The present question on the table is "Do you really believe God is just as near and you can be walking in the Spirit just as fully even now?"
Now that I am no longer full-time in the prayer house. Now that I am no longer surrounded by a dozen other Jesus-addicted, counted the cost & took the narrow path anyway, helplessly lovestruck followers of God? Now that I'm having to fight the tide of unbelief once again and trust that I have done all the human stuff I can do and God will do all the God stuff that He needs and wants to do in providing for me - in every way necessary - daily. That whether it's a bill to be paid or a possession I am so thankful for...it all belongs to Him as my Provider.
The more & more I crack open the Word in a grace-fueled gift of desire to simply know the PERSON of Jesus and not just a weak, lifeless theory or wholesome way of living a "good" life or well-educated, well-read life, but Him as a breathing, always active, emotional, interested, extremely involved, & insanely non-human-esq. lover - well I am floored. Floored by how many times He asked those around Him the question "Why?" :
"Why are you afraid? You have so little faith..."
In this question, I can almost feel the redundancy and the agony of an all-loving, all-knowing, all-powerful Being bewildered and hurt that the objects of His deepest longings simply will not fully trust Him. He must simply wrythe when we chase other little human being creations, thinking they would or could satisfy our deepest needs. Or that we could somehow take care of ourself and see Him as an afterthought or last ditch effort. HIM- being GOD. The One, The Creator...Him as Someone not worth every last ounce of our everything.
All the while, there He is, right next to each of us. Just waiting with all passion, acceptence & desire for us to decide that He is most worthy of our time, thoughts & love. For us to still ourselves- esp. our head with all its thoughts- and decide that the most worthwhile, fun, adventuresome way to spend a few hours of every day is to simply...wait in silence. Wait on Him and His desires. Stop and set aside all else for the sake of One. To give Him the chance to speak to us all the wonders & affection that any lover longs to have the chance to whisper to their beloved.
Oh, and the answer to the question chasing me since I've been back in Missouri & on a temporary break from YWAM, is "yes", most assuredly Yes. We can be just as fully engaged with God and His presence and desires for each of us and this world now, even now. Because it turns out that whether we are doing laundry, feeding homeless people, doing warfare in the spiritual/eternal realm and worshipping in a prayer house for hours on end every day, out shopping in the holiday madness and offer a smile and tender heart to a grouchy cashier, or investing in the sometimes challenging struggle of trying to communicate with those nearest to us even if it's difficult, time-consuming & seemingly mundane...in all these God is still that "Always present help when we need it".
So offer God the only thing He does not have that you alone can give to Him - You. And Your love. No matter the situation or location or who you find yourself surrounded by... know that God is the most powerful Reality we ever need.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Friday, November 17, 2006
Being a part of a 24/7 prayer & fasting team on behalf of my wonderful God's heart's desires has utterly turned my world upside down. I am so destroyed for the commonplace, ordinary, and temporary - and it's AWESOME.
Psalm 27 ... ONE thing we all have been made to truly desire... What a beautiful, mighty Conqueror we get to love, serve, and wage battle for love under.
"Intercessory Prayer" -By Dutch Sheets
Stubborness can be channeled into a righteous force called persistence or endurance- one of the most vital spiritual attributes of the Christian life. A lack of endurance is one of the greatest causes of defeat, esp. in prayer. To God, waiting is wonderful...we love microwaving while He's into marinating.
God won't satisfy the skeptic & He is not pleased with unbelief, but He loves the honest, sincere, & comfortable/trusting questions of a trusting child.
We are tired of cloaking our ignorance in robes of blind obedience & calling it spirituality. We are tired of a form of godliness void of God, void of power, void of sincere love.
Prayer is the winning blow, the strike- service is gathering up the results.
Does perhaps God do nothing on this earth save in answer to believing prayer?
Prayers of God's saints are the capitol stock of heaven by which God carries on His great work upon earth.
Psalm 27 ... ONE thing we all have been made to truly desire... What a beautiful, mighty Conqueror we get to love, serve, and wage battle for love under.
"Intercessory Prayer" -By Dutch Sheets
Stubborness can be channeled into a righteous force called persistence or endurance- one of the most vital spiritual attributes of the Christian life. A lack of endurance is one of the greatest causes of defeat, esp. in prayer. To God, waiting is wonderful...we love microwaving while He's into marinating.
God won't satisfy the skeptic & He is not pleased with unbelief, but He loves the honest, sincere, & comfortable/trusting questions of a trusting child.
We are tired of cloaking our ignorance in robes of blind obedience & calling it spirituality. We are tired of a form of godliness void of God, void of power, void of sincere love.
Prayer is the winning blow, the strike- service is gathering up the results.
Does perhaps God do nothing on this earth save in answer to believing prayer?
Prayers of God's saints are the capitol stock of heaven by which God carries on His great work upon earth.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Ummm...here's the deal yo.
Hear me now. Please.
There's this God Who listens to His kids who love Him and are hungry for more of Him and totally unsatisfied with the shallow, fake, & temporary of this fading world.
I mean seriously we have to start living this stuff out daily - guys He's coming back for us so soon. This Warrior of a King is on His way, closer and closer every day. We have to start using the authority He allowed Himself to be murdered on that wood cross for. We have to start stepping up to the plate and accepting what He's already offered- the ability to shake Heaven and earth as we Get to know Him, love Him, and in faith walk out what He asks us to walk out - to step up and stand between God and a hurting world of people dying, litterally every day, and becoming separated for all time from the only One Source of LOVE.
Revelation 1
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hell."
It's time. Army of God, men and women - arise.
Give Him your all. All.
Rise up and be who His love and blood has enabled you to be. Daily.
P.S. Please read the book "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets. I beg you. You'll never see God, yourself, and life the same. Loooove it.
Hear me now. Please.
There's this God Who listens to His kids who love Him and are hungry for more of Him and totally unsatisfied with the shallow, fake, & temporary of this fading world.
I mean seriously we have to start living this stuff out daily - guys He's coming back for us so soon. This Warrior of a King is on His way, closer and closer every day. We have to start using the authority He allowed Himself to be murdered on that wood cross for. We have to start stepping up to the plate and accepting what He's already offered- the ability to shake Heaven and earth as we Get to know Him, love Him, and in faith walk out what He asks us to walk out - to step up and stand between God and a hurting world of people dying, litterally every day, and becoming separated for all time from the only One Source of LOVE.
Revelation 1
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man,"dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hell."
It's time. Army of God, men and women - arise.
Give Him your all. All.
Rise up and be who His love and blood has enabled you to be. Daily.
P.S. Please read the book "Intercessory Prayer" by Dutch Sheets. I beg you. You'll never see God, yourself, and life the same. Loooove it.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Oh sniggitys.
It's a good life once a child of God has been given the revelation that his or her desires, the things they find their hearts racing @, their souls having that deep/warm/untouchable peace about, the things that they can feel with their hearts before their eyes see have been placed their by a good God who's well-devised plans have been laid out since before we took our first step or dreamed our first dream.
Here's to embracing the call each of us has placed on and in us by a very specific, detail-oriented Maker. Here's to refusing to run from them or believe the enemy's lies that we are selfish for desiring the very things God desires for us to desire!!! Here's to serving and loving Him by believing His plans are perfect, without a single blemish; and that all good flows from His hands and His hands alone!
Oh be of good courage you God-stalkers - He sees and adores you. He never grows weary of your questions and thoughts and conversations with Him. He loves listening. And He loves talking. He is infinitely patient and rediculously kind and accepting. Where else should we honestly run but to Him first?!
It's a good life once a child of God has been given the revelation that his or her desires, the things they find their hearts racing @, their souls having that deep/warm/untouchable peace about, the things that they can feel with their hearts before their eyes see have been placed their by a good God who's well-devised plans have been laid out since before we took our first step or dreamed our first dream.
Here's to embracing the call each of us has placed on and in us by a very specific, detail-oriented Maker. Here's to refusing to run from them or believe the enemy's lies that we are selfish for desiring the very things God desires for us to desire!!! Here's to serving and loving Him by believing His plans are perfect, without a single blemish; and that all good flows from His hands and His hands alone!
Oh be of good courage you God-stalkers - He sees and adores you. He never grows weary of your questions and thoughts and conversations with Him. He loves listening. And He loves talking. He is infinitely patient and rediculously kind and accepting. Where else should we honestly run but to Him first?!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
A bunch of us went to visit Gettysburg yesterday afternoon.
Dang.
Now that place is pretty saaweet. Reminded me of the movie Braveheart or somethin. It was so cool. God keep raising up real warriors for You. Men of valor. Men willing to be all in for You.
God woke me this morn with Psalm 33. It was perfect- as His words whispered to my heart always are.
"For the word of the Lord holds true and we can trust everything He does."
Even when it takes years the see His promises whispered to our heart make the leap from the unseen/spiritual into the seen/natural. Even when we must grit our teeth and cry out for understanding to see things the way He sees them when it appears His word has failed or been delayed or somethin; instead of just passively, weakly sitting by and saying "Ah well. I'll just keep on keepin on and try to ignore what makes my heart race and my soul leap out of my chest. I'll pretend this pain and longing aren't here. Who am I to ask God or seek His heart in this matter..."
We must fight for the Divine Reality: LOVE. That this is what undergirds His every action. And oftentimes even the visions, callings, and dreams He plants in us that seem to go unnoticed and fester like a painful, unattended wound, really are right on schedule in His eyes.
So there's hope in the midst of the agony. And there's daydreaming for those bold enough to approach His gracious throne and beg for the strength to fight the giants for it. There's a light approaching, closer & closer with each passing day for those who refuse to look @ the ground in shame and despair - but who look up, only up for the Divine Presence. Because it's there. Always there, when it's all said and done - always there.
p.s.
PRAYER MOVES THE UNMOVABLE. WASTE NO MORE TIME. DON'T KEEP THIS MIGHTY SWORD SHEATHED ANY LONGER Mighty warrior called out by God. Let's not arrive @ Home one day and wish we would have engaged with our God in this area and seen men healed and delivered, governments altered toward righteousness, the unborn given a chance @ the dreams God has for them, friends and family saved, etc.
Dang.
Now that place is pretty saaweet. Reminded me of the movie Braveheart or somethin. It was so cool. God keep raising up real warriors for You. Men of valor. Men willing to be all in for You.
God woke me this morn with Psalm 33. It was perfect- as His words whispered to my heart always are.
"For the word of the Lord holds true and we can trust everything He does."
Even when it takes years the see His promises whispered to our heart make the leap from the unseen/spiritual into the seen/natural. Even when we must grit our teeth and cry out for understanding to see things the way He sees them when it appears His word has failed or been delayed or somethin; instead of just passively, weakly sitting by and saying "Ah well. I'll just keep on keepin on and try to ignore what makes my heart race and my soul leap out of my chest. I'll pretend this pain and longing aren't here. Who am I to ask God or seek His heart in this matter..."
We must fight for the Divine Reality: LOVE. That this is what undergirds His every action. And oftentimes even the visions, callings, and dreams He plants in us that seem to go unnoticed and fester like a painful, unattended wound, really are right on schedule in His eyes.
So there's hope in the midst of the agony. And there's daydreaming for those bold enough to approach His gracious throne and beg for the strength to fight the giants for it. There's a light approaching, closer & closer with each passing day for those who refuse to look @ the ground in shame and despair - but who look up, only up for the Divine Presence. Because it's there. Always there, when it's all said and done - always there.
p.s.
PRAYER MOVES THE UNMOVABLE. WASTE NO MORE TIME. DON'T KEEP THIS MIGHTY SWORD SHEATHED ANY LONGER Mighty warrior called out by God. Let's not arrive @ Home one day and wish we would have engaged with our God in this area and seen men healed and delivered, governments altered toward righteousness, the unborn given a chance @ the dreams God has for them, friends and family saved, etc.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Just talkin with God and asking Him to rid me of all legalism, condemnation of myself, and judgementalism of others.
And He whispered back "You know Sarah, My love for you has never been legalistic."
Oh scallywags.
God's love for you and for me has always been that bleeding, raw, real, heart-thumping with a single glance of my eyes into His, deep, desirous, aching kind.
No machines, no half-way. No have to b/c He has to kinda junk.
Pure. Without blemish. Without fakeness. Without neediness and insecurity. Pure.
This is the kinda stuff that makes one's soul soar.
And He whispered back "You know Sarah, My love for you has never been legalistic."
Oh scallywags.
God's love for you and for me has always been that bleeding, raw, real, heart-thumping with a single glance of my eyes into His, deep, desirous, aching kind.
No machines, no half-way. No have to b/c He has to kinda junk.
Pure. Without blemish. Without fakeness. Without neediness and insecurity. Pure.
This is the kinda stuff that makes one's soul soar.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
This Energy Reserve Never Fails
"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning." -- J.B. Priestly (1894-1984) English Author
Our God has been giving me more and more lovely revelations of His mighty hand being outstretched and oh so very involved in our lives, more than we'll ever fathom. And this single fact alone truly changes everything. I mean, being a created being - isn't it all the difference in the world to know we're not left alone to just blindly try to do life or try to figure out all the questions by ourselves, blindly groping for whatever seems good or legitimate; but to have this Guide Who's primary motivation is to nurture, love, and keep us on the best route possible - @ all times? That He'd even care enough to design and delight in each & every day you and I walk through - each it's own unique gift. This idea that each day you & I roll outta bed we are given a new present, a gift straight from the Almighty's outstretched hand.
Then there's the whole concept He is constantly pursuing me with concerning doing stuff in the flesh's strength gaining fleshly outcomes vs. only doing stuff out of the Spirit...out of a lovesick heart totally enraptured by it's Lover.
I mean how many actions in a given day to I participate in to simply "save face" among other Christians? How many motivations are rooted in just doing the business and nuts & bolts of what looks "right" or "good" when all the while I had Jesus not in mind @ all? All the while perhaps no other created human will ever notice because the action may look good - but how much moreso if we did what we do not because it's what Christians have always done or what's expected, but to truly revere our Maker and do what the Word says only beacuse we are aware of His love for us, His commandments = love, and our love for Him is shown by our trust in those commands and out of a pure, spotless desire to just make Him proud.
And even if we don't get the outcome we had hoped for, if we're misunderstood, if we are insecure @ times and doubt we're hearing God's lovely whispers to our hearts...even in our mistakes if all we truly wanted was to please Dad and had Him alone as foremost in our minds and hearts as the forerunner to our actions- welp, I believe He truly is pleased.
We have this Father with this awesome conviction thing that is so specific, kind, gentle and loving. I'm learning to adore His correction in the same way I'd adore medicine that kills off parasites in my body. Sin only sucks the good and wants to replace with the dark and unlovely.
And when we are fully given over to the Spirit to fuel our every deed and word, we have tapped into an infinite supply of energy to do the very things He asks of us each day.
All I'm sayin' is that if we are finding ourselves constantly worn out, constantly dissappointed in other humans, constantly carrying a heavy spirit or calloused/self-protected heart...maybe God intended so much more. Maybe He longs for us to trade in our independent, laboring in the flesh on our own steam spirits for a child-like humility that is ready to say "Daddy help please. I want to clean this bathroom or cook this meal or pray for this friend or be effective in this ministry -but I don't want to do what's always worked or to assume You want it done a certain way without even searching for Your heart's desires, or even try to accomplish it in the gifts You've given me all the while forgetting You; disregarding the Spirit's desires for this moment, for this day..."
May it be said of our lives that we daily settled for nothing less than fresh manna. That we refused to hide away yesterday's provisions in an attempt to not have to seek after God's heart as much for this day.
Our God has been giving me more and more lovely revelations of His mighty hand being outstretched and oh so very involved in our lives, more than we'll ever fathom. And this single fact alone truly changes everything. I mean, being a created being - isn't it all the difference in the world to know we're not left alone to just blindly try to do life or try to figure out all the questions by ourselves, blindly groping for whatever seems good or legitimate; but to have this Guide Who's primary motivation is to nurture, love, and keep us on the best route possible - @ all times? That He'd even care enough to design and delight in each & every day you and I walk through - each it's own unique gift. This idea that each day you & I roll outta bed we are given a new present, a gift straight from the Almighty's outstretched hand.
Then there's the whole concept He is constantly pursuing me with concerning doing stuff in the flesh's strength gaining fleshly outcomes vs. only doing stuff out of the Spirit...out of a lovesick heart totally enraptured by it's Lover.
I mean how many actions in a given day to I participate in to simply "save face" among other Christians? How many motivations are rooted in just doing the business and nuts & bolts of what looks "right" or "good" when all the while I had Jesus not in mind @ all? All the while perhaps no other created human will ever notice because the action may look good - but how much moreso if we did what we do not because it's what Christians have always done or what's expected, but to truly revere our Maker and do what the Word says only beacuse we are aware of His love for us, His commandments = love, and our love for Him is shown by our trust in those commands and out of a pure, spotless desire to just make Him proud.
And even if we don't get the outcome we had hoped for, if we're misunderstood, if we are insecure @ times and doubt we're hearing God's lovely whispers to our hearts...even in our mistakes if all we truly wanted was to please Dad and had Him alone as foremost in our minds and hearts as the forerunner to our actions- welp, I believe He truly is pleased.
We have this Father with this awesome conviction thing that is so specific, kind, gentle and loving. I'm learning to adore His correction in the same way I'd adore medicine that kills off parasites in my body. Sin only sucks the good and wants to replace with the dark and unlovely.
And when we are fully given over to the Spirit to fuel our every deed and word, we have tapped into an infinite supply of energy to do the very things He asks of us each day.
All I'm sayin' is that if we are finding ourselves constantly worn out, constantly dissappointed in other humans, constantly carrying a heavy spirit or calloused/self-protected heart...maybe God intended so much more. Maybe He longs for us to trade in our independent, laboring in the flesh on our own steam spirits for a child-like humility that is ready to say "Daddy help please. I want to clean this bathroom or cook this meal or pray for this friend or be effective in this ministry -but I don't want to do what's always worked or to assume You want it done a certain way without even searching for Your heart's desires, or even try to accomplish it in the gifts You've given me all the while forgetting You; disregarding the Spirit's desires for this moment, for this day..."
May it be said of our lives that we daily settled for nothing less than fresh manna. That we refused to hide away yesterday's provisions in an attempt to not have to seek after God's heart as much for this day.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Focus on One. The Rest is Coming From His Hand In Due Time.
Life leaps like a geyser for those willing to drill through the rock of inertia.-- Alexis Carrel
Who woulda thunk that it'd take totally flip-flopping my sleep schedule, relocating geographically, partial food fasting and the encouragement and community of a bunch of other Jesus-Junkies to rid my soul of some of the nastiest, most unappealing substances that exisit if ya ask me:
inertia. complacency. half-soul-ness. fence-straddling. second-guessing. wavering. not living up to what Christ spilled out Himself for us to have every moment of every day.
And I luuuuv it. This whole being awake when it's dark just as much as when it's light gig is rockin. My team is on the full-fledged night watch now from 2am-8am every lovely morning. And the extra added little bonus?! When we're standing outside the Supreme Court and Capital somehow we can still catch a full glimpse of stars. Seriously, there are just too many lights to be able to see stars around this place, yet...it is so! I was missing Texas mainly for the wide open spaces and specifically the sky full of yummy stars I'd soak up each evening during God and I's night walks...but this'll do pig. this'll do. (that quote's for you stud-o-rama broski).
Yeah, so. Yeah. Ummm...the Spirit in me is way happy, frankly giddy, right now. This mad-crazy lifestyle of just mainly forgetting about me and my wants and comforts for 40 days or so to focus on what's on His heart is...well... how do you say- wonnnnderfully refreshing.
Never be timid or half-hearted @ seeking His Kingdom first my bro's and sis'. Turns out our Mighty One is not jokin one tiny bit. His innocent, kind, tender, 100% all the time aware and willing heart is trust-able for our heart to rest in fully. Fully engage, totally connect with Him on a daily basis and watch how when you seek Him and His real heart, and His stuff first, He is more than willing to seek and provide "far beyond anything you have ever even thought up or asked for"!!!!
Philippians 2:12-13 (The Message)
"What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure."
Love you guys. I am so appreciative & undeserving of each of you-
Sarah
Who woulda thunk that it'd take totally flip-flopping my sleep schedule, relocating geographically, partial food fasting and the encouragement and community of a bunch of other Jesus-Junkies to rid my soul of some of the nastiest, most unappealing substances that exisit if ya ask me:
inertia. complacency. half-soul-ness. fence-straddling. second-guessing. wavering. not living up to what Christ spilled out Himself for us to have every moment of every day.
And I luuuuv it. This whole being awake when it's dark just as much as when it's light gig is rockin. My team is on the full-fledged night watch now from 2am-8am every lovely morning. And the extra added little bonus?! When we're standing outside the Supreme Court and Capital somehow we can still catch a full glimpse of stars. Seriously, there are just too many lights to be able to see stars around this place, yet...it is so! I was missing Texas mainly for the wide open spaces and specifically the sky full of yummy stars I'd soak up each evening during God and I's night walks...but this'll do pig. this'll do. (that quote's for you stud-o-rama broski).
Yeah, so. Yeah. Ummm...the Spirit in me is way happy, frankly giddy, right now. This mad-crazy lifestyle of just mainly forgetting about me and my wants and comforts for 40 days or so to focus on what's on His heart is...well... how do you say- wonnnnderfully refreshing.
Never be timid or half-hearted @ seeking His Kingdom first my bro's and sis'. Turns out our Mighty One is not jokin one tiny bit. His innocent, kind, tender, 100% all the time aware and willing heart is trust-able for our heart to rest in fully. Fully engage, totally connect with Him on a daily basis and watch how when you seek Him and His real heart, and His stuff first, He is more than willing to seek and provide "far beyond anything you have ever even thought up or asked for"!!!!
Philippians 2:12-13 (The Message)
"What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure."
Love you guys. I am so appreciative & undeserving of each of you-
Sarah
Friday, September 29, 2006
Intimacy + Prayer = Big 'Ol Changes
Currently my 2 fav. things about our magnificent God?! That no matter how much time I spend @ His feet I've only just begun to barely even scratch the surface of getting to know Him and that no matter where in the world I am asked by Him to go, no matter what we do or who I am surrounded by- this identity grounded steadfastly in Him is unshakable if I'll only discipline my mind and heart to live according to Truth and Love and not feelings or emotions.
Spent about 2 weeks in Chicago doing prayer walks in some of the foreign neighborhoods asking God for His vision to reach the nations,' cause nothin less will be effective. We passed out food to some homeless people living underground...actually living right beneath the most fluent, ritzy street in Chicago- quite the oddity. We performed our drama/hip hop dance/sermons/worship time show several times in elementary, middle, and high schools all around the city, too. It was so enlightening. God truly is rasing up an army of young people searching for truth, looking for a life that rises above the status-quo current sweeping away this country's youth in drug abuse, suicide, apathy, and aimlessness. Getting to preach a short sermon, praying over them, doing the hip hop dance, clowning for the younger guys and leading worship for my teammates as well as some of the youth services were my primary responsibilities and I loved it all so much.
Wednesday, 3 of us took an Amtrak train from Chicago to Washington, D.C. and arrived about 20 hours later here in D.C. We are doing 24/7 around the clock non-stop prayer and Daniel fasting (fruits, veggies and sometime rice or oats) to stand in the gap between this nation and God. We are begging with all our hearts and souls that God have mercy on the life-killing, apathy, devauling of human life, and family-demolishing our country has, whether willingly or passively, participated in the last couple decades especially. The upcoming Senate elections are a major prayer points as well. We are split into 2 teams and I am on the rockin 4am-10am shift. We also pray as an entire team from 7-10pm every night as well. So, needless to say, being called to a full-time job of praying 9 hours every day is pretty sweetness. We walk all around the Mall-praying over the Senate, Capital, White House, etc. and also spend time @ the prayer house here, too.
Anyhoozie- things be amazing. real fun, real stretching, real forcibly removing any insecurity, passivity, self-doubt of hearing God's voice, aimless/worthless thoughts, etc. I'll be here until Nov. 4 and then back to Texas for about 10 days. Beyond that it's unknown to me currently but totally known by my Priest, Provider, Good Gift-Giving, Vulnerable, Always-Present Almighty, Brave King and so it's all gravy.
I am so nuts about you all. My fam and friends are the greatest treasure in my life here on this earth. Crazy about each of you.
Spent about 2 weeks in Chicago doing prayer walks in some of the foreign neighborhoods asking God for His vision to reach the nations,' cause nothin less will be effective. We passed out food to some homeless people living underground...actually living right beneath the most fluent, ritzy street in Chicago- quite the oddity. We performed our drama/hip hop dance/sermons/worship time show several times in elementary, middle, and high schools all around the city, too. It was so enlightening. God truly is rasing up an army of young people searching for truth, looking for a life that rises above the status-quo current sweeping away this country's youth in drug abuse, suicide, apathy, and aimlessness. Getting to preach a short sermon, praying over them, doing the hip hop dance, clowning for the younger guys and leading worship for my teammates as well as some of the youth services were my primary responsibilities and I loved it all so much.
Wednesday, 3 of us took an Amtrak train from Chicago to Washington, D.C. and arrived about 20 hours later here in D.C. We are doing 24/7 around the clock non-stop prayer and Daniel fasting (fruits, veggies and sometime rice or oats) to stand in the gap between this nation and God. We are begging with all our hearts and souls that God have mercy on the life-killing, apathy, devauling of human life, and family-demolishing our country has, whether willingly or passively, participated in the last couple decades especially. The upcoming Senate elections are a major prayer points as well. We are split into 2 teams and I am on the rockin 4am-10am shift. We also pray as an entire team from 7-10pm every night as well. So, needless to say, being called to a full-time job of praying 9 hours every day is pretty sweetness. We walk all around the Mall-praying over the Senate, Capital, White House, etc. and also spend time @ the prayer house here, too.
Anyhoozie- things be amazing. real fun, real stretching, real forcibly removing any insecurity, passivity, self-doubt of hearing God's voice, aimless/worthless thoughts, etc. I'll be here until Nov. 4 and then back to Texas for about 10 days. Beyond that it's unknown to me currently but totally known by my Priest, Provider, Good Gift-Giving, Vulnerable, Always-Present Almighty, Brave King and so it's all gravy.
I am so nuts about you all. My fam and friends are the greatest treasure in my life here on this earth. Crazy about each of you.
Friday, September 08, 2006
The visions, dreams, and plans God shows us tend to be fire.
We either hold them in our hands and grasp onto them for ourselves, fearful of letting go, fearful that if we don't hold on tight they may slip away; or we let go of them and give them back to God in total trust.
We let them light the way with the flame instead of burn us.
Guys, a little more each day my heart is getting set on fire. The more I seek & see and taste & enjoy of our Maker the more totally consumed and nutso I get. He just keeps revealing to me what He's invested in me since the beginning when He spoke this place into existence, what he specifically puts in you and in me so we can be the currency that He uses to share Himself with others through and bring as many souls as possible into Heaven- I mean for real, isn't that truly all it's going to boil down to?!
I want to be a prayer warrior for God for the rest of my days. I want to do battle in the realm that matters, not aginst flesh and blood but spiritually.
And I want desperately for God's Father heart to freshly invade our souls as a nation and as a planet. I want the orphans (which, biblically is anyone without a father) to know they always have had and always will have, a Daddy. I want to see men and women as true men and women. I want the family to be restored to its proper place, the foundation of society, not just something people come and go into as a hobby, while their business or leisure takes the driver's seat.
I want to see the youth of this planet restored.
I don't know ya'll but the more and more i hang out with this God Almighty the more and more head over heels I am. The more & more I yield in total trust to His trustworthiness, I find I am never alone or dissapointed or fearful or not provided for and deeply, affectionately loved. I find my life is now being totally swept away in this adventure and romance with a God Who reveals secrets to those who seek Him with all they got, not just those who occasionally inhabit His presence once in a while, but those who commune minute by minute by just simply acknowledging He is HERE. Right by my side. He WILL show you who to talk to and what to say, He will use you daily to encourage your bros and sis' with very specifc, desperately needed words and actions- they whole point being GOD IS HERE- in and through each of us who are His. (like one pal of mine here having God give her the ONE STINKIN VERSE I needed out of the whole entire Bible on Wed. nite, she just yielded and humbly asked...does this mean anything to you? ohhhh my yesss!).
What glorious things He can do through us if we only believe, enjoy, obey, and trust Him!
Keep your prayers rising up to Heaven non-stop guys, he hears and responds mightyly to the prayers of the righteous ones clothed with Himself.
Deepest blessings of more of His presence on you all.
We either hold them in our hands and grasp onto them for ourselves, fearful of letting go, fearful that if we don't hold on tight they may slip away; or we let go of them and give them back to God in total trust.
We let them light the way with the flame instead of burn us.
Guys, a little more each day my heart is getting set on fire. The more I seek & see and taste & enjoy of our Maker the more totally consumed and nutso I get. He just keeps revealing to me what He's invested in me since the beginning when He spoke this place into existence, what he specifically puts in you and in me so we can be the currency that He uses to share Himself with others through and bring as many souls as possible into Heaven- I mean for real, isn't that truly all it's going to boil down to?!
I want to be a prayer warrior for God for the rest of my days. I want to do battle in the realm that matters, not aginst flesh and blood but spiritually.
And I want desperately for God's Father heart to freshly invade our souls as a nation and as a planet. I want the orphans (which, biblically is anyone without a father) to know they always have had and always will have, a Daddy. I want to see men and women as true men and women. I want the family to be restored to its proper place, the foundation of society, not just something people come and go into as a hobby, while their business or leisure takes the driver's seat.
I want to see the youth of this planet restored.
I don't know ya'll but the more and more i hang out with this God Almighty the more and more head over heels I am. The more & more I yield in total trust to His trustworthiness, I find I am never alone or dissapointed or fearful or not provided for and deeply, affectionately loved. I find my life is now being totally swept away in this adventure and romance with a God Who reveals secrets to those who seek Him with all they got, not just those who occasionally inhabit His presence once in a while, but those who commune minute by minute by just simply acknowledging He is HERE. Right by my side. He WILL show you who to talk to and what to say, He will use you daily to encourage your bros and sis' with very specifc, desperately needed words and actions- they whole point being GOD IS HERE- in and through each of us who are His. (like one pal of mine here having God give her the ONE STINKIN VERSE I needed out of the whole entire Bible on Wed. nite, she just yielded and humbly asked...does this mean anything to you? ohhhh my yesss!).
What glorious things He can do through us if we only believe, enjoy, obey, and trust Him!
Keep your prayers rising up to Heaven non-stop guys, he hears and responds mightyly to the prayers of the righteous ones clothed with Himself.
Deepest blessings of more of His presence on you all.
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
We leave for chicago two weeks from tomorrow and will be there for 2 weeks, back to texas, then on to D.C. for 6 weeks or so, Lord willing.
Still seems God is hitting home deeper deeper deeper what it means to truly stop. to cease my ideas and plans and scheming in my head and just stop. To stoop down in the dirt on my knees, and empty my hands- lay it all down and then pick up 1 thing and 1 thing alone: Him. and this is teaching me that it's very typical of this above and beyond God of mine to then insist that I muster up the faith/trust to ask Him for the very good and perfect things He desires for me to ask Daddy for. Because what are heart's desires but very good blessings God gets a kick out out of giving those kids He knows are centered and consumed with Him. He is not threatened by abundance and superfluous, nor should I be.
And for His sake, I am refusing fear and the assumption of the worst in an attempt to take care of my own heart and am declaring from this day onward that He is my hope and safe place, my Home to rest and be myself and laugh and be taken care of and loved. I'm tired of hurting His heart by putting up walls and living thngs out halfway. Fear of anything but Him is pure stupidity and straight up sin and must be fought with the fierceness and passion that God requires of those who love Him.
He has never hurt me and that's all I need to rest my hat on. All. You can throw your whole entire self into the God-basket and then let yourself rest, knowing you'll never get betrayed, wounded, or walked out on.
This is the day, this is the one He made for us. Tomorrow doesn't own you, nor does the past. God alone rightfully, legally owns you. And in this our hearts find peace.
Still seems God is hitting home deeper deeper deeper what it means to truly stop. to cease my ideas and plans and scheming in my head and just stop. To stoop down in the dirt on my knees, and empty my hands- lay it all down and then pick up 1 thing and 1 thing alone: Him. and this is teaching me that it's very typical of this above and beyond God of mine to then insist that I muster up the faith/trust to ask Him for the very good and perfect things He desires for me to ask Daddy for. Because what are heart's desires but very good blessings God gets a kick out out of giving those kids He knows are centered and consumed with Him. He is not threatened by abundance and superfluous, nor should I be.
And for His sake, I am refusing fear and the assumption of the worst in an attempt to take care of my own heart and am declaring from this day onward that He is my hope and safe place, my Home to rest and be myself and laugh and be taken care of and loved. I'm tired of hurting His heart by putting up walls and living thngs out halfway. Fear of anything but Him is pure stupidity and straight up sin and must be fought with the fierceness and passion that God requires of those who love Him.
He has never hurt me and that's all I need to rest my hat on. All. You can throw your whole entire self into the God-basket and then let yourself rest, knowing you'll never get betrayed, wounded, or walked out on.
This is the day, this is the one He made for us. Tomorrow doesn't own you, nor does the past. God alone rightfully, legally owns you. And in this our hearts find peace.
Friday, August 18, 2006
oh snickerdoodle - God wasn't kidding. When i stop striving in my own energy or in the enthusiasm, depth or knowledge i can muster up on my own and just start delighting, enjoying, laughing with, going on walks @ stinkin 6 am just b/c He asks and wants to hang out with me, etc. it really is an easy yoke we share.
no more trying to do stuff on my own, no more fence riding...just getting to know Him, trust Him, step out WITH Him and livin this life thing a little more transformed by Truth each day.
no more trying to do stuff on my own, no more fence riding...just getting to know Him, trust Him, step out WITH Him and livin this life thing a little more transformed by Truth each day.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
the clouds around here the past couple days have been making the coolest sculptures in the sky. and one of my small group peeps told me last night that apparently @ some point this week mars is suppossed to park itself next to the moon. sa-weeet.
learning to be a better wife to God is hard but the investment always has major returns. always.
so thankful as God keeps revealing stuff He has for me. it's plumb exciting. love that He "sees the end from the beginning" in all things and that i will never go to Him with a quandry or circumstance and have Him respond "oh shoot. now i wasn't prepared for that one...ummmm let's re-eval here. this is a predicament." never. no suprises.
i love that i have all eternity to look forward to and that even though it never fails- the more and more He shows me stuff in me- i don't know the fathoms of my own stinkin soul; but God knows me, all of us, and that's honestly all i gotta rest in. it's quite nice.
the new dark chocolate raisinets are pretty tight.
i miss riding my bike.
i feel like i am learning for the first time ever what it means to be helpless and child-like with God. this is a biggie in His eyes- how did i never really get it? ah well...everything in its own season, ey?
i love people. not a dull moment with the variety to shake things up daily.
when God is not speaking HE IS SPEAKING! He's saying keep on keepin on. keep doing the same. don't pull a sarah jensen and freak out and condemn yourself and be all insecure that you're doing something wrong. His silence is sometimes o.k. for real. just keep going and have ears open to His loving correction for sure, but otherwise just keep walking and TRUSTING.
go pet a dog today. they're so amazing. it's like a little human who feels emotions himself and those of others around him...yet won't yack a lot but only listen. and they shake their tails a lot and smile all the time. it's a perfect little creature in so many ways- admit it.
learning to be a better wife to God is hard but the investment always has major returns. always.
so thankful as God keeps revealing stuff He has for me. it's plumb exciting. love that He "sees the end from the beginning" in all things and that i will never go to Him with a quandry or circumstance and have Him respond "oh shoot. now i wasn't prepared for that one...ummmm let's re-eval here. this is a predicament." never. no suprises.
i love that i have all eternity to look forward to and that even though it never fails- the more and more He shows me stuff in me- i don't know the fathoms of my own stinkin soul; but God knows me, all of us, and that's honestly all i gotta rest in. it's quite nice.
the new dark chocolate raisinets are pretty tight.
i miss riding my bike.
i feel like i am learning for the first time ever what it means to be helpless and child-like with God. this is a biggie in His eyes- how did i never really get it? ah well...everything in its own season, ey?
i love people. not a dull moment with the variety to shake things up daily.
when God is not speaking HE IS SPEAKING! He's saying keep on keepin on. keep doing the same. don't pull a sarah jensen and freak out and condemn yourself and be all insecure that you're doing something wrong. His silence is sometimes o.k. for real. just keep going and have ears open to His loving correction for sure, but otherwise just keep walking and TRUSTING.
go pet a dog today. they're so amazing. it's like a little human who feels emotions himself and those of others around him...yet won't yack a lot but only listen. and they shake their tails a lot and smile all the time. it's a perfect little creature in so many ways- admit it.
Friday, August 04, 2006
ohhhhhh friends...how do you find words for one of the best weeks of your life? it's just been indescribable. words will never do.
some things i look forward to about Heaven- 1. "seeing God as He is" and 2. maybe having a larger capacity to express to God what i love and appreciate about Him. it's so frustrating. no expressions ever begin to cut it. ever listened to david crowder's "i need words"- yeah, exactly.
some highlights from the week-
talking to some pals...one of which is taking a husband a week from tomorrow- WHAT?! oh it's so beautiful. (love ya jess, so thankful for you girl!)
God being good enough to give me new revelation on His "good and perfect gifts" - with our God being as big as He is, maybe there are more than just one "best" in different areas of our lives. just try to think of it ya'll - an infinite One giving a gift to a finite one. i mean, what're the odds that we're gonna experience some beautiful stuff the more and more deeply we press into Him?!
a prayer burden @ the chapel yesterday. He told my heart in a grievous, painful, desperate tone: My people don't know me. they run around and "do" stuff for me and try to tell others about me, but they don't take the time for solitude and silence to JUST BE with me and get to know me. and it hurts me...bad. not long after all that i dozed off listening to some goo goo dolls. woke up a little while later to the end of "iris" and the repeating of "i just want you to know who i am. i just want you to know who i am.t want you to know who i am..." yep - we'r e onto somethin here.
ummm...what a shame striving, perfectionism, humanism, and self-sufficiency are. they take God out of the equation, wear us out and keep us from true rest, from hearing His voice, and from properly enjoying Him and others and ourselves. He longs for us to see Him as a loving, patient Dad...and as my earthly pops said today- even an earthly dad would never walk around carrying a big stick just waiting to lash out on his baby if he tried to take a step and stumbled or fell. it's the same with learning to hear His voice and obey Him in all things. he doesn't expect perfection right off the bat; He does long for us to just try and keep letting Him teach us in love.
and two examples of a wife:
the first shakes her husband by the collar, lashing out & screaming "what is your will! what are we doing?! what's going on!?" and the second: chillin on the couch, snuggling up to her husband and saying 'i simply want whatever is your will. i trust you. but my first priority-can i just have more time with you?"
i mean seriously...which Bride do ya reckon God enjoys more?!
God's Law = Love. they're the same thing. He must just cry out "get rid of this stupid stuff. it separates me from you and i just wanna bless you! get rid of this, it hates and messes with you."
obedience is being a steward of what God has given us right now. not dwelling on past sin or worrying about future struggles- but the right now.
love God, love others & yourself.
keep it simple guys.
some things i look forward to about Heaven- 1. "seeing God as He is" and 2. maybe having a larger capacity to express to God what i love and appreciate about Him. it's so frustrating. no expressions ever begin to cut it. ever listened to david crowder's "i need words"- yeah, exactly.
some highlights from the week-
talking to some pals...one of which is taking a husband a week from tomorrow- WHAT?! oh it's so beautiful. (love ya jess, so thankful for you girl!)
God being good enough to give me new revelation on His "good and perfect gifts" - with our God being as big as He is, maybe there are more than just one "best" in different areas of our lives. just try to think of it ya'll - an infinite One giving a gift to a finite one. i mean, what're the odds that we're gonna experience some beautiful stuff the more and more deeply we press into Him?!
a prayer burden @ the chapel yesterday. He told my heart in a grievous, painful, desperate tone: My people don't know me. they run around and "do" stuff for me and try to tell others about me, but they don't take the time for solitude and silence to JUST BE with me and get to know me. and it hurts me...bad. not long after all that i dozed off listening to some goo goo dolls. woke up a little while later to the end of "iris" and the repeating of "i just want you to know who i am. i just want you to know who i am.t want you to know who i am..." yep - we'r e onto somethin here.
ummm...what a shame striving, perfectionism, humanism, and self-sufficiency are. they take God out of the equation, wear us out and keep us from true rest, from hearing His voice, and from properly enjoying Him and others and ourselves. He longs for us to see Him as a loving, patient Dad...and as my earthly pops said today- even an earthly dad would never walk around carrying a big stick just waiting to lash out on his baby if he tried to take a step and stumbled or fell. it's the same with learning to hear His voice and obey Him in all things. he doesn't expect perfection right off the bat; He does long for us to just try and keep letting Him teach us in love.
and two examples of a wife:
the first shakes her husband by the collar, lashing out & screaming "what is your will! what are we doing?! what's going on!?" and the second: chillin on the couch, snuggling up to her husband and saying 'i simply want whatever is your will. i trust you. but my first priority-can i just have more time with you?"
i mean seriously...which Bride do ya reckon God enjoys more?!
God's Law = Love. they're the same thing. He must just cry out "get rid of this stupid stuff. it separates me from you and i just wanna bless you! get rid of this, it hates and messes with you."
obedience is being a steward of what God has given us right now. not dwelling on past sin or worrying about future struggles- but the right now.
love God, love others & yourself.
keep it simple guys.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
this old gentleman who's been around YWAM since it's crazy beginnings a handfull of decades ago spoke to us a couple weeks ago.
he's one of those people that when you look him in the eyes, you know you've just caught a tiny glimpse of God. he swallows you in with the constant joy and rest he's been given in God's presence; and this countenance despite going into some of the most scary places on this entire planet. repeatedly.
i found myself litterally sitting on the very edge of my seat as he spoke. i'm starving hungry to know God as He really is, not as a second-hand God; and this man has grasped on to quite a chunk of my Husband.
He spoke about how God longs for 3 things in His kids as we TRUST Him-
*deliverness
*relaxation
*happiness
this is how this watching world all around us sees a difference in us; how they see and want what Jesus has put deeply in them to want.
He isn't a nagging, assuming the worst, pessimistic God at all. He grins and full-on shouts about you. He really gets a kick out of you coming to the end of your resources, connections, and strength. He enjoys you. tons. more than you ever thought He'd care to. and it must grieve Him so much when we don't honestly, passionately, repeatedly, and innocently enjoy Him in return.
did a greek study on faith this week. a couple passages in mt. 8 & 9 about faith in greek say
"as you have trusted, let it become to you."
how do you trust someone? spending time with them often and deeply in order to continually get to know them inside and out & by also letting them prove to you that they'll come through and they're for you, on your side- not against you- out for your highest good always.
how do you let them prove to you they'll come through? by being willing to LET them take care of you instead of trying to take care of yourself all the time.
thinking about God's grace this morn., too.
grace = "unmerited, unearnable favor of God"
definition of grace =
To perform a kindness or service for; oblige.
To treat or regard with friendship, approval, or support.
To be partial to; indulge a liking for
To be in support of.
To make easier or more possible; facilitate
To treat with care; be gentle with
favor. of God. God favors us. favor. God of creation, redemption, all knowledge, source of all love and everything good and grand- that God - His favor- resting on you and i.
wait, so does that mean i work really hard and then pray and ask Him to show up? no sir.
wait, so does that mean i consult flesh and blood and don't really include God because i don't wanna bother some distant big thing in the sky? oh no no sir.
so does that mean i run around like mad trying to prove my heart to humans and work really hard @ becoming something or someone? nopey.
How about the possibility that the raining down of God's provision, ease, support, friendship, & approval is seeing us through a life of impossible struggle, of hardship and confusion for sure- but we won't have to carry that dark, heavy feeling of doing it alone. of never adding up.
Go and enjoy God deeply and unencumbered this week guys. He sure is nuts about and enjoys you.
"we're as close to God as we choose to be. He never witholds His love and presence from us, we alone hold ourselves back from Him."
he's one of those people that when you look him in the eyes, you know you've just caught a tiny glimpse of God. he swallows you in with the constant joy and rest he's been given in God's presence; and this countenance despite going into some of the most scary places on this entire planet. repeatedly.
i found myself litterally sitting on the very edge of my seat as he spoke. i'm starving hungry to know God as He really is, not as a second-hand God; and this man has grasped on to quite a chunk of my Husband.
He spoke about how God longs for 3 things in His kids as we TRUST Him-
*deliverness
*relaxation
*happiness
this is how this watching world all around us sees a difference in us; how they see and want what Jesus has put deeply in them to want.
He isn't a nagging, assuming the worst, pessimistic God at all. He grins and full-on shouts about you. He really gets a kick out of you coming to the end of your resources, connections, and strength. He enjoys you. tons. more than you ever thought He'd care to. and it must grieve Him so much when we don't honestly, passionately, repeatedly, and innocently enjoy Him in return.
did a greek study on faith this week. a couple passages in mt. 8 & 9 about faith in greek say
"as you have trusted, let it become to you."
how do you trust someone? spending time with them often and deeply in order to continually get to know them inside and out & by also letting them prove to you that they'll come through and they're for you, on your side- not against you- out for your highest good always.
how do you let them prove to you they'll come through? by being willing to LET them take care of you instead of trying to take care of yourself all the time.
thinking about God's grace this morn., too.
grace = "unmerited, unearnable favor of God"
definition of grace =
To perform a kindness or service for; oblige.
To treat or regard with friendship, approval, or support.
To be partial to; indulge a liking for
To be in support of.
To make easier or more possible; facilitate
To treat with care; be gentle with
favor. of God. God favors us. favor. God of creation, redemption, all knowledge, source of all love and everything good and grand- that God - His favor- resting on you and i.
wait, so does that mean i work really hard and then pray and ask Him to show up? no sir.
wait, so does that mean i consult flesh and blood and don't really include God because i don't wanna bother some distant big thing in the sky? oh no no sir.
so does that mean i run around like mad trying to prove my heart to humans and work really hard @ becoming something or someone? nopey.
How about the possibility that the raining down of God's provision, ease, support, friendship, & approval is seeing us through a life of impossible struggle, of hardship and confusion for sure- but we won't have to carry that dark, heavy feeling of doing it alone. of never adding up.
Go and enjoy God deeply and unencumbered this week guys. He sure is nuts about and enjoys you.
"we're as close to God as we choose to be. He never witholds His love and presence from us, we alone hold ourselves back from Him."
Thursday, July 27, 2006
been going through the deepest soul-surgery i've ever been through. spiritual gift surveys, personality profiles, etc. come nowhere near as close to the depth and resultant healing with God's Truth like this study "The Divine Plumbline" by Dr. Bruce Thompson. yikers. do it. go-now- please do it and be much more aware of God's healing and lifting of burdens you didn't haven't the slightest clue you even had.
cold sweet coffee is such a blessing.
walks in the rain pretty much make my week.
as do walks on starry, breezy texas evenings.
communal living is pretty sweet.
people comfortable enough to just be themselves-laid back, then quiet, then crazy hilarious, then observative, then goofy and fake falling.....ahhhhh it's so great. love it.
God asking you to get on your hands and knees and dig up all the dreams you buried in an effort to protect yourself from pain and confusion again...amazing.
God actually caring more about your dreams than you do...priceless.
cold sweet coffee is such a blessing.
walks in the rain pretty much make my week.
as do walks on starry, breezy texas evenings.
communal living is pretty sweet.
people comfortable enough to just be themselves-laid back, then quiet, then crazy hilarious, then observative, then goofy and fake falling.....ahhhhh it's so great. love it.
God asking you to get on your hands and knees and dig up all the dreams you buried in an effort to protect yourself from pain and confusion again...amazing.
God actually caring more about your dreams than you do...priceless.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Some Spots In Me That Truth Has Taken Over
from class wednesday, 7/5/06-
we access the cross and salvation through:
1. repentence
2. faith
then, as a believer in Christ- we access daily victory and power through God and over satan through:
1. repentence
2. faith
i was this past month down here of how i don't enjoy God and "us"enough- my Daddy and Best Friend and Savior. i spend too much time clamoring to like "fix" our relationship and somehow get it "perfect" or somethin; as if i'm gonna like beat God to ultimate sanctification or some rediculousness like that. it's wacky wrong. all the while disregarding spending enough of my days just resting in His lap enjoying Him.
why why why, do so many Christians live like the rest of the world- stressed, worried, heavy w/ burdens? this shouldn't be friends. Jesus was so excited in John 14 i think when He was telling the disciples to get pumped up because after He left they'd be even more blessed b/c of the help of the ultimate Helper; Someone to lean fully on and on Who's steam and energy we'd work in. He didn't say to run around "doing" for me and then maybe ask the Spirit for some help 10% of the time. It's silly folks. Think of the magnitude of the Messiah Himself saying "you are blessed that I'm leaving...b/c it signifies the arrival of Another..."
and accessing more of God's presence, blessing, and pleasure is not JUST granted through our repentence. if the Spirit has convicted us of something we admit, confess, and ask 4 forgiveness made possible through the Lamb's blood and we turn a different way and MOVE ON.
walking around having a downcast, repentent spirit all the time when there's nada that's been revealed right then to repent of IS NOT HUMILITY. it is condemnation and if "therefore there is now NO condemnation" for us in Christ then all condemnation is from satan.
so, we move to step two - faith.
"without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God." not kinda sortta still maybe possible sometimes. IMPOSSIBLE.
i have wasted so much time trying to "fix" myself apart from the Spirit's power and have failed to just step into part two: faith ("confidence in Christ"). ah what release and peace. Jesus got angry with sin, no doubt. but He got upset so many times with believers b/c of "their lack of faith". and when you study the greek texts, "trust" and "faith are often interchangeable!
A couple passages in Mt. 8 & 9 about faith in greek say "as you have trusted, let it become to you." how do you trust someone? spending time with them often and deeply in order to continually get to know them inside and out & by also letting them prove to you that they'll come through and they're for you, on your side- not against you- out for your highest good always. how do you let them prove to you they'll come through? by being willing to LET them take care of you instead of trying to take care of yourself all the time. oh friends, study God's loving character, provision and power. then act on it. have faith in God. don't let unbelief have a foothold. Take stock this week of how well you know God as revealed in the Word and in your life now., and how well you therefore trust Him with everything. everything.
oh how i wish the "year of jubilee" was still practiced like in the O.T. : a time of forgiving financial debts, rest from work, and celebrating all the good that God brought in the previous years. or even if a weekly sabbath was truly lived out- how much more effective as Chrsitians would we all be? it deserves some serious thought.
Nehemiah 8:10
"Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'
we access the cross and salvation through:
1. repentence
2. faith
then, as a believer in Christ- we access daily victory and power through God and over satan through:
1. repentence
2. faith
i was this past month down here of how i don't enjoy God and "us"enough- my Daddy and Best Friend and Savior. i spend too much time clamoring to like "fix" our relationship and somehow get it "perfect" or somethin; as if i'm gonna like beat God to ultimate sanctification or some rediculousness like that. it's wacky wrong. all the while disregarding spending enough of my days just resting in His lap enjoying Him.
why why why, do so many Christians live like the rest of the world- stressed, worried, heavy w/ burdens? this shouldn't be friends. Jesus was so excited in John 14 i think when He was telling the disciples to get pumped up because after He left they'd be even more blessed b/c of the help of the ultimate Helper; Someone to lean fully on and on Who's steam and energy we'd work in. He didn't say to run around "doing" for me and then maybe ask the Spirit for some help 10% of the time. It's silly folks. Think of the magnitude of the Messiah Himself saying "you are blessed that I'm leaving...b/c it signifies the arrival of Another..."
and accessing more of God's presence, blessing, and pleasure is not JUST granted through our repentence. if the Spirit has convicted us of something we admit, confess, and ask 4 forgiveness made possible through the Lamb's blood and we turn a different way and MOVE ON.
walking around having a downcast, repentent spirit all the time when there's nada that's been revealed right then to repent of IS NOT HUMILITY. it is condemnation and if "therefore there is now NO condemnation" for us in Christ then all condemnation is from satan.
so, we move to step two - faith.
"without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God." not kinda sortta still maybe possible sometimes. IMPOSSIBLE.
i have wasted so much time trying to "fix" myself apart from the Spirit's power and have failed to just step into part two: faith ("confidence in Christ"). ah what release and peace. Jesus got angry with sin, no doubt. but He got upset so many times with believers b/c of "their lack of faith". and when you study the greek texts, "trust" and "faith are often interchangeable!
A couple passages in Mt. 8 & 9 about faith in greek say "as you have trusted, let it become to you." how do you trust someone? spending time with them often and deeply in order to continually get to know them inside and out & by also letting them prove to you that they'll come through and they're for you, on your side- not against you- out for your highest good always. how do you let them prove to you they'll come through? by being willing to LET them take care of you instead of trying to take care of yourself all the time. oh friends, study God's loving character, provision and power. then act on it. have faith in God. don't let unbelief have a foothold. Take stock this week of how well you know God as revealed in the Word and in your life now., and how well you therefore trust Him with everything. everything.
oh how i wish the "year of jubilee" was still practiced like in the O.T. : a time of forgiving financial debts, rest from work, and celebrating all the good that God brought in the previous years. or even if a weekly sabbath was truly lived out- how much more effective as Chrsitians would we all be? it deserves some serious thought.
Nehemiah 8:10
"Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
ummmmm...whoever is praying for me to see myself as God sees me....oh snap- puleeeze keep it up! this is stud-o-rama.
i'm seriously learning that when i am critical and short-sighted, staring @ myself and other people (humanism stinksssss!) i am pretty much always dealing with some sort of insecurity.
this trend is rampant in Christ's Body right now i think. and i'm being taught by God that insecurity = lack of faith, unbelief, grievous to God.
straight-up. seriously, insecurity does not warrant babying but a study of God and who He tells me i am. based on Who He is. it hurts Him guys. it blocks the flow of His Spirit through the pipes that are you and me.
satan gets a smile on his face, we look down in shame and self-abasement, and God must wonder when the way we think of ourselves and others will match up with what He died to give us-
worth beyond a set value - infinite value is placed on our infinite souls by the infinite God. and you possess, right this second as you read this, an identity that can be shared with no other person ever stitched together in their mom's belly.
do you see the horror of comparison? it is a hamster wheel we let ourselves jump on that will never work. satan loves how much it steals of our souls and wastes our time on this temporary earth. loves it.
i wanna see with God's view. i want to live my life lined up with Truth. i wanna put a smile on Daddy's face.
i'm seriously learning that when i am critical and short-sighted, staring @ myself and other people (humanism stinksssss!) i am pretty much always dealing with some sort of insecurity.
this trend is rampant in Christ's Body right now i think. and i'm being taught by God that insecurity = lack of faith, unbelief, grievous to God.
straight-up. seriously, insecurity does not warrant babying but a study of God and who He tells me i am. based on Who He is. it hurts Him guys. it blocks the flow of His Spirit through the pipes that are you and me.
satan gets a smile on his face, we look down in shame and self-abasement, and God must wonder when the way we think of ourselves and others will match up with what He died to give us-
worth beyond a set value - infinite value is placed on our infinite souls by the infinite God. and you possess, right this second as you read this, an identity that can be shared with no other person ever stitched together in their mom's belly.
do you see the horror of comparison? it is a hamster wheel we let ourselves jump on that will never work. satan loves how much it steals of our souls and wastes our time on this temporary earth. loves it.
i wanna see with God's view. i want to live my life lined up with Truth. i wanna put a smile on Daddy's face.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
persecution.org :
this website sends out a weekly email and shares very specific people, nations, and situations to interceed for. reality can be tough but it's still truth and as our brothers and sisters suffer, we should stand between them and God and feel what they feel regularly. being @ this missionary base has taught me this vital and non-negotiable area of following Jesus and truly loving His Body and feeling pain when they feel pain; screaming in joy when they are blessed and delivered by God's strength working through the powerful and effective prayers that go up to Him.
onestory.org :
just learned about this ministry that's rising up for all the oral learners of the world (what what!). it's main theme is to better reach more people groups around the world. approx. 2/3 of all people in the world either can't or won't learn through reading. they want to learn through stories, drama, music, parables, etc. it is a great effort @ "being all things to all men that we may by all means reach some for Christ." it's simply doing what Jesus did- meeting each individual where they're @ and loving them by communicating with them in ways they're more comfortable with. this is so important in all evangelism endeavors!
the idea is to do what Jesus did-
mark 4:33-34 :
"He used many such stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they were able to understand. In fact, in his public teaching he taught only with parables, but afterward when he was alone with his disciples, he explained the meaning to them."
we got to watch a sample oral story about Cain & Abel.
sarah got major goosebumps. this whole concept it mad cool. seems there's something to all this if Jesus leaned so heavily on it in His 3 year public ministry.
i pray ya'll are pressing in, finding God is all you ever wanted and way beyond. please pray for me specifically that God would have His way. one of the possible outreach locations for my particular school is litterally the one place i always dreaded going to. so just pray that God would truly have His way in all areas of me, that He'd break through any clouds, any fog that's keeping me from feeling His presence, guidance, delight in and love for me. learning to hear His voice is nuts. but man is it ever on His heart for all of us who love and follow Him. we must persevere in this particular area in life. "the Spirit said...", "the Spirit compelled us..." time in prayer and listening to Him is simply vital. challenging and a constant learning process that must be undertaken in humility and deep trust in the fact that He wants to speak and guide us even more than we want Him to- amen!
He is on the move in every nation right this minute. we are so blessed to follow such a King.
this website sends out a weekly email and shares very specific people, nations, and situations to interceed for. reality can be tough but it's still truth and as our brothers and sisters suffer, we should stand between them and God and feel what they feel regularly. being @ this missionary base has taught me this vital and non-negotiable area of following Jesus and truly loving His Body and feeling pain when they feel pain; screaming in joy when they are blessed and delivered by God's strength working through the powerful and effective prayers that go up to Him.
onestory.org :
just learned about this ministry that's rising up for all the oral learners of the world (what what!). it's main theme is to better reach more people groups around the world. approx. 2/3 of all people in the world either can't or won't learn through reading. they want to learn through stories, drama, music, parables, etc. it is a great effort @ "being all things to all men that we may by all means reach some for Christ." it's simply doing what Jesus did- meeting each individual where they're @ and loving them by communicating with them in ways they're more comfortable with. this is so important in all evangelism endeavors!
the idea is to do what Jesus did-
mark 4:33-34 :
"He used many such stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they were able to understand. In fact, in his public teaching he taught only with parables, but afterward when he was alone with his disciples, he explained the meaning to them."
we got to watch a sample oral story about Cain & Abel.
sarah got major goosebumps. this whole concept it mad cool. seems there's something to all this if Jesus leaned so heavily on it in His 3 year public ministry.
i pray ya'll are pressing in, finding God is all you ever wanted and way beyond. please pray for me specifically that God would have His way. one of the possible outreach locations for my particular school is litterally the one place i always dreaded going to. so just pray that God would truly have His way in all areas of me, that He'd break through any clouds, any fog that's keeping me from feeling His presence, guidance, delight in and love for me. learning to hear His voice is nuts. but man is it ever on His heart for all of us who love and follow Him. we must persevere in this particular area in life. "the Spirit said...", "the Spirit compelled us..." time in prayer and listening to Him is simply vital. challenging and a constant learning process that must be undertaken in humility and deep trust in the fact that He wants to speak and guide us even more than we want Him to- amen!
He is on the move in every nation right this minute. we are so blessed to follow such a King.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
hoping, wishing, waiting, thanking
having 3 roommates and 20 housemates is actually pretty fun. i have offically found a couple places to get alone with God, though- which is challenging to say the least on a base where approx. 200 peeps live. both quiet spaces may or may not involve small rooms commonly referred to as "bathrooms"...but, hey - there's a lock and it is a space for just me and God...it works.
the ants continue to assault with a fierceness unparalled to most wild beasts, seriously what's that about? 2 out of 3 of my daily meals here are salads. they have stuff to accompany salads and sometimes it's pretty good. the other night i was stoked to get steamed broccoli and chicken tetrazinni (not as good as yours Ma), but it was the first time i got seconds. it was yummy.
i am so happy and feel so poured into by the seasoned, refined and experienced Christ-followers here. dang. they're so cool. we're supposed to find out today where my group of 20 or so will go on outreach in october and november!
and all my peers rock too. it seems to be pretty close to the Church written about in Acts. everyone sharing stuff, eating together, sleeping together, praying together a lot and thinking about other's longings before our own. crying together. laughing together. playing frisbee together. and praying for the ants to be utterly destroyed in a very painful way.
uh, i mean, all of God's creatures are valuable.
o.k., some thoughts:
"The proper rewards are not simply tacked on to the activity for which they are given, but are the activity itself in consummation." C.S. Lewis
Oh the trying yet amazing experience of anticipation. God's beautiful delays add such excitement, strain, and glow to our lives. in the same way i get all bottled up inside if i haven't played my guitar for a while or how i daydream about how to escape & get some time in silence & solitude with just God, or how my body screams out when it hasn't gone walkin or joggin for a while...our souls are built up, encouraged, challenged, matured, and excited when God asks us to put strong longings on the backburner and just wait and focus on other things with 100% passion for now.
wait = trust. and it's good for us.
greek for "hope" = patient expection. the Message version of the word calls it "passionate patience", how sweet is that? the laborious efforts towards waiting cause us to finally see and in turn admit our needs and wants. they force us to stop running from desires and start embracing. they are so often God's avenue to true delight and ecstasy. and every day is part of a whole. no experience in and of itself is disconnected from God's full view.
praise Him over and over, continually for His love towards us, His kiddos.
i am so happy to have a God who loves us and values us above all creation. even those super cool plants that eat bugs or over the always-moving ocean and the never-the-same sunsets He paints. we get to be married to the Being who created the human eyeball with over 1 million parts.
yet, your God sees you as more valuable than all that combined.
and, like my earthly pops taught me- boy o boy does He ever love for His kids to have fun with Him. laugh with Him. including Him in it all. inside jokes and thoughts, our struggles and victories- do we always go to Him first, the closest to us evvver or do we run to another human with nowhere near the same amount of deep knowledge and love for us?
He gets a kick out of us when we ask, look for, and continually knock on His door for things He truly longs to give us. but He'll always give us the best, which can sometimes look differently than our pea-brain, temporal idea of "best"! He ALWAYS has the highest good in mind for you.
What a good Daddy we have in Him.
thanks for the opportunity to wait. thanks that You whet my appetite for things before you bless me with them. and then smile and giggle when you see how i smile & giggle.
guys - i am getting a blessed revelation lately that i wasted so much of my life. i subconsciously ran around trying to prove my value to myself and other humans.
come to find my value has already been settled.
and my Hero has even been slayed because He alone can see it in its entirety.
i truly love the movie "Braveheart". seems that all this time our Jesus and us are actually living it out. He fought and fights for the value that He placed in each of us uniquely.
live everyday in light of this truth.
because if anything is reality, this is it my brothers and sisters.
the ants continue to assault with a fierceness unparalled to most wild beasts, seriously what's that about? 2 out of 3 of my daily meals here are salads. they have stuff to accompany salads and sometimes it's pretty good. the other night i was stoked to get steamed broccoli and chicken tetrazinni (not as good as yours Ma), but it was the first time i got seconds. it was yummy.
i am so happy and feel so poured into by the seasoned, refined and experienced Christ-followers here. dang. they're so cool. we're supposed to find out today where my group of 20 or so will go on outreach in october and november!
and all my peers rock too. it seems to be pretty close to the Church written about in Acts. everyone sharing stuff, eating together, sleeping together, praying together a lot and thinking about other's longings before our own. crying together. laughing together. playing frisbee together. and praying for the ants to be utterly destroyed in a very painful way.
uh, i mean, all of God's creatures are valuable.
o.k., some thoughts:
"The proper rewards are not simply tacked on to the activity for which they are given, but are the activity itself in consummation." C.S. Lewis
Oh the trying yet amazing experience of anticipation. God's beautiful delays add such excitement, strain, and glow to our lives. in the same way i get all bottled up inside if i haven't played my guitar for a while or how i daydream about how to escape & get some time in silence & solitude with just God, or how my body screams out when it hasn't gone walkin or joggin for a while...our souls are built up, encouraged, challenged, matured, and excited when God asks us to put strong longings on the backburner and just wait and focus on other things with 100% passion for now.
wait = trust. and it's good for us.
greek for "hope" = patient expection. the Message version of the word calls it "passionate patience", how sweet is that? the laborious efforts towards waiting cause us to finally see and in turn admit our needs and wants. they force us to stop running from desires and start embracing. they are so often God's avenue to true delight and ecstasy. and every day is part of a whole. no experience in and of itself is disconnected from God's full view.
praise Him over and over, continually for His love towards us, His kiddos.
i am so happy to have a God who loves us and values us above all creation. even those super cool plants that eat bugs or over the always-moving ocean and the never-the-same sunsets He paints. we get to be married to the Being who created the human eyeball with over 1 million parts.
yet, your God sees you as more valuable than all that combined.
and, like my earthly pops taught me- boy o boy does He ever love for His kids to have fun with Him. laugh with Him. including Him in it all. inside jokes and thoughts, our struggles and victories- do we always go to Him first, the closest to us evvver or do we run to another human with nowhere near the same amount of deep knowledge and love for us?
He gets a kick out of us when we ask, look for, and continually knock on His door for things He truly longs to give us. but He'll always give us the best, which can sometimes look differently than our pea-brain, temporal idea of "best"! He ALWAYS has the highest good in mind for you.
What a good Daddy we have in Him.
thanks for the opportunity to wait. thanks that You whet my appetite for things before you bless me with them. and then smile and giggle when you see how i smile & giggle.
guys - i am getting a blessed revelation lately that i wasted so much of my life. i subconsciously ran around trying to prove my value to myself and other humans.
come to find my value has already been settled.
and my Hero has even been slayed because He alone can see it in its entirety.
i truly love the movie "Braveheart". seems that all this time our Jesus and us are actually living it out. He fought and fights for the value that He placed in each of us uniquely.
live everyday in light of this truth.
because if anything is reality, this is it my brothers and sisters.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
