Month: October 2009

In my job I see lots of information, most of it so routine I barely read it anymore; just scan the information and make sure it agrees with what needs to be documented and posted for funds. Today however, one simple line in tiny print at the top of a fax stopped my routine. I just kept looking and looking at it. Two simple words….”Open Doors”; nothing more than that to read. I sat still for a few minutes with the fax in my hands but then moved on to what I needed to do. Still, it wouldn’t leave me so I made a note of it in my journal.

Once home, I found the words to be rattling in my head over and over so I finally decided I’d look up the word “open” and found myself surprised to find “open door” in my old dictionary…..an unhindered opportunity for progress; free access…admission to all on equal terms…a policy whereby a nation opens its foreign and internal trade to nationals of all other nations on equal terms.

Now is the time of “open doors” for us all. Let’s walk through them. Anyone ready to go with me?

Rev 4:1  (The Message) Then I looked, and, oh! – a door open into Heaven. The trumpet-voice, the first voice in my vision, called out, “Ascend and enter. I’ll show you what happens next.”

I love to stand on the hills early in the morning. When the skies are clear and I can see my city below. Hope floods my heart for the things to come and I sit upon the rocks looking down, speaking into the wind all the goodness of my Father’s heart.

My city will be known as a place filled with love. My city will know healing and mercy. My city will have compassion in abundance. Our children will laugh in joy. Our businesses will prosper. Our city will be known for family unity in marriages. Our city will be a haven to the lost. Our city will draw the attention of a nation. Music and dancing will flood our streets. Our city will be known as the place where the Holy One dwells.

This is not a dream, it’s a reality yet to be seen.

Would you consider yourself a “yes man”? This term is often associated with being the office suck up or tool of the boss. You would never stand up for the good of morale and what is right.

To be a “yes man” in the coming days is going to be a good thing. Our boss is the “Big Guy” who also says YES but most don’t know what to ask. With Him our moral compass should be in agreement with what is righteous and done in love.

Are you wondering what that “yes man” is going to look like for us? Well, it’s pretty straightforward; if we see a need, just say yes! Nothing too complicated in that, and if our hearts do it with love then we are in alignment for promotions whether we ask for them or not.

I stood in the wind, feeling it blow my hair about and I didn’t care. I stood at the edge of the field and watched the birds in flight together. This moment was special. I could feel the presence of the one who loves me. I confessed my love aloud and feeling the wind stir even stronger I turned into it, spreading my hands out from my side. The rush of air swirled, fully enveloping every inch of me. I wanted to stay in this caress forever. Closing my eyes all I could think was, “more, more…oh how I want more….”

“But what about you?” he asked, “Who do you say I am?”  Mat 16:15

We all know this is a question Jesus asked of his disciples and it’s interesting to dig into the depth of why and what our Lord was asking. A friend spoke out something this weekend that awakened this verse in my heart. She merely mentioned the difference in who I had been versus who I was now. Jesus came in the form of man to live life as we do, and once baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit, he walked in signs and wonders. His word says…”I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

As I think upon “who I am”, it’s important I understand the price paid for me; to be who I am to be, and what I am to do while I am here. My friend’s words stirred up my responsibility to step up and accept the truth about myself. I am not to dwell upon what others say about me, or even what I can say about myself. In this hour. I need to believe by faith, that I am meant and expected to do great things. Jesus died for me to do this….

Ever have that conversation where you are wanting badly for the other person just to say what you want? I had one of those today but it didn’t go my way and I wasn’t the happiest camper about it. Truth be told, I was agitated to levels I don’t often recognize as being my own mouth or mind? Speaking to anyone?

After I hung up my phone, I actually seethed for a bit and got even more irritated when I could hear that “voice” tell me I was wrong! I just plain didn’t want to hear it that minute, so I started to argue out loud for all the reasons it wasn’t wrong for me to be this mad. It didn’t take but a few sentences before I just shut my mouth completely. Why waste my breath verbalizing a losing argument?

Sitting in silence I could still hear the “voice” tell me what I needed to do but I wasn’t real receptive to its wisdom. There was an apology to be made and I knew full well who it was to make it. Thank goodness I still had a few miles to drive. I needed to adjust and prepare myself for these words. I wanted time to move the words from my head down into my chest.

Proverbs 24:14   Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off

A false sense of security tackled me today and took me out at the knees. Where I had been standing tall, with one motion I found myself flat on my back wondering, “how did I get here?” The conversation at hand had me checking myself over and over. “Did I deserve this feedback or am I being led astray to undermine my confidence?”

I probed the circumstances to get as much information as possible, but without all the parties present, I was left with only verbal accounts and hearsay. I sat in the defendant’s chair and it was time to speak. Honesty left my lips. I acknowledged room for error. I could do better.

Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Inspiration is a needed tool in our lives on a daily basis. Without inspiration to draw us into actions of worth we would become a people without imagination or creativity. If all I ever see is the same thing day in and day out, how can I possibly learn to desire more then what I can see? I’m not talking about unhealthy desires, but real desires of the heart to be more then we are today.

It’s the inspirational lives of one another that cause our hearts to be moved out of our lethargy and into action. It’s the stuff that movies are made about, why books are written and tales shared all over the world in news and internet chats. Before you can inspire someone with your own actions there is a price to be paid. You must actually take a risk to get out and do something.

How about motives? Will you still be willing to help another in an act of inspiration if you knew no one would see you do it? Yeah, it’s a risk to get out and do something, but it’s character to want to do it without reward or recognition here upon this earth.