Fasting

How interesting is it that we struggle so much with fasting and then act surprised when we struggle with disciplining our flesh in other ways. Fasting one day...is it really a big deal...most of us can't do it. Knowing we will eat tomorrow. We still have to fight ourselves all day not to eat. Funny thing is ...I don't even like eating...but yet when it is time to fast...all of a sudden I really want to eat. If I can not even get through one day without fighting myself how do I expect to overcome with discipline things I need to overcome? Fasting is to help us get rid of unbelief. Do you think maybe the unbelief is not only in faith for God to help us but for the unbelief in ourselves. I can't do it...I can't resist...um, fast a few times successfully and whoa all of sudden you say...I CAN DO IT! I can discipline myself and be successful.

City

All I wanted to do this weekend was hang out with God. We had some great times. He talked to me about a city in Brazil. Oh, the excitement of recieving more pieces to the puzzle of your destiny. I know Brasilia will be in my future. The more I research this city the more I know it was meant for me. Did you know Brasilia was founded on a Prophecy. A prophecy from an Italian Priest named Don Bosco in 1883. The city wasn't even built until 1956. COOL HUH! Wait, there is more. Don Bosco had a heart for teenagers. In the late 1800's he was referred to as an Apostle of Teenagers....AWESOME! Who wants to go? I have a plan...

Worship

When my son was sick a few years back the only song I could sing to him was Your Love is Extravagant.

Your love is extravagant. Your friendship, it is intimateI feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place Your love is extravagant
Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend Capture my heart again
Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart againYour love is extravagant Your friendship, it is intimate

This week when he was coming out from surgery the only song I could sing was More Precious Than Silver.

Lord ,you are more precious than silver...Lord, you are more costly than gold...Lord, you are more beautiful than diamonds and nothing I desire compares with you.

These aren't songs I choose...these are the songs God draws out of me for my son. Interesting isn't it? Why those songs? Why at those times? I guess that is one of those things my mind will contemplate for a little bit. If you have any insight...feel free to share it.

Branch

Reading a book by Jim Goll...he quoted some guy named Andrew Murphy...I think..who knows...didn't read the fine print cause my mind took off with what they said. Basically they said this. The fruit on the branches is not for the tree. It is for the people who walk up and pick the fruit. Not for the branch but for the people who carry the fruit away. Think about that! Wow.

Snow Day

Snow days are so nice to relax, watch tv, and play cards with the kids. Took a long nap yesterday so we stayed up late talking with friends. A true friend will run to Krispie Kreme at 9:30 at night on icy, snowy day at the request of a newly tonsiless seven year old girl, and deliver them right to your front door. How blessed am I with good friends? VERY BLESSED. I think even better than the donuts (can I say that?) was to spontaneous laughter. Some people are just naturally funny. A good belly laugh with lost breathe is a tremendous gift isn't it. May you experience a deep laugh today....or at least help someone else achieve one.

Shadow

So the goundhog saw it's shadow and now we will experience 6 more weeks of winter. The church is only a shadow of what it should be...does this mean we will experience 6 more weeks of a cold and lifeless church? Shadows. I've been thinking of shadows. I refuse to accept that the church will experience winter any long. God controls the seasons...God controls the times. Lord we speak life into the church. We speak spring and new beginnings. It is easy to hide in the shadows. "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty". (Psalm 91) My thought is this...to abide and to hide are two different things. We should abide in the shadow of the almighty but we SHOULD NOT hide! When we hide in the shadows we blend, we become dark, insignificant, and vague. A shadow has no strength nor does it have substance. We can abide under the "wing" of the Lord but we should not hide in the shadows. We are called to be "lights" not "shadows".

Rain

It has not rained in Oklahoma. Why? Is it possible God is bringing a new rain (spritual). Noah had no idea what rain looked like. It had never rained from the heavens. Water seeped from the earth...but not from the heavens. Having no idea what rain was like he still built an arc with a roof that was exactly what God wanted. I think God is bringing a new rain of his spirit like nothing we have ever seen or heard of before. Now is the time to prepare the arc..build it the way God wants. It isn't time to shut the door yet...but soon it will be. Noah shut the door and THEN it rained. FROM THE HEAVENS! Lord, we know the rain is coming. A new rain from the heavens. Let us hear clearly how to build the arc, complete it, and close the door so it it can rain. Then let it rain and flood this earth with your revival.

Committment vs commission

Commitment: 1 a : an act of committing to a charge or trust: 2 a : an agreement or pledge to do something in the future; especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date b : something pledged c : the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled

Commission: Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin commission-, commissio act of bringing together, from committere1 a : a formal written warrant granting the power to perform various acts or duties b : a certificate conferring military rank and authority; also : the rank and authority so conferred2 : an authorization or command to act in a prescribed manner or to perform prescribed acts : CHARGE3 a : authority to act for, in behalf of, or in place of another b : a task or matter entrusted to one as an agent for another4 a : a group of persons directed to perform some duty b : a government agency having administrative, legislative, or judicial powers c : a city council having legislative and executive functions5 : an act of committing something: an act of entrusting or giving authority.


The Great Commission
Matthew: 2816
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Lord I agree to be a Christian, be "saved" and serve you. COMMITTMENT. Lord I will ACT like a Christian, and ACT like I am "saved". I will go! COMMISSION. Matthew 28 is not a gentle request nor is a request for committment...it is a commission....a command. We are not given a choice. "Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you." The first step in teaching "them" to obey is to be obedient ourselves. GO YE THEREFORE! Go where? Go to the nations...what is a nation? A community of people composed of one or more nationalities (birth, race, nation). To teach: 1 a : to cause to know something b : to cause to know how c : to accustom to some action or attitude. Basically a change will take place if a genuine teaching takes place. If we are obedient to the commission given in Matthew 28 then somebody will be affected by us. To teach we have to have knowledge. Knowledge of the God, but just as important is a relationship with Him. Knowledge is a committment, an agreement or pledge. A commission is an act. How can we act with the authority of someone we don't know? We have to know God in order to fulfill his commission. Not only do we have to know God we have to know Jesus and the Holy Spirit as well. The trinity can not be seperated. "Baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Commission is much more costly than committment. Committment is requested...Commission is demanded. GO YE!

Etiquette

Galations 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

Well, I am wondering if most christians actually walk in the fruit of the spririt or if it is just a matter of etiquette. We are raised and trained in how to act properly by our parents. Chew with you mouth shut. Say thank you. And on and on the list goes. Are we raised and trained in how to act via the fruit of the Spirit by our churches? I may not love you but I can "act" like I do. I may not have joy or peace but by my etiquette you may never know it. "How are you...fine thank you." Etiquette says don't say the truth and etiquette replied I won't pry. Do you know anyone who is a real nice person. I mean a "real" nice person. "Real" fruit of the spirit means you can't help but BE love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When you are a child your parents teach you church etiquette. How are you...fine, thank you. I know you don't like that person but be nice anyway. If you come late to church and leave early maybe they won't ask you to volunteer for anything. Hey...hurry up and be first in line for the potluck...otherwise they might run out of food. I am going to talk to that pastor... I'm sure he doesn't know what is really happening...and on and on it goes. Etiquette NOT fruit. Fruit wouldn't behave the way we do. As an adult has God been allowed to bring about fruit in your life or are we relying on our training?

Encouragement

I read this and felt encouraged...thought I would pass it along.


"You will soon sense a glorious future before you. I will open doors of blessing and opportunity. Discouragement will burn away like dew when the sun comes up. Where there was confusion and bewilderment, there will be clear sailing and calm seas (Mark 4:39). You will think it's a dream... but it's real. Satan will feel humiliated and shirk back knowing he can do nothing to stop the avalanche of My goodness coming your way (Psalm 31:19). An embarrassed devil (instead of just backing off) will flee from you fearful he will get overrun (Luke 10:19). The truth of who you are will sink in…a child of Mine (Psalm 5:2; 84: 1-5). You'll not only feel relieved but once again happy and strong. You will feel like flying (and your spirit will). You will arise and be strong, picking up (and dusting off) your weapons (Ephesians 6:10-17). You will know that I, your Lord, has not only restored your dignity, but given you the city. You can go forth now, never looking back (Luke 9:62) only upward.
Your vision will be clear, your steps firm and your soul will be on fire. That verse that previously seemed so hollow and distant will reverberate through your spirit: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). It will seem like your faith has faith.
Child of Mine, you're back…and you're not alone." (Mark 16:20).

Outside

On the outside looking in. You see your body going through the routine motions but your heart and mind seem to be watching from the outside. I know everyone has experienced this feeling at one time or another. When you look at yourself and others around you like this do you ever wonder if you are making a difference in life or lives? I hope you come to the same conclusion as I have, that yes...we all make a difference in life and in lives. It is our choice whether that difference in good or bad. May it be good the majority of the time.