Lessons from the Little Man and Jesus

I did a teaching on Zacchaeus and Jesus on Sunday. I'll tell you...the love of Jesus is just rocking my socks off lately. So uncharacteristic of much of the church today, He was willing to shatter his reputation to "seek and save the lost". He pursued people...didn't wait for them to clean themselves up first. Some in the church today forget the beauty of grace and sharing His love. They choose to use the armor of God to abuse. Rather than making a way for the King to come, they beat people with their belt of truth or helmet of salvation or breastplate of righteousness...sigh. How sad...because those articles are meant for the defense of their own heart as they bring the beautiful "good news". There is so much more for us in living out His kingdom life.

Here are two clips I used. The first is Bill Johnson from Bethel Church. He raises such an interesting point...one that challenges us all to live bigger. The second is Annie Lobert from Hookers for Jesus. She pursues women trapped in prostitution and the sex trade because His love is worth way more than anything else. So beautiful.

 

Destiny

I'm loving spending time with Graham Cooke teachings lately. This one is changing my life. :)

Rise Up Into Your Destiny

The Nature of God

If you are looking for something to rest in...meditate in...try this! Let the kindness and goodness of God be with you just like Moses on the mountain when His glory passed by. :)

 

Stirring Up Trouble Again

Confessions of a Closet Egalitarian

Be The Light

The Blessing Of Partnership

What a powerful time with parents! We had our parent-teacher conferences this week and decided to meet with the parents of the seniors for a farewell meeting. We talked about the changes over the years, the strengths, the challenges, the victories... Oh wow! So powerful! It was so wonderful to celebrate with parents...with tons of tears...how much partnership between parents and teachers can really be a powerful thing in the life of a child. We had one dad comment..."It's been as good for me as it has been for my son." Seriously...that's from a dad who really engaged in community and partnership and grew himself!!!!!

Fantastic!! These are the days when I love my job. Hehe.

Hearing the Voice of God

What a powerful message on hearing God's voice...discerning His voice based on His identity. Love it. Graham Cooke is a great and encouraging teacher.

Hearing the Voice of God

Belonged Before They Believed

I just saw a clip of Bill Johnson's latest sermon. He made an interesting reference to something he heard once..."The disciples belonged before they believed."

Seriously...it's really a shocking statement when you consider how often the church tends to allow belonging AFTER belief. Not before though...that might taint things.

It makes me really appreciate the ministries and the people who open their arms to anyone...loving whomever...without the requirement of appearances or behavior for club membership. No, they offer community as a demonstration of the love and grace of Jesus without requiring belief as a prerequisite. That's so humble and so powerful...so free.

Something I want to shoot for in my relationships with others...

 

She's In Ministry...Uhoh.

I'm becoming a huge fan of the Junia Project. Here's an interesting blog.

When God Calls A Complementarian Woman Into Ministry

Luggage

Second Coming of the Pharisees?

Oh, legalists. Kids are one thing, but the adults???...Sigh. One of those moments to ask God to provide the substance of His love and grace...'cause I certainly am lacking enough to compensate.

And then I remember that I'm not perfect either. Oh dear. It's a good thing God is big enough for all of us.

He Gives The Love Itself

“Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself.” - Corrie Ten Boom

This came across my Facebook news feed last night. It was such a good reminder of how God actually supplies with what we lack when it comes to loving and forgiving. God is so fully our Provider. (If you don't know Corrie Ten Boom's story, you should google her. She has the right to say such things.)  I've been trying to put this into practice. When I can't love and when I don't feel like forgiving, I can ask for Him to be the answer...to give me His heart.

God is so very good.