Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Road Travelled

Something that God said to me last week really stood out & ever since, I understand it more clearly to an even greater depth throughout various situations around me. Those words were;
"Never forget where you came from. Never forget the distance I have carried you. For this would not be to your benefit & pride may result; thus inhibiting my plans to use you."
It really made me think...how this makes sense on so many levels. To not dwell on the past of course, but rather...remain in a position of thankfulness & surrender to God for all HE'S done, not only to bring HIM glory, but to remain humble; & ready, willing & able to serve Him (& others who struggle with the very things that He has delivered me from.)
As I & my loved ones -even those not yet living for God--look on my past, we marvel at how God has intervened in my life in such miraculous ways. To glance back, gets less & less painful as my heart is continually flooded with praise & gratitude for His grace. I will never forget what He has done for me & my favorite part is I get to give HIM all the credit:)

Monday, January 28, 2008

Rx for divine health; (heart/sight/hearing/brain function/energy levels)...& SO much more can be yours for the low price of....PRAYER!?

IT's true. whether physical, spiritual,emotional...or all of the above, even scientific research today PROVES prayer to significantly improve overall health; http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21763278-1702,00.html

24/7 prayer rocked the walls of Freedom House once again last week...& one would think 'how disciplined..' however the word discipline isnt a personal fav. because it implies that we have to force ourselves to do something we dont want to do, or wouldn't do otherwise. Do we want to ~by nature~ take time out of our busy schedules to talk to someone we can't see; & not always see the results right away?
Or on the other hand, listening to someone talk about someone we dont know. Depending on the story, it might engage us for a few seconds or so...but no doubt about it; it can be down right dull, flat, boring & then some, to listen to someone go on about someone you have never met.
Brutal.
THats where I believe the connection needs to come in. How does this person affect my life? How could this person afftect my life in a really good way? What is this person capable of doing that no one else possibly could?
So the name of Jesus & all that He is & has done for us & has to offer us, peaks our interest; a connection is made.
Then would be knowing. You get to know him now. You have come to trust him as Your personal savior & friend. You begin to see all the ways that he blesses your life. The changes are good. Circumstances remain, yet there is new hope, based on what you know of him.
Now we enter passion. Your'e amazed by him. youre in awe; in love with him & you long to be closer to him. You long to please him & love him, like he loves you. You long to hear from him & talk to him.

This is the point we need to be at; becuase this is where prayer, while a supernatural experience, has become a natural one; while we love this supernatural God, we naturally are drawn to him, and because we were created as social beings, we long to connect, to really fully understand what he is saying to us.
ITs at this point, that we are healthy children of God. Fed. Connected. Tuned in & still hungry for more. THere is no one having to force us to come to him. we just do. because we're his & he is ours.

So for people who aren't saved; who are lost without Jesus, it frustrates me to no end, to see Gods people push them around, like their commanders in some bootcamp, telling the lost they need to repent & be 'disciplined.'
THese people know they need supernatural intervention in their lives & situations (in most cases anyway). SO why dont we instead stop judging, less barking, be more understanding of where they're at...the Word says "they will know we are Christians by our love" but unfort. the term Christian is thrown around too loosely & known for being uptight, boring & judgmental...

while some just preach till they're blue in the face, while failing ta notice that, well...no one's listening! (the dog tied to the fire hydrant doesn't count:/ ) Basically, we have to know when to just shut up! & Listen more; its at this point the lost will allow us to take them by the hand & connect them to Jesus...the One they need to meet.
Never by force.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Either Way


"I want GOd to bless this team so much people will talk about what He did. But it means we gotta give him our best in every area. And if we win, we praise Him. And if we lose, we praise Him..."


"With God, NOTHING is impossible!"


~Alex Kendrick, as football coach Grant Taylor in "Facing the Giants" 2006