Check out the article below. It is the great obstacle I encounter every day...representatives all over in the American church. It drives me absolutely insane. So frustrating. I don't have time for it...I have too much to do for the cause of good. Yay for the real Jesus!
The Great Idol of Modern Christianity
I know there are people who are afraid. I don't want to be too insensitive...I know all too well what it's like to be owned and motivated by fear. BUT...I also know freedom. There's so much more to life than the fake security fear offers. We must move on. MUST!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
Hope
Thursday, October 22, 2015
So Tired of the Entitlement
Sigh...except we do care...
Working in education for over 15 years now, I've noticed an increase in student and parent entitlement. I expect some from the stages of kiddo development, and, of course, there are legitimate concerns from time to time. But wow...it can get just ridiculous.
I've heard this from teachers and support staff all over the place. People will go on and on about what they "deserve" from teacher/schools, but what about what educators deserve from THEM??? My goodness...that's true partnership after all...
Is it just education or is it everywhere? Because sometimes going anywhere else seems tempting...sheesh. Yep!...someday I'm gonna write a book...and I'm naming names. ;)
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Prayer - Song Style
I'm such a visual person that prayer had to be a bit "amended" for me. Just saying the words without some sort of visualization...ugh, not good. For the way I'm wired, it's so much fuller.
I've had some people on my heart lately, and it has been difficult to find the words or picture to pray. Not because of anything wrong with them or myself...more that the desire I have for them just can't seem to be captured deeply enough with the abilities of my mind.
So, I've been praying with songs. :)
Worship is also a visual experience with me...picturing the words or experience being described in music. Music, of course, has a key to the soul. It seemed natural to place the individuals that are on my heart into the setting of the worship song.
Wow. Powerful.
What has actually been happening is that I've been able to see the Holy Spirit minister in the workings of the prayer-song time right before my imagination's "eyes". I've been able to "agree" in the positioning of my heart that the realities sung would become the realities of their lives.
You know what?...I believe that is a snapshot of the design of fuller humanity! We sometimes clear the way and spiritually promote an atmosphere...all through agreement with the Holy Spirit...that allows some ministry to the heart.
I'm fully committed to continuing this as a prayer discipline. :)
Oh! Here's the one I've been using lately. :)
I've had some people on my heart lately, and it has been difficult to find the words or picture to pray. Not because of anything wrong with them or myself...more that the desire I have for them just can't seem to be captured deeply enough with the abilities of my mind.
So, I've been praying with songs. :)
Worship is also a visual experience with me...picturing the words or experience being described in music. Music, of course, has a key to the soul. It seemed natural to place the individuals that are on my heart into the setting of the worship song.
Wow. Powerful.
What has actually been happening is that I've been able to see the Holy Spirit minister in the workings of the prayer-song time right before my imagination's "eyes". I've been able to "agree" in the positioning of my heart that the realities sung would become the realities of their lives.
You know what?...I believe that is a snapshot of the design of fuller humanity! We sometimes clear the way and spiritually promote an atmosphere...all through agreement with the Holy Spirit...that allows some ministry to the heart.
I'm fully committed to continuing this as a prayer discipline. :)
Oh! Here's the one I've been using lately. :)
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
Revisiting the Year's Theme
I was reviewing old blogs this morning. Yep, at work. Proctoring a college entrance test gives such opportunities...hehe. Anyway, I stumbled across one that reminded me of my theme word for 2015. This year's word..."kingdom".
As I've been considering it, I can see that God definitely has me on a path that wrestles with the notion. I should clarify that "kingdom" is not some "crusades-oriented" concept where the world is forced into a religious observance. It's a lifestyle that pursues the Jesus movement or way...bringing heaven into the realities of daily life.
One challenge I keep stumbling upon relates to empowerment. I have a sense in my heart that it is within reach to live supernaturally. First, I believe we can position our hearts to be so connected to God that we can respond to life around us from deeper, heavenly realities rather than lesser, perceived realities. It can be a discipline to do so, but it can ultimately become the new "natural" for us in a way that unshackles our mind, imagination, emotions, behavior, etc. Second, I ALSO believe we can live in such a way that we surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit and actually position the authority of our humanity to release the power of the Spirit to impact the world for good. So, I keep practicing and practicing...but I've found some challenges. As children of God, I know we have access to the resources of heaven...I just want to see more of them released, and I can't figure out how to be the vessel for that more effectively. I want to see more restoration, freedom, healing, moved mountains... Sigh...I'm still wrestling. :)
The other challenge flies in the face of the trend of our culture towards an independence that isolates. I think "kingdom" really wants to create a culture of investment where people see and believe in the potential in each other (powerful identity and divine destiny) to such a degree that we foster a community that comes along side each other to encourage and challenge "becoming". What a battle though! It seems like people would rather relate to apps on iPhones or live an entitled, "drop in, drop out" mode of existence. That sort of living just doesn't promote an atmosphere of thriving....so much more is possible. But getting us on board for more...oh dear. I've loved experiencing people who work toward this end...I've even experienced it in church...I just want MORE, MORE, MORE. :)
So...reviewing old blogs. Wow...great reminders to keep on keeping on. Wrestling is beneficial. :)
As I've been considering it, I can see that God definitely has me on a path that wrestles with the notion. I should clarify that "kingdom" is not some "crusades-oriented" concept where the world is forced into a religious observance. It's a lifestyle that pursues the Jesus movement or way...bringing heaven into the realities of daily life.
One challenge I keep stumbling upon relates to empowerment. I have a sense in my heart that it is within reach to live supernaturally. First, I believe we can position our hearts to be so connected to God that we can respond to life around us from deeper, heavenly realities rather than lesser, perceived realities. It can be a discipline to do so, but it can ultimately become the new "natural" for us in a way that unshackles our mind, imagination, emotions, behavior, etc. Second, I ALSO believe we can live in such a way that we surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit and actually position the authority of our humanity to release the power of the Spirit to impact the world for good. So, I keep practicing and practicing...but I've found some challenges. As children of God, I know we have access to the resources of heaven...I just want to see more of them released, and I can't figure out how to be the vessel for that more effectively. I want to see more restoration, freedom, healing, moved mountains... Sigh...I'm still wrestling. :)
The other challenge flies in the face of the trend of our culture towards an independence that isolates. I think "kingdom" really wants to create a culture of investment where people see and believe in the potential in each other (powerful identity and divine destiny) to such a degree that we foster a community that comes along side each other to encourage and challenge "becoming". What a battle though! It seems like people would rather relate to apps on iPhones or live an entitled, "drop in, drop out" mode of existence. That sort of living just doesn't promote an atmosphere of thriving....so much more is possible. But getting us on board for more...oh dear. I've loved experiencing people who work toward this end...I've even experienced it in church...I just want MORE, MORE, MORE. :)
So...reviewing old blogs. Wow...great reminders to keep on keeping on. Wrestling is beneficial. :)
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
No Longer Slaves
I stumbled across this song the other day. Oh my...it so captures my faith journey. Awesome.
Sunday, October 11, 2015
"Our" Sermon
I get comments frequently about how I "waited" a long time to get married. (I waited or something was wrong with me...ick) Along the way, I definitely felt moments of frustration because I hoped to get married someday...but I absolutely also had moments of blooming where I was planted and getting the most out of life as a fabulous single gal. ;)
And now???....I have zero, zip, nada in the regrets department! "Waiting" or whatever those "get married ASAP" people call it was the BEST thing God could have ever had for me.
Take today. I had to do the sermon at church. It was an assigned topic and I struggled all week to come up with anything creative. It was only after I told Kevin about my struggles...and he started praying...that I began to hear the sermon plan. We mapped it out...every time he prayed, I got another piece of the puzzle. Amazing.
He told me later that it's not just "my" sermon anymore. He gets to partner with me and clear the way sometimes...making it "our" sermon.
Yep...this is what I live with. Pretty sure God's "now" is far better than any desperate "now" we feel. Here's to his timing and good gifts. :)
And now???....I have zero, zip, nada in the regrets department! "Waiting" or whatever those "get married ASAP" people call it was the BEST thing God could have ever had for me.
Take today. I had to do the sermon at church. It was an assigned topic and I struggled all week to come up with anything creative. It was only after I told Kevin about my struggles...and he started praying...that I began to hear the sermon plan. We mapped it out...every time he prayed, I got another piece of the puzzle. Amazing.
He told me later that it's not just "my" sermon anymore. He gets to partner with me and clear the way sometimes...making it "our" sermon.
Yep...this is what I live with. Pretty sure God's "now" is far better than any desperate "now" we feel. Here's to his timing and good gifts. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)