Rushing Waters

So, God IS alive & well on college campuses...studies show

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

~

Caught part of an interesting interview on the Today Show this morning...Dan Merchant; a successful Christian writer, Director & Producer has just released a documentary; "Lord, Save us From Your Followers"

His website is found here; http://lordsaveusthemovie.com/

~

It was viewed at Lewis & Clark college, Portland Oregon, (deemed by the Princeton Review College guide, to be one of THE LEAST religious colleges in the USA.)

Upon filling the auditorium to knowingly view a 'religious film', college students at Lewis & Clark 'erupted in applause & were moved by the films' fresh, idealistic vision on how Christ's followers might interact with the rest of the world.'

~

The following is an article on USA Today's blog, titled;

~

"Is God Silenced on College Campuses? Or is the Conversation Simply Changing?"

~

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2008/03/post-7.html#more

Thinking & blogging at the same time again...

Hebrews 13:8-10

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today & forever. So do not be attracted to strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which dont help those who follow them. We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat.

This passage could apply to many situations, one of the points being Christ is the same forever;

>so, sometimes this makes me wonder with saddened agitation as to, 'who' are we, [clay in his hands] to attempt to adjust his words/intentions {to suit our needs/wants}? To use bright big billboard signs & propaganda to mislead others (to their church) through 'subtle' hints about achieving sexual gratification?...~well you know what? When we go to church, most of us dont need or want advice on orgasms; we go to church to worship, hear from Gods word & function as a church family, just another example of getting the church's eyes off the name of God in big bold letters & replacing it with something else in big bold letters (yep, sex should do it) what about focus on learning how to handle/live life in these dark last days? with end times prophecy like the mark of the beast upon us, ppl getting more & more cold, selfish, evil...THATS what Christians are talking about behind closed doors...but cant at their place of worship cause its 'too serious' & 'UNfun' to discuss.
--we should know that God's word is all powerful & concrete enough, without our fruitless, humanistic 'alterations'. You take that concrete truth away & enter chaos & confusion.

Though people are people, all from different backgrounds & cultures, the striking & dramatic contrasts/perceptions that exists among Christians everywhere is no wonder confusing to the onlooking secular world. From pro-homosexual 'Christian' churches to self-declared "Christian" anti-abortion violent-loving hate groups, to church bodies isolated & controlled by legalistic bullies who thrive on using guilt tactics at the pulpit, to the ever-growing bodies of Christians who cross that delicate fine line of the prophetic & enter into a realm of subtle witchcraft operations...its enough to make anyone considering the Christian faith a tad perplexed!

We need balance in our walk with Christ...we always have.
& nothing brings it back like God's word:).; no church, no group, no 'fad', no powerpoint & no 'apparent' prophetic word/vision could EVER pull me away from that again...we his people as a whole need to bring it back to STAY.

spontaneous song

Hallelujah, hallelujah

beyond the rushing waters

ascending mountain crests on skies of blue

flowing into the heavenly places,

my praise is sung to You

~~~~

Hallelujah, hallelujah

~~~

sometimes no words can express like,

hallelujah...

does my heart sing a tune that touches you?

make you smile with love so pure & true,

we'll embrace & dance so free

into forever...

She's Amazing...& she's mine:)

My daughter is an exceptional gift from God. She's constantly pouring herself into others, while testing/stretching her understanding of this world that we live in. Not a day goes by, do I not hear her cracking jokes & leading her friends into her world of exploration & amazement, creativity. My child is a leader; there's no doubt about it; she's also compassionate, patient & so forgiving, & it is so good to have even a secular educational system fully recognize that, so that she can exercise her spiritual AND intellectual giftings somewhere outside our home. I see her work away quietly on one personal research project after another, on one craft after another & my motherly pride kicks in....as I watch her hand out these crafts, delicately handmade to give as gifts to her friends, family & her daddy & myself & I pray; "God, please dont let the enemy get his hands on this one. Guard her on every side at all times, speaking/breathing your love & wisdom into her heart, & bless her at everything she puts her hands to, every day of her life."

...& He's also The Trail Guy

Today God gave me a picture of a vast wooded area, filled with intricate, winding paths, extending out into several different directions.

This wooded area was dark & thick with wildlife, traps & deep drops. It also contained areas free from danger & saturated with light. Exploring its interior was a Trail Guide, leading a small group of people/photographers along the unpredictable terrain; the faces on the followers were both apprehensive & trusting of their expert instructor.
I was then situated above this great mass of forest, observing below the exact location of each danger, thinking how much better it would be to have an instructor with an aerial view....& of course, we do!

To me, this picture emphasizes our need to trust Him when we dont know which way to go; to seek Him first & listen for direction (& obey) for promising success; to trust that His plans for us are for good & not disaster, to lead us to a safe place; to protect us from harm, to remember He sees us & is with us even in those dark places.
And its pretty cool how acting on his instruction makes everything just fall into place. If only I'd have gone with His ideas more often! I might just be a few stress lines fewer!

Isaiah 48:17 "This is what the LORD says--your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you & leads you along the paths you should follow. Oh that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river & righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea."

Get UNcomfortable Already!

As of today, my left hand is bare & ringless :( , while the diamonds from my wedding band are reset into their fresh new beds....it's such an uncomfortable feeling; to go without wearing the only convenient symbol of declaration to the world that I am bound in love & life to one man, my husband Chris.

Though at the same time, Im fully aware that feeling empty & incomplete from being without such a small accessory is silly...assanine, & it makes me think about COMFORT in general.

How often do each of us settle for whats comfortable?

I remember growing up a shy kid, would almost never approach strangers, probably not a bad thing...but it carried into my adolescent years to some extent, then my 20's. Dont get me wrong; I had some really good friends. But as for hangups, well I had a few...even when I entered leadership at my church. One of the hangups was being noticed; playing keyboard up front, it took my pastor several attempts at convincing me to do it....& helping me overcome this great fear of being the centre of attention. But you know, with lotsa prayer & determination to overcome, I went from hiding in the crowd, to eventually a main worship leader, youth leader, workout instructor, (yeah...thats right...we did Taebo classes at the church after Sunday services, LOL) & it got to the point where I enjoyed it.

I enjoyed any opportunity to allow the holy Spirit to effectively use me. As I opened myself up to Him, He spoke through me, & I'd see how he was touching those that were listening. What an amazing experience, to be obedient to the Lord, ready, willing & able to listen & obey...& the fruits that came out of that obedience were overwhelming. We know the scripture, "He gives us exeedingly abundantly more than we could ever ask for.' How true! God had transformed me from a reluctant & fearful, to 'Overcomer of fear of man'...& using me to speak & sing into others' hearts...& with it dreams & visions, leading me into other forms of ministry as well....

those were years of huge growth, & all I did was take that first step, trust the Lord & simply listened & obeyed as he guided me.

I know of other Christians who struggle in this way & pray for them to overcome as well. Still I've seen others in churches who have their groups/'cliques' of friends, which we all do to some extent; but the sad part is that many are COMFORTABLE within that group only, not even bothering to make the effort of conversation with others in that church body. Years go by, & some people have not even been approached by these other 'comfortable cliquers'. ( God just spoke that to me now, lol, thats hilarious, 'comfortable cliquers'. )

It's sad that people speak of unity in the body, when in fact there is only unity within a third of that body, & that being the clique. Why dont we as brothers & sisters in Christ see this/sense this & DO something to make change? As people come in to hear Gods word & fellowship, they get ignored, snubbed & eventually never go back to that place...If you ask me, it is time that changes take place.

Unity is not Unity unless it involves a Whole group unified. I really sense God saying lately that his idea of unity is not like ours. That he's saddenned with his church today, by the walls put up within his body.

When I've come across these cliquers, I dont even bother trying anymore. It's a waste of time & I pray that their eyes are opened soon, as many people are discouraged by this...no one is above anyone else. not a worship team, not a leader...they have more responsibility of course, but no one including them, are exempt from loving others within the body...equally.

If I could do it, ANYone can...anyone in Christ, who is willing to be obedient....