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Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Treasure of Power
Searching the deep parts of our hearts, and the complexities of our souls can be so painful. I was always so scared of the power inside of me, scared of what I may have to follow through with when it was finally unleashed. I have said this before, as followers of Christ, we should be exciting, we should live BIG, FULL and EXCITING lives. God truly intended to give us ALL the desires of our heart, "take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)" but He can not do that with out you. "
Following our convictions and setting our sights on God will bring freedom, purpose and peace like you have never known. "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)". Intentionally dedicating time to pray about what God desires from you will start to put your heart in the right place. God knows what we want from our lives, but sometimes what we want is not what will make us the most fulfilled or as happy as we thought it would. I guess the balance lies between praying for direction and personal desires with a thankful heart, and trusting God's plan for the rest.
God knows our spirits so intimately, He created them, trust that He knows what will make your light shine bright. Desires, sympathy, passion and calling are all treasures of the heart, but unleashing the power we have been given from God will put feet to those treasures. Embrace the power God has given you, without Him we wouldn't have any power at all. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)"
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Expectations
Children need expectations, but only up to their ability. You can not expect more from a child than they are able, or they will always fail. My second son, Sullivan, stopped eating shortly after he was born and was put on a feeding tube. Two years later, two long years, he started eating again. I immediately stopped tube feeding him, even on the days he ate very little. Because Sully now had the ability, and he needed to rise to meet my expectations.
God works like this, don't you think? He has individual expectations for everyone of us, based on our ability. As we rise to meet those expectations, we grow in faith and ability. And as our ability grows so do God's expectations.
A list of expectations from God will not show up in your INBOX. We need to be aware of the convictions that arise in our changing hearts. Those convictions have been written on our hearts by a loving God. He placed them there and it is our choice to respond and embrace them or to ignore them.
God works like this, don't you think? He has individual expectations for everyone of us, based on our ability. As we rise to meet those expectations, we grow in faith and ability. And as our ability grows so do God's expectations.
A list of expectations from God will not show up in your INBOX. We need to be aware of the convictions that arise in our changing hearts. Those convictions have been written on our hearts by a loving God. He placed them there and it is our choice to respond and embrace them or to ignore them.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Intentional Silence
In silence you leave many to be with THE ONE. - Mama Maggie Gobran
Silence is something I HAVE to be intentional about. Spontaneous silence gets me nowhere, I just start thinking about everything else I need to do. But when I plan to be silent, plan where I will be silent and for how long, I find I am much more successful. Silence, according to Mama Maggie, is a six step process; silence body, silence tongue, silence mind, silence heart, silence spirit and then you can listen to HIS spirit.
Jesus died, ascended into heaven and left us with the gift of His spirit. There are many gifts I would like to be given, but I will never be given anything as important as the spirit of Jesus Christ. Considering the enormity of this gift, one would think I would spend as much time as possible "playing with it". Figuring out what it can do, how it works and becoming familiar with it... if we are being honest here, I'm usually busy with everything else.
So without guilt, I don't believe in it (God is love, guilt is religion), I will ask God to help me find the time to be silent. Silent so I can spend more time with the spirit of His son, seeking guidance, deciphering truth and transforming my heart. God looks for progress not perfection (my pastor says), so here I go... progressing.
Today: I am so thankful to be where I am... progressing.
Praying: for a friend.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Ready for Action
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do. - James 1:22
I get so mad at myself when I meet someone for the first time, and then five minutes later I have forgotten their name. This is pure laziness on my part, I can certainly remember someones name, I just have to be intentional about it. We all get lazy and slack off, for me I find it's just usually bad timing. If we take the appropriate times God gives us throughout the day, or week, to relax (be a little lazy). Then when God calls us to be intentional, we will be rested and ready for action.
Hearing and doing is intentional, hearing and not doing is lazy.
Today: trying to stay on God's schedule, not mine (hard!).
Praying: for warriors in the Kingdom of God, marching to the beat of a different drum.
I get so mad at myself when I meet someone for the first time, and then five minutes later I have forgotten their name. This is pure laziness on my part, I can certainly remember someones name, I just have to be intentional about it. We all get lazy and slack off, for me I find it's just usually bad timing. If we take the appropriate times God gives us throughout the day, or week, to relax (be a little lazy). Then when God calls us to be intentional, we will be rested and ready for action.
Hearing and doing is intentional, hearing and not doing is lazy.
Today: trying to stay on God's schedule, not mine (hard!).
Praying: for warriors in the Kingdom of God, marching to the beat of a different drum.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Intentional Prayer
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. - Matthew 21:22
INTENTIONAL prayer is so much more powerful than praying for whatever comes into your mind at the time. Dedication, passion and discipleship all involve being INTENTIONAL about what your dedicated to, what your passionate about and who you choose to follow. Pray with intent, passion and dedication today... like a LION!!
INTENTIONAL prayer is so much more powerful than praying for whatever comes into your mind at the time. Dedication, passion and discipleship all involve being INTENTIONAL about what your dedicated to, what your passionate about and who you choose to follow. Pray with intent, passion and dedication today... like a LION!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Having It All
Why is getting rid of fear and anxiety scary? Seriously?
When I was young I thought I was one tough chick, I could do anything. Fast forward to 2009, I have my second son, he is very sick and it is my job to keep him alive (no problem, I got this). After a while of relying on myself, myself ran out... there was nothing left. I was as low as possible, lost, weak, powerless, insecure, doubtful, and scared. This is the part where God showed up!
God for me had always been a belief system, religion, Sunday service, Christmas and Easter. But a few years ago, on a hot summer day, He was my cool breeze. He restored my strength, power, security, and faith.... and it was as simple as me asking and trusting that it would be done. I say simple, but this did not happen over night, it has been a process. I have learned that all I have has been given to me by God, and when I have none left all I have to do is ask for more.
"Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Now I find myself on the tail end of all of this. My relationship with God is unshakable, intimate, challenging and so rich. So why am I scared to let the last bit of me go? Why am I holding on to fear like it's a good thing? I don't even know what I am holding on to, I just know I am. I think I am ready to let it go but there is a part of me that feels like if I do, I will have it all (this is a good thing right?). Why should't I feel like I have it all? Is it even possible to feel that way? I think God would want me to feel that way, it was He who gave it to me, He is my father, I know His love is unconditional and complete. I want my own kids to have it all, I can only imagine how much greater His love is. Why is being whole and free, completely scary?
I don't have this answer yet, but I move closer everyday. There will be times in all of our lives when we have nothing more to give and we have to ask for God's help... and I promise you, He will show up in your story too!
When I was young I thought I was one tough chick, I could do anything. Fast forward to 2009, I have my second son, he is very sick and it is my job to keep him alive (no problem, I got this). After a while of relying on myself, myself ran out... there was nothing left. I was as low as possible, lost, weak, powerless, insecure, doubtful, and scared. This is the part where God showed up!
God for me had always been a belief system, religion, Sunday service, Christmas and Easter. But a few years ago, on a hot summer day, He was my cool breeze. He restored my strength, power, security, and faith.... and it was as simple as me asking and trusting that it would be done. I say simple, but this did not happen over night, it has been a process. I have learned that all I have has been given to me by God, and when I have none left all I have to do is ask for more.
"Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Now I find myself on the tail end of all of this. My relationship with God is unshakable, intimate, challenging and so rich. So why am I scared to let the last bit of me go? Why am I holding on to fear like it's a good thing? I don't even know what I am holding on to, I just know I am. I think I am ready to let it go but there is a part of me that feels like if I do, I will have it all (this is a good thing right?). Why should't I feel like I have it all? Is it even possible to feel that way? I think God would want me to feel that way, it was He who gave it to me, He is my father, I know His love is unconditional and complete. I want my own kids to have it all, I can only imagine how much greater His love is. Why is being whole and free, completely scary?
I don't have this answer yet, but I move closer everyday. There will be times in all of our lives when we have nothing more to give and we have to ask for God's help... and I promise you, He will show up in your story too!
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