Six months ago I was lead away from a place of comfort and family. I was being drawn away from everything I've ever known to be. A place where I was fed, a place where I had grown, a place where I thought I belonged. It was easy place, a place where I had been stitched in and was not easily removed.
If you ever find yourself in an easy place, just wait a few minutes and God will probably be asking you to move from there. Easy doesn't make you grow, its comfortable, and requires little faith. Its a great place for a little break, but vacation never lasts forever. Well, its not supposed to.
In January we were pulled from our home church. People would ask why we left, and while we had a few reasons, we really didn't want to be quitters. We are NOT quitters, but we felt like it was time to move. So it was hard to give an answer when we ourselves didn't really understand. I just kept telling them we had to.
It was not a move of comfort, but obedience. The threads that held us there had to be removed, it hurt, a lot. I longed for the days of comfort and predictability, the relationships that wouldn't come as easy anymore.
Since then we have been making a new home, but it was not easy. I still desired the past, and like Lot's wife, I looked back -thankfully, I'm not a block of salt. But I knew that what I once knew, wasn't there. That space in time was gone, and it would not come back. I had to trust that God would stitch me into a new place, a new family and that He had a plan and a place for us in this new season.
Lewis and I both received assignments, we knew the work to be done. I couldn't help it though, I still missed that past. Even so, I did the job God called me to do. I was sent to pray over my new home. I began walking out my assignment, and any others that come my way.
The other day I was praying over the women of my Church, and I began to see faces pop up. Some of the names I knew, others I did not. As they faces came up, they were stitched to the other one previous, a specific placing for each woman. This happened over and over until there was a beautiful crazy quilt of comfort, and warmth. A safe place of family.
Today at church, I was home. I can say this is the first time I've felt that this is my home. I have been stitched into my new family and I thank God that He didn't just leave me comfortable, but He saw that I could handle this. He has shown me how much I am capable of, I have been able to step out in a new way, and I'm overwhelmed by the love of my Lord, and again "Home."
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Laid Down Lover
You can love us more in a moment
Than other lovers could in a lifetime
So we’re gonna go where no one’s gone before
We’re gonna do what no one’s done before
We will be laid-down lovers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb2oAt2GHx8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTUWBEIjlxc&feature=related
( I suggest you soak in this for a while. Steffany Frizzle knows how to lead a soul to touch glory)
This keeps whirling and whirling around in my spirit. It seems to be all I can sing, pray, and long for. The revelation that one moment with Jesus could and will fill my life beyond anything I could ever have from anyone here; its enough to knock me to the floor. I've sat on that thought for days. First comes love, always.
Through a deep love for Jesus arises a desire to go where He calls, likely uncharted territory. He doesn't need you to copy someone else's ministry, He doesn't usually use the same method twice. We are constantly going in a new direction. We must have accountability, mentors, and support, but we can't get our road map from them, because we are not going where they have. We are going and doing what no one has done before. Each of us, a custom calling.
We will be laid down lover, caring more for others and our Christ than about our inconvenience, after all, Jesus loves us more in a moment than anyone could in a lifetime, this alone should draw us to follow at all costs.
This afternoon I sat down with my Bible, turned our my beloved song for this season, and let my Bible fall open. I don't often do this, but today I did. I was taken to Ezekiel 34. (Love me some old school prophets) God was rebuking the shepherds(Church leaders) for not caring for the flock(the church body), but only for themselves. They strengthened themselves, but let the weak be taken by the wolves. God continues to reveal that He alone will rescue the weak, take them to lay down on the mountains among good grazing land, and will judge each shepherd according to their works.
A shepherd should be a laid down lover, built in a character of sacrifice. These shepherds were more concerned with their comfort than for those they were to protect, and even went so far as to use them for their own benefit. God was pretty clear about how that made Him feel. Read and see for yourself.
Am I a laid down lover? Sometimes, when its convenient, when the kids are cooperating, when I'm not tired, hungry, or irritated. Hmm, maybe that's not quite right. Paul asks us to be an example worthy of Jesus' sacrifice. Something I've been working on for months, and will for a lifetime. I want to be a laid down lover at all times. ALL! This will require me to maintain an attitude of worship, if I'm constantly pouring out from a place where I know Jesus' love for me, the "more in a moment" type of love, I should be able to lay down, and go where no one has before.
Than other lovers could in a lifetime
So we’re gonna go where no one’s gone before
We’re gonna do what no one’s done before
We will be laid-down lovers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wb2oAt2GHx8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTUWBEIjlxc&feature=related
( I suggest you soak in this for a while. Steffany Frizzle knows how to lead a soul to touch glory)
This keeps whirling and whirling around in my spirit. It seems to be all I can sing, pray, and long for. The revelation that one moment with Jesus could and will fill my life beyond anything I could ever have from anyone here; its enough to knock me to the floor. I've sat on that thought for days. First comes love, always.
Through a deep love for Jesus arises a desire to go where He calls, likely uncharted territory. He doesn't need you to copy someone else's ministry, He doesn't usually use the same method twice. We are constantly going in a new direction. We must have accountability, mentors, and support, but we can't get our road map from them, because we are not going where they have. We are going and doing what no one has done before. Each of us, a custom calling.
We will be laid down lover, caring more for others and our Christ than about our inconvenience, after all, Jesus loves us more in a moment than anyone could in a lifetime, this alone should draw us to follow at all costs.
This afternoon I sat down with my Bible, turned our my beloved song for this season, and let my Bible fall open. I don't often do this, but today I did. I was taken to Ezekiel 34. (Love me some old school prophets) God was rebuking the shepherds(Church leaders) for not caring for the flock(the church body), but only for themselves. They strengthened themselves, but let the weak be taken by the wolves. God continues to reveal that He alone will rescue the weak, take them to lay down on the mountains among good grazing land, and will judge each shepherd according to their works.
A shepherd should be a laid down lover, built in a character of sacrifice. These shepherds were more concerned with their comfort than for those they were to protect, and even went so far as to use them for their own benefit. God was pretty clear about how that made Him feel. Read and see for yourself.
Am I a laid down lover? Sometimes, when its convenient, when the kids are cooperating, when I'm not tired, hungry, or irritated. Hmm, maybe that's not quite right. Paul asks us to be an example worthy of Jesus' sacrifice. Something I've been working on for months, and will for a lifetime. I want to be a laid down lover at all times. ALL! This will require me to maintain an attitude of worship, if I'm constantly pouring out from a place where I know Jesus' love for me, the "more in a moment" type of love, I should be able to lay down, and go where no one has before.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Perfectly Messy
This is a crazy quilt. Beautiful in its own right, but a little messy for my taste. I perfer straight lines, that follow pattern, something a little more predictable. But I don't always get what I want. My days tend to resemble this crazy quilt more than this beautifully laid out plan. 
Here you can predict what will come next. Circle, diamond, circle...so on and so on. God has order, He has never changed from the begining of time, but I dare to say there seems to be no pattern. I'm sure He has this beautiful laid out plan for my life. It probably began looking like the second quilt; then I begin to rip at it. The enemy grabs his scissors and begins to cut into it. God grabs His thread and begins to stitch in a new peice, a new plan at the scene of the tears. This happens over and over, and everytime I mess up, He will do it again. At the end of the day, I am wrapped up in my lovely quilt that God has prepared for me. Its a little messy looking, there are still fringed edges. Even still, I'm confident that He is shopping for the perfect peice of fabric and thread to mend that edge. When I'm feeling cold and naked, I'll come to the Lord and ask Him to wrap me in the quilt He is constructing for me. Its mine, and it soothes like no other love, like no other clothing, more perfect than anything I could have designed for myself. Because He knows me better in this moment than I know myself. Jesus knows exactly what will fit in each place, I will trust and cover myself in His plan, no matter how messy the pattern may seem.
Jeremiah 29:1111 For I know the plans that I [a]have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Risky Obedience
Have you ever done something a little dangerous, something that if you didn't do it just right, your life would be at risk. Or worse, someone else's? If you have, you know the adrenaline rush that pulses through your veins, prompting you to have an acute sensitivity to space, time, and to throw out any other distraction. This often becomes intoxicating and could birth an "adrenaline junkie."
I'm NOT one of those people. I really don't like taking risks, and my most recent trip to Valley Fair left me gripped with fear. The best part, I faced them, I took the risk, and I was able to enjoy quite a bit of thrill. Its amazing what we can experience if we just throw off our fears, and just do it.
Obedience is really no different. The Lord has been challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and take a risk, and other's lives are hanging in the balance. I have the choice to play it safe, but if I do, its likely more dangerous than if I actually take the plunge.
Let me tell you a little story, not to glorify myself, or to make Sarah look like an amazing faith filled warrior (If you want to see me that way I can't stop you *wink*), but instead to encourage you to take a risk, and let God take the lead.
About a month ago our church was having an alter time of prayer for healings. Amazing testimonies have been coming forward ever since I started attending Brandon Assembly(which at this point was maybe a month). God is obviousally already working there.
A few days prior to this sunday meeting I was able to meet a mother who's daugher had not slept more than 4 hours a day for nearly a year. She was plauged with the severest acid reflux she could possibly have. She threw up everyday, and would never be able to heal from her hernia if this didn't stop. Any one of these would be enough for a family to deal with, but together, it had left her parents weary to say the least.
Back to the alter time... I saw her Mother and father bring up their daughter. I felt a sudden rush of adrenline. This is the Holy Spirit promping me to go foward and pray for them. My first thoughts were "I'm new here, I don't know anyone, why me? I just met them, they won't trust my prayers, My parents are here today! That would be inconvenient." The "adrenaline" pushed me foward, I was able to put the thoughts aside and focus on what God was saying. I went foward.
My mind kept trying to spew garbage at me "Can the Lord really use my prayers?" I kept reminding myself of the verse for the morning, The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective. I will lean on this, I know the Lord called me out to pray, I will do it. I feel bad that my faith is not more, but it is what I have, so it is what I brought before this tired family, and before the King of Kings. After the service I was able to share with them what I felt the Lord wanted me to say. I'll admit, I was still a little unsure of myself, but I was still obedient.
A few days later on Wednesday night, her mother excitedly told me that she had begun sleeping better, about 6 hours a night not 4! I was extatic. We would continue thanking God for His works to increase. The next week things had slipped back, we would not let that discourage, we were holding on to the promises of God. 4 weeks after the first Sunday, her mother reported she was sleeping almost all night, had not thrown up in 3 weeks, and the doctor said her acid reflux was now only mild!!! That was NOT me, it was GOD!
Now, I know it was God, but what would have happened if I wasn't willing to take the risk? What if I hadn't been obedient? Would God still have healed her? Probably, He can do that without me. But you know what? He didn't want to do it without me, He wanted me to experience that with Him, and her family. Through my obedience, my faith has skyrocketed. I know its not my power, I know its not Sarah McCarthy, but you better believe if the Lord is asking me to do something, I'm going to do it! I'm proud to say I'm not an adrenaline junkie, I'm an obedience junkie!
I know there are assignments everyday. Will I focus on what the Lord is calling me to or will I be distracted? Will I answer these calls with obedience or with the fear of man? Throw off your fears, your excuses, put aside your inadequicies and let the Holy Spirit guide you in obedience. The rewards are so much greater than the risk.
I'm NOT one of those people. I really don't like taking risks, and my most recent trip to Valley Fair left me gripped with fear. The best part, I faced them, I took the risk, and I was able to enjoy quite a bit of thrill. Its amazing what we can experience if we just throw off our fears, and just do it.
Obedience is really no different. The Lord has been challenging me to step out of my comfort zone and take a risk, and other's lives are hanging in the balance. I have the choice to play it safe, but if I do, its likely more dangerous than if I actually take the plunge.
Let me tell you a little story, not to glorify myself, or to make Sarah look like an amazing faith filled warrior (If you want to see me that way I can't stop you *wink*), but instead to encourage you to take a risk, and let God take the lead.
About a month ago our church was having an alter time of prayer for healings. Amazing testimonies have been coming forward ever since I started attending Brandon Assembly(which at this point was maybe a month). God is obviousally already working there.
A few days prior to this sunday meeting I was able to meet a mother who's daugher had not slept more than 4 hours a day for nearly a year. She was plauged with the severest acid reflux she could possibly have. She threw up everyday, and would never be able to heal from her hernia if this didn't stop. Any one of these would be enough for a family to deal with, but together, it had left her parents weary to say the least.
Back to the alter time... I saw her Mother and father bring up their daughter. I felt a sudden rush of adrenline. This is the Holy Spirit promping me to go foward and pray for them. My first thoughts were "I'm new here, I don't know anyone, why me? I just met them, they won't trust my prayers, My parents are here today! That would be inconvenient." The "adrenaline" pushed me foward, I was able to put the thoughts aside and focus on what God was saying. I went foward.
My mind kept trying to spew garbage at me "Can the Lord really use my prayers?" I kept reminding myself of the verse for the morning, The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective. I will lean on this, I know the Lord called me out to pray, I will do it. I feel bad that my faith is not more, but it is what I have, so it is what I brought before this tired family, and before the King of Kings. After the service I was able to share with them what I felt the Lord wanted me to say. I'll admit, I was still a little unsure of myself, but I was still obedient.
A few days later on Wednesday night, her mother excitedly told me that she had begun sleeping better, about 6 hours a night not 4! I was extatic. We would continue thanking God for His works to increase. The next week things had slipped back, we would not let that discourage, we were holding on to the promises of God. 4 weeks after the first Sunday, her mother reported she was sleeping almost all night, had not thrown up in 3 weeks, and the doctor said her acid reflux was now only mild!!! That was NOT me, it was GOD!
Now, I know it was God, but what would have happened if I wasn't willing to take the risk? What if I hadn't been obedient? Would God still have healed her? Probably, He can do that without me. But you know what? He didn't want to do it without me, He wanted me to experience that with Him, and her family. Through my obedience, my faith has skyrocketed. I know its not my power, I know its not Sarah McCarthy, but you better believe if the Lord is asking me to do something, I'm going to do it! I'm proud to say I'm not an adrenaline junkie, I'm an obedience junkie!
I know there are assignments everyday. Will I focus on what the Lord is calling me to or will I be distracted? Will I answer these calls with obedience or with the fear of man? Throw off your fears, your excuses, put aside your inadequicies and let the Holy Spirit guide you in obedience. The rewards are so much greater than the risk.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Faithful Obedience or Obedient Faith?
Revelation 22:17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
The Lord is calling each of us " Come." Our spirits plead with our flesh to let go and to "Come" into what the Lord is calling us to. Sometimes we move out it great faith, like Abraham, being full of the knowledge of what God is comanding.. We are strong, rooted, and we know what He is asking of us. Although we are being asked to do hard things, like sacrifice our only son, we trust and know that God has our best intrest in mind. Our obedience flows from our faith in God.
James 2:21-24
21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
Personally, I feel more like Rahab. No, my house isn't "open for buisness." Instead of having great faith like Abraham, Rahab knew very little of God, and nothing of His plan. But her willingness to obey grew her faith and allowed God's plan to move foward, despite her knowlege or position of faith. The result was far more than she could have ever imagined.
James 2:25-26
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead
Sometimes Obedience is grown from faith and sometimes faith is grown from obedience. But the Lord is calling each of us to "Come."
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Relativly Speaking
I'm always left wondering why my thoughts trail the way they do. My thought patterns tend to wander, which if left untamed, can end up in some pretty precarious places. While sometimes distracted, sometimes this is a good thing. It allows God to move my motives, and my thinking to something he wants to teach me.
For whatever reason today, I was thinking about Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales. The same recorded number feels quite different. 30 Degrees Fahrenheit is pretty cold, but 30 degrees Celsius, not too bad. The temperatures are only relative to the varying degrees around it on the scales. Upon further thinking, everything is relative to what is around it.
You can tell I'm a "Good Christan" by the behavior of my peers, or my social surroundings. So if that is the case a "Good Christian" can vary quite a bit depending on who you associate with. We are human, we will always compare. Its how we figure out property value, job performance, physical fitness, and identity.
So while I might seem like I have it all together in one surrounding, I will fail hopelessly when put amongst my true comparison, Jesus. I often find myself fighting off pride. I see the world around me and I quickly But, I'm pretty sure my "Good Christian" pride adds an haze of smog around my candle in the wind. Luckily, this comparisson to Christ humbles me, its just what I need.
Jesus is the only thing we have to compare ourselves to. We are called to imitate Him. I will never succeed this side of Heaven, but I have a hope in redemption. That while compared to Him, I will never be "good"; it is though Him and His Spirit that I have the opportunity to overcome and to be welcomed into His presence. He is the only Good I will ever know, and I am for ever greatfull for His love and so glad He is willing to let me even be compared to Him.
For whatever reason today, I was thinking about Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature scales. The same recorded number feels quite different. 30 Degrees Fahrenheit is pretty cold, but 30 degrees Celsius, not too bad. The temperatures are only relative to the varying degrees around it on the scales. Upon further thinking, everything is relative to what is around it.
You can tell I'm a "Good Christan" by the behavior of my peers, or my social surroundings. So if that is the case a "Good Christian" can vary quite a bit depending on who you associate with. We are human, we will always compare. Its how we figure out property value, job performance, physical fitness, and identity.
So while I might seem like I have it all together in one surrounding, I will fail hopelessly when put amongst my true comparison, Jesus. I often find myself fighting off pride. I see the world around me and I quickly But, I'm pretty sure my "Good Christian" pride adds an haze of smog around my candle in the wind. Luckily, this comparisson to Christ humbles me, its just what I need.
Jesus is the only thing we have to compare ourselves to. We are called to imitate Him. I will never succeed this side of Heaven, but I have a hope in redemption. That while compared to Him, I will never be "good"; it is though Him and His Spirit that I have the opportunity to overcome and to be welcomed into His presence. He is the only Good I will ever know, and I am for ever greatfull for His love and so glad He is willing to let me even be compared to Him.
Ephesians 5:1
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Change of Plans
I feel my life has been a series of events to bring me to this moment. If you read my prayer journal, you will see this a lot...."Will you follow me anywhere? Will you worship Me anywhere? Even if its not considered glamorous by man's standards, if its in the quiet of your home, if its only for Me?"
Of course I say "Yes, Lord, I love you and I only want to be where You are, no matter where that is."
For the last several years, He has been taking me to places I was not comfortable. These experiences challenged every fruit of the spirit, my discipline, my trust in the Lord. I continued to answer my Lord with "yes." I'll be honest to say, it wasn't always a loud shout of confidence or joy, its not easy to be selfless or to be forced to look at your true self and motivations. I do have to trust that wherever He leads is the best place for me. There is no safer place than in His will and no fruitful place apart from His presence.
I have to give up my vision of His plan. I have to deal with my desire to please man and to be found worthy by the world. I want to be great, we all do, its a desire place there by God. How I measure greatness must only be held against God's definition, and its not usually a place of high profile or lots of attention.
Last week the Lord asked again, and I say "Absolutely, both feet in." He responded "NOW, TURN HARD RIGHT!" Seriously, it was as abrupt as I've ever experienced God.
As I turned, I saw a huge expanse of a room, full of an opportunity I had never seen myself in before. Looking at what lays before me I know will take extreme courage, trust, and an abundant amount of love. All of which will never occur with out holding on tight and running hard after Jesus. I thank the Lord He has been so gentle in the process, and I can see how He was working when I wasn't even paying attention. He is so gentle, never pushing us farther than we can go, but its not with out challenges or discomfort.
I am human, I fight the urge to panic, to fear, and to take control, but I have confidence in the love of my Jesus, will trust and know that I don't have to know all the plans, for He is working for me. And thus begins our home school journey. In the quiet of my home. "Yes Lord, I will follow you anywhere, I will worship you in the quiet of my home. I will, because you are here and you are good" Its not considered "glamorous" by mans standards, by all means its not a position of attention, but it is the place the Lord has called me to and in His presence there is greatness of many things.
Of course I say "Yes, Lord, I love you and I only want to be where You are, no matter where that is."
For the last several years, He has been taking me to places I was not comfortable. These experiences challenged every fruit of the spirit, my discipline, my trust in the Lord. I continued to answer my Lord with "yes." I'll be honest to say, it wasn't always a loud shout of confidence or joy, its not easy to be selfless or to be forced to look at your true self and motivations. I do have to trust that wherever He leads is the best place for me. There is no safer place than in His will and no fruitful place apart from His presence.
I have to give up my vision of His plan. I have to deal with my desire to please man and to be found worthy by the world. I want to be great, we all do, its a desire place there by God. How I measure greatness must only be held against God's definition, and its not usually a place of high profile or lots of attention.
Last week the Lord asked again, and I say "Absolutely, both feet in." He responded "NOW, TURN HARD RIGHT!" Seriously, it was as abrupt as I've ever experienced God.
As I turned, I saw a huge expanse of a room, full of an opportunity I had never seen myself in before. Looking at what lays before me I know will take extreme courage, trust, and an abundant amount of love. All of which will never occur with out holding on tight and running hard after Jesus. I thank the Lord He has been so gentle in the process, and I can see how He was working when I wasn't even paying attention. He is so gentle, never pushing us farther than we can go, but its not with out challenges or discomfort.
I am human, I fight the urge to panic, to fear, and to take control, but I have confidence in the love of my Jesus, will trust and know that I don't have to know all the plans, for He is working for me. And thus begins our home school journey. In the quiet of my home. "Yes Lord, I will follow you anywhere, I will worship you in the quiet of my home. I will, because you are here and you are good" Its not considered "glamorous" by mans standards, by all means its not a position of attention, but it is the place the Lord has called me to and in His presence there is greatness of many things.
Ephesians 3:12-21
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
12 in whom we have boldness and [a]confident access through faith [b]in Him. 13 Therefore I ask [c]you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, [d]for they are your glory.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom [e]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the [f]saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [g]forever and ever. Amen.
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom [e]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the [f]saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [g]forever and ever. Amen.
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