I have a passion burning a fire within me and that is to live as people who care about one another and their condition. November 1st will be the Love 360 event. May we see the love pour out over this city in such a way it never leaves!
1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
st1:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
Our senses are being overloaded by the needs of so many attentions again. There is Texas trying to recover from the beat down “Hurricane Ike” just gave it, Wallstreet is reacting to some major bankruptcy notices, we have political forums battling back and forth, and of course there is our own more perceptible daily needs.
The kid who needs to get to school, car needs some work, job is calling for more overtime (if we are lucky), and here we are trying to balance it all. How do we fit the Lord’s time into this absorption scenario?
Well that’s the key isn’t it? The more distracted we are with our own situation then the less time we can spend pursuing our higher calling. What a masterful lie that one is! How many of us become discouraged by the voices of busyness surrounding us? Let’s not become discouraged in our true calling to rebuild the body of Christ into the unity for which we are called.
Ezra 4:4 Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building.
“A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” Quote from C.K. Chesterton
What great insight in such a simple statement. I must confess I get weary in the swim but I take refuge in my Father’s strength.
Psalm 59:17 O my strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
I love to read about history but this is not so that I can declare myself an expert of any kind but rather so I can understand myself better. The cliché “you can only know where you are going by knowing where you’ve been” is an actual truth for me.
I love my family very much and each of them know this. We have been able to speak openly of our skeletons which helps us heal and mend our relationships. At the end of the day it’s not our dwelling in the past that propels us into our destiny but it’s letting go of those things that hurt and welcoming love into our lives.
For me, learning to welcome love was fraught with much distrust. I had a habit of looking at anyone who was nice to me with suspicion. I kept looking for the angle. What did they want from me and what was it going to cost? Truly I was damaged goods. I needed help and it wasn’t until I was completely desperate that I could be open enough to ask for it.
Recently I was reminded that I am reading the greatest history book there is. Someone pointed out our bible is “His story”. By filling my heart with His love I no longer care what is wanted from me, I simply give all that I have.
1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
It’s late at night, but you need gas; spotting a late night convenience store you head towards it. Although it seems kind of empty, even remote of other businesses, your gas gauge is telling you not to pass it by. Pulling up to the pumps you notice the sign saying “ATM out of order, Pay Inside.” Inwardly you groan at this further inconvenience but have no choice unless you want to walk home on a deserted highway.
Going inside the small store you are just glad this station isn’t one of the more modern designs with the impersonal “bullet proofing” booth, until you offer your currency to the sleepy man behind the counter who doesn’t even bother to look up from his magazine. Perhaps the bullet proof booth might have offered a more personable touch?
Turning to exit the store you notice a damaged pickup truck pulling up to the pumps right next to your car. Out of the cab climbs a man who doesn’t seem remotely friendly and he’s wearing about a thousand tattoos. When he reads the “ATM” sign he gets frustrated enough to spew forth a string of curse words you haven’t heard since that “bull rodeo” someone talked you into going to.
About now your mind is running the avenues for escape. Is your cell phone charged? Will the sleepy guy wake up in case of emergencies? Are those tattoos dangerous?
Isn’t it funny how fast our minds run to “regular channels” of reaction? Being a woman living in today’s world can be scary. I can’t speak for all men but my information is that they are wondering too about the “frustrated guy”. Our radars kick on, getting ready to run from the gun or robbery and dare I say it, rapist?
Yes we need to be wary but we shouldn’t be living in fear! How can anyone show the love of Christ if they are too busy planning the escape route from the “scary looking” dude?
I don’t propose we put ourselves in harm’s way, I merely suggest those who need hope the most may scare us because they are simply “different” than us. Run as fast as you can, but not from different looking persons; rather run from the fear that others are different from us!
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
Calloused and bruised
dazed and confused
My Spirit is left wanting something more
Than my selfish hopes
and my selfish dreams
I’m lying with my face down to the floor
I’m crying out for more (crying out for more)
Give me Words to speak
Don’t let my Spirit sleep
Cause I can’t think of anything worth saying
But I know that I owe You my life
So give me Words to speak
Don’t let my Spirit sleep
Every night, every day
I find that I have nothing left to say
So I stand here in silence awaiting Your guidance
I’m wanting only Your voice to be heard
Let them be Your Words
Let them be Your words
I just don’t understand this life that I’ve been living
I just don’t understand
I just don’t understand these lies I’ve been believing
I just don’t understand
I know that I owe you my life
Owe my life
Owe my life
Lyrics by Aaron Shust
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
Do you know people who are dying? I do. Basically it’s everyone, at least in these bodies. Heavy topic but one most people don’t like to address. It’s easier for us to chat about episodes of television than something so real as our own mortality. I often think the fact we don’t know when the moment of death will come is both a blessing and a hindrance. As a blessing we can live in ignorance and enjoy each day without dread but as a hindrance sometimes we waste each day in ignorance thinking we have so many.
How many of us would live differently if we actually knew the time stamp of our eventual demise? I try to live my life with enthusiasm but let’s be honest. I have to make a living and there are basic chores to caring for our needs. These two simple things can bring a warp to anyone’s life especially if you throw in the family that goes with it. No more living selfishly as an island apart but now you are connected to this thing which draws your attention. How does one live each moment with enjoyment when our time here on earth is very limited? What are our thoughts when we are doing the wash or answering a phone from an angry customer?
Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
I love this quote simply because my own life’s posts looks like something built for a rambling ranch but still I move forward.
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
We had been invited to dinner at a friend’s home and met a wonderful couple. We celebrated a dinner for thanksgiving together and enjoyed getting to know each other. I learned something sounding vaguely familiar as an acronym. One of the ladies had a tattoo of a frog upon her middle. When she showed it to me she commented that it was special to her; for her it was a reminder for faith. I didn’t understand what she meant so when I asked why a frog, she simply stated, “fully rely on God”.
Since that time I have had a new respect for these jumping amphibians. I have even considered my own tattoo reminder.
