. 'I am only a foreigner." She recognized herself as unworthy of the nourishment Boaz freely offered. She was a foreigner to that land. Oh, the summersault that my stomach does as the comparison is drawn! We too are foreigners to this land of God, to the family of God- but he offers us living water! But one mistake to many of us make is that when we see our unworthiness we too often sulk in it rather than bow at the feet of our Redeemer.

In the following scriptures Boaz continues to provide blessing for this foreigner to his homeland. We read in chapter 2:14 a phrase with one word that shows a foreshadowing of our ultimate Redeemer- "and Boaz gave her food-more than she could eat"

5. Boaz provided an abundance.

Did not Christ declare "I came to give you life and life more abundantly"? Do you see dear Ruth-though you do not deserve such a cup of overflowing blessing-your Redeemer is giving you the abundance!

Then the story takes a strange turn as we see Naomi advising Ruth to "do as I tell you…go to the threshing floor…uncover (Boaz's) feet and lie down…" (v. 3_3-4). You may be asking- Why would a virtuous woman do such a aggressive thing? You see, it was custom in that time that a widow would have legal claim to her deceased husband's closet male relative as found in Duet. 25. Naomi was urging her to again move forward.

6. Ruth took hold of what was legally hers.

Just as Boaz was according to law called to marry Ruth and uphold the name of her late husband-we have legal right to all that Christ's blood purchased us-but do we operate therein? No! Let us move forward at the urging of the Spirit and take hold of that which is ours. Christ's sacrifice shall not be for naught!

This next part thrills my spirit within me. And I must confess my romantic side bubbles over as well! This precious scripture just enlightens the chivalry of our King of Kings. Set the scene-the moon hanging low, as Boaz awakes to Ruth lying at his feet (v.3:9, 11)

Ruth: "I am your servant Ruth, spread the corner of your covering over me, for you are my family redeemer…" (this could be translated as "I am just a servant-but if you would only take me into your home-I know that you are the only one who can save me!"

Boaz: "Now don't worry about a thing my daughter (daughter was not a creepy thing to call Ruth-it was an endearment). I will do what is necessary, for everyone in town knows you are an honorable woman."

7. Boaz fights for Ruth

Oh the grin that I can't get off my face! Even after Ruth reminded him oh so begrudgingly- I am your servant. She didn't expect to be treated any higher, yes she was claiming her legal right-but she expected the bare minimum. But Boaz not only blessed her abundantly he fought for her. Oh weary hearts soak that in! Jesus, your Redeemer will fight for you. Even when you view yourself as a mere slave, a servant, he will fight for you! Let him fight for you-he says to not worry, for he will take care of it all, once we surrender ourselves to him he will make all things right. The legal has already been done. Dear one- please listen to your Redeemer's voice as he whispers of how he has fought for you! All you must do is follow the leaders in your life, choose the set apart life, move forward, worship in the midst of your sufficiency, receive the abundant life, take hold of what Christ has done for you-and watch your God fight for you!

Now take heart and laugh with joy at the comfort in this scripture we find in the last chapter- 4:13 "So Boaz married Ruth and took her home to live with him." And do you know dear one- that through this work of God's providence – Ruth was one of the ancestors of Jesus of Nazareth, that's right dear one-your Redeemer brings you right into the bloodline of the Messiah. Our Redeemer is coming for us after the fight of the ages and he is taking us home for eternity. Now go forward and live your life with your Redeemer, he is fighting for you, will you worship at his feet and surrender?

The Power of God; Breaking the Box

2009-08-04T21:16:00.001-07:00

So I owe you all a recap on my amazing Nicaragua trip, its taken so long to post this beacuse..well honestly-I sent this same thing out as a thank you for those who supported me :) So I wanted them to get their hard copy before I shared the digital. :)
If you were one of the many who supported me in ways whether monetary or spiritually I can't thank you enough-this recap can't barely sratch the surface of what God did in that country or in me, but I hope it give you a glimpse anyhow!

I have learned afresh the lesson that whenever you 'know' what to expect in an event, God has already planned to smash your nicely created box into unrecognizable splinters. My box this summer was comprised of previous mission trips, preconceived notions of how God works, and the confidence in my own ability to be used as a vessel for God. I knew how they would act. I knew how they would respond, I knew. It was all about me; but His box is crafted in the shape of the power of God. I thought I knew; then came Monday afternoon.

At our first ministry site we had just left a small church and crossed a muddy street to spend time at a nearby school. A girl on our team slipped in the mud and got her foot dirty. Allow this snapshot to materialize before your mind's eye-an elderly woman on her hands and knees with a bowl of water literally washing this girl's feet with her hand. I couldn't hold back the tears that gingerly slid down my face. God was blatantly saying, "La bienvenida a Nicaragua Cassie; welcome to Nicaragua." God began to pull at my quaint box; he was allowing me to see the heart of these beautiful people.

As the week progressed we went to the schools, kids grasped the idea of how God saw them. The dramas were impacting lives and hearts were being captured by Christ. However, one defining difference between these people and those we met in the Dominican were how receptive they were. The people of Nicaragua weren't quite as quick to trust. One example in particular was our bus driver Carlos. The first two days he had with us were hard as he adjusted to the new experience. When we decided to buy him a dinner after a particularly hard evening he had, you could see God softening his heart. He smiled, he thanked us; nails fell from my box. Our third day together was another encounter with the Holy Spirit where God tore my heart from my chest as I saw the servant heart of our friend Carlos. We attended a 2 hour church service and when we left our bus pulled over and through our interpreter, Carlos told us his three year old daughter was in the hospital due to a heart attack. He asked us to pray. He "knew that when we prayed, God did things." Carlos stayed with us even though his daughter was sick; this trip was NOT about me. This trip was about the people God wanted to reach. God preserved Carlos' daughter, God heard our prayers, and God began to show us how even our actions were reaching people for eternity.
We had numerous opportunities to pray with the staff of the hotel where we stayed. Maids were healed, cleaning crew got saved! My deceivingly sturdy box was being crushed yet it was barely still intact. The response of these people tore at my heart strings. They were so hungry for a touch from God. There was a boy on our last night at the crusades that had a tumor on his forehead, as our group prayed over him the tumor began to shrink! A woman was healed from spine and stomach pain and as she cried and thanked God, her children ran up to embrace her with tears of their own.

The people were asked what they felt when God touched them with healing and time and time again different people at different times said it was the power of GOD. I experienced the power of God anew. We cried for God to open the flood gates and capture these people once more, he did. We put the results of our prayers in God's hands and anything you commit to his hands will succeed.

Every prayer you uttered, every penny you gave is counted to you in God's record of remembrance. He will bless you, he will move on your behalf. Thank you for investing in the precious nation of Nicaragua, thank you for ushering in the power of God to satisfy the hungry hearts of a generation.
The power of God broke my box and the power of God broke the hard hearts of these people, and you dear one, made all the difference.

The Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power 1 Corinthians 4:20

Sacred Song of Intercession

2009-07-31T08:47:00.001-07:00

I finally found a spare moment to sit down and share with you my fourth installment of what God has revealed to me on the age old subject of worship. I have already strived to show you the precious power that is behind the unique song that God set in your heart, this unique song that you must allow to part your lips and lift up your heart. Secondly I tried to take you to the scriptures and show you how much of a treasure worship is with the fact that is ushers the very presence of God into a place. Thirdly I ran with you into the throes of a battle where one of our most powerful weapons is a heart and life in a posture of worship before the King of Kings. Now however, I want to take you to a place that is often uncomfortable. God is always stretching and growing us, so why wouldn't an aspect of using worship as a tool be uncomfortable? Here is a place where we feel the pain of others and we weep bitter tears on behalf of others, here is a place where we take worship to the place of intercession.

Four things I know to be true about worship.

1) God has placed unique and powerful songs within each of his precious children that are just waiting to pour out.

2) God dwells within the praises of his people.

3) Worship is a powerful tool against Satan's devices.

4) We can tap into a depth of intercession as we identify with the heart of those around us in song.

+Psalm 149:1, 3, 6 "Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful…Praise his name with dancing…Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands…"

"The Unhindered Interceding Heart"

Intercession by definition is an entreaty or pleading in favor on behalf of another, a prayer to God on behalf of another person. In this simple form, prayers on behalf of another, intercession is an amazingly powerful tool. One of the most well known examples in the Old Testament is found in Genesis 18 when Abraham nearly argues with God on behalf of the wicked city of Sodom. He stands on behalf of the few righteous in the city and God relents on the standard he is asking to find therein. Another well known instance is found in Exodus 32 when God's anger is stirred toward the Hebrew people and Moses intercedes on their behalf. God relents from the judgment he was going to pour out because Moses pleaded with him and asked for his mercies to once more be showered on them. In the instances we see the power behind pleading to God on behalf of another person.

Now I want to build my case as to why we too can see powerful prayers answered when we step into intercession. We may not ever have the opportunity to see our intercession on behalf of a nation answered (even though God knows we need to see the US turn back to God in a big way) I want to address personal intercession for specific people. You may not realize you are already interceding for your friend who was once so strong in their faith and has now wandered away. Perhaps you have cried out to God and told him "God, they've been so wounded, their heart is hard, please shower your love on them and make yourself real to them once more!" Have you prayed a prayer like that? Have you had a family member who isn't saved make one more seemingly catastrophic choice and you find yourself on the floor during your devotional times with tear streaked cheeks asking God to make himself known to them in a big way? Dear friend each time you've prayed anything on behalf of another-you are interceding.

Will you let me show you how this can be so powerful in the place of worship? There are songs that at times we may not be able to relate to. Maybe you feel secure in your place with God and in this season of your walk with God the Desperation Song that declares:

"I need you Jesus to come to my rescue! Where else could I go? There's no other name for which I am saved! Capture me with grace!"

You don't need a valiant rescue at this point in time. While you can acknowledge that God has rescued you and his name has saving power, but this season, this moment you don't identify with that. Well may I ask you-how long is the list of people in your life that you believe DO need to be rescued by Jesus and captured by grace? Whether they see it or not-you can be their voice when they have none. Imagine the multitudes that are so weary and tired and lost that they have no strength to life their voice up to God to ask for a miracle, you can be their voice. When you encounter a song that may not be one you identify with at the moment-flip it around into a prayer on behalf of the people in your life. Instead of numbly reciting the words in worship as a little ditty that is fun to sing along to, let your heart be ripped to pieces on behalf of your prodigal friends. Cry out for God to rescue them.

There is a weekly prayer meeting I get to be a part of on Wednesdays before youth at my church, one specific evening a few weeks ago God laid it heavy on my heart to dedicate the night to interceding on behalf of the people in our lives that need a God encounter. We had songs that were al geared toward our need for God in our lives, our need to have him show up, a need to be saved-and we opened up the white board to write the names of the people God was laying on our hearts. It was one of the most powerful prayer times I've ever had. We all positioned our prayers in a way that it wasn't about us. We realized the desperate need of so many in our lives and we allowed our hearts to be torn on behalf of them. There are times when we don't have the words to pray for our loved ones. We begin to feel desperate for them just as they are desperate for a touch from God and we have no words to pray. In those times the Spirit will often give us words from a source deep inside that bubbles out. But another way God can give us words is through the hearts of others. We can turn to songs and specifically allow the heart within the song to pour forth from our lips on behalf of the ones so dear to us. In this prayer time exactly that happened. We all wept at the sheer amount of names on the board, it was covered with names all over. There are so many people in need of God. We just cried out

"Save me! Lord save me! I have nowhere else to go! Lord I trust in You alone to save me! My Savior I call on your name, Jesus save me!" (Save Me, by Gateway Worship)

"One tear in the dropping rain! One voice in the sea of pain! Could the maker of the stars hear the sound of my broken heart? One light, that's all I am! Right now I can barely stand! If you're everything you say you are, won't you come close and hold my heart!?" (Hold My Heart by Tenth Avenue North)

"There are tears from the saints, for the lost and unsaved. We're crying for them come back home! Come back home…" (Tears From the Saints by Leeland)

There are so many hearts that need us to intercede on their behalf. When we cry out on behalf of the hurting God shows up. You see, we are acting and identifying with Christ in this act. Christ is interceding on our behalf continually. We ourselves have a intercessor at the Throne of Heaven pleading on our behalf.

+ Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through Him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf.

I challenge you to devout a set amount of time in your prayers to singing out in intercession on behalf of the people you love. God will see your heart, and he will hear your prayers, and the words will come to you as you lift up the lost friend our prodigal son to the Kingly intercessor. Do not underestimate the power of simply praying in intercession, but I want you to see worship as the tool it is in the realm of intercession. Pray for those who have no voice. There are hearts that are too hard to ask God to act-be their voice. Be the voice for the prodigal whose pride won't allow him to turn back. Be the interceding voice on behalf of a generation who has lost all hope.

Do not overlook the power of worship,
allow the unique song to pour forth and usher in the presence of God in order to battle the attack of the enemy and call upon God's grace to save the lost people in your life.

Savior to Servant

2009-07-25T10:21:00.001-07:00

God has really been dealing with me on the subject of having a savior mentality. This comes in two scenarios, first- when you have a friend who knows God, knows the Word and gets disillusioned and wanders away from God. Secondly this can happen when you find yourself in some form getting attached to a non-believer and wish they knew what you know about God. If you aren't careful you begin to think that it's your responsibility to help, fix, and get them to God. But in short, God has shown me that that is not my job at all. We are not to try and take Christ's place in someone's life. We are to reflect God to the people around us and point them to HIM. Because you see, friend- when we take the weight of someone's soul on our shoulders we are bound to fall under the pressure. We will fail them and we will be left wounded on the ground with the false feeling of failure. Please don't take this the wrong way. We are supposed to help each other and lead each other back to God when we get distracted, but it's not our job to get someone to Heaven, we in our own flesh and strength can only do so much. Then we have to leave room for God to take the reins. Yes we are to encourage each other along our walk. Yes we are to bear with each other and love in all things. Yes we are at times called to exhort each other on certain actions. But no dear one- you do not have to hold them up as they trip. God has other plans for you. All these thoughts came together in poem that I decided to write last night after a conversation with some good friends about what we are to do with these situations…what I learned above all else-is God calls us to be servants to the wounded and weary person, not savior. I hope this speaks to you in some way. I really feel that this is directed those of you who know exactly how heavy the burden is to carry another on your shoulders…

+ Hebrews 3:12-15 Be careful then, dear brothers. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. But never forget the warning: 'Today you must listen to his voice. Don't harden your hearts against him as Israel did when they rebelled.'

Savior to Servant

Equally yoked are we

Such great friends you and me

We build each other up in this place

As we walk along, side by side

Encouragement flows face to face

Nothing from you I feel I have to hide

As days go by we make our way

I never noticed the edges start to fray

Just like a sunset in its last glimmer

Or a lightning bolts blinding flash,

The fire for God in you was turned to simmer

All the sudden you're convinced there's a catch

The finely built cord begins to unravel

Soon there is a swerve in these two that we travel

I notice now, it's nearly to late

How am I to hold you up as you trip and stumble?

Can't let you slip into such a fate

Am I to let this defended friendship so easily crumble?

Sturdy I set my feet apart

There must be a way for me to hold to your heart

With all my strength I lift you up

But you only pull away

All doors for me to help seem shut

I can't allow this failure over me to lay

All at once I realize you're too far off for me

Tears fall as frustrations rise to the feeling you won't ever be free

What sort of a friend am I to fail you?

My strength is sapped now I see

I can't save you, but then who?

The answer is a strong resounding HE

He is the one who orders your steps

He is the one for you who descended into the depths

He has an arm not too short to save

He is the one who sees your wandering heart

He is the one who will calm your raging waves

He is the one who from you will never depart

Where I lost, He has victory

Where I was blind, he alone can see

Where I fell, he stands his ground

Though he draws near to the humble, He opposes the proud.

So I see now I'm not the one to save

He alone is the author of your days

I must trust Him to do his work

Let him rightfully be savior

I, myself, cannot heal your hurt

I'm letting Him lift you as an eagle to sore

As I stand back I see the place to be

I tried to play savior-but God has other plans for me

He has called me to be your servant

Here I devout myself on your behalf to prayer

For you my heart shall be rent

I let go.

I am not Savior, but servant

I commit you, dear one, into my loving Father's capable care.

Sacred Song of the Battle

2009-07-19T17:03:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to share with you this point of the revelation that hit me on subject of worship. I have already endeavored to share with you how I have found in scripture and in personal experience that worship can be thing that firstly is created as a unique song that is within you that takes you to a deeper form of worship. Secondly, worship is the gate to the very presence of the Most High God. Thirdly I want to share how I have found that worship, songs sang to honor my Father God-these songs become a vital tool in battle against all that would hinder us from the abundant life that Jesus Christ came to bring. When we sing and praise God it ushers in the very presence of God into that place, whether it be your room, a church sanctuary or around a campfire, God's presence can wash over you. Wherever that presence is, satan and his attacks are powerless.

Four things I know to be true about worship.

1) God has placed unique and powerful songs within each of his precious children that are just waiting to pour out.

2) God dwells within the praises of his people.

3) Worship is a powerful tool against Satan's devices.

4) We can tap into a depth of intercession as we identify with the heart of those around us in song.

"Undefeatable Weapon of War"

+ Ephesians 6:12 "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realm."

Now I want to draw your attention to a specific line in the verses I've been focusing in on. Do you see how it says in the last portion "Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands…"? Praises in their mouth as they hold a sharp sword in their hands; worship is a weapon of warfare. When God enters a room, satan cannot stay. In the laws of the Israelites we hear God tell his people "You must be holy as I am holy" no sinful thing can enter into his presence. Just as all darkness flees to the furthest corners of a room when the light switch is turned on, the light of his presence cannot be withstood by a sliver of darkness. During worship services in foreign countries during a crusade, spontaneous healings can take place right in the middle of worship. There is an injection of God's healing power right into the thirsty vein of a people in desperate pursuit of the presence. Bondages of the enemy are broken as God shows up in our worship, the well thought out plans and battle strategies of the enemy are broken in an instant.

When I was in Nicaragua this past summer with my youth group there was one evening in particular where we attended a church service. Our bus driver, Carlos drove us there and sat out with the bus during the two hour service. In the service there was some awesome worship, I was a very powerful and touching experience to sing along to worship song hearing the church singing in Spanish as my group sang just as passionately in English. There was something about the unity that the scene stirred that particular pricked my heart, and I believe the heart of God. He responds to hearts in unity, to hearts focused on him. We were none-the-wiser of how God was moving on our behalf this night. The service went well and two men even gave their life to Christ. However, it isn't to this point that I am taking you to. Come along further. We departed from this church and as we were driving away from the building Carlos, our driver, pulled over. Through our interpreter, Louis, Carlos told us that while we were in the service his daughter was taken into the Hospital. She had a heart attack and was rushed there to be treated. Carlos had stayed at the church because it was his job he didn't want to let us down or those who had contracted him. At his solid servants heart's display tears spilled generously down my cheeks and passed by hanging jaw. How could he stay when his daughter has been rushed to the hospital in such a state? What's more-his daughter was three years old. Carlos had pulled the bus over cause he knew that "when we prayed, God did things." However, his request for prayer wasn't that she would make it through, for you see-even while we were still in the service, as we worshipped the Lord his daughter was found in stable condition. She was going to be perfectly fine. He was asking simply for prayers for her continued health. I don't know if you caught that or not-his three year old daughter who had a heart attack was firstly attacked, secondly restored. The enemy was perhaps attempting to get us distracted from the service where he was going to lose two more souls for eternity-he didn't want the testimonies and the dramas to impact those lives. But God in his infinite power and wisdom intercepted the advances of satan and right in the midst of or worship intervened on our behalf. The enemy went for a swing and the power of the Spirit in worship blocked it and cut him down.

In the scriptures you find numerous examples of how music and worship was a piece of war. In Numbers 10:9 there is a reference to how the people would blow a trumpet to remind the Lord of his promises and to call him to rescue you. The same scripture goes on to say to also blow the trumpet in times of gladness to remind the Lord of his covenant. We worship to ask the Lord to act on our behalf and quell the enemy's strategies and we worship to magnify God.

Another example in scripture that we see is that of Jericho. God told Joshua in Joshua 6 that the land was already his, he just had to follow his instructions, and what were they? He was to walk around the walls, and on the 7^th day of this they walked around the guarded city with shouts and trumpets. They were using music, shouts-to break down the walls. They enforced the victory that God has bestowed to them-with worship. In worship the walls and strongholds of the enemy fell down.

In the same way as we worship we can rid ourselves of a spirit of depression, as Bill Johnson says "Physical obedience brings spiritual release." The very act of worshiping is sending the enemy running with his tail tucked between his legs. Do you see the amazing tool we have in worship? Do you see the threat it is to the enemy. When a child of God truly gets a hold of who they are in Christ, when they are worshiping and have their focus on God-there is NOTHING the enemy can do to attack them. Arm yourselves with praise on your lips and a sword on your hand. Let's break down the walls the enemy has built and take the territory that we have been given by God and let's do it in the midst of our worship.

Sacred Song of the Presence

2009-07-14T12:37:00.001-07:00

In my last blog (Sacred Song of the Heart) I shared what I've learned about singing in the Spirit, how God can bring a unique song out of you that hasn't ever been sang before. Its an amazing tool to be used to usher yourself into the presence of God. Not only does singing and worshiping take you to a deeper level of intimacy with God but it opens the door for God's presence to flood over you. David understood this, in the times he most needed a touch from God he would pour his heart out in song and God would come and there would be a sincere God encounter.

Four things I know to be true about worship. 1) God has placed unique and powerful songs within each of his precious children that are just waiting to pour out. 2) God dwells within the praises of his people. 3) Worship is a powerful tool against Satan's devices. 4) We can tap into a depth of intercession as we identify with the heart of those around us in song.
We can tap into a depth of intercession as we identify with the heart of those a

"Ushering in the Presence"

+ Psalm 22:3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel

Have you ever been in a worship service and the atmosphere just changes? You are singing with your whole heart and something happens. You can't really say what it is but all the sudden the entire room seems to be on the same page, the entire room is laying their heart before the God of the universe and just praising him for what he has done in their lives. Everyone without any kind of signal all raise their hands at the same time, whatever it is, maybe they all jump out of excitement, maybe they fall to their knees and are in deep worship only to open their eyes to see the rest of the room in the same humble position. Whatever that atmosphere looks like, we have all seen it. If you have ever corporately been worshiping and everyone's heart is focused on God-then you know what I'm talking about.

This phenomenon can even happen at the most unlikely times. There has been moments when I'm alone in my car and as I have my Hillsong, Desperation, Abbey Johnson, Glorious Unseen-whomever is in the CD player at the time-I have it blaring and I'm just singing, then I feel my stomach flipping, my whole body all the sudden responds to the change of atmosphere right there in the car. Something just changes. Have you ever felt that? Maybe I'm just listening to the music is my personal quite time with God and as a song is playing I feel that inner ache and tears spring to my eyes, it happened. God showed up. God's presence is revealed in a real and tangible way.

When we are worshiping and allowing the Spirit to flow through us we create an environment where our hearts are wide open to experience a genuine God encounter. Our Father God's heart is moved by our willing worship and he draws near. (James 4:8) It isn't some mythological idea or philosophy, the God of the universe; the God whose hand spans the universe
(Isa. 40:12) can manifest his presence to you in your times of worship.

There is no questioning the fact stated by King David that God is enthroned, he dwells, inhabits the praises of his people. We see this in Isaiah's vision in the year that King Uzziah died..

+ Isaiah 6:3-4 In a great chorus they [the angels] sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty! The whole earth is filled with his glory!" The glorious singing shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire sanctuary was filled with smoke.

Smoke is often representative of the presence of God, the Israelites were lead by a cloud by day and a pillar of smoke and fire by night, God's presence was guiding them. Here we see that this powerful God who could have anything that entered his mind chooses to surround himself by the praises of his creation. Do you see that they were SANG holy
holy
holy, the sound of their SINGING was changing things! In response God's presence was filling that place! In the same way when we worship God, we center our focus on Him; he comes and dwells in that place. Have you ever been worshiping and felt that initial change, where you feel like someone just literally opened the door to let the King of Glory come in? That is your Spirit when it connects with the One who made you. It is a divine moment where there is a deep fellowship with this marvelous Creator. In these moments when God is so manifested and near to you there is more than a change in the atmosphere. Often in the presence of God people will begin to weep because they are being washed by God's love or they are feeling convicted as

he cleanses their hearts. This experience is something you should envy, something you should guard, this communing time with your Heavenly Father can strengthen you in a dry season and it can minister to you in your pain. With his presence comes healing, comes words of encouragement, it is most often in my times of prayer and worship that I hear God whispering things to my heart.

We should invest our time into worshiping our God, usher him into our every day. Begin to live an attitude of worship, not just with music but where we are focusing on God throughout our every day mundane activities; it makes the little things holy things. Even when we are singing to ourselves as we go about our day you can feel a nearness
with God that you may have never felt before as you washed the dishes, whatever it is-invite God into your everyday life. Allow him to be the centerpiece. Personally the best way that I have found to focus on my Father God, is worship, because I know that when I am allowing the Spirit to flow through me-he will worship the Father, and in worshiping the Father, in worshiping God-things change. His presence floods over me, and my drive to work becomes a God appointment. I challenge you, worship God today. Take time to set aside and just worship him, sing out, blare your music and allow God's presence to flood over you.

+ Psalm 95: 6-7 Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the sheep under his care. Oh, that you would listen to his voice today!

Sacred Song of the Heart

2009-07-12T21:07:00.001-07:00

I sing all the time. I sing in the car, in the shower and I've heard you singing around that corner I was walking around…the first thing I do when I wake up is flip open my trusty laptop and light up Windows Media Player and let the melodies saturate my mushy morning mind. (Sorry all you MAC lovers, my HP is faithful! Anyways...) Lately God has been revealing more and more to me how he has designed us to use singing and worship to as one of the avenues delve into the deeper things of God. These things have revolutionized
my mindset in worship and turned it from a precursor to a possibly 'boring' message into a encounter time that I can't get enough of! God wants to show you too how you can use worship as a means to an amazing end!

Four things I know to be true about worship. 1)
God has placed unique and powerful songs within each of his precious children that are just waiting to pour out. 2) God dwells within the praises of his people. 3) Worship is a powerful tool against Satan's devices. 4)
We can tap into a depth of intercession as we identify with the heart of those around us in song.

Let me state my case will you?

"A Unique Song"

Right here in the word we read David encouraging the reader to 'sing a new song .' You may slap a smile across your face and say "awesome! Come on Chris Tomlin, let me hear you're newest song!" Or maybe you think "God is so awesome to inspire all those Australians in Hillsong to write those impacting songs!" Well yes, God uses those, yes they are amazingly powerful, but David, being inspired by the Holy Spirit, here says to sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful, referencing the body of Christ. That means if you count yourself as one of God's children, he is exhorting you to sing a new song.

Now I said I would tell of the personal experiences I've had with this, well let me give you an example of what this looks like. To follow the word set forth in this scripture doesn't mean you have to start your own worship band, but think now of some of the live songs you have heard. There are these fill in moments where the artists will just sing words that are magnifying God, or phrases that are cries of their heart in that moment, or entire lines will flow from somewhere deep within and it just flows perfectly into a build up and others somehow join in, with this...new song. In the times you feel a desire to sing one random phrase that comes to mind in the middle of an instrumental fill-that's the new song God has deposited. It's at the door pounding, and the thud
thud
thud suddenly beats in time with the music that is filling the room you're in and then you hear the words, Jesus! Jesus! My heart it cries-Jesus! Jesus! You know what I mean.

Those moments the sanctuary at church erupts into spontaneous random songs all at once, they are all letting that song break down the door and pour out. This happens a lot for me personally. I will just sing words on my heart in the middle of a song. One of the most powerful times this happened was recently after a prayer time, I was sitting outside with some of my gal friends. One of them just played the guitar and we all just sang whatever came to mind, however it came out and God put together this beautiful harmonizing melodic song that had words and phrases that weaved in and out. It was just this raw beautiful time where we just worshiped together in Spirit. We were singing in the Spirit.

+ John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

It is such a God moment when your spirit is unleashed to pour out a new song. There is always this refreshing atmosphere that washes over you in times of obedience to the word. Here, when you let go of any inhibitions and let your spirit make a connection with God in a way it hasn't before. While the four of us were sitting in the parking lot I felt God's presence so strongly. It was so amazing, we were just sitting there and decided to sing together in the Spirit and see where it lead us. In the midst of this corporate spirit melody we would even be singing about different things and say the same word at the same time. You can't help but smile, God loves to sing through us, the Spirit wants to sign out- will you let that song come forth?

Do not worry about if its biblical, where do you think David's psalms of pain and joy all came from? In Exodus as the people and Moses sang their song of deliverance as they left Egypt, that was an inspired song. In the New Testament when Mary is visiting Elizabeth she begins to sing a song of praise for how God has chose to use her (Luke 1). God has placed a song within your heart that you can find release and a new level of worship when you dive into it.

In the times when your heart is overcome with grief you can allow yourself to sing out a new song, a song straight from your heart. In the times when you are bubbling over with joy, allow thanksgiving to pour out. Worship him in Spirit with the unique song he has placed there and a new level of intimacy can be found. Next time you have the chance, let those words out, flow freely in the Spirit and you will delve well into the deep. Allow that unique and power filled song out. You will feel his presence surround you whenever you allow Him to sing though you.

This link below is a "prophetic song" from the International House of Prayer, this is just one example, but just watching it you can feel how the Spirit is orchestrating both the lyrics and the instruments. Youtube Prophetic Worship songs to look into more…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1q8PfXCx-U

Fortifying Word Amidst the Flood Waters

2009-06-23T10:04:00.001-07:00

+ Genesis 8:1 But God remembered Noah…

I have been praying over this season we seem to be entering. This being a season where a flood of answered prayers is coupled with uncomfortable growth and I have found solace in these last principles that God has impressed upon my heart as I studied Genesis 6 and 7 and was then lead to chapter 8. After Noah was obedient to the Lord and was found at the center of God's favor he built the ark. The flood came and he was ready, though the flood destroyed some of the things Noah had invested in, God was also destroying everything in the dry places. God was about the business of making all things new. Throughout this, Noah had to trust that God would keep him safe above the flood waters, even though he could no longer see the mountaintops; the victories of days gone by were covered by the overwhelming circumstances. It is here that we find Noah, floating for an extended amount of time on the waters that covered the earth.

Just as Noah trusted that God was working out his plans for him, we must cling
to the fact that when the rain has come, when we see nothing but devastation, know God is in control. In the times where you look out your window with the last glint of hope falling with your tears on your cheeks, you look out at the glassy surface of the vast waters around you and wonder how long you can survive, trust God as your provider. As you stare intently into the depths just beyond your safety boat's edge and search desperately for some indication of the flood receding, and see nothing but darkness, hold fast to the Light
of the World who is at your side. For it is in these moments, when we let our hope take flight as Noah released the bird time and time again, just waiting for the sign that there was change-let your hope carry you. Let your faith breath for you. But never forget that God brought you this far-he is a finisher of the work he begins. When we are leaning with all our strength upon our Creator, this is when we see the words on our hearts as we see in Genesis 8:1.

Isn't it intriguing that the name Noah means peaceful, and has a myriad of meanings, one of which is wandered. At the moment our last hope seems to fall to the ground we can hear the soft reminder that says "But god remembered the wanderer…" Oh heart you must leap with joy at the declaration! At the end of this testing time, finally the ark, the wandered within, came to rest atop a mountain…

+ Genesis 8:1-5 But God remembered [the wanderer] and all the animals in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the waters, and the floods began to disappear. The underground water sources ceased their gushing, and the torrential rains stopped. So the flood gradually began to recede…the boat came to rest on the mountains of Ararat...as the waters continued to go down, other mountain peaks began to appear.

The Holy Spirit will come to you in your time of growth and testing and begin to withdraw you from the trying times. Your foundation will be set, the cleansing rain
will turn to the sunlight of peace and you will come to rest atop a mountain unlike any before. Noah started his journey in the valley places of the familiar and was relocated to a new victory. A new place on the mountains, and as he trusted God through even this mind blowing time-the victories of past began to reinstate their hope.

Don't you see? If we obediently follow God through this season of the flood, we will come to land on a mountain top victory like we have never before experienced! God has greater things in store for you! He has greater victories then those of past ahead. Mount Ararat was above the flood waters before the other mountains began to appear, this mountain you have come to my dear ones, this victory will be so glorious! God brought the wanderer to rest atop a new mountain, but he also gave him a promise and eternal covenant. Beloved just as God gave Noah the rainbow as a reminder of his pledge to never again send such a physically devastating flood, our God is taking us to a place of promise!

Victory and promise are ahead for you dear child of the Creator of all things!

As I was thanking God for these things, he spoke to my heart a word for you who are seemingly drowning in the flood. As you read what follows open your heart to hear the words the Spirit may be speaking to you right now in this time. Open your mind to receive the revelation of the Holy One who has brought you through your past trials and the one who sustains you. Let these words be a gentle confirmation or a firm exhortation to cling to the Trustworthy One. Read these words and be encouraged, for these are fortifying words amidst the flood waters!

Come beloved, you see the clouds rolling in. You have heard my warning, know this is to strip away the dry places. You have asked for a rain, it comes. The clouds are heavy with prayers; angels now stand on the ready for a word from me to begin. Build. Build. Build upon all I have spoken. Trust I am a performer of my Word. I am not a man that I would lie. No. I have said it, I will do it. Just listen, listen and know that as the rain comes down, people won't understand. Some may turn and choose to break under the flood. But trust and you will rise safely atop the rain waters. I am calling you my wife; I am calling my bride to come to this place of safety and transformation with me. Rise to a place where you are preserved despite the inability to see the victories in the past. Behold as Elijah saw a rain cloud just a small way off. This way it comes. Hear the thunders heavy with purpose. See the strikes of lightening coming closer. Come beloved prepare. Come and be made new. Come and trust my plan. Come and raise above all the hindrances. Come for here lies a season of the evident absence of my presence while I choose to work through the natural. Come, Ah the thunder! Ah the rain! The miracles of the first drop!

+ 1 Kings 18:41-43,45 Then Elijah said to Ahab, "Go and enjoy a good meal! For I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!" So Ahab prepared a feast. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and fell to the ground and prayed. Then he said to his servant, "Go and look out toward the sea." …And sure enough, the sky was soon black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm…

Floating Above the Flood Waters

2009-06-21T20:45:00.001-07:00

We are on the verge of a season of forthcoming flood waters; uncomfortable change; a time where flood waters will be released from Heaven. The prayers of God's people have been lifted up to Heaven and the clouds are heavy with the weight of their plea. God is about to open up the flood gates, with this release comes growth. Change. A turning point. A new start. New patterns. A time where our past bondages will be broken and God will preserve us through this time of trial and uncomfortable change. But what are we to do in this season? We have learned we must prepare, be obedient to the Spirit's leading-here let me show you what I have learned will be some of the events could be in the midst of this flood. I also feel God spoke a word, but that I will place in another blog..

I was praying over these little promptings the Spirit was depositing in me and asking him what it meant for me personally. As I was studying Genesis 6 and 7 some points jumped out, a outline, a glimpse of what the coming season means. I don't know where you are in all this. Maybe you are in the prep for the season of rain. Maybe you are in the desert just crying out for anything from God-even if it means a time of uncomfortable change, or maybe you are in the flood, and you don't see an end. Either way-this is what the Spirit spoke to me as I read.

Are you at a place where you just need a change, no matter what that means? I can feel the thickness of the air in the Spiritual realm God is moving, and I want to be around to see what he is doing. But as I've said, I feel like what is coming will call for endurance and ultimately sincere faith
in a Creator who is working all things together for your good. We read in Genesis of the 7 days until the rain. Then once this rain comes, it comes hard. It's a crushing feeling that washes away all we once knew. But our Protector doesn't leave us by ourselves. Oh the jewels he reveals in his inspired Word!

+ Genesis 6:18 But I solemnly sweat to keep you safe in the boat…

Amidst our obedience to God he will guide us through the flood waters…

+ Gen 7:11b-12 …the underground waters burst forth on the earth, and the rain fell I mighty torrents from the sky. The rain continued to fall for 40 nights.

This is a violent picture of the confusion and overwhelming sensations that can reign in your time of flood, these times are an outpouring of God's answered prayers, but he is always giving us the opportunity to grow and to learn and to change. The underground waters burst onto the earth-the foundation you think you have laid, will be tested. Can you confidently stand and say that you won't be shaken, you wont be swept away in the middle of a catastrophic flood?

+ Gen 7:18 As the waters rose higher and higher above the ground, the boat floated safely on the surface. Finally, the water covered even the highest mountains on the earth.

Please know, this season that some of us feel like we are entering is not a thing to be afraid of, we just know that as we go into it that you need to trust God to help you through any trial that may present itself. But note, in the above scripture-one, the boat floated safely above the waters. Second, the flood waters covered the mountains. As I prayed over this I thought of the mountains in my life as two things. It could be the mountains-obstacles-I can't seem to get over. Or are these mountains that are covered, in the midst of this overwhelming uncomfortable change, are they our past victories? The change that is coming-we will be safely delivered through it. But in the middle of it, if we aren't careful we can lose sight
of all past victories. BUT PRAISE GOD HE IS IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING ALL THINGS NEW AGAIN!

+ Gen 7:22 Everything died that breathed and lived on dry land.

Do you see how God is still in control even when we can't see the victories? Do you see that he is working all things to our good as he makes all things new? A month or so back I was at this amazing event called "Jesus Now" where area youth groups and young adults from all sorts of denominations come together for one purpose-to praise and worship God. At the end we were all just listening to God and what he had to say to us in that time. I kept hearing him say the wilderness is over. The wilderness is over. Do you see that in this flood that he is allowing to rush into our lives and make us uncomfortable- it is REMOVING ALL THAT THE ENEMY HAS CREATED THAT IS THRIVING IN THE DRY PLACES. The dry areas of our lives have become breading places for apathy, discontentment and our complacent spirit. This flood that is painful, frightening and seemingly unending-it is striping the dry places in order to bring NEW LIFE! Yes, in the middle of this flood that covers all our victories we may not see the end. Yes, it will be painful, yes it can be intimidating-YES your God will carry you through!

+ Gen 8:1 But God remembered Noah…

Oh God. OH Father, you do not forget us in the midst of our trials. When we can no longer see the places you have brought us through- you are still ever so close. You are allowing us to grow, you are calling us to change, you are calling us deeper. We have cried out for an increase of your presence-may we see your hand in every drop of rain. Every answered prayer, God may we understand you have greater things for us and Lord, may we trust that you REMEMBER your children. God in the middle of the unknown, unmatched, unveiled flood, we cling to the one who has called us righteous! Lord Jesus, hold us and teach us in this flood, you are not a man that you would lie Oh god. Oh God , Oh Jesus, open the flood gates..

Forthcoming Flood Waters

2009-06-18T08:18:00.001-07:00

God has been really speaking to me about the rain. I've learned to feel God's presence and grace with every drop of rain. There is purpose and there is peace in the rain, even in a thunder storm's torrential down pour. God has been teaching me and dealing with me in the books of Genesis 6 and 7, the story of Noah. So I am recording all this in two blogs, cause I've received random confirmations that someone, perhaps YOU need to hear of what God has for you with the first drop of rain. Last Sunday evening I was at a weekly prayer meeting and just praying for God to release the rain.

Firstly, he showed me the parallel to be drawn between rain heavy clouds with prayer. As we pray, our prayer rise up to Heaven and they build up. I picture these storm clouds up above, growing heavier an heavier with every prayer we pray, until the moment comes. Until our persistent prayers reach the cloud and the first drop of rain falls… The cloud bursts, a clap of thunder echoes across the spiritual realm-the sounds of God's power coming forth from the throne. Down comes the rain, things in our life shift, prayers are answered, we have encounters with God like never before-the rain clouds release the built up pressure that has been building for days, months, maybe years. However, while this rain is refreshing, it challenges us. While it is answers to our prayers, it means change, change in our spiritual life, and that also means change in our earthly life. It is a season of uncomfortable growth, we might need to be pruned before new buds can grow from this life giving rain. As I was thinking about all this and God was just ministering to me, I hear Genesis 7. So I turn to read

+ Genesis 7:4 One week from today I will begin forty days and forty nights of rain…

That is no mistake; it's a confirmation of what God was already ever so gently telling me. God, I feel, is telling of a coming rain, a coming season of rain. As God was speaking to me about this season of down pour, I began to wonder what brought Noah to that point; to the point of hearing of God's plans, the point of building an arc to float above the waves of crashing change. I turned to Genesis 6 for answers as I asked the Spirit to just speak to me what he wanted me to see and I found some things worth noting.

+ Genesis 6:5-6 Now the Lord observed the extent of the people's wickedness, and he saw that their thoughts were consistently toward evil, Do the Lord was sorry he had made them. It broke his heart.

How much more different could this present generation be from that of old? How wicked we are, how evil our thoughts have become being constantly filled with bitterness, anger, jealousy and lust! When we have a lustful thought, do we think twice about the pain to the HEART OF GOD we are causing? This generation that had developed in Noah's time were breaking the heart of their creator and they didn't-even-know. God makes us conscious of the times we are grieving the Holy Spirit! God open our eyes to see the painful consequences of not just our actions but also our thoughts!

As I read on, I was introduced to Noah. You see in even the New Testament letters that at the beginning of a letter the writer will state their position and name so as to clarify with what authority they write. The main character of this event God had brought me to-Noah enters the scene awash with the favor of God

+ Genesis 6:9 This is the history of Noah and his family…Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on the earth at that time. He consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with him.

Do you feel that ache in your stomach at those words…can you help but wonder what scriptures would announce your profile as? Could we dare to hope it would contain such precious words and descriptions as Noah was accredited? The scriptures make it an important piece of Noah's identity that he "was righteous…and enjoyed a close relationship with [God]." Oh if only we could know that we to would be known for our relationship with our Heavenly Father!

It is obvious that he truly had a close relationship as we see in Gen 6:18, God tells Noah of his plans to flood the earth, but he also declares that he will keep Noah safe in the boat. While the flood, the season to come-is violent, painful perhaps- and seemingly unending purifying process, God wasn't going to allow Noah and his family to come to harm in the days to come. In order to get to the point of the flood gates of Heaven being opened up, we better know our foundation is set with God. He is telling us what to do to prepare for this coming season of growth and testing.

+ Genesis 6:22 So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.

When we build upon our relationship with him, he keeps us safe. We can with stand his purifying process. But we must act in obedience!

Beloved please move in obedience to the Spirit! Prepare yourselves for whatever work, whatever growth, whatever change he has for you. Do not harden your hearts toward the call of the Father to build the ark, to build on your relationship with him in order to withstand a trial, do not harden your hearts toward the pressing of the Spirit to step out in faith and do the unusual. Get ready, the storm clouds are about to release all their pent up pressure. You have so long stood in faith that your prayer were to be answered, wont you now prepare for the stretching that comes with the answers? Beloved-you see the clouds rolling in; you have heard the warning-get ready.

But God

2009-06-16T12:49:00.001-07:00

A poem for the times when you feel you've lost your grasp on everything. A song for the heart that feels it has lost hope in all else but God. A psalm for all who have realized their foundation must be on God and god alone, or else they will be shaken beyond recognition. A word of encouragement for the person who has realized that those two words, change the course of history.

⁴But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.. –Ephesians 2:4-5

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. – Psalm 73:25

Things in life fall from my plan,

I thought I had a hold.

Maybe my hold broke it.

I'm learning what I am to do.

I know even still, God there is always you.

But God
has the knowledge

That I won't ever know.

The pain of hopes lost can hurt more than a bullet.

The shot of ache in my stomach reveals

How far I went.

I'm sorry I did not keep the door

Closed.

I'm regretting the first stage

Of hope.

But God
you make all things work together for my good.

I dive

In quickly

Only to find you on the shore.

I hesitate

On the edge just to hear you

Call me in.

But God your thoughts are higher than mine.

I hold to deferred hope.

But God
has desire for me

I grasp at strings of a gone season

But God
is making all things new.

I anchor to the dull ache

But God
wants me to live in the miracle of the moment

I feel lost in routine

But God
shows miracles in the mundane.

I wonder at words of past

But God
is speaking to me rhema, right now

But God
has victory

But God
knows my name

But God
sees my tears

"But God
remembered Noah"

But God remembered Noah…and the floods began to disappear –Genesis 8:1

Two Lefts Don’t Make A Right

2009-05-23T20:29:00.001-07:00

How dangerously often do we think we know what we are doing? How often do we 'supersede' God in our plans for ourselves? We fool ourselves into thinking we are doing God a favor by doing things this way or that. We are helping God out by the way we use our better, more wise ideas because God must not have it all figured out. We of course carry out our immature plans only to find ourselves in the dust, hurt and desperate to reverse our actions. God however, in his infinite sovereignty is able to show mercy and guide us back into the path he has set for us. A prime example of this fleshly action is seen in the life of King Saul, in the midst of his beginning to operate in his new calling, he makes a mistake that strikes a fatal blow
to his future.

I In 1 Samuel we see the progression of Saul's rise to kingship. We see how once he was anointed with oil, which seems to often signify the beginning of a waiting period. He then began to walk in this anointing and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in and through him (1 Sam 10:9, 11:6) as his calling began to come to fruition. Where we once saw him hiding in the baggage unwilling and afraid to step up to the call placed on his life, he now was flowing in the Spirit and appeared to thrive in this calling. As the Spirit worked in him, God was able to shine through some of his attributes in order to show the people of Israel his mercy.

After a dispute arose from a group of men in the new Kings army, the rest of the Israelites were calling for the 70 unruly rebels to be murdered. But with the Spirit at work within Saul we see merciful acts coming through, he declares no one will be killed that day because the Lord won a great victory (1 Sam 11:13). This show of mercy is confirmed as the Lord speaks through Samuel to the people a warning and encouragement.

"Now if you will fear and worship the Lord and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the Lord's commands, and if you and your king follow the Lord your god then all will be well…Don't be afraid, Samuel reassured them. You have certainly done wrong but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart and that you don't turn your back on him in any way. Don't go back to worshipping worthless idols…The Lord will not abandon his chosen people, for that would dishonor his name. He made you a special nation for himself." -1 Samuel 12:14,16,20-22

The contrast seen between God's mercy shining through Saul to the point of his fatal strike is painfully familiar to all who have followed in his footsteps to take things into their own hands. After this foreboding chastisement by Samuel, we find Saul waiting for Samuel to make a sacrifice in chapter 13. Oh how often have we let impatience steal our blessing? When will we learn to lean on the arm of delayed gratification? As Saul waited for Samuel to come to make this sacrifice we can only imagine the thoughts swirling in his mind, they are ones we hear all to often. Why isn't God moving yet? Why hasn't he provided this need yet? When will he reveal this aspect of his plan!? Oh if I was in charge of this situation, I would have it under control by now! Here is where we reach the breaking point, here we
see Saul throwing away the blessings found in living under the calling of God in our lives. Much to impatient for Samuel Saul makes the sacrifice to pacify the people and to pacify his own impatience.

In an act of indulging the flesh Saul in one foul swoop stepped outside of God's timing and outside God's calling for his life.

Saul was supposed to wait for Samuel's timing-how often we get to impatient; we take matters into our own hands.

Saul was called to be a king, not a priest, not make the sacred sacrifices. If you are called to serve as a bathroom cleaner-do not be jealous of the preacher. Do not live your life on a whim; God has so much more for you then a mundane, apathetic life!

Oh the sorrowful familiarity we should feel seeping from every breath of Saul's excuse! He claims that he felt obligated to do this, it was the right thing. Sure, the actions looked right, they looked like something a God fearing person would do, but OH the danger of willingly and knowingly stepping beyond the borders of the path God has set before you. Be wary of the proceedings that pacify the religious quota of actions but cost you your heart. Samuel gives a terse chastisement to Saul before all the people that have simple warning that we should heed even today.

"How foolish! Samuel exclaimed. You have disobeyed the command of the Lord your God. Had you obeyed the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever…for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already chosen him to be kind over his people, for you have not obeyed the Lords command." – 1 Samuel 13:13-14

Will you heed the prophets warning? Won't you keep a strict watch over your heart's motives? Will you open your heart to hear and wait upon the Lord and his direction? We must stop taking things into our own hands and forfeiting our calling? Saul's two wrong actions did not amount to the blessing and peace he had hoped would come. It lead to a restless, frustrated and painful rest of his life where he watched his throne be taken from him as the Lord's anointed rose to power. While God's mercy was there, and I believe that a calling can't ever be revoked, but when our hearts aren't right or willing, God will find a willing vessel to carry out his plans.

Father God, open our eye and minds to see and understand all that you have to tell us in this moment. God help us to be content in waiting for you. Help us to be content as we lean on the truth that you are working all things to our good and have perfect timing for all that you have planned. God may we put to death the flesh as it stirs up jealousy in us. May we see that the place you have positioned us is the place we are supposed to be and serve. God open our eyes to the truths found in your word and may we LIVE it and not just LEARN it Lord! May we choose to follow your path and not the one of our own making!

The Ebbing Lovesick Pain

2009-05-20T11:06:00.001-07:00

"My lover tried to unlatch the door, and my heart thrilled within me. I jumped up to open it…as I pulled back the bolt. I opened to my lover, but he was gone. I yearned for even his voice! I searched for him, but I couldn't find him anywhere. I called to him but there was no reply." –Song of Songs 5:4-6

Oh the quiet pain found within.

Pain seems to ebb and flow.

The source-my life and purpose,

My purpose the heart of the One Most Holy.

This Holy Being whose heart I must reach, Oh the distance seems to far to bear!

But Lover of My Consumed heart, will you not come close?

Must I wait in silence?

Must my pain seep from my heart to every fiber of my being?

Oh Lofty One, how I am I to comprehend the plans you have fashioned?

This wall I've run straight against.

This pain is so poignant; my tears are the overflow of the wounds unseen.

This cruel separation crumbles the last shards of a lovesick heart.

Oh Ever Present One! Why now?

Why My Defender, must this winter be so hard in coming?

I do not see, I do not feel, and I do not hear you.

But I choose to know, I choose to cling and I choose to hope.

Oh Creator, I know you are good.

This goodness I keep in the front of my crowded mind,

Abandoned love seems a faint whisper.

But the Mockers, Oh King, they do not have our story!

Oh Comforter, they weren't there as you wrapped me in your arms.

Oh Provider! They know not the storehouses you built.

Oh Lover! They know not the song sang over my slumber!

These roots grown in Spring, when your rain was so tangible,

These tangible roots go deeper than the sting of winter can reach.

The pierced heart I tear out and lay on the altar, Oh Healer! You see the scars of yesteryears.

Hold me tight for the fear of man therein. Keep me from feeling the hope deffered.
These men with fallen nature have wounded my weak heart.

The vast heights and depths of this abandoned love!

Am I now descending to these depths impenetrable?

Oh pained heart of mine! Be watchful! Do not ignore the revelation found here!

Oh heart, rejoice at the invitation of the Silent One who has gone before us in this place.

I travelled the mountains with you oh painful, wounding love

How am I to ignore your escort to the valley?

HOPE

I cling to you.

FAITH

I ask for sustenance.

OH TRUTH

Steady my fading steps.

LOVE

Oh cruel, infatuated, rewarding, love.

Love, my heart beat, my song, my spirit, OH LOVE be ever present in this sovereign suffering!

Oh Love I search, Oh Silent Lamb I follow

I follow to this place of night as mine eyes lift to rays of distant light.

For I have entrusted my life to He Who Lead me this way.

His face is the light, the fullness I seek

Oh! Wounded heart, bear up with endurance under this extended night and know

With the flow of this ocean of encounter I choose to be grounded.

I choose to follow the blood stained footprints of my Redeemer in this Garden

Oh pain found within.

Be a wound that drives me to my purpose

Oh Holy Being! Reaching for you my consumed heart's cry is lifted!

Oh consumed heart, oh hope, constant companion

FORWARD

WE PRESS!

"I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him…O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. " –Psalm 62:5,8

Break Through in a Dry Place

2009-05-15T12:40:00.001-07:00

"During that time, all Israel mourned because it seemed that the Lord had abandoned them." – 1 Samuel 7:2

In the Word we see time and time again a person, or groups of people in who find themselves in a dry place, or a wilderness. Yet, alongside these wilderness times, we very frequently see the persons having a life changing encounter with God Almighty. We see this with the Hebrew nation of Israel, it was in the wilderness at the mountain that they had an encounter with the I AM, even though they chose to draw away rather than drawing into the mysteries of this GOD-He still met with them there. (This subject along merits its own blog…article...more like book! =D ) We also see the abused and mistreated Hagar in the wilderness as she receives a promise from JEHOVAH. "The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a desert spring..." –Genesis 16:7 .Another example is Jacob at Bethel, he was struggling with running from what God had for him when GOD appeared to him and gave him revelation. So without further explanation, its easy to see how our God is one who can break through our dry times, the quiet times when we can't feel him near and when we don't see him moving.

As we I continued my reading through 1 Samuel, this is where I found the Israelite people after Eli had died and the Ark was captured. How often can we identify with that feeling of being in the wilderness? It says the people mourned because they thought the Lord had abandoned them. Perhaps they had realized that they didn't guard the presence as vigilantly as they could have. And now, with this realization, it seemed as though they couldn't return to a place of intimacy with their God.

This is the state where we find the people as Samuel approaches them with a word of conviction and encouragement.

"Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, 'If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the Lord: then he will rescue you from the Philistines. So the Israelites destroyed their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the Lord…They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord" – 1 Samuel 7:3-4

So we see, through Samuel's guidance, the people in the midst of their wilderness season enter into a time of repentance (destroying idols and worshipping only the Lord) and fasting (they went without food all day). This pattern is also seen time and time again in the WORD. These people understood their need for a breakthrough. They were desperate for the Lords presence to return and they took the steps necessary to cleanse their hearts and lives. We have to be rid of all things that we let take the place of our God. Any idols that are getting in the way of worshiping the one we were created for. When you wake up in the morning what do you think of? What is it that occupies your mind as it rambles through the bunny trails in your mind? Where does it settle and dwell? Is that place God? Is it a place filled with love and mercy and grace and goodness? If it isn't, you are linked arm and arm with the people of Israel who had allowed idols to replace JEHOVAH. Sometimes in these situations we can't just pray a simple prayer and our minds and hearts are renewed automatically. No, sometimes we have to take drastic measures and starve the ugly flesh that clings to our spirit. Sometimes we have to sacrifice our earthly pleasures in order to refocus on the one whose presence we can't live without. We have to recognize that our hearts are far from the path of righteousness and deprive the flesh of any nourishment as we destroy the idols that we built up with our own hands. A sacrifice is always required of us, a sacrifice must be done in order to atone for the sin of the people.

"So Samuel took a young lamb and offered (sacrificed) it to the Lord as a whole burnt offering. He pleaded (interceded on behalf of the people) with the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered." -1 Samuel 7:9

AND THE LORD ANSWERED. The people of Israel were in the wilderness. They had lost the Ark, it hadn't departed, they had misused it-not treasured it- and allowed it to be taken from them. They let something come in-between them and the most precious treasure a human can know. They allowed the PRESENCE to be taken and found themselves desperately mourning its absence. So here we see the steps of moving out of a place of wilderness.

Heed you leader's counsel (vs 3)
Purify your life of the things you've place before GOD (vs 4)
Starve the flesh (Fast) and confess your sins before GOD (vs 6)
Understand there must be sacrifice (this could be sacrificing a comfort in fasting, or this could be understanding that you must live your life as a living sacrifice unto the Lord/ vs 9)
Cry out to God with a sincere and passionate heart (vs 9)

Do you see!? Do you hear the beloved father calling you to a place just beyond the wilderness?! The people of Israel are the ones who allowed the presence of the Lord to depart. Even at our own hands, when we stray from the Lord, we can still find a place back in his arms. But it is not without sacrifice! Even when we have willingly and knowingly let the enemy take the place of GOD in our lives, there is mercy, but not with out sacrifice. So I ask you beloved, will you heed the heart of the FATHER? Will you take the steps needed to obtain a break through in this wilderness?

The Father is calling you, come out of the wilderness. Hear my promises in this place he whispers. See my love, see my plan taking form before you as Jacob at Bethel. Listen to the identity I have for you as Hagar in the desert! Meet me in a new way as the people of Israel at the Mount. Come, dear ones, come daughter into my love, come son into my family once more. This wilderness season comes to a close, but you must step out of it. Do you see that just around that bend lies a river of overflowing water and promise? Come, I have called you mine, and I now call you to come. Draw near to me.

"...AND THE LORD ANSWERED" -1 Samuel 7:9

Vigilantly Guarding HIS Presence

2009-05-11T21:01:00.001-07:00

"Eli was waiting beside the road for the news of the battle, for his heart trembled for the safety of the ark of God." -1 Samuel 4:13

In 1 Samuel 4 the Philistines had stolen the Ark of the Lord from the Israelites. This soon did not bode well for the Philistines and they soon realized they had to get rid of it. In the midst of this we see Eli, young Samuel's mentor, as he awaits the results of the Israelites taking the Ark to battle. Eli was a man of God. He was a priest in the Temple, so by vocation and nature of heart, he was consumed with the presence of God. In these days of the Old Covenant, the priest was still the mediator for the people and God, he knew how precious it was to be in the presence of I AM. We even read at the beginning of chapter 3…

"Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were uncommon." -1 Sam 3:1

This is just another testament to the passion with which Eli must have upheld his position. I have heard it said that you should guard the presence of the Lord in your life above all else. Do not let anything come between you and your relationship with God. We need to not put our image, our job, even or passions above God. He is at work in all of those, yes-but spending time with him must be FIRST and all else is overflow. Here, the priest Eli had his heart trembling for the safety of the Ark. Not the safety of his friends in the battle...but the Ark that was Holy and contained the Presence. Eli trembled for it…when was the last time you trembled at the loss of one hour you could've spent in the PRESENCE?

"…And the Ark of God has been captured. When the messenger mentioned what happened to the Ark, Eli fell backward from his seat…He broke his neck and died…" – 1 Sam 4:17b-18

The PRESENCE of God was such a defining aspect of Eli's life that when that element of who he was, he died. His life revolved around this mystery known as the PRESENCE, and he anxiously awaited its return, but when he heard of the disastrous turn of the Battle, his life simply had no reason to continue on. Just as Moses did, so did Eli's heart cry go up to the Lord of Lords "if you aren't with me, than I don't want to go on from here!?" This is the heart cry our souls should wrench from our bones-GOD WE NEED YOUR PRESENCE TO live! Don't you see our very purpose stems from interacting with the God of the universe in his presence? Not only did Eli tremble at the lack of the PRESENCE but he died once he realized it was would no longer be in his life. His PRESNCE is life.

We take the free access we have to God's PRESENCE for granted. When was the last time you ached over not having God's presence in your life? How many weeks have you let pass since you had a heart connect with the One Who Holds Your Heart? Do you even know what he went through to allow you to enter freely into his PRESENCE? The church today is a sickly bride; she is happy for the name change but doesn't want to spend the needed time to get to know their new husband. They use his money and stay a room away from him. We need to let our bodies ache with hunger for our God's presence. We need to tremble at the mere possibility of something getting in the way of our time with the I AM. We need to tremble to be near him.

As the Philistines began to realize they needed 'rid' of the Ark we see an interesting dynamic. Those who welcomed the PRESENCE for what is was were blessed; it was a life giving source. But in juxtaposition the presence of god is too Holy and glorious for any sin to surviving the midst. In one town 70 men peered into the Ark out of curiosity. This brash treatment of holiness of God got them killed. God is a holy God and he cannot tolerate being treated as nothing more but a door mat.

Today the veil has been torn yes, we can enter freely yes. But today we stand in front of the torn veil and bow our heads pretending to enter in, today too often we perform every ritual possible trying to be worthy of passing through. Today we treat the PRESENCE with disdain. Today we find it inconvenient to take time to dwell in the most holy PRESENCE and to wait on our God. It is time for the complacent, Bride to fight for the PRESENCE, to defend the PRESNECE and to vigilantly, jealously and rigoursly guard the PRESENCE in its life.

Oh that the people of today's church, of today's culture would raise the soul wrenching cry as the people of Israel did!!! The cry that raised that pierced the heart of El SHADI-

"Who is able to stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?' They cried.."-1 Sam 6:20

Do you hunger? Do you ache? Will you guard his PRESENCE in your life as if it WAS YOURE LIFE?

<3 The Key to Guarding Your Heart <3

2009-04-27T21:19:00.001-07:00

-if this seems long and to much to read..go toward the end-have nutshellled version ;) -

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." –Proverbs 4:23

God knows that I have tried so hard to grasp this verse. I am careful to not put my hope in the things of this world that are unstable. I have tried to not get close to certain friends in efforts to not let my heart lose some of its pieces, all in efforts to figure out how to follow the instructions set forth in this verse. I at one point realized I was going about it all wrong just in the way that I was trying to do it myself. We're not even the ones who are supposed to place walls up to 'guard' our hearts-that's our King's job (but his is for another blog). Here I want to let you in on a light bulb moment where God point blank pointed out how I am to guard my heart as the wisest human who ever lived told us to do. Now, I don't want to say this is the only thing that Prov. 4:23 could be talking about, but this is what God showed in reference to my meditating on the above scripture.

I was reading in Philippians one morning last week and came across the already underlined and well known verse found in chapter 4. Now, maybe I'm just slow in coming around to this realization, maybe you're going to give me one of those sideways glances and say, Uh Cass, sorry to break it to yeah, I learned THAT ONE in Sunday School. Whatever the case, I never saw it in this light. Perhaps it's due to the wording used in the NLT version that caught my eye. In Philippians 4:6-9 I read,

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus…Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the god of peace will be with you."

Did you see it? Yep re-read that, take a second and see what pops out. There it is right in the middle… "HIS PEACE WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS…" In this context, the Greek meaning for 'guard' is as a sentinel, 'by Christ's intervention, guards and patrols the heart's door, preserving it from intrusions of anxious fears and alarms.' Are those wheels in that mind of yours turning? The tangible way to guard your heart as Solomon advises us is found by

-Don't worry about anything; how?

How SHORT I fall in this area! It's a holy conviction really that hit me. I fret so much, and when others see us so stressed all the time and worries about everything, what kind of a testimony to the provision and faithfulness of our Father God is that? We have to realize how trustworthy he is and start worrying less!!!!!

-Praying about EVERYTHING

Notice it doesn't say pray about your problems. Or, pray about the things you aren't happy about, or pray about the people you think are dying…no it says EVERYTHING. Think its just the NLT version, nope. ESV-EVERYTHING. NKJ- EVERYTHING. Its not like the interpretation went from most things, worrisome things to everything. God wants us to pray about EVERYTHING. One might ask well then how do I pray about the everything..how do I pray about…the….er..ah rain? You don't pray for it, you don't have to pray against it, you say God..i love rain. Thank you for this rainy day, even though they are generally dreary-God every rain drop on my face feels like a kiss from you reminding me of how much you and work in and care about the little things. Do what the verse says-pray about everything, God wants to be THAT involved with YOU!

-tell God what you need and thank him for what he has done

You see how there is some sort of distinction between asking God, as your provider, to act on your behalf and 'praying about everything.' Nevertheless, he wants us to ask him to help, he wants to be your dad and provide for you. Let him in on the deal by inviting him into it!

When we do this, God's peace, the peace we see as Jesus stood ridiculed, in pain yet silent before his accusers. The peace that calmed the raging seas, this peace can be ours. This peace will chase away our worries and this peace will wrap its protective sentinels around your heart that can monitor what is allowed in and out. Yet another prerequisite seems to be that we live in Christ Jesus. Wow. A lot to chew I know. But all these thoughts started to take root in my mind as I asked God to solidify it all. In a nut shell let me tell you this light bulb experience for you to walk away with if nothing else.

NUTSHELL--- The command is found in Phil 4:6 to virtually stop worrying by inviting God into your EVERY situation.

IF you do this THEN the promise is found in verse 7 that God's overwhelming peace will GUARD YOUR HEART and minds (which is seen in verse 8; you see the connection between heart and though life here)

Ultimately, to follow the instructions of Solomon to guard your heart above all else means to let God say what goes In and out. No longer are we to strive to put up protective walls, life is here to be lived, worries strip us of that enjoyment we could have. We much to often forfeit this right to a set apart life that is lived with ZEAL (Rom. 12:11) So how about it, are you going to let GOD guard your heart? Are you going to take the steps necessary to invite God into your every circumstance in order to live with the reality of HIS PEACE surrounding your life? This God is with you right here right now, even now you can hear his whisper and beconing call to enter this life of peace, to guard your heart against the enemies devices that would strip you of the life well lived. Friends, listen to your God who sees the desires of your heart- Don't worry about anything, instead pray about everything..above all else guard your heart. This beloved, is the KEY to guarding your heart.

The Legally Binding and Undeserved Deed

2009-04-24T17:48:00.000-07:00

In my RSM classes one of the students asked a question about how she didn't udnerstand why she didnt have more victory in her life, didn't know how we can obtain more victory than we expirience. She udnerstood it was in God's hand but didnt know if it was unbelif in her own life or what. And Pastor John Prominski, a pastor from Ionia Resurrection Life, used this analogy that kinda left me speechless. Its one of those thing I knew..but it just was in a new light now... dont know if I'll get it right but I'll try, its all scrambled in my head because I was feeling convicted to say the least...
So he said...

Say I have this close friend who is very wealthy. And he had no family to speak of and he knew he was goign to die soon. So he comes to you and says- "Dear friend, I know my time left here isn't long, so I'm going to will you ALL that I have." You stand there speechless and stumble over your words as you say no no no, I dont need that..I wouldn't need somthing that extravagant. I'm okay with what I have. With a little bit more firm voice your friend reiterates-"No, I'm giving this to you cause I want to. Its goint to be rightfully yours, legally the deed to all i ever had is in your name, my fortune my mansion all of it. I want you to have it." You continue to protest saying you wouldnt even know how to manage it or where to start and that you dont deserve it. He rebuts by saying that "of course you don't deserve it, I worked for all this, but I'm leaving it to you." With that he doesn't listen to any other arguments you have. He soon passes away and sure enough legally ALL he owned was willed to you. But you choose not to go to the mansion, not to use the money, even though his wish was for you to use it to its fullest.

In like manner, God has given us ALL authority, ALL grace to abound in every good deed. He left this earth saying we have all the same faith that he does. Yes, to each of us is measured a degree of faith, but that doesn't mean that the level we are believing at now is all there is to believe in. We are choosing NOT to access the deeper levels of what God has for us. We've moved into the guest room of what God wants us to walk in when he is saying, "come look at the library! Look at this gardens, ALL OF THIS IS YOURS." But we just stand back and say we dont deserve it and can't handle it. God has left us with all we need to manage the household, and he wants to see us walking in victory. We aren't walking in greater victory because we dont see that we own that victory. We arent looking at the rest of house cause we arent choosing to accept that its in our name. The blood of christ is written over the deed of vicotry and faith in our lives but we are to comfortable to walk out of our guest room and grasp it.

We need to realize that its ours and start acting like its ours. When we sit back and wonder if we will ever get victory, its not going to come to us, we have to go and take hold of it. Whether we like it or not, that deeper level of faith and the greater measure of victory is ours, we have to believe it and not doubt that God has it waiting for us. Its up to us to choose to believe that its ours or not. IT IS OURS-but are we going to live like it is?

This hit my in the face cause I'm doing that. I'm chillin in my guest room saying , nah God I dont need all that, its cozy in here, when he has SO MUCH MORE FOR ME. We need to take hold of the deed and shove it in the devils face, paste in on the mirror and in our hearst cause thats who we are- we have the deed to victory and we need to walk int it..

The deed to the entire house is in your name, whether you want to act like it is or not. Its up to you to walk in that level of faith and victory, so how about it-want to take a look at the living room?

"Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:56

The Genuine Heart of a Zealot

2009-04-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

In this, my second installment of the characteristics of a zealot-a sold out, passionate, disciple of Jesus Christ- I want to explore the call for a zealot to have a genuine heart in all they do. In Romans 12:9-10 the NLT says,

"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with GENUINE affection, and take delight in honoring each other."

We know already that to be a zealot you must be both willing to sacrifice and willing to strive for unity. But as the scripture above plainly points out, we must be driven by love. I felt that these two scriptures center around the motives, the means behind the actions.

(3) Be Compelled by Love
Now this may seem like it can go without saying. But all you have to do is take a look around at the people around you, maybe just a look in the mirror to see, that those who call themselves christians are not often driven by an attitude of love. But if we have a desire to be sold out passionate pursuers of Christ than we need to let our every single action be driven by the love that we have first and foremost for GOD and secondly for others. When we are enraptured in our love for Christ and who he is, a natural overflow is a compassion for those around us. This isnt a love that has you patting yourself on the back for a job well done. This is the love that has you on your hands and knees cleaning feet. The love that gives everything away without any thought of what those around you are thinking. Tell me, do you love like that? Do you love enough to make a fool of yourself to tell the person next to you on the bus that you have the answer they've been looking for? REALLY LOVE THEM. It says. We have to really love them. Really has a simple definition, it means to truly, genuinely and exactly. We must truly and exactly love people. Exactly gives this feeling of doing it on purpose.
When you give something to someone are you hoping a lot of people see it? To test your own motives, try every so often giving a note of appreciation, or a thank you to someone God lays on your heart-and maybe do it anonymously. Cause it doesnt really matter if they know WHO gave it as long as their blessed right? Its all about overflowing God's Love for you to those around you. Please don't think I'm there. I'm still working on it, this is an area I am CONSTANTLY working on-God is calling us to rise up and love with an exact, true and genuine love, one that directs our every action.

(4) Stand on the Side of Good
Sandwiched between two statements about being driven by love we read the statement "Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of good." Being a zealot is a thing made up of the same principles found in an adventure or fairy tales. Valor, integrity, and fighting the good fight, fight for good. A ZEALOT needs to do all they can do to assure that what is good wins out. We can't have any allowances for what is wrong. We need to actively stand up for the good that exists in this fallen world and continue to pray into existence the goodness of God. We are image bearers of God, and have pieces of his goodness deposited within us-live to draw that out in others. This needs to translate down to the little things. Integrity means doing everything to the best of your ability. Work, School, dont laugh at dirty jokes. Sound extreme? Sound borderline ridiculous-a zealot is a extreme life. You are not being moderate in how you deal with whats wrong and whats good. You need to take the stand, defend you stance and advance the borders of what is good. You cant ride the fence, realize what is good and do all you can to do you part. Start small and go big. Have heavy heart for justice and goodness in all you do.

A ZEALOT is a life of the extremist, sacrifice, stand side by side with other believers-striving for unity, genuinely love others and fight aggressively for goodness. These traits are daily things we encounter. We have to dive into the day ahead of us trying to live as the ZEALOT God is raising up in his Bride. Let this life bubble out of you and overflow..
May God give you the passion that burns in your heart that drives you to live an undignified life for the one GOD. Teach us what it means to live a life sold out to you!

Sacrificial Life of a Zealot

2009-04-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last summer after the Desperation Conference held at my church, I have been drawn to the word ZEAL. God stirred up an understanding of the concept of having a zeal for HIM and my ears strain to hear a conversation that might mention this said ZEAL (read my blog "Diving Into Glorious Misery of Self dissatisfaction" on July 3, '08 to read more about that initial revelation...). As I decided to live this all out-no reservations-fully abandoned life for God I have begun to wonder what the life of a ZEALOT actually looks like. I found the answer in Romans 12. Over the next couple of my blogs I want to break down what I see as some of the characteristics of a zealot might be.

"Never be lacking in ZEAL, but have spiritual fervor serving the Lord." -Rom. 12:11
This is the central verse that I keep coming back to-to never lack in ZEAL. Its in the surrounding scriptures that we find the answer to what a life lived as a ZEALOT looks like, what characters do we see in the life of a zealot?

(1) Be Willing To Sacrifice
The first portion of Romans 12, i mentioned in my most recent blog, seems to center around living sacrificially. To offer our bodies as 'living sacrifices.' There are many things we have to sacrifice in the midst of our passionate pursuit of God, but they are truly minuscule in comparison to the reward you receive. Some of the things we read in Romans that must be sacrificed is our way of thought. "Do not be conformed to this world but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind." We must make the conscious effort to think differently. We must be willing to give up the thoughts of a broken, defeated sinner who is struggling to love God with passion and realize our identity lies in the fact that we are crazy-in-love saints who get tripped up with sin. Our thoughts need to be as a lover of God and not a loser who is under the enemies feet.
Another thing that a zealot must be willing to sacrifice as they run the race is found in verse 3, "...Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you." In my own paraphrasing- we need to let go of this idea that we have it all together and have got everything going the way we want it to. If we tell ourselves that we are the creme of the crop-we are fooling ourselves. A 'zealot' who is always talking themselves up to those around them will loose their effectiveness in witnesses for Christ. Their self pride will be seen as cheap, and show they have little confidence in who they are. BUT WAIT, you may think, "didnt you just say how we need to think as these people who are loved by God and all this fluffiness? Isnt looking all humble a contradiction of that?" We must change the way we think to be confidently humble. We don't need to talk ourselves up-because there is no need to prove ourselves by our own merit. We've got that covered if we just focus on getting closer to God-that's all a zealot is worried about. We cant be consumed with our short comings OR our accomplishments.

(2) Strive for Unity and Do Your Part
Being a ZEALOT may feel lonely at times. You may be the only one in your group of friends willing to sound "upity" as you decided to not see that movie or not talk about that thing. It can seem to set you apart because you are trying to live to a higher standard that you know to be a worthy cause-but ZEALOTS as a rule can't live life Rambo style. You have to lean on others and work off of their strengths. In verse 5 we read, "We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others." We need each other to build up the body, this thing known as the church. God has strategically placed you in the local body for a specific reason with a specific purpose and you need to seek to fulfill that purpose in its season.
We have to stop kicking each other while we're down-its time for the church to be who CHRIST created it to be, the church that Christ saw in his minds eye as he hung on that cross. The Spotless Bride that Jesus the Son is prepareing a home for in Heaven, its time to start living that way. That bride is full of zealots, passionate people sold out for Christ. The only way we can be that bride is if we begin to work together in unity and honor each other's roles in this epic romance. While we need to not get envious of each others role we must also work to the best of our ability to fill the position God has for us. The Body needs its hand, feet, mouth and everything else.

So how about it? Are you willing to sacrifice whats necessary to live out that faith dance with Christ? Are you willing to make the exceptional choice of faith and do anything and everything for the cause of Christ? Are you ready to lend yourself-your body as a living sacrifice to those around you, and to lean on them in your need?

Live the sacrificial life as a zealot and you'll live a life that can be experienced to the fullest.

Youre Not A Threat Once Dead

2009-03-31T12:36:00.001-07:00

Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed." -Romans 10:11

It is a noble thing to die a martyr. To believe in something so much that you would let go of your existence in this world to hold tight to your convictions. Of course as a redeemed child of GOD this conviction is worth your the giving up of your life. We shouldn't ever discount the conviction and bold faith of those who have given up their lives in the name of Christ. Many times we declare in our prayers -God I would die for you, I want to give up anything you ask of me, even my life! But as I was pondering this thought one day, "if someone were to hold a gun to my head and asked if I believed in JESUS CHRIST..could I say yes?" I responded to this thought YES God I would!

But then God asked me something that made me stop my thoughts.."If you'd die for me..wont you all the more LIVE for me?" He continued to whisper a call to my heart that I feel he is speaking to so any of us who call our selves Christians. I just felt him saying to me..

"So you desperately declare into existence the fact that you believe in me, you so love me that you would die declaring my existence and lordship. Yes I want you to have this faith, this zeal even unto death. BUT my child-- if you would be so bold and confident as to not fear death-what is keeping you from jumping this barrier that lies before you? You would die-will you then not live?! You want to make the exceptional choice of faith-a risk-then live your life with no regard for the consequences. NOW, not tomorrow, not this week, but today in this moment. In this time step out-speak it out for accountability. Follow. Go. Forward. Come closer. Move. Now in this time I want to be glorified through you. There is a measure of faith found in speaking out the dreams I have deposited in you. Stand now. Stand strong-stand firm. Stand and live as the zealot I created you!"

Basically I felt like God was saying yes, those who die standing on ME as their rock-they have a special crown placed on their head by me. But I have so much for you here on this earth, if you would die in my name then live a radical life in my name. I feel like he is asking his church to become EVEN MORE UNDIGNIFIED THEN THIS. Let's start living a radical, loud, passionate life full of zeal for our God. He deserves a life lived to the fullest, lived boldly. Once we are dead, the devil isn't threatened by us and the only thing that still influences people is the LIFE we left behind, and how that was lived. So lets be a threat to the devil's plan and choose to not die, to get out easy. Lets DO HARD THINGS, take the risk to live loud enough that the WORD of God gets under people's skin. Lets LIVE for our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.

"And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to five your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice- the kind that will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this to much to ask?" -Romans 12:1

Moving Forward (Call forward II)

2009-03-16T20:19:00.000-07:00

In Psalm 18 we read God's call to move forward.To trust him and step boldly out into what he has for us. God's kingdom is one that is forcefully advancing... There is so much in this scripture, but I want to narrow down to a few verses..
Psalm 18:31- 35
"For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God arms me with strength; he has made my way safe.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights.
He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand supports me; your gentleness has made me great."

Some principles that I want to draw out of here, God has been bringing this scripture back to mind often. So i want to point out some of the main points that pop out at me.

1) God is a solid rock
-how much comfort we should be able to draw from the fact that our God is a SOLID ROCK. No matter the circumstances you find your self in, when all other things you had previously relied on , all you had put hope and trust in-even if and most likely WHEN they falter and shake, God doesnt. Even though that person that so influenced you for GOD is out of your life-GOD is not. Even though that ministry that was all that held you together, when that falls apart GOD DOES NOT. Our God does not change, he is always able to be trusted.

2)GOD arms me with strength
-when you think back over the things that you have tried to accomplish in your own strength, what do you remember? Perhaps a scary situation where you thought you had the upper hand and then were left to watch it fall apart.... maybe just failures? We can't try to do things in our own strength. When we rely on ourselves, or other human beings-failure is inevitable. But we have a God who doesn't fail, doesnt falter, and has no shifting within him as discussed above. Let God be the one to arm you with HIS strength and you will be able to scale a wall.

3)SUREFOOT as a deer
- this thought brings me to my previous blog "Isnt a sure footed slip better than in ill fated fall?" I had been reading Hinds Feet On High Places, and its gives this beautiful picture of how God leads us across the dangerous, rocky, unsure times in our lives and makes our way safe. He gives us grace to walk across these times and not need fear-because he is leading us. Just follow in his footsteps.

4)HE prepares me for battle
- Notice this doesnt say he prepares us in the midst of battle, even when we arent in the middle of the battle, God is preparing us. We need to recognize that there is a battle to be fought and we need to actively take part-but let God prepare us. He wont ever put us through something that he hasnt already previously equipped us with the ability to handle. This doesnt promise an easy route, but one that we can overcome. The preparation for a battle can be hard, uncomfortable and inconvenient, but when the enemy attacks you are glad you are well equipped.

5)Shielded support in gentleness
-I think this portion speaks to how we must constantly turn back to God and recognize his hand in all our victories. We must recognize what the shield of salvation is. And what could it be other than to say, that above all else, because of our salvation-because we have Jesus Christ as our Saviour-he is our ultimate protection, he is our ultimate shelter. A shield that keeps us from the enemy's arrows that are aimed at our hearts. God's support is all in all what holds us up. Even if we are wounded, if we stumble you can see this picture of God swinging your arm around his shoulder and supporting you as you continue on, again this reminder to take on Gods strength and not just your own. "Your gentleness has made me great." How does that fit into this verse? These scriptures about bronze bows, preparing for battle and leaping on dangerous mountain tops, how does gentleness fit here? It fits in that God's gentleness towards us is a continued testament to how we are blessed with any and everything that we are blessed with. If God didnt look on us with compassion where would we be? God's gentleness is his heart toward us, his heart of love and hope-and it is this very love and hope that gives us the victories in the battle.

So how about it, are you going to hear your Father God Commander's voice as he calls you forward into this battle. Will you trust in HIS UNSHAKABLE CHARACTER even when all else is falling apart? Will you rely on HIS STRENGTH and understand that yours alone wont ever be enough? Will you take a leap of faith and believe he will make you SUREFOOTED where ever you go as long as you are following him-even amidst the dangers of mountain heights?? Will you step up and let him TRAIN YOU AND PREPARE YOU FOR BATTLE?

He is calling you forward, will you respond?

"For this, O Lord, I will praise you among the nations; I will sing joyfully to your name. You give great victories to your [kings]; you show unfailing love to your anointed.." -Ps 18:49-50

The Call FORWARD (part I)

2009-01-18T20:38:00.000-08:00

People say that God often speaks to us in a ways that is easy for us to understand. I think he knows that I am an avid reader, he often either gives me little pictures or like these little narratives of a allegoric picture. Does that make sense? Like I’ll kind of see the picture as I write down what I’m seeing and he shows it or says it-in a very book like style. J Got to love him. So I’m getting at another one of these that he showed/told me and it was awesome. So whether you’re as obsessed with reading I am let this little thing speak to you and inspire you!

God took me to the scripture tonight while at a prayer time at my church.

“You rescue those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud.
Lord you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness.
In your strength I can crush and army; with m God I can scale any wall.
As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God arms me with strength; he has made my way safe.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer leading me safely along mountain heights.
He prepares me for battle; he strengthens me to draw a bow of bronze.
You have given me the shield of salvation. Your right hand supports me; your gentleness has made me great. “ -Psalm 18:27-35

So as I contemplated this awesome portion of scripture here is where the picture came in:

God gave me a picture of a great army before a wall. The rain falls from the sky, at the blast of a trumpet that the Prince in his glory lets out a battle cry at which the army raises their bronze bows that glimmer in the sun. The radiant light ours from the Prince as they release their arrows and all falls silent. The arrows sore true to their target beyond the wall. A hush falls over the army who look to their Commander . At his simple declaration of “forward” they run to the wall and begin to scale it with such great ease. As they begin to descend the wall a shofar blows in victory. The army then falls upon the great multitude who are bound in iron chains. As they chains shatter at their simple touch that is infused with the same radiance of their Prince, the bound one’s eyes open anew to the sight of the Prince and Commander standing upon the wall with a banner of victory raised high. Though the battle went on, the end had been determined. The battle cry is raised by the now free who join in their voices with that of the victory cry erupting from the Prince’s armed people. The wall is illuminated and falls beneath the glory and majesty of the victorious Prince. The wall is scaled, the army is enlarged and empowered with the strength of their Prince. The army advances with majestic light before them, sword of the Spirit at the ready. They go on, with the call of the Prince “FORWARD!” Forward to the next battle; forward to scale the next wall. To Release these others imprisoned in bondages, FORWARD they shout, forward with their battle cry. Forward through the rain.

Do you hear God’s call forward into battle? Forward, away from the complacency? Forward to scale the wall that seems so daunting? His strength will follow behind us with his light to guide. Ask God what he is calling you to. Hear the call of your Prince and Commander of war and move on, move deeper, move forward. His gentleness makes us great, yes, but he arms us with strength and prepares us for battle, and he is calling us FORWARD, what are you going to do?

Word for the Desperately Hungry

2008-12-18T21:28:00.001-08:00

Again I just felt like I should share what God impressed on my heart today......Just cry out to God with your entire heart and give him all you have holding nothing back. Just let go and you will step into a deeper realm of intimacy unlike anything you've ever known...I'm trying to head that direction. Want to go??? :)

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you…” -Psalm 63:1

“I have more for you. But you must recognize and receive it. This is a gift I so want to give you but you must find it. I do not hide if in a evil attempt, but I wan to see you earnestly seek this piece of history I have for you. When you cry out, believe I hear. When you speak words, believe that I am speaking through you. As you smile feel my love radiate out of you. As your worship comes before me hear me singing over you. The more you hunger and cry for is at the Threshold. Step over and join in the next chapter. Do you see how every action you physically do can be drawn from the passion you have and the expression I’ve placed in you. Do you see the purpose of your friendships, do you see why I have placed you here? All my purpose for you can be perfectly played out when you daily submit to my leading. Choose to walk in all I have for you, whatever that is. You must follow, sometimes blindly. Throw away your plan B’s. There is getting to know me or nothing. I see your heart striving to know me, but I also see the flesh with its back up. There is no other way. Are you on fire or cold? Are you awake or sleeping? I despise the drowsy lukewarm routine of a half hearted follower. I must have zeal and desperation overflowing from every bit of my spotless, warrior bride. My bride must follow the Kings orders without question, out of her trust. Do you not understand the cure you hold? The answer to all of creations question is upon your lips. Run with it.

“So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step…” -1 Corinthians 9:20

“If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives…” -Galatians 5:23

Delighting in a Child-like Faith

2008-12-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

In Isaiah 43:14-28 we read of how the Lord is going to deliver Israel. God the Father just begins to dote on his children saying how they were created just for him. Then in verse 21 there is a shift in the direction of this Word of God. “I have made Israel for myself, ad they will someday honor me before the whole world. But my dear people, you refuse to ask for my help! You have frown tired of me!” Can you hear that ache of pain in his voice? Its as if this Father who lovingly delights in his children has been rejected by him, they claim they no longer need to lean on him for strength, they think they can do it on their own. Is that not what we do all the time? We try things on our own strength, and this is when God’s heart doesn’t grow angry with us as many think, but a pang of sadness reaches through him to see his children walk away from their Protector-Provider-Father.

Then in verse 25, “I-yes, I alone- am the one who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.” God doesn’t have to forgive us, in His sovereignty he would be more than justified to allow our ultimate consequence of sin-eternal separation from Him-to be carried out. He would be right, but for HIS sake he blots out our sins. For HIS sake he forgives so that the Father/Child relationship can carry on. In His mercy he creates a way for his children to come back home and embrace the intimate relationship he created them for. God was revealing this to me today in my prayer time. I had expected him to speak to me, but he blew me away. This week a group and myself are really diving into God and striving to lock eyes and hearts with him in a new way. And as I did this God began to speak to me through a Jason Upton song...he often does that. But with this fresh look at how our Father forgives, and his heart toward us I felt him say the following, I just wrote and he spoke. I believe this is a Word for me and for you. I know I have often lost site of that childlike faith and he just so wants to be part of every aspect of our life. Listen to what he is speaking to you in this Word and let him begin to break down walls, let him minister to you in a way you’ve been yearning for but couldn’t seem to reach. He just wants delight in you, let him. Read this Word and be delighted in!

“I miss the times as you had such a child-like faith, when we simply played together. Spent time with each other we would spin in the rain, your laughter brought a bubble of laughter and joy from my lips as I watched you in contentment. My dear child do not let the worries and problems of the world harden you childlikeness. Yes, I am sovereign and full of justice but I am your Abba Daddy who delights in you. These burdens aren’t yours to carry. Pray over them and let me work in them and while you show me all you can do.
Build your masterpiece so I an give you a gold star. Your imagination is a gift from me, let me be part of your everything. Let me play with you. Let me work with you. Let me dream with you. Let Me imagine with you. Come take a walk with Me. Allow me to speak to you as the snow falls. Hear me singing to you as the wind whistles in time to the song. Hear my sights of pure love as the birds sing. Seethe pictures I paint each morning for you. Return to the child like days where you knew, you had a knowing of how special you were to your daddy. And you just wanted to tell your daddy , you were special, cause you knew somehow he knew it to.
I will hang the work of your hands on my wall of beautiful treasures. Daily you will be my delight and your every attempt to glorify me is here before Me constantly. Never do I forget the beautiful pieces of your heart towards me. Won’t you receive my unashamed abandoned delight over you? I forgive you so I may draw you near once more. Thrive my lovely child, my strong, adventurous, captivating, imaginative sons and daughters, draw from my delight in you and thrive. Spend the simple moments with me. Its all an act of love for My glory. Every bit of your life do I delight in. Now go out my little ones grow strong but not prideful. Grow wise but do not allow your minds to cloud out my love. Grow in confidence in Me, but hold to this child-like faith, you , myeloid child. I delight in you, now delight in my joy in you!”

Its time for us to invite God into every area of our lives and try and grasp the truth that our every action is a blessing from God. We do all for his glory, he delights in our every action when it is done to our best because we are making our Daddy proud.

Isnt a Sure-footed Slip Better than an Ill-fated Fall?

2008-11-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

I recently took a Bible Study class that Pastor Jon taught. It was a great learning time of how to cross reference and find the definition of the words in the original language. As I began to use the tools that are out there I discovered some interesting concepts, so shall I share with you both my hermeneutic particular as well as my exegesis? I suppose it leans more to the former. As I dug into this illumination of scripture God gave me a strong word to confirm the truths he revealed, and now I feel him telling me to let you all in on it. Here goes!

I was reading in Psalm 68:19 one day and read "Praise the Lord: praise God our Saviour! For each day he carries us in his arms." I mulled over this picture that began to be painted in my minds eye. The burdens we carry daily God overlooked as he lifted us into his arms and carried us along the way. A cross reference verse that my New Living Translation connected this to was Psalm 55:22, which reads, "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall."

Immediately one concept cemented in my mind. It doesn't say here that the godly wont ever slip when the Lord takes care of you. When we do slip we wont fall. An ill-footed slip is better than an ill-fated fall. In the mind having a sure footed grounding in the Lord the familiar scripture from 1 Peter 5 then came to mind. "Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for a victim do devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering as you are." The concept of needed a strong standing in the Lord is reinforced. A reminded as well that you aren't the only one who will face this issue of slipping. It says that your brothers in Christ are enduring such sufferings as well. And these people are there to lean on in the midst of a slip up. You also can see here that its not just us as we are struggling to 'balance' there is an enemy trying to push us to not only slip but to fall.

I wanted to dig deeper into this idea as the wheels in my mind continued to give me no rest and continued to crank. So I grabbed my NKJ and flipped back to Psalm 55:22. This translation served to fill in the color for the roughly sketched image in my mind. "Cast all your burdens on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." There is the familiar language of that verse that we have all sung of in Sunday school (Cast your burdens! *clap clap clap* Unto Jesus! *clap clap clap* ok you get the idea...). God showed me the picture in my minds eye- there you stand. You are SO sick of the burdens you've been drudging along with. Whatever that might be, I know they are coming into your thoughts right now, can you see yourself standing there-sick of carrying these weighty things around with you? You then just abruptly take hold of the wretched burdens and forcefully throw them on to Jesus. Not at all in a mocking, or angry way, you just realize how strong he is and how willing he is to take these. You then stager as the heaviness leaves you. You haven't walked with out that seemingly 'stabilizing' weight thats been upon you. You stumble to find your footing, you may even perhaps slip. But then the sturdy, strength filled hands of Jesus take hold of our shoulders and we are not moved.

This release of your burdens is a complete paradigm shift. Where we once lived out of our wounds and selfishness with out burdens weighing us down we can now hardly balance under the lightness which is found as we allow Jesus to be are "paraklete" the one who comes along side us. What then does this life lived out under a new burden free atmosphere look like?

Strongs Concordance's definition for this Hebrew word 'cast' found in Ps. 55, is "salak"- to be thrown, adventured, hunt, plucked. This implies that this casting off of burdens comes with adventure- moving into new territory. This same salak/cast is used in Isaiah 38:17, "Indeed it was for my own peace that I was in great bitterness But you have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, For you have cast all my sin behind your back." I believe that this use of cast speaks to the fact that as we cast our burdens onto the Lord its part of the act of letting go of out past transgressions, forgiving ourselves and he then in turns doesnt keep them at the forefront of his focus, he throws them behind him so we can set out on this adventure with him. He begins to sustain us in a new way, where we wont slip. This sustain in Strong's means "to provide, contain, feed, nourish, abide, able to abide." We are walking in this new life with God, remember this is the godly-not a picture of becoming saved for the first time. Its a deeper level when the 'godly' allow God to take them in his arms and when they let go of their burdens, he is then able to abide with us-at a deeper level. As Ps. 55 says he wont allow us to be moved-moved from this place of his protection, provision and where he abides with us. All we must do is submit to his help and cast our burdens upon him!

After I was just praying about this and asking God to help me take the steps to cast my burdens to him and let him throw them behind his back, God just began to speak to me- and I believe he wants to tell YOU this as well. Open your heart to what he whispered to mine...
"Stop holding onto these horrible burdens. Pluck them out of your life and hurl them to me. Don't fear the unnerved feelings. I am taking you on this adventure. I will hold you and sustain you. I will abide in you. With this weightiness gone, I am able to receive you. I will feed you as you look for nourishment. Take that step to embrace the romance adventure I have for you. The moment you throw your burdens to me I throw them behind my back. As I am the center of the being of the universe the burdens you once were so familiar with I cast as far as the the east is from the west. Come embark on this with me!"

So...how about it? Are you willing to throw off the burdens, realize that when you slip the Lord is sustaining you and embark on this adventure he is waiting to walk in with you? You are sure to slip at some time, under a heavy load-the struggle to stand back up with be harder. If you fall under a heavy load, you will get hurt. Let's cast off these burdens. I know I am trying..its a daily choice..but isn't it a choice worth making?

I Need Africa More Than Africa Needs Me

2008-11-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

There is a cause that I have decided to get behind, its called Mocha Club. You give seven dollars a month to an organization that supports Africa. Seven dollars can send two kids through a semester of school. Seven dollars can give seven Africans clean water for a year. What do we do with the seven dollars? We spend it on two coffees and it goes no further. Mocha Club has asked its members to write a blog to raise awareness. You dont have to have thousands of dollars to make a difference.

I need Africa more than Africa needs me. How you ask? In my previous blogs I’ve told you about the concept that God hasn’t let me stop thinking about. I hold a unique expression of God that no one else has. If I’m going to truly live with that conviction God whispered something into my heart- you must then search out the unique expressions I have placed in others. Every single person holds an expression of God in them that we would other wise miss out on. Now think of that in the relation to the beautiful people of Africa. They hold expressions of God like no one else. When we let these people who are in such devastation slip out of our memories, a facet of God is being forgotten.
I know I need Africa, I need to learn from them. I need to see the pieces of God that He breathed into their lives. I need to believe that God is a provider who can take a person who needs a miracle and turn their lives into more then they ever could've imagined. I believe God can use us in amazing ways to reach out... I believe that I need the child in Africa who smiles amidst a 20 year war. I need the widow who continues to worship in the midst of her grief. I need the young man in Africa who walks barefoot to a well miles away from home to get one gallon of water for his sickly siblings. I think its time to consider if perhaps we need Africa more then Africa needs us.

So what do you think? Is it possible we need Africa more then it needs us? Tell me what you think-make your own blog about it. Myself and others teamed with Mocha Club are trying to change the pity over Africa to genuine compassion in action with partnership- come check out my blog and Mochaclub.org on Decmember 1st and we can learn together how to help that change happen. Tell me, do we need Africa?

Vision Statement and Governing Values

2008-11-21T17:29:00.000-08:00

So in my class at RSM we had to take two weeks and sit down and come up with the vision statement we have for our lives and then the governing values. It was an incredible challenge. I freak out a little bit every time I have to think seriously about my future just cause I have to daily say "God I'm going to TRUST YOU!!!"

The other day I listened to "Caged" a mesage by Sammy A. (an awesome speaker-check him out)! Sammy's message hit the spot, God totally used it to both encourage me and to open my eyes to my self worth, and that of others....He said something in there that I have latched onto. "Each person holds a unique expression of God in them." I, myself hold an expression of God that the world wont see if I dont determine to let that expression shine through. The same goes for every single person on the face of the earth-thats another blog. But as I thought about that, I have decided that that is my vision statement right now. My purpose-to live out that expression God has breathed into me.

So if you want to read my vision statement, governing values, supporting verses and my mini-explanations, read on. More blogs to come on the "God breathed expression" dealio. :)

Vision Statement:

“To actively live out the unique God-breathed expression of the Lord Almighty that has been placed within me in order to bring glory to the Father God.”

‘And the Lord God formed a man’s body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. And the man became a living person.’ -Genesis 2:7

‘For in Him we live and move and exist…’ - Acts 17:28

- I am choosing to live with the conviction that I hold within me an expression of God that no other human holds. God in his divine mystery is so unfathomably limitless that each person holds a unique expression of him. I haven’t yet heard him whisper the ‘big thing’ he wants me to do but I will daily set about trying to live out the expression of God within me to bring others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I know I am meant to live a life full of exploits that God has written down in his book as part of a grand scheme adventure, until I know the main plot of my story, I am living each day in faith that I am carrying out the steps to get to where God wants me to be. I’m living out the expression of God that has been breathed into me by the same one who created the stars and knows them by name.

Governing Values:

1) Relationship with God-my getting to know him.

‘Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege, where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.’ -Romans 5:2

-My first priority is to get to know God, my life has no meaning without that intimate relationship with him. I see my life as a small piece of the puzzle known as God’s master plan. The only way I could ever fulfill the works he has planned for me long ago is if I KNOW my God.

2) Relationship with family and friends.

‘Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.’ -1 Peter 3:8

- I have learned that we need each other more then we could ever fully know. It is alright to let others see my weaknesses and faults, I can lean on the people in my life. I need to not ‘go it alone’ and need to life selflessly, making my family and friends a priority.

3) My place on the wall (my sphere of influence)

‘O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on you walls; they will pray to the Lord day and night for the fulfillment of his promises. Take no rest, all you who pray.’ -Isaiah 62:6

- I have realized that God has placed me in the areas that I have influence in on purpose. I have been posted at a certain place on the wall, to influence those around me for Christ. I need to live life on purpose on the wall and recognize the work in front of me. Some of these places I see now is school, work and my family, and even my church.

4) Serving my spiritual leaders

‘Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” -Philippians 6:6-7

- I recognize that everything I do is unto the Lord. I also recognize that God has placed my parents, pastors and leaders in my life as part of his will for my life. My serving them to the best of my ability as unto the Lord both blesses them in their ministry and brings a smile to my Father God’s face. In sowing my time into being a blessing to my leaders, I know God will bless me with a harvest that is woven in with that of the leaders I am under.

Following Your Vision out of the Prison

2008-11-10T19:09:00.001-08:00

I've been doing a lot of thinking about my vision for my life. What is it. What is my passion, whats one of the BIG things God is asking me to do? What is my HARD THING that he has called me to live out the expression of him that he place in my that no one else possesses...well I have an answer for you. Ready??

I have no idea.

Its hard at times to keep trusting and clinging to God with no vision. I have recently been meditating on Hebrews 10:35-36 (yes I've been on a Hebrews 10 kick in my blogs..), in the NLT it says "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remeber the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all he has promised. " Think about what God has whispered to your heart. The dreams, the hopes, the hard things that you couldn't possibly do by yourself. Remember that sweet moment when he first brought that preposterous idea to your mind? How he loved the reality that you CANT do it on your own. The broad smile that enveloped his face as he whispered to you "You see beloved, we get to do this together! You are right in thinking you can't do it alone, no my child, together we will be more than conquerers!"

Now think of that vision for your life you have, where are you now? Are you in a place where it is dry. Do you see any sign of that dream coming to pass? What does Hebrews say? Dont you dare throw away that trust in God, and have patient endurance. With this thought in mind God laid Acts 12:9 on my heart tonight.

"So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didnt realize it was really happening." -Acts 12:9

Now track with me. I read this in context and God brought up some things. Imagine it, Peter is in the prison. This is the famous scripture where he is rejoicing while in this desolate place. Sining praise and worship while chained to the wall. Do you think he had a firm grasp on the vision God gave him of being building the foundation the church? It wasn't in plain site, I think its safe to say. There were some three things I saw God point out in this situation.
1) Peter was asleep and the angel told him to "Quick! Get Up!"
We to often are asleep to what God is trying to do. We need to ask God to put an urgency in us that keeps us alert and in active pursuit of what God has for us. Even when we dont know the big picture, pursuing a deeper relationship with God is a step in the right direction. Here, Peter was asleep, and you can't blame him, but whose not to say God wanted him awake to what was about to happen?
2) "Get dressed and put on your sandals"
While we need to be awake, we need to be prepared. You say- what!? If we don't know where God is taking us, we dont know the vision for our lives (me either, remember). I've been reading Bill Johnson's 'Strengthen Yourself in the Lord' and he said something that blew me away to grip in your mind. God never puts you through something you aren't prepared to handle. Think of the scriptures, time and time and time again you see it played out. Even now if you look back over the past year of your life, picture some of the hard things, you obviously came out the other end alive. Now think back months, weeks before those events, do you remember those verses that popped out to you that were so very applicable? God was preparing you. You must take the garments you acquired from those events and dress yourself for what is around the corner on the path to your vision, you hopes, the big thing God wants to walk through with you.
3) Follow your vision out of the prison
The verse that God brought me to says how Peter followed the angel out of the cell but the entire time he thought it was a vision. We need to be kingdom minded, have a focus on the vision. The promise for the dream that God deposited in your heart, however far down the line that dream applies, we need to see that dream and hear God's promise and movie forward. Set our faces like flint and dont fear when we stumble and trip. God is working with us on this one remember? He will pull you back up and set you on your feet as you step forward once more focused on that vision, on that promise.

In this cell place, this prison where you feel chained, helpless, lost without seeing leaps of advancement in your hopes and dreams-dont throw away the confident trust in the Lord-NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. One minute Peter was chained, asleep and seemingly ill-equipped. Next thing he was awakened, prepared and following his vision right out of this prison he was sleeping in. God is saying wake up to the things I have for you. Stop thinking you arent going to make it, I created you, I breathed into you-you are my crowning glory and I made you to carry out that part of my plan that no one else could!

Lastly, at the end of the verse, a little tag on to Acts 12:9 you see "He didn't realize it was really happening" Peter was so focused on the vision God had for him, as he was dressed and awake he followed his vision right of of the prison. He wasn't focused on the chains God broke off of him. He just walked out focused on the vision. Follow your vision out of the dry place your in. Cling to the promise God has whispered in your ear, dont throw away the confident trust in the Lord. You can walk out of this place focused on your vision.

For those of you like me, who arent yet sure of that big life vision-we need to be singing and praying and worshiping and waiting on God in our every day life as we get closer to him till we can hear that whisper of what he is inviting us to do with him. Until then, set your face toward the goal of living out the unique expression of God that was breathed into you at the time God was knitting you together. Hold to the Confident Trust and Patient Endurance we have in Christ.

Rest in your relationship wit HIM

2008-10-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

I want to share with you a picture that God gave me through some scriptures I was reading. I've been thinking about letting God be our resting place. What does it mean to rest in God-and what can keep us from that?

As I was thinking about this I read Hebrews 4, the entire chapter is talking about entering into God's place of rest. It says repeatedly how this place of rest is for all people and it references the time in the wilderness where the Israelites had hardened their heart, had disobeyed so God vowed that they wouldn't enter his rest. As I looked into this more I came across verses 10-11 that say

"For anyone who enters God's rest will find rest from their labors, just as God rested after creating the world. Let us do our best to enter that place of rest. For anyone who disobeys God, as the people of Israel did, will fall."

I began to explore what it meant in saying we would rest 'just as God rested after creating the world." As I turned to Genesis I read how he rested on the seventh day. But what happened after that? We see the beginning of the relationship with man. The next words of the Lord that are recorded are when he admonishes Adam to not ear of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Is it to far to think that in God's time of resting he established his relationship with man? In verse 2:18 we see that God says "it is not food for man to be alone" he recognized in his rest, perhaps, that man needs companionship, and God as well wanted companionship.

I looked back to Hebrews 4, and saw that as God rested after creating the world, this is where he entered into relationship. Our rest in God is a relationship. We can enter "that place of rest" by entering into the most intimate and important relationship of our lives-one with our Almighty God Creator and Unconditional Lover.

This in turn seemed to make sense with what happened at the fall. When Adam and Eve sinned this broke their relationship with God. Just as Hebrews reminds of Israel's disobedience breaking this intimate relationship. They were unable to enter God's rest because of their disobedience breaking their close relationship. When that barrier of disobedience your heart can become hardened, which makes a deep relationship with Father God nearly impossible, the rest you seek seems far, because the barrier is within you.

Track with me, in Hebrews 4 it refers to the scripture from Psalm 95:11 where God says "they will never enter my rest." The Hebrew word for rest here is translated as "resting place, still, with ease" the same rest that is used in Isaiah 28:12 as it says "God's people could have rest in their own land if they would only obey hi, but the will not listen." Doesnt that tie in directly with the illumination God brought to my attention? A seeming direct link between obedience to God and a rest, an ease in our relationship with Him.

We need to do our best to enter this place of rest, we need to WORK at this rest. It is work to have healthy relationship. It is work at times-to obey God's voice. We mustn't harden our hearts!! In closing I want you to notice that it is no random thing to have the familiar verse 12 that states "For the word of God is full of living power.." It reveals our innermost thoughts, we can open and vulnerable and surrender all to God in our rested relationship. Just two verses later we read "Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him.." Cling to him, cling to that place of relationship and enter that place of rest.

Lord God please just come and show us what it means to rest in you. We know that disobedience is a interference in our relationship with you. The stresses of this world can be lost in our relationship with you-when we are in your arms, when we are rested in you, we can leave stress behind, show us what that is God. We don't want to harden our hearts!

Shaking The Foundations

2008-09-20T16:13:00.000-07:00

The other day I got this word from the Lord, its not an 'audible' voice, its a feeling, words that kinda go from heart to paper. Whose to say that all this is accurate, all I know is that I FEEL that God spoke this to me. He then brought a scripture to my mind to back it up, a confirmation. So now, I'm blogging it for you to get out of it what you may. With this word, I know it applies to the Body of Christ at Large, let God speak to you through it as you wish.

"My offensive Word is being delivered out. Times are coming where others of the faith will be brought to their knees. They will see the error of their ways and stop the illusion. A raw and real passion is being born within my people. No longer will people turn in disdain. Rather the hundreds will come rushing to my body as they seek the source of my unyielding mercy. They wont see a group of people who haven't any problems. No they will see fallen people who still live with a hope and a strength that is unworldly. They will see raw emotions and raw people. A generation who seeks my face at all cost. What must you do to be one in this generation you ask? You have to search, war, and rend your heart. Tear out your heart as an offering to me. Lay it at my feet as a show of your devotion. I find no pleasure in the burnt offerings of old. No, I rather say lay your hearts bare before e and my consuming fire will burn it.

No remnant of a sinful nature can with stand my breath. This heart will be pure zeal and devotion and strive to be found weeping at my feet. The world will laugh , they will leave you alone in your hearts bare state, but they willl watch. They will leave your side but you will never leave their mind. Arise Arise Aries. Oh Radiant Ones. The veil is rent and your hearts laid bare. Come before me and do not fear the burning process. It will be an awakening of your soul. A thirst set with in you never satisfied. The only quenching thing is my touch. I wont leave you dry, but the thirst will remain as a reminder of your need for me. Your heart is mine-give it back. Let for the tight grip you keep over it. Loose your lips to speak my words.

Fear not the disdain. Fear not the shaking. These all must come as a purifying process for my chosen and set apart ones. A new wind this way comes a fresh breath for my people. A new drive a new direction. Reach. Be ready. If you do not stand trough this testing, this shaking, how then would this powerful wind replenish you? You wouldnt be able to see it for what it really is. Know I am here. Now always, hear my voice in the wind- see my smile in the sky- smell my peace in the rain and feel my love in the rain and feel my love in your life. Your heart is what I desire, desire mine. Arise!"

God then took me to Haggai 2:5-9
"Take courage and work, for I am with you, says the Lord Almighty. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid. For this what the Lord Almighty says: in just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth. I will shake the oceans and the dry land, too. I will shake ll the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord Almighty. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord Almighty. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord Almighty, have spoken."

All I know is that God is certainly taking me, and others I've talked with, through a purifying and shaking process. Something big is around the corner, and God needs a ready and radiant warrior bride to rise to the occasion. Whatever youre going through, consider if its not God shaking the weak places. God has showed me that the places with a weak foundation, where its not rooted in God will easily be shaken. He is shaking us to show us the weak points and asking us to re-lay a new, strong foundation.

The Young And Learning Bride

2008-08-30T08:23:00.000-07:00

I recently was talking with a close friend of mine about the idea that Jesus, God, is our lover-our prince and husband. When you grow up with one certain picture of God you begin to subconsciously place him in a box and limit your spirit's access to all the facets of God's character. When I first got a hold of the picture of Jesus as my lover I ran with it. As an 'emotional girl' its a great picture of God to get a hold of. I understand its harder for guys to grasp, they are less emotionally driven-but when a guy can get a hold of that its powerful! So if you have struggled to get a grasp on that idea of Jesus Christ-the very one risen from the dead- he wants to be married to you, he wants to love on you and hold you close to him, maybe I can share with you the pieces that helped fix the puzzle for me and maybe just maybe God will speak through it and show you a little glimpse of how much he longs for you!

In Hosea you read the story of Hosea and his unfaithful wife. God uses this as a picture of Israel and himself. How Israel has betrayed his love time and time again, yet he draws them back to him.

The thing is we are part of Israel, in Isaiah 14:1 it says "Israel will be his special people once agai. He will bring them back to settle once again in their own land. And people from many nations will come and join them there and become a part of Israel."

Then again in Zachariah 2:11 it says- "Many nations will join themselves to the Lord on that day, and they too will be my people. I will live among among you...."

We are part of Israel, these are just two examples of how we are being tied into Israel. Not to mention that it is a general known thing that all through out the Bible that Israel often represents us as the body of Christ. So, we ARE part of Israel. Now, going back to Hosea. Hosea's wife is a picture of Israel, in turn being a picture of US. Us as the body of Christ, us as God's special possession. Are you ready for this!?

Hosea 2: 19-20 says.."I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice. Unfailing love and compassion, I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as Lord."

Did you get that? This is GOD talking about YOU!!! He wants to make you his wife! How his heart breaks whenever we turn towards another lover! In Psalm 45: 10-11 we read "Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your home land far away. For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him for he is Lord."

One morning as I was doing my devotions I felt the Lord speaking to me on this subject. I often have my journal at hand to write these things down. And at one point he mentioned this idea of me as his bride. Even though you may have been saved now for awhile, you are may still be a young bride. Now here is the things that was a 'light bulb' moment for me. At times I almost look at how I've messed up and think, wow, I should know better then this! But God said to me-as new bride, a young just married bride- YOU WONT KNOW HOW TO PERFECTLY SERVE AND LOVE YOUR HUSBAND...wow..read that again. Youre not even EXPECTED to know it. Its a process you learn! At first all you know how to do is love out of pure joy and pure love for you husband. The mature, learned love comes with time. All God wants us to do is LOVE on him. Yearn for him and then he will help us learn how to love him and serve him better.

And as a new bride your new husband doesn't get mad when you don't know how to do everything right! The mercy of our loving God! Let God love on you, let him reveal to you his deep desire for you! "I am my lover's, the one he desires. Come my love..." -Song of Songss 7:10

Lord God I just ask that whoever may ever read this-that you would come right now and reveal yourself to them as their lover. Show them your deep desire for their hearts full surrender to you. As our faithful husband you will not break our hearts! Lord I pray that you break the boxes we have placed you in. May you come in right now and warm our hearts with your unfailing love and walk with us, take our hand and lead us in the way we must go, lead us through this marriage with you-you love us so so so much, may we never forget it!

check out this song to hear how God sees us as his Beloved!

The next line in the noon time

2008-08-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in that mood to talk to you. God has stirred my heart so I thought I would share some thoughts. This blog won't have any awesome picture God gave me, no loves notes from him really, just some convictions he is cementing in my heart and some spark of an all consuming fire.

Ive been reading some good books lately. Just finished Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris as well as A Heart Ablaze by John Bevere. Both good, both convicting. (Both I suggest to you! :p )

When I look back at the last bit of my life, not that I've lived the majority, but I've lived an important chunk of it. I'm 18, going to be 19 in a seemingly small 7 or so months. I feel like I am just now grasping some really important daily used principles. And just in case any of you are in the same boat as I am, I am going to try and share some of those ramblings.

I have lived for God all my life, came to a point where it became real for me, and from there I've been striving to figure out what he wants me to do. I have just come to grips with all that matters is my KNOWING him. All else falls into place. Now somethign that he has laid heavy on my heart as of late is using every moment he gives me. "Sure," you think, "heard this shpeel a good 90,000 times." Yeah I've heard it just about that many time to-we all have, so here is a question I pose to you. You've heard it time and time again, use the time you have. Its so short-don't take advantage of it, ok, so why are you?

I have to. I only have a year and a half of my teenage years left. What have I done with them? I've stressed out over school, the future adn the present much to much! So what now? I'm going to TAKE THE MOMENT AND RUN WITH IT.

We often sit and watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset and say, wow what a unnessay beauty the sun's coming and going produces. Yes its beautiful, and yes God wants us to enjoy it-he paints it for us but let me pose another thought for you. We may be up early and marvel at the suns beauty as it comes, then later in the middle of the day we find ourself thinking thoughts like "hmm, sure is hot now. Wish the sun would just set so I wouldn't have to deal with it anymore." Next thing you know it does. We sit around admiring the sun...while it comes..while it goes. Yet when is it in the most stable point of its cycle? In the middle of the day. This is when we have the most opportunity to work, to do whatever it may be we do.

Our life is passed the rising of the sun. We have rose, if you're able to read this blog- you are old enough to realized a few years have passed in your life, whether you used them to the best of your ability or not. The setting isnt here yet, the part we say is so beautiful. But WHY do we sit in our moment we have right now and think of how nice it was BACK THEN. Or wonder what it will be like in the future-when the pretty colors are across the sky, when our sun is setting.

Take the time you have now, take the moments, the oppurtunities, to work all your hours you can while the sun is still up. We can't be stuck in the future or the past so much so that we miss out on the HARD THINGS WE CAN DO NOW. Yes, I'm rambling but stick with me.

How many times do we allow the eaier road to get our attention only to realize all the influence we could've had on the other side. We have to stop living for ourselves, stop living for what benefits us. Don't you think that enough generations have come and gone with that mind set. Even today, I look back and think of how I may have impacted someone today. Even if you plant a seed in the heart of someone who needed a thought of God-that would be worth it, but what did you do today?

Did you get to wrapped up in scolding your kids and forget to tell them that they are royalty worthy to inherit all of the world? Did you get to mad at your family member and forget that loving someone is one of the most precious things a human can do? Did you get to frightened of the future that you missed the opportunity to comfort someone who was loosing their grip on life during the here and now?

I know that I can live harder, I can do better, I can't sit here and be okay with living a good life. I need to live THE life God planned out for me. We may rejoice in the thought that God has every moment of our life written down, which is indeed an awesome thought! I love it! But heres the thing- He has it all written down, he has when the scenes play and the perfect timing. So you th, all I have to do is ask to live by that script hes written and I'm golden. Not quite, you may ask him to read it to you and he will-but you need to know the script.

You can't act out this divine adventure and romance in perfect timing with out knowing the script. You have to take your time on stage, you have to live in the heat of the day. The morning and evening are the most calm moments of the day, but noon is when the most people are awake. The most people are walking by you-how many have you reached out to? Right now is the noon time of this generation. Its our time to step out and speak to those around us. Its the time for us to read the script and act it out, memorize it and work hard to take every moment we get.

So take your moment today. Let yourself take the harder path so when you get to the other side you can look back and say, "wow-what I would've missed had I not tried hard." Know the script, work hard at noontime and hear the voice of your divine lover saying come! The time is now! Rise up and seize the moment.

Dont let this day go by without having done everything you know how to do to live for God. To reach out, to make a difference. To make an impact in at least ONE PERSON's life today.

God help us to live moment by moment according to what you have for me, and help me to choose the hard things you have for me. Let me not miss a single thing you have for me. In this noon time may I step out into the beating down sun and offer water to those who are thirsty. May I step out in the noon time and not dwell only on the coming rest, but rather say GOD here I am, I am working for you- whats the next line???

A Word for the Weary

2008-08-04T09:28:00.000-07:00

I blog about different things God reveals to me through His Word, or some awesome thing he did and just ways he is working in my life. This particular subject is something that I didnt know if I was going to blog about-but he said do it, cause someone else needs to hear this. So here I am, you should read it, because this might just be what you wanted God to speak to you-so here it is. God can speak through your crazy friends to ya know. :D

During my devotions the other day God just seemed to keep telling me to 'not grow weary.' Which seemed a little weird because, at this point in time-I dont feel weary! But then as it kept coming up this one morning I decided to listen to what He was trying to say-after all God knows what we need before we ask. Which means he most certainly knows what we need before WE even know what we need. So I starting thinking, maybe its not so much telling me at this moment to not be weary, maybe its God giving a warning against becoming weary. Cause I've fallen into that pattern in the past. As I was thinking about all this a song came on my mp3 play by Phil Wickham entitled "Fall Into You" (LISTEN TO IT!! follow the link to a page that displays a little player where you can listen to the awesome song!) One of my favorites- it paints this picture of utter dependence on God and letting yourself just fall into his arms, admitting your weakness. God had given me a few verses to meditate on, which seemed to go with this theme he was bringing up, this was one of them-
*"The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

After I read that I was praying and God gave me this picture..
Im running down a hallway that seems to never stop. There is nothing to decipher how long I've been running, how far I've made it. My breathing grows heavy and my legs become so weak. I collapse-tears streaming down my face. I was running so hard FOR my God-why couldn't I endure?? I lift my eyes to see my Saviour standing just ahed. He calls to me. I must go to him! But I'm so weak! He is my strength, I must embrace him. I struggle to stand to my feet, I stand, I move forward but fall. I'm so close, a piercing pain through my heart, I feel his very heart ache as I struggle-just two more steps-I hear him say. I move on and he is now within reach. I want to stand tall and be strong FOR him. But my legs begin to buckles. As I strive to keep my balance he whispers, "let yourself fall, fall into me, I am your strength. Yes this is what was missing in your striving." Yes, this is what was missing. I fall into his arms and am immediately overcome with his love. I am barely able to utter the words "I have need you to be this close, I am so very weak. I need you, OH, I need you!" As my Saviour's eyes well up with tears at my weak words he sees my heart's desire to please him. He whispers to me- "all this time you've been trying to run this race, fight this fight, FOR me. My beloved! Wont you run it WITH me? I have all ready endured this struggle in your stead. Come now, take my hand, let me be your strength and your guide. When it seems that weariness shall overcome you, I'm here just fall into me."

Then I read this scripture in Isaiah 40:28-31
*"Have you never heard or understood? Don't you now that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will five up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on the wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Awesome right? Now I know this is a bit lengthy-but there is more that I read that day that God used to cement his point. I've been reading an excerpt from "Journal of the Unknown Prophet" every so often, its a book with some things that God spoke to this one woman over a period of time, and guess the title of that day's entry-*To Those Experiencing Weariness* and this is what it said-

"Dearly beloved, I know you are weary: I see you so worn down with the cares and the pressures of each day that you have almost lost sight of My hand upon your life. O beloved, as you enter the end of the age, so shall the pressures increase, so shall your need for times of refreshing become more desperate. For you see, without Me you are nothing.

Apart from Me you are able to do nothing. In your own strength, in your own power, you will be continually frustrated and unable to accomplish all you have need of. For it is only in a vital, continual union with Me that you shall survive.

And so, I am drawing you to a place where I will be your very breath, where communion with me will be your very reason for existence each day, where nothing less will sustain you. I am drawing you to a deeper place in the Spirit where your need for my presence will be so consuming that unless you draw close to Me, the cares and the stresses of life, even of My call upon you, will overwhelm. For you see, beloved, I called you to abide in Me. The Father and I seek for those in these times with whom We can make our abode. We seek worshipers in spirit and in truth. We seek those who hunger for our fellowship."

All these things God brought to my attention in one sitting. So what do I close with? I say to you who may be weary, and as a warning to myself- when you feel weary, be quit and feel God's strong embrace holding you up. When you cant see threw your tears lift your face to see God's eyes welling with tears for your struggle, and when all you can think of is how you've failed the race, hear God whisper to you "Stop running FOR me, come take my had, run WITH me!"

The Everlasting Orders of the Father King

2008-07-28T16:31:00.000-07:00

"Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command and they came into being. He established them forever and forever. His orders will never be revoked." -Psalm 148:5-6

I came across this verse during my devotions this morning. I had read today's devotion in "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers as well. In that devotion it was talking about how God's purpose for us isnt an end goal but the process of trusting him and walking with him everyday. Our purpose isnt for the future but today. Good stuff- so as I read the above verse I had purpose and calling on my mind.

At God's command all things were created-at God's command you and I were created-just like that. When he created us he had a specific purpose in mind. He didn't created you then think..hmm how will I use this silly little person? No-he created you with the thought-"Here, now this beautiful child can have this personality and I'll give them this talent so they can perfectly do THIS as I want them to." At his command we came into being with a purpose and divine calling over our lives.

Verse 6 says "He established them forever and forever. His orders will never be revoked." So what are these orders?? As I was thinking about that God just gave me this thought-the orders and the orders he placed on our lives. As we are soldiers of this ALMIGHTY KING he has given us orders. Orders, things to carry out. The order he gave you is your purpose and calling. How awesome right? But even more-he says these orders will never be revoked.

To many times those who profess to be Christians fall away. It happens so often for a myriad of reasons. By God's grace many come back to Christ and realized the error of their ways. But as they come they are usually weighed down by guilt and shame, and by the thought that they have done to much to be used by God any more. But what does this verse say?! God's orders are first-established forever! Secondly they are NEVER revoked. When a lost child comes back to God their calling is there waiting!

God does not look at them and say "I am sorry, I have removed the calling on your life because you messed up so badly. I can't use you for what I wanted, so no longer do you have a divine role to play in my plan." NOT AT ALL!!! He instead looks at you and says the words just like the father with his prodigal son "My son was lost but is now found! Look my child, I have held onto this, your divine purpose, while you were away. It is still here waiting for you to pick it up and carry it out. These are my orders for your life and I wouldn't ever take it away from you!"

He will not remove the calling over your life. While you could walk away from it. When you don't walk in his perfect will you can't accomplish all he wants you to do. You must be seeking him and the orders over your life will be played out. Never think that you dont have an important role to play in God's master plan. You do! He created you with that exact role in mind. He taylored your every personality trait, your family, the time you live in and they people you know.

You were created at God's command. God's orders are established and here to stay forever. His orders for YOU won't ever be revoked. Do you hear him speaking to you? Do you hear him saying "Now is the time for you to rise up and make this your own." ? His orders are here forever, the question is now, whether you will carry out your Father King's orders and play the divine, one of a kind, role that he created just for you.

"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"
-Esther 4:14

Crossing the line in the Domincan Republic

2008-07-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

How do I begin!!? This blog has needed to be written for a week or so now.

I just recently went on a mission trip to Barahona, Dominican Republic. 39 of us from my church went. The very first day was great, we went out and invited people to the mass crusade that was going on the next four evenings. But we didnt even understand what was about to happen. Wenesday evening we had a prayer time right before we got ready for the crusade....it was powerful. But it was nothing like what God had in store for us that evening.

30,000 people were there that night, and every following night. After an awesome message from Dominic they transitioned into some worship. Then we got the signal to begin praying. Our team went out and you could feel the presence of God! People began to be healed right away! It was honestly the first time I had been able to be a part of someone's healing. It was awesome!! While the language barrier was hard at times it got easier every night. The people were so ready to be healed and expected it!

Every day the momentum was building as was our faith. The drama's we performed in the area towns were powerful and we saw people get saved and healed after every one! God was getting these people's attention! It was a great expirience to share with all the people from church. We all got closer I feel and became more unified and all caught the same vision to bring this same expectancy and presence home with us.

One great thing was that God wasn't only touching these beautiful people of the DR, he was touching and healing our own team! One girl on our team has been having migarains for a year! And she came to a few of us and asked us to pray-RIGHT there-she was healed. She has had NO problems since!

One afternoon two other girls and myself were being prayed over by one of the interpreters that became a great friend of ours and God touched each of us in awesome ways! He began to speak to personal situations in each of our lives and his presence was so heavy that we ended up on the ground laughing in the spirit for nearly an hour!! I know that it was a needed refresher in my life!

Each night people were conitnueing to be healed-blind people seeing, paralyzed people walking. Deaf ears opened. Simple aches and pains touched and instantly healed! God was moving in such HUGE WAYS! It hard for me to tell you what it was like. Our youth Pastor was talking about the only difference between the power and healings we saw there and the level of power we expirience here is expectancy. These people were expecting God to move-we here in the states often have a hard time expecting God even wants to heal us from our physical pains-I once didnt get it either! But not now!

We crossed the line. The line where expirience and an encounter meet. You walk away from an encounter being changed-not just remembering a good time. This line between an expirience and an encounter is expectancy. We crossed it! The last eveing was so amazing. The healings were still happening in the hundreads and God came in with such a heavy presence! You could feel the enemy getting mad over the souls he was loosing-this was an encounter I would never forget!

Sunday was our free day-we thought we weren't going to have any 'intense God times.' God had other plans. There was a group of us getting ready to say good bye to the same inturpreter who prayed over me and two other girls earlier. And we wanted to pray over him. So we did. Then he says I want to pray over you-this man is very annointed so we welcomed it for sure!

Soon people were weeping, and some were laying on the ground! The presence of God had a work to do in each of us that day. I myself, had a lot of things confirmed. God just convicted me. As you might have read in my blog before this-I have decided to be a full time zealot for God. No matter what I'm getting ot know God and am going to tell everyone else about HIM on the way. Well there are a few people God has watned me to pray over in the past that I see a lot, and I havent done it. God just began to show me-he said "You see the annointing this man has? You can have the same. I am with him just like I am with you. Let me work in and through you." I used to be afraid that if I prayed for a sick person-that they wouldn't be healed. God helped clear that up for sure! I have had it cemented that its not about me at all-its all about God. He is the one who is doing the work and the presure is on him to show up. One thing God showed me was the certain people I was to pray over. He then began to show me how HIS heat hurts for these people. Why they need a touch from him. I was crying uncontrolably as I felt God's pain and his longing for these people. I also got a glimpse of the pain they had gone through. How some may have asked God to show up but didnt understand why he hadnt in a certain way. God said "once you pray over them, they will see me move!"

No longer will I be medicore. I will be different. The tangible presence and power we saw moving in the DR WILL be seen in Michigan. In Battle Creek. In my school and work place. I know now with out a shadow of a doubt what I saw and witnessed down there. I witnessed desperate people meeting with their loving God who had been calling them by name since they were born. God has been calling YOU since you were born. He's been calling everyone around me to come to him-now I will be one to help point the way. I will step out in obedience when he urges me to pray over someone. I know his power-I know he never turned away someone who came to him for healing, so why would he now? According to Hebrews 8:13 he is the same yesturday, today and forever. God is a God of now. Not just tomorrow-he doesnt want you to do big things for him tomorrow, he wants to move NOW. In this moment, in this day-let him use you. Step out in faith and EXPECT him to come in and do a powerful work.

The line between a memorable expirience and a life-changing encounter is a line of expectation. Wont you cross it with me?

"I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people. How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in him should ponder them. Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. Who can forget the wonders he persforms? How gracious and merciful is our Lord!" -Psalm 111:1-5

HIS willing hands,
Cassie

Diving into glorious misery of self dissatisfaction

2008-07-03T13:48:00.000-07:00

Diving into glorious misery of self dissatisfaction...read that carefully..sounds like a crazy depression party right? By no means-this title is my weekend and a commitment in my life-in a nutshell. This past weekend my church had the awesome blessing of hosting the Desperation Youth Conference. It was amazing!!! Absolutely amazing, and I can't even try and explain all the awesome things God did so I am going to tell you about one particular seminar that pierced my heart. David Perkins, is an amazing man of God, when I look at him I see many characteristics that I want to strive for in my life. Saturday afternoon I was able to go to a seminar David was teaching entitled Zealots. He centered it around the scripture found in Romans 12:11- I like how the NIV says it best- "Never be lacking in zeal, but have spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

He spoke so plainly and passionately about what it looks like to live as a zealot for God. To live a life that is centered around KNOWING God. Not just knowing about him, or who he is, or even knowing him a little-but your life goal and purpose is to KNOW God. David spoke all about standing up for what is righteous without a second thought. Stand up for what is righteous when those around you aren't able to, when they aren't strong enough to do so. When they look at you and begin to feel uncomfortable they will say "you think you're better than us!" NO! Thats not is at all. Just say that you are standing up for what is right for you and for them. After all, Jesus most certainly offended people. He didnt live to offend but he lived to KNOW God, and if that offended people-tough! The abandoned lifestyle that David described was one that he could testify to having lived. And if he lived it, I want to follow.

He gave some points on how to get there and the one that most resonated with me was-
To Get dissatisfied with yourself.
In order to strive to live zealously you can't be okay with where youre at. You must long to KNOW God more. And a great way to want more is to get really fascinated with Jesus. When youre focusing on him you will more clearly see how Jesus' heart worked and begin to live accordingly. He also said to get around someone who brings out the best in you-some spiritual leader in your life that is somewhere you want to be. Being around those people who are so on fire and so desperate create in you a GLORIOUS MISERY. You become so dissatisfied with where you are that you will try to get all you can out of these leaders in your life. Read what they read- listen to what they do and take their advice.Take their hand and lay it on your forehead ans say "I want what you have! Pray for me!!!!" You look at where you are and where they are-you become dissatisfied with where you are but encouraged to see that you can get so much closer to GOD!!!

Another thing that was a GREAT encouragement to me was how he said that you don't have to know what youre called to do-long before that you must know what you were created to do- and that is to KNOW GOD. Live to KNOW him and let the chips fall! Be abandoned in the way you seek to know your living Lord. "I give you permission to be a zealot, to live out loud." By the time David was concluding his seminar I was near tears, God had come and stirred my heart so deeply with a longing so REAL..it felt physical, OH GOD I WANT THAT!!! I was screaming inside-Lord I dont live that way but SOOOOOO want to! GOD I WANT THAT!!!!! I WANT TO KNOW YOU!

"Never be lacking in zeal...." NEVER. Not just 'be zealous when youre at church, when your on a mission trip NEVER BE LACKING IN ZEAL!" Thats not me..not yet....

So here I am, ready to dive into a state of glorious misery where I am dissatisfied with myself. Imagine what that would look like- an entire generation that cared for nothing else but to KNOW God. How would you do that? What would it look like....it would look like zealots who have spiritual fervor. Abandoned now and always, as a zealot living to KNOW God. If you-whoever you are- ever see me straying from this state-straying from living to KNOW God and GOD alone- come along side me and then smack me! And say "Would an abandoned zealot do that?" Thats what I want to be, thats where I'm headed. Lets throw all else aside and live to KNOW God-ask me what I'm going to 'do.' Know God, what about you??

yours truly,
an abandoned zealot in glorious misery
-Cassie

A Tale of The Advocate and the Accused

2008-06-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

"For Christ has entered into Heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate." Hebrews 9:24

"All rise." The assembly rises as the Guilty Accused enters with head hung. But beside them walks the One Who Pleads on behalf of all the Guilty. The Just One speaks and proclaims "All the sin before my eyes is to much. I have promised to destroy the wickedness of all so it shall not enter into my holy place. I wont break my promise, my heart breaks, but you must pas the cost of the life you've chosen to live" The Accused nods in agreement and understanding, for all the Just said was true. "Present your Defense." The Accused steps forward but can't even look into the One Just Judge's eyes that brim with tears over the chosen fate of the Guilty. The Accused crumbles to the floor in pain as their very heart breaks inside them for how they've grieved their Father.
At this The Advocate steps forward. As He places a steady hand on the shoulder of the now shaking Guilty he begins, "just One, all you've said is true. The cost must be paid according to the ancient covenant. But I call to your remembrance the BLOOD shed on a hill one fateful eve not so long ago. Behold evidence 316." At this the assebmly seems to stand still as the arch angels present a pile of what seems to be grave clothes. "Behold Just Father, the garments of my resurrection. Do not forget your covenant with all the accused. If they believe in their hearts and declare with their mouths that I, Your Son, am Lord and Redemer- will you not turn Your anger from them? Here I present the solution. If my beloved Guilty one signs their life to the pursiuit of your heart- to be a servant to our ways- my BLOOD and that of the new covenant shall cover them. The cost has already been paid, if they so choose to embrace it."
The Just looks to the Accused who still, ashamed at their filth, covers their face. "Child, dearest child, Your Advocate's case is approved! Sign your name dear one! All debts have been paid. Take the gift in your hands." Accused tries to stand to sign, but can not. The Advocate comes and lifts them to their feet to help them to the table to sign. As the Advocate helps them stand they sign it. The Advocate declared,"Now speak, I loose your lips Child!"
The Accused begins through their tears,"My life, heart, future and hopes are yours and in your hands-you are LORD and REDEEMER!" In a flash of light a dark forms seems to be pulled from the body of the Once Accused and is thrown to the opposite side of the room. The assembly watches as the form is nailed to to the ancient tree that once held the Advocate. The ear spliting sound of stone pounding iron breaks across the room then silence falls. As the once acused now looks to the Just they see that the sound was His gavel, the sound of a covenant approved. Sound of debt paid.
Once Accused runs to the Advocate's arms and begins to thank him. "Dear child, you have been Redeemed. I loved you all to much to let you suffer the fate you so readily seemed to embrace. Thus the Just Father and Judge created the altar and sacrifice! Now, to seal this forever." The Advocate reached out his hand and placed it over the Redeemed's arm. With a warm spark exploding within their arm the Advocate removes His hand. "Here, now, my name is upon your arm. For you are MINE. Now all will know you belong to ME."
At this the Just Father and Judge reaches out to the Redeemed. "Come into my arms and know that you are forgiven. Now your burden is broken and your yoke can be light!" They embraced and Redeemed stepped away.
"Hear this now, write this in the ancient book. This child once accused and guilty, has had their debt paid and is Redeemed by the BLOOD of the Perfect Sacrifice and by the TESTIMONY of the Advocate!" A great cheer was raised through out all of the assembly. "Now belvoed go tell the other guilty of all you've seen and heard. Remembering always the cost paid for your second life you now live. Walk in our love and lead others to the day of their case with our Holy Advocate. You my lovely, now know the path that leads here well! Now go and win the prize- you are Redeemed!"

"That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him...Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it." Hebrews 4:14,16

Live to make "wet eyes proud"

2008-06-15T17:36:00.001-07:00

Wet Eyes- an excerpt from "When God Writes Your Love Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy

Wet eyes are watching you! The moist eyes of Jesus, tenderly longing for you to let go of your life and hold fast to Him. His eyes are gentle as they see you stumble and scrape your knee in sin once again. He doesn't kick you when you're down, but rather he carefully stabilizes you with His mercy and grace, and helps you to your feet. He is so patient when you falter, and is ever faithful to forgive you.
His eyes are smiling as they find you longing to please Him.
Just as the little three year old child picks up a crayon and scribbles a masterpiece for his earthly father, so you scribble your very best rendition of a life honoring to your Father in heaven. And even though He might not be able to tell if it is a picture o Him or a hippo, your little scribbles of love mean everything yo you God.
His eyes are also full of pride as they observe you trusting Him. He, more than anyone, knows how difficult it is to stand against the tide. He simply wants an ordinary person to trust His nature and character, and to test His perfect faithfulness. And as Oswald Chambers has said, "If we deliberately choose to obey God, then he will tax the remotest star and the last grain of sand to assist us with all His almighty power."
Wet eyes are watching you. The caring eyes of heaven have spent too many years burning with tears of pain over your life and mine. Let us choose today to bless God's heart with the gift of loving him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Let's make those wet eyes proud.

Wow. I don't know about you, but those words touched my heart. God most definitely is using his children today to speak God inspired truths to his people. That made my eyes wet!

I just finished reading Driven By Eternity by John Bevere before reading this book by the Ludys. After that book God really challenged me to examine my heart and its motives. I began to question some of the things I've done and whether I had done it with a heart wanting to please God.

But I so do. My hearts cry is to live in a way that brings a smile to my Father and Lover's lips. And one line that particularly pricked my heart strings was where it says "His eyes are smiling as they find you longing to please him." He sees our hearts, and has seen how desperately I've tried to walk in his ways. He is so quick to forgive, I can't wrap my mind around it-I can only ask him to conform my mind to that of his! As I was listening to the simple truths revealed in the excerpt above God spoke something to my heart, and I feel like some of your hearts out there-in big wide cyber space- need to hear these same words from your father. Remember that he is the one who says "I have set the stars in place and I am the one who says to Israel 'You are mine!" (Isa. 51:16)

This same living and loving God spoke these tender words from his heart directly to mine and wants you to hear them as well, read it slowly and let him play the heartstrings of your beloved heart.
"I watch as you carefully try and draw a picture of life as you see it outlines in my word. Then when I see you color outside of the lines I fell a prick of pain because I know youre trying-but I have to show you that you messed up. I tell you in the most loving way because I don't want you to think I don't like your picture, I just want you to have the best picture possible. How my heart swells with love and pride as your tender heart receives my discipline and instruction; as you erase your mistake and try again. Such a beautiful picture you draw. Little do you know that this one picture of life you diligently work on is just one piece of the much bigger picture I have written on the hearts of my beloved children across time."

We can't accept our Daddy's love and forgiveness then rub his good name in the dirt. We must see the error of our ways and begin to live to make our Daddy's wet eyes proud. Run home to his open arms. When we fall, don't assume we have no hope. Jesus' name holds all the hope we need. His hands contain all the strength we need. And Jesus' heart is exploding with all the love we could ever need. Let him wrap you in his merciful arms and then begin to live in order to make His eyes brimming with tears proud.

"He has removed our rebellious acts as far away from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him." -Psalm 103:12-13

Dont Blink

2008-06-01T19:41:00.000-07:00

This morning at my church Pastor Jon continued our series-Relationship Revolution. PJ spoke on parenting. Why would I decide to blog after hearing a message on parenting? I'm not a parent. No but I have them and I know A LOT of kids who have them, or the lack there of. He shared how quickly your kids can grow up. Well me, I'm on the reverse end of the spectrum-I'm the kid. The one who grows up in the 'blink of an eye.' All the days of being little and having no responsibility are gone. Youre only little for a short time, enjoy it while you can, be thankful for the little things. While my parents have watched me grow up fast, all the time I have with them has gone by fast. Im graduated and going to college, when did that happen? Over a short 14 or so years I've went from the little kid in sunday school to God blessing me with an awesome church where he's implemented me as a leader and drawn me deeper into his arms than I ever thought possible..who blinked? Was it me or my parents?

I don't want to ever come to a place where I take God's blessing for granted. Lately some of those blessings hes been dealing with for me, are my parents. They are AMAZING!!!! God is so great to bless me in this way. So that is one of the first things I got out of the message.

Pastor Jon also shared some things that some jr highers shared anonymously in relation to their parents. They said how much it hurt when their mom or dad dissaproved, or things like "my parents say I never tell them that I love them, but I do and they just never listen." Things like this. Their notes broke my heart. As I was thinking about that, and how many hurting people produce hurting kids God spoke to me. While any parents makes mistakes, God's grace covers all mistakes, but you have to go to him and repent and turn from your sinful ways. So for the kids and teens and now adults who have had hard relationships with their parents I pray for! God will fill the needs in his children's lives. Those whose parents werent always there, whose dad left, whose mom never listens, God will bring others into you life! If the parents dont come to a place of humbling themselves before God and heading down the right path God will bring those role models, the ones who will invest their time, love and heart into these hurting kids. God is the ultimate Father to the fatherless. He is so merciful that he hears the 14 year old daughter's cries for a father that loves her, and he comes in to fill the need then puts a godly man of integrity in her life to show her that she deserves better. The son that tries his best to impress his father but just gets beat later that night is restored to his Heavenly father and sees that he doesnt have to follow suit, he can break the cycle. God will hold up the weak, there is always hope in him, but he wants us as christains to do our part.

God spoke to my heart through the Jr Highers comments. He said "You hear that, you say you want to be the face of love to the people around you? You want to reach out with my hands, have my heart? This breaks my heart. My children are hurting and you can be one of those who fills the void." yeah. Soak that in. Every kind word I say to the hurting, every hug and smile is a balm that can be placed on their hurting hearts. God wants us to reach out, why not start out with the ones you see every week. While I cant be a mom to these people, I can love on them. I can let God work on my selfish tendancies and show my to love even more unconditionally. God please do that!

In conlcusion, if you can, jump on itunes.com and search for Resurrection Life Chruch of Richland and listen to these messges. God is awesome. I am going to be thankful for the little things and not take it all for advantage. I'm going to look at the Jr Highers in a different light, not in a pity, but genuine compassion and love knowing that God can use me to heal the hurts they have. Lastly, I'm not going to blink.

God, I can hardly find words to tell you whats on my heart. Thank you for how youve spoken to me and numerous others on all of this. HELP me to be more thankful, more selfless. God I SOOOOO want to be someone to love on those who are hurting. Help me to not get selfish and prideful, let me always look for ways to be used by you. Ways to make the lasting impression on the people around me. Ways to tell others about you, to leave a lasting legacy. Help me to store up gold and silver not just stray. Lord you are so loving, so merciful, thank you that we can always be redeemed in you..God no words can say it better than THANK YOU. Use us God!

Lay Down My Guns

2008-05-28T21:24:00.000-07:00

I came across this on youtube. I've loved Sanctus Real for awhile now, and I love the song Lay Down My Guns from their most recently released album, We Need Eachother. This interview is with Matt Hammitt the lead sing on the subject of that song and then there is a video that is amazing...please watch it. Its intense. I hope it gives you hope in your life that we can find rest in GOD and also, I hope it moves you to pray for our soldiers and the leaders of this country. We are blessed to live here, even when its hard to remember that, its none the less true.

Interview with Matt Hammitt...
JFH (John): What's the story behind "Lay Down My Guns?"
Matt: There's this guy named Doug McKelvey who contributed some of the lyrics for "I'm Not Alright" on the last record and he was really the first cowrite we used with the band besides producers who had contributed stuff here and there. What he had basically done with that song, "I'm Not Alright," is he came in and had done such a good job with helping us edit the lyrics and taking them to the next level. So we had been looking to get stuff from him ever since, if it works. So instead of just cowriting, he'd send us some random lyrics. We actually weren't going to use any outside writers on this record, and then Doug sent over kind of a b-file of extra lyrics and he had a worship song that had the line, "Lay down your guns, lift up your hands." And I just liked that one line. We didn't use any of the other lyrics and I basically wrote a whole new concept on that one line, and then even changed that line a little bit. Because it immediately made me think of the war that's going on right now and what soldiers go through, and just thinking of these guys away from their families for so long... They basically live to defend themselves in our country. And how good does it feel when you can finally come home and set your guns down and be able to not be on your guard anymore. Just be able to have that release, y'know? And then it made me think of how that's life too. That, while we're on this earth, kind of like spiritually and emotionally, we have so many defenses up all of the time that we have to have because we have an enemy. What would it feel like? How good would it feel to get to heaven and lay down our guns and lift up our hands and learn to completely love again. It's really just a metaphor using the war in Iraq as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. I like that song a lot.

I'm Tired Of My Hands Getting In The Way

2008-04-16T19:28:00.001-07:00

So I've heard of some different kinds of 'visions' God can give someone, the sort of 'open' ones where you basically feel like your in another place, or a snap shot. Like a picture that flashes, then I guess there are 'closed'. More of a thought placed in your mind...
During the After Party at my youth group a song called Teach Me How To Pray was playing by Jason Upton. One line says somehting a long the lines of "I'm tired of my hands getting in the way." God has been showing me how even though I KNOW God is able to do ANYTHING, I have issues with trying things in my own strength. Even though all the strength in the width of eternity and more is at my fingertips, sometimes I try things on my own...which ends up failing...so as that song was playing God gave me a sort of 'closed' vision you could say..
I was reaching at something, trying to move it. And as my hands would reach out for it I saw that Jesus, I just knew it was him, couldnt exactly see him, he reached out to grab the same object but stopped when he saw my hands in the way. He then came along side me, placed his hands on my shoulders and reached for my hands that he folded and placed infront of me then grabbed the object himself.
Then it was like I was trying to speak to someone and kept stumbling over my words and Jesus again walked up to me, placed his hands around his neck, reached out and placed his hands over mine and I was able to say whatever I had been trying to say.
Likewise, I saw myself walking on this seemingly smooth path but I kept falling. I would fall and get back up and keep going but then trip. I saw myself fall and this time I was having trouble getting up and Jesus came up and knelt down infront of me. he grabbed me by both shoulders and looked into my eyes then we stood up togehter. He then put his arm around my side and we walked on together.
The last snapshot I got was me sitting down writing in a notebook. I looked frustrated and worried he came up along side me and knelt down once more, he looked at what I was writing. I didnt even look at him I just kept writing in a fury. He placed his hand over a page of what I had written and tilted my chin up to look at his face. Again, I couldnt SEE his face...but I was looking at it. He then looked down at my hand gripping the pen. I followed his eyes and watched as he unfolded my hand and slipped the pen out of his hand.

Thats a lot of rambling kinda, but yeah. The last snapshot kinda hit me the most. I am by no means perfect, but as I try to live my life for God he is still pointing out the things that need work. My dependence on him needs to be heightened. I of course trust him for all things, but like I said, there are times I jump ahead without taking the needed time and deep prayer to hear God's voice clearly on an issue. So he is working on me to really pay attention when I go into something, to make sure and depend on him and not try and do things in my own strength....so not sure why I shared that. But I wanted to. So say a prayer for me in my endevour to purge the things in my life that are hindering my walk from going even DEEPER, cause there is so much more of God to discover!

"Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quitness and confidence is your strengh." - Isa. 30:15

Janice Marie Leo

2008-03-23T16:16:00.001-07:00

I wrote this and then read it at Jan’s funeral, I tried to sum her up, which is impossible but these were some things that stood out in my mind..I’ll miss her, but she left an AMAZING legacy!

What can I say about Jan? I loved her as if she was an aunt. One of the things that stand out in my mind is when we took her classes at SHARE. From spending hours with her in the stuffy "rainbow" room to dissecting cow eyes she always had a smile on her face. I remember the lunch times we had at McDonalds on Tuesdays, when my mom, Sue Stuut and Jan would scold us teens about our unhealthy food. While Jan sat there, never without her Dr. Pepper. During classes she would often tell jokes and pause for our response with a smirk on her face. As we all stared back wide eyed in confusion, she would erupt into laughter but always make sure to assure us that she was laughing WITH us and not AT us.
She was an amazing teacher and she loved it so much. She said she wanted to prepare us for college homework, with the homework load she laid on us I think we’d be ready for going to Mars! Even with the amazing teacher she was its not the thing I loved most about her. Besides the fact that her being in my life brought Aliscia, one of my best friends to me, I admire her most for her love of Jesus.
Not only did she say she loved Jesus she lived it. It was impossible to come in contact with her and walk away doubting if she was sincere. She was constantly bringing up the hope in a seemingly hopeless situation. She would speak into my life often. Most times she would do so until I was annoyed. I was annoyed only because I knew that the point she was making was true and that I was in fault on my position in a situation. I can see her sitting in the rocking chair in my living room during one of the lady’s prayer times, she would get so excited when they talked about God and what he was doing. Her face would light up and she would begin to speak louder and louder as the other ladies joined in all talking at once.
When I look back Jan didn’t only leave a legacy of being a good school teacher. For me she left a dual part legacy. First and foremost she was a genuine example of living sacrificially and unashamedly for the love of her life- Jesus. Secondly she showed me things about God and His love in ways I hadn’t seen before. Ultimately I feel God called her to be a teacher, at least in my life. She was always praising God and praying for others, thinking about other people rather than herself. The last time I saw her, just last week she was praising God and praying for Dwight’s aching back. To see her praying for others while we were all lifting HER up in prayer was a humbling sight.
I would have to say that the last thing she taught me was to see that God is always good and deserves all our praise not just when we are on the mountains, but in the valleys as well.

Wound me friends..

2008-03-02T21:27:00.001-08:00

Hey guys, I've been thinking, a whole lot, a phenomonon that happens more and more often now a days. Anyways, I want to clean out ANY trash in my life, even the ones that I am hiding in the corner...hoping no ones sees or that I forgot. So, friends, any of you that may read this, please help me.

I don't want pride, I dont want selfishness, or self-righteoussness to be anywhere in my life. I know that I have to choose everyday to not give into these desires of my flesh, I have to chose to think, smell and look like Jesus.

So i'm simply blogging to say that I want more than anything else to genuinely represent Christ and His love to everyone around me. As christians, we need to raise the standard for the church, be real and not put on a mask. So I'm asking you all to be my wounding friends. So please if you see anything in me tell me, I may not react in a receptive way, but I'll try. I want anything in me that grieves the heart of God, ANY OF THE THINGS I DONT REALIZE are there to go. So tell me, help keep me accountable. Call me out if you see me judging, or being self righteouss. Please! I know sometimes its easier for people out of the box to see things that I dont inside me or the way I act..

So thats it, thats all, I just am asking you to help me along, sharpon me, wound me.

Mutual joy in being pursued..

2008-02-24T19:58:00.000-08:00

So first off we're all kicking into high gear with everything to do with the Dominican Republic this summer. Its busy but exciting! We started practicing dramas and are bringing in items for the auction, I sent out my letters..so its all in motion. If you guys could be praying for me and all the others going that would be greatly appreciated!

So secondly, I don't usually get the time...or make the time really.. to have that personal secret place with God every single day. I all to often let my busy scheduale get the best of me. But I MADE the time all but one day this week to spend about 45 mins or so alone with God. And its so crazy obvious how better my week goes. Its not like I go with out spending time in His Word I do that every day, but there is just that boost and encouragement and joy you get out of those alone times with Him. So that was great to have this past week. He actually at one point arranged it! I was at work and had covered another girl's shift earlier in the week so my boss came to be and said we needed to cut a few of my hour this week cause I can't work over 18..so I ended up going home early that day which gave me like an hour of extra time that I got to spend with God! Hes so funny! :)

So amidst my "Jesus Times" i've been meditating on Jeremiah 29:13 "If you look for me in earnest you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you, says the Lord." that is a crazy picture of how intimate God is. He is such a BIG God but he loves intimacy with us. So dwelling on that scripture....I read Psalm 23:6 "Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life..." God's goodness PURSUES us. His unfailing love-which he IS love- pursues us. Not only does he want US to come after HIM with the promise of us FINDING him, but he pursues US! That is kinda hard to wrap your mind around...but what a precious thought it is!

So then came today, the church service was great. During worship Abbey Andrews (AMAZING GIRL AND SINGER- Go check her out on myspace) sang one of her songs. And as God would have it, as if it was tailored solely to me- the chorus breaks out into "You are not hiding, you show your face" and talked all about how he wants to tell us who he is himself and wants to unlock his riches to us and opens his heart to us and I just couldn't handle how personal it felt! It was like God was there confirming all the things my heart has been pondering this past week, it was just awesome. God is so amazing! He pursues us, as a girl that is always an amazing picture of God and a beautiful truth about his nature, he LOVES us so much! But he also likes it when we seek him, when we are abandoned to all other things and pursue him! A mutual enjoyment of being pursued.. :)

"My name is the Lord Almighty. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely within my hand, I set all the stars in space and established the earth. I am the one who says to, 'You are mine!'" -Isaiah 51:16 Di you see the picture He paints? He says establishes how majestic and creative he is by saying how he is the creator of the stars and then says that he is the SAME God who says I am HIS! :)

Jesus my heart must know its pleasing to you!!

2008-02-04T13:14:00.000-08:00

There are two different scripture that I've been meditating on lately. And I've been thinking how letting God cleanse you really works. Not your initial salvation, you are made pure in his sight at that one instant. But we must keep ourselves clean through out our walk, and Im thinking its a situation where we have to put ourselves in the mindset to be cleansed, then take the steps in obedience, then let HIM be the one to clean us. One is in Isaiah 6, a very well known portion where Isaiah is taken into the throne room of God:

"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty. Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!""

This scripture just rips my heart out. That is my cry, I want to be sent, I want to be cleansed from anything in my life that could be hindering me from walking fully in the potential I have in Christ. This is my prayer. God has been teaching me bits and pieces at a time what it means to be cleansed and how to be cleansed. We can't be changed within our own strength, God changes us when we come into his presence. In the same manner I think it is with cleaning your heart, and life, and mind. Though, we must take the step to come into His presence. We have to climb up on the altar and say God-my life is a living sacrifice, I know I'm not worthy to even BE in your presence. But because of your mercy and love you are a intimate God who draws close to us when we draw close to you. So when we take the steps to come into his presence he reaches out to us.

Yet, as I said, I don't think WE can cleanse OURSELVES. In the above scripture Isaiah was cleansed with a burning coal. We have to allow God to come and burn off all the ugly sin, hate, pride, whatever it is, we have to let it go, let it be burnt off. Let the hard parts of our hearts become raw and soft. Then we can answer God's call. When God asks who will go??? We can respond and begin to walk in a more deeper level of His presence in our lives. How exciting! But get this- the other scripture thats been on my mind...

2 Timothy 2:21 ( new living trans.)

"If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work."

When we let ourselves be cleansed, we will be ready for God to use us...any time. But this isn't a one time thing. Every day, as we let ourselves die tot he flesh, we must also let our hearts be cleansed! God can use anyone, true, but when we specifically and on purpose position ourselves in his will and are obedient to him you will be able to hear his voice more clearly and be guided by his presence in a stronger, more tangible way.No sin can enter God's presence, we must first ask God to cleanse us and be willing to give up whatever it is he may bring to your mind that needs to be purged. It can't just be lip service it has to be from the heart, a sincere decision to let God replace that piece of your heart with his grace and mercy and more of Him.

Isaiah 1: 16- "Wash yourselves and be clean! Let me no longer see your evil deeds. Give up your wicked ways."

1:18- "'Come now let us argue this out' says the Lord. 'No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool."

God wants to prove it to us, he says lets argue over it, and let me tell you- God is always right! Praise God for his mercy, grace and forgiveness and love that washes away EVERY sin. He says that no matter how deep no matter how much you've messed up, he can clean us. So let your hearts be made pure in God's presence. Don't think I'm preaching, cause I'm writing this to myself! God is just revealing to me more and more how I can be closer to him, and we must be pure to be close to him. He connected the dots for me just today, during some "Jesus time" i was having, he is so good. He loves us so much that even though we can make ourselves dirty and ugly, he has made ways for us to be cleansed again. How awesome is our God!!!!!!!!!!

God cleanse us, make us pure! Give us clean hands and pure hearts! Jesus my heart must know its pleasing to you!

Talkin 'bout tough love

2008-01-24T21:23:00.000-08:00

"My child, don't ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights." -Proverbs 11-12

Think about this God is love. He is the very essence of love. He is our perfect model of love. His love is so deep that we won't ever truly know the entirety of it or its depth. We can always press deeper into God's love for us. He is our lover, our best friend and our abba. We have the picture of our daddy wrapping his arms around us, and coddling us and telling us how much he loves us. What a God that is, what other 'god' acrossed history was ever that intimate with their people? While God is our loving father, this also means that he does all things for our good. He loves us so much to hurt us sometimes. Don't let that sound harsh to you, cause I will briefly explain my thoughts..

God is our Shepard among other things, a thought that has stayed with me ever since I heard it is the picture of a shepherd and a sheep who habitually wanders. When this sheep keeps wandering away, it possibly gets hurt yet it does it over and over again. A shepherd would literally break the sheep's legs and then carry it with him. Holding it all the while as it heals. When the sheep is able to walk, it is so used to being close to its shepherd never again does it wander. Do you see it? We are the sheep, God loves us enough to hurt us. He will 'break' our legs to let us be closer to him. Now I'll have you know God NEVER wants us to get hurt, he doesn't want us to continually go through a hard time, but when we fall into those situations, for whatever reason- he will bring something good out of it. He will ALLOW us to be broken so we become closer to him.

Secondly, we may need to have our hearts broken. When we humble ourselves and lay our hearts bare before him they may get broken. But when they do the most amazing thing happens..God picks up every broken piece and places it back in place and when he stands back you know what he sees? He sees a heart akin to that of his precious son, the perfect LAMB Jesus. God may have to hurt us, allow our hearts to break, to transform us.

Next time you feel like its falling apart. Next time you feel like the last few string of life you have are breaking and snapping and your surroundings are crumbling let go. Its not always our place to understand why God allows things or does the things he does. But he is ALWAYS good. And just maybe you have to let go of the things your holding so tightly and give into the breaking to let God come in and heal you. He didn't come to heal the healthy. We can't be fake with God, he sees what condition our hearts are really in, but he can't come in to touch it with the hands of a father until we allow him.

So let God love on you. Climb up into your daddy's lap and gaze into his graceful, beautiful, merciful face and let him teach you his ways. But don't forget to let God love you on you when it hurts.
"I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep." -John 10 14

OH HOW MUCH GOD LOVES US.
Lord reveal every facet of your love to us. God show us what needs to be changed in us so that we can be closer to you. Lord thank you for being our daddy and being such an intimate God who lets us climb into your lap. Lord take us deeper into your love and show us HOW to love like you. Thank you for loving me!!

God is faithful he will do this

2008-01-14T16:49:00.000-08:00

So this is my first blog here but I'm not new to the blogging. This is the most recent blog I've posted..so enjoy...?
So again a good book has moved the gears within my head into intense motion on the topic of our authority and rights as children of God. It is amazing to read the testimonies of people who have walked out their authority so boldly. The people all around us are dying. What are we doing about it? What am I doing about it? Can't we take the Word for what it says when it says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Does that mean that we can do all things BUT step out and boldy proclaim the power of the Holy Spirit to minister to the broken and heal the sick? NO! We can do ALL things.

We need to grasp onto His word for all its worth and live it out in faith. We have to live in such a way that we aren't afraid of death. This doesnt mean that we rush into danger and dumbly get hurt. But when we aren't afraid of death and still love the gift of life what else can the devil and his minions threaten us with? When they threaten our or the lives of those we love all we have to do is tell them that they can't threaten us with Heaven and we have already won the victory. Jesus already won the victory now all we have to do is fight in the battles to enforce His justice! Kris Vallotton said "The only convicitons that are worth living for are those worth dying for."

So many people are living without any purpose and WE have the answer. What kind of a person are we if don't try and help the world, help those around us? We have to stop blending in when the difference in us is exactly that which can save the world? I have to stop blending in, I have to stop living in fear of rejection of fear of others opions. I am more than a conqueror in Christ! If we take up a defensice posture in our christianity, we are yielding a part of our authority to the devil, we have to live offensively. Live on purpose, fight the good fight on purpose..

"God who calls you, is faithfull he will do this.." - 1 Thess. 5:24

sorry for the random thoughts..but I wanted to get it out..share some of the random paths and rabbit trails my mind often frequents.