Today I changed my position! No, not politically, but personally... Today after a combination of prophetic words, scriptures, and a Holy Spirit moment I have found myself in a new position; I really don't care!
Before you all go crazy, and think I have given up and must be spiraling towards depression, I must confess that this is 10+ years in the making... God spoke to me on my 24rth birthday that I needed to learn to be "abandoned" to Him. Looking back I see the steps on the path of the impossible to get me to this point but I have arrived. I am in place of holy contentment that is surrender yet I am starving for more of Him...
I thought when I got to this point of abandon that I would be floating around, you know so holy my feet don't touch the ground. Instead I see my failings, my inability to control my own destiny and I don't care, because He has very big hands. I am here in the palm of His unfailing hands, being held ever so gently, and I must confess I still crave more!
I have had a year of chaos in my own heart, a desperate fight against my own head and heart. I have for years longed to live at peace in my inner being and yet felt so chaotic. I think after today I realized that the more power I give Him, you know, through surrender, obedience, confession, and such; the more peaceful I get.
You know something? The old me, would hate the new me! This girl is just simply here to serve and love and enjoy the pleasure that he gives me. I like this, in fact, I love this! I pray that everyone could feel the tear of holy contentment and rising fire of desperation for more. What an awesome place!
Thanks for letting me share my journey with you, I really feel like today is the beginning of something big in my life. If you will join me on the journey, I think this is the beginning of something big for all of us! So, switch your position and just be....
Friday, January 27, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
War Cry!
Today in reading my bible I found Psalm 100.
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the Earth!" ESV
Since I am a self-proclaimed bible nerd I got out my Strong's Concordance to see what exactly scripture meant by a "Joyful noise". I found it interesting that the Hebrew word, ruwa', means something a little different than a joyful noise. When you think 'joyful noise' what do you think of? A baby cracking up is what comes to my mind when thinking of a joyful noise, or even just laughter of any kind. (The bible does say laughter is good medicine...)
Ruwa' is a Hebrew verb that actually means to shout, raise a cry, give a blast as in a war cry. So here in Psalm 100 God is telling us to shout a war cry to the Lord. To do that, you would have to have some confidence in who He is and a little bit of confidence in who you are. I think some of the lack of power in God's people comes from a lack of simple vision of who He is and who they are. I would invite you to read the whole text of Psalm 100 because it is an awesome picture of who God is and who we are.
Today when you are going about your day and you are reflecting on the Lord, do you ever intend to give a war cry to Him? It isn't like you are standing in line at Walmart and raise up a might shout to heaven, right? In line at McDonald's at lunch your not going to raise your arm and shout to the Lord in worship are you? Why not?
The bible says to raise a shout of triumph to the Lord of Hosts. Could it be that you don't see your life as a triumph, or that you don't realize who He really is? We allow our culture both in and out of the church to dictate our worship to God, but shouldn't we do what the bible says to do?
A few months ago during our worship service at church my husband Skipp led our church in a shout to the Lord. Now I will tell you that there was a power inside of him that was highly attractive, think Mel Gibson in Braveheart here Ladies. He held his shout and continued to cry aloud for awhile, and honestly I think he surprised himself. He certainly surprise the church as I am not sure they knew what to do.
What Skipp did was totally scriptural but not comfortable, it was powerful but not cultural. When are we going to realize that we are not citizens of the United States but citizens of Heaven. We are the sheep of His pasture, we are the Children of God, we are His and His alone.
So today before I go off and go about my normal daily routine; I plan to give a shout of triumph! I am going to give a war cry, a declaration that my allegiance is to Him, to Jesus. My life is a triumph, any saved life is a triumph. Maybe the power that we are missing as a church is because we aren't feeling powerful ourselves. So today, I will raise a triumphant war cry as a declaration of my allegiance to the King of the Universe and hold nothing back, simply because the Bible tell me so...
"Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the Earth!" ESV
Since I am a self-proclaimed bible nerd I got out my Strong's Concordance to see what exactly scripture meant by a "Joyful noise". I found it interesting that the Hebrew word, ruwa', means something a little different than a joyful noise. When you think 'joyful noise' what do you think of? A baby cracking up is what comes to my mind when thinking of a joyful noise, or even just laughter of any kind. (The bible does say laughter is good medicine...)
Ruwa' is a Hebrew verb that actually means to shout, raise a cry, give a blast as in a war cry. So here in Psalm 100 God is telling us to shout a war cry to the Lord. To do that, you would have to have some confidence in who He is and a little bit of confidence in who you are. I think some of the lack of power in God's people comes from a lack of simple vision of who He is and who they are. I would invite you to read the whole text of Psalm 100 because it is an awesome picture of who God is and who we are.
Today when you are going about your day and you are reflecting on the Lord, do you ever intend to give a war cry to Him? It isn't like you are standing in line at Walmart and raise up a might shout to heaven, right? In line at McDonald's at lunch your not going to raise your arm and shout to the Lord in worship are you? Why not?
The bible says to raise a shout of triumph to the Lord of Hosts. Could it be that you don't see your life as a triumph, or that you don't realize who He really is? We allow our culture both in and out of the church to dictate our worship to God, but shouldn't we do what the bible says to do?
A few months ago during our worship service at church my husband Skipp led our church in a shout to the Lord. Now I will tell you that there was a power inside of him that was highly attractive, think Mel Gibson in Braveheart here Ladies. He held his shout and continued to cry aloud for awhile, and honestly I think he surprised himself. He certainly surprise the church as I am not sure they knew what to do.
What Skipp did was totally scriptural but not comfortable, it was powerful but not cultural. When are we going to realize that we are not citizens of the United States but citizens of Heaven. We are the sheep of His pasture, we are the Children of God, we are His and His alone.
So today before I go off and go about my normal daily routine; I plan to give a shout of triumph! I am going to give a war cry, a declaration that my allegiance is to Him, to Jesus. My life is a triumph, any saved life is a triumph. Maybe the power that we are missing as a church is because we aren't feeling powerful ourselves. So today, I will raise a triumphant war cry as a declaration of my allegiance to the King of the Universe and hold nothing back, simply because the Bible tell me so...
Sunday, January 8, 2012
This is WAR!
"Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples[a] under me." Psalm 144
In recent months our young men (16, 13, and 10) have taken to playing more war type games. Gone it seems are the days of racing, Mario, and Donkey Kong, and instead a replacement of Golden Eye, Modern Warfare, and Blazing Angels.. I have noticed as I walk into the rooms with their faces intently plastered to the TV screen such words as, "your dead! I killed you! So long sucker! This is war!" I personally am not overly feminine but I have become more "girly" through the years
So at first I was uncomfortable with such strong language and still am to some degree with our 10 year old. However, through the ages of history when a boy reached 13 he was no longer a boy and instead a man. I am looking at my 13 year old, who could pass for 11 easily, and the idea of him being a man is strange. I look at my 16 year old and it is easier for me to see him as a man considering he wears what looks like a shabby Amish beard.
Historically, boys were taught at a young age to be men. The were taught the value of hard work, that women were to be taken care of, and that they were made to fight. I look at my guys and I realize that I haven't done a very good job of showing them those things. I have done a good job of making them good boys, but good men? So like the captain of a giant ocean liner I have taken to the task of turning a ship in mid-stream. Difficult? You bet! Possible? Absolutely!
This year I want them to see the power of God in their lives, and that God can use them, even at their age for war. They too are in a war! They come into contact with the enemy everyday, and it is time I prepare them for battle. Now the idea of them wearing guns instead of ball gloves is crazy, but so is sending them into their battle unarmed.
How do we arm this generation of young men? First we have to show them who they are in Jesus; It all begins and ends with him. Second, we have to give them something to fight FOR. Women too long have become too willing to feminize and emasculate the men in their lives. True femininity is fierce, bold, and soft... It is okay to let them know you need them, not just bark out orders to them. I need these young men, I am not strong enough to carry in the food they require! Just kidding.
Seriously though, I have to be someone who invites their masculinity to rise up, and give them a reason to want to protect. Third, I must be submissive to the Lord and their Dad. Fourth, I have to arm them with the Word. Fifth, I must pray!
Men will rise up and be men, when we expect them to. Women have created an adolescence that lasts much too long. You can see this by the amount of young men who live on their mother's couches playing video games at 25. I declare that I will give my sons the gift of failure and mistakes. I will not protect them so much that God can't use those lessons of doing the wrong things to make them right next time. I have less than 10 years and all my young men will be grown men, probably husbands and fathers.
My legacy will not be in what I do, but who I raise and who I love. So, from now until they leave my roof, THIS IS WAR!
In recent months our young men (16, 13, and 10) have taken to playing more war type games. Gone it seems are the days of racing, Mario, and Donkey Kong, and instead a replacement of Golden Eye, Modern Warfare, and Blazing Angels.. I have noticed as I walk into the rooms with their faces intently plastered to the TV screen such words as, "your dead! I killed you! So long sucker! This is war!" I personally am not overly feminine but I have become more "girly" through the years
So at first I was uncomfortable with such strong language and still am to some degree with our 10 year old. However, through the ages of history when a boy reached 13 he was no longer a boy and instead a man. I am looking at my 13 year old, who could pass for 11 easily, and the idea of him being a man is strange. I look at my 16 year old and it is easier for me to see him as a man considering he wears what looks like a shabby Amish beard.
Historically, boys were taught at a young age to be men. The were taught the value of hard work, that women were to be taken care of, and that they were made to fight. I look at my guys and I realize that I haven't done a very good job of showing them those things. I have done a good job of making them good boys, but good men? So like the captain of a giant ocean liner I have taken to the task of turning a ship in mid-stream. Difficult? You bet! Possible? Absolutely!
This year I want them to see the power of God in their lives, and that God can use them, even at their age for war. They too are in a war! They come into contact with the enemy everyday, and it is time I prepare them for battle. Now the idea of them wearing guns instead of ball gloves is crazy, but so is sending them into their battle unarmed.
How do we arm this generation of young men? First we have to show them who they are in Jesus; It all begins and ends with him. Second, we have to give them something to fight FOR. Women too long have become too willing to feminize and emasculate the men in their lives. True femininity is fierce, bold, and soft... It is okay to let them know you need them, not just bark out orders to them. I need these young men, I am not strong enough to carry in the food they require! Just kidding.
Seriously though, I have to be someone who invites their masculinity to rise up, and give them a reason to want to protect. Third, I must be submissive to the Lord and their Dad. Fourth, I have to arm them with the Word. Fifth, I must pray!
Men will rise up and be men, when we expect them to. Women have created an adolescence that lasts much too long. You can see this by the amount of young men who live on their mother's couches playing video games at 25. I declare that I will give my sons the gift of failure and mistakes. I will not protect them so much that God can't use those lessons of doing the wrong things to make them right next time. I have less than 10 years and all my young men will be grown men, probably husbands and fathers.
My legacy will not be in what I do, but who I raise and who I love. So, from now until they leave my roof, THIS IS WAR!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Baby Steps (Part 2)
The awkward silence was deafening... Here we all sat ready to eat dinner and there was a new face at the table. I am not sure what I expected but this was not it. Our son so nervous he could hardly stop shaking, and me so confused about a girl who was quiet. This is not what I had expected! The conversation did eventually pick up when we took her home and met her parents. They were not near as shy as this frighten little girl was... All I could think was I know her.
Rewind about 22 years and that was me at the table meeting my boyfriends parents. They politely asked about my parents and about my interests. I remember thinking how nicely they were dressed and how they offered me dessert, a treat I thought reserved for rich people. They were proper and from the East side of town, I was a gabby 14 year old from the West side of town. We did have one thing in common though, we both loved Skipp!
So as I sat there tonight all I could think about was how much this lovely young woman must adore my son to be brave enough to come to dinner to meet his parents. I am sitting here overwhelmed that it is over and yet just beginning all at the same time. I am not ready to marry him off and recognize that there could be several of these first dates with Trevor and a girl but what I recognized in that moment was that anyone Trevor loved, I would love. Just that simple...
Love is a choice and a verb, it is finding what that person needs and giving it to them. This girl needs Jesus, and the security that only His love can bring. I know how desperately I need Jesus then and now, so how can I not love what I see. This year God has challenged Skipp and I to pray simply what we see, and I see a boy who for the first time is thinking about someone else. So, we will walk ever so gently on this road and keep Jesus in the middle.
Baby steps, baby steps to adulthood... Walking slowly away from adolescence and closer to being the man that God made. How could baby steps not make me smile!
Rewind about 22 years and that was me at the table meeting my boyfriends parents. They politely asked about my parents and about my interests. I remember thinking how nicely they were dressed and how they offered me dessert, a treat I thought reserved for rich people. They were proper and from the East side of town, I was a gabby 14 year old from the West side of town. We did have one thing in common though, we both loved Skipp!
So as I sat there tonight all I could think about was how much this lovely young woman must adore my son to be brave enough to come to dinner to meet his parents. I am sitting here overwhelmed that it is over and yet just beginning all at the same time. I am not ready to marry him off and recognize that there could be several of these first dates with Trevor and a girl but what I recognized in that moment was that anyone Trevor loved, I would love. Just that simple...
Love is a choice and a verb, it is finding what that person needs and giving it to them. This girl needs Jesus, and the security that only His love can bring. I know how desperately I need Jesus then and now, so how can I not love what I see. This year God has challenged Skipp and I to pray simply what we see, and I see a boy who for the first time is thinking about someone else. So, we will walk ever so gently on this road and keep Jesus in the middle.
Baby steps, baby steps to adulthood... Walking slowly away from adolescence and closer to being the man that God made. How could baby steps not make me smile!
Baby Steps (Part 1)
The first born gets the awesome privilege of being first at everything. They come into this world adored and every moment is recorded with awe. By the time you get to that second, third, and so on you have a little less awe and much more wisdom. So here we are with our first born taking another baby step to becoming an adult; the first date!
Our oldest son, Trevor, is going on his first "date" tonight. Let me start by saying that in our home we have some pretty strict rules on "dating". First, your relationship with God must come first and be evident. Second, you must have a job as girls are expensive, and I am NOT paying for your dates. Third, you must involve other people, and lastly you must ask her parents permission to take out their daughter.
So here I am writing this blog and confessing that two out of four isn't bad... Yes he did call and ask her parents for permission, and yes we are going along on this "date". So why are we allowing this when he isn't following the rules. I honestly don't know! As this relationship as developed we have seen a change him, one from selfishness to that of protector. It has me curious to say the least.
I had a long talk with him and told him that if she was the one that God has for him then we needed to know her. I explained that he had two weeks to set up a time for us to take her to dinner and get to know her. To my shock and horror he actually listened! I know, I know...
It is less than an hour and half before Skipp and I take him over to pick her up and I find myself nervous. I am sure not as nervous as he is, but nervous none the less. Is this really happening? Is my son the kind of guy who can handle this? Is this really a big deal? What is my role in all of this? There are many more questions that I don't have the answer to but this I know; I have listened to God and Skipp in this situation and I trust them both, even with my first born son.
I have prayed for this child who is fast becoming a man and I believe with my all my heart that this relationship is God's will for Trevor. What is my role in all of this? That is a question I am seeking God in daily and here is what I have come up with. First, to keep God in the center of everything! Through joy, and pain, blessing and trial, I will keep our Savior in the middle of our lives by prayer, petition, thanksgiving, and obedience. Second, I am to protect him from devastating choices not everyday brain farts! What I mean by that is I have to let him fail in things that don't matter and allow him to learn the lessons that God has for him. I am not to protect him so much that God can't use his failure to make him into the man he wants. Third, I must be kind and loving to anyone that he chooses to bring into our family no matter what! She must see Jesus in me and I have to treat her the way I want to be treated. Finally, I must surrender and trust God with him everyday and in everyway!
This is part one of what I assume will be two parts. By tonight many of my nerves will be calmed and these baby steps will be a thing of the past but the lessons I learn tonight will be for many future events! Help me Jesus with this and every baby step.... (to be continued)
Our oldest son, Trevor, is going on his first "date" tonight. Let me start by saying that in our home we have some pretty strict rules on "dating". First, your relationship with God must come first and be evident. Second, you must have a job as girls are expensive, and I am NOT paying for your dates. Third, you must involve other people, and lastly you must ask her parents permission to take out their daughter.
So here I am writing this blog and confessing that two out of four isn't bad... Yes he did call and ask her parents for permission, and yes we are going along on this "date". So why are we allowing this when he isn't following the rules. I honestly don't know! As this relationship as developed we have seen a change him, one from selfishness to that of protector. It has me curious to say the least.
I had a long talk with him and told him that if she was the one that God has for him then we needed to know her. I explained that he had two weeks to set up a time for us to take her to dinner and get to know her. To my shock and horror he actually listened! I know, I know...
It is less than an hour and half before Skipp and I take him over to pick her up and I find myself nervous. I am sure not as nervous as he is, but nervous none the less. Is this really happening? Is my son the kind of guy who can handle this? Is this really a big deal? What is my role in all of this? There are many more questions that I don't have the answer to but this I know; I have listened to God and Skipp in this situation and I trust them both, even with my first born son.
I have prayed for this child who is fast becoming a man and I believe with my all my heart that this relationship is God's will for Trevor. What is my role in all of this? That is a question I am seeking God in daily and here is what I have come up with. First, to keep God in the center of everything! Through joy, and pain, blessing and trial, I will keep our Savior in the middle of our lives by prayer, petition, thanksgiving, and obedience. Second, I am to protect him from devastating choices not everyday brain farts! What I mean by that is I have to let him fail in things that don't matter and allow him to learn the lessons that God has for him. I am not to protect him so much that God can't use his failure to make him into the man he wants. Third, I must be kind and loving to anyone that he chooses to bring into our family no matter what! She must see Jesus in me and I have to treat her the way I want to be treated. Finally, I must surrender and trust God with him everyday and in everyway!
This is part one of what I assume will be two parts. By tonight many of my nerves will be calmed and these baby steps will be a thing of the past but the lessons I learn tonight will be for many future events! Help me Jesus with this and every baby step.... (to be continued)
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