So soon… July 24, 2008

Well, Thailand is creeping up on Shawn and I. We are busily pack up, selling all, and trying to balance this crazy path God has us on. Discipleship is blowing up out here in Phoenix. My connection group has grown and continues to grow despite challenges of people leaving, or stepping down, or the battles at hand. 

Thailand is going to come at us so fast. We literally only have about 64 days left til we are out of here. That is so crazy! I pray that the Lord continues to grow, groom, and grant us wisdom as we walk this out.

Jonah…. April 23, 2008

Jonah 4:1—so Jonah is pretty much pissed. In this section of scripture, Jonah is so upset because The Ninevites turn from their wicked ways, but Jonah felt they still deserved the wrath of God and that their repentance was only temporary. Jonah was mad at the very nature of God. He even said in V. 2 that he knew that he was a compassionate God, slow to angry, abounding in love… He says it like this is a bad thing! I know that I have done this in my life…probably even recently. I had to stop and think of all the times I have come to the place where instead of leaning on God’s character and trusting his ways are better then mine, I get a little Jonah attitude.

I know for a fact that I have looked at someone and doubted their sincerity towards God. I know I also have felt like I would do a better job of controlling God’s mercy and compassion. I am so much like Jonah. No wonder God used vomit as a vehicle to get Jonah where he needed to go. I too am like vomit at times in this area. I do not want to ever limit God’s gracious actions for other people’s lives. Once again scripture slaps me in the face.  When it comes to me needed mercy I lap it up like a dog at a water dish; I need to be that sincere when praying for the mercy of God on other people’s lives, as though it was my neck on the line….

What leads me to being complacent or idol?? April 14, 2008

Amos 6 is all about this subject. After Prayer on Sunday, considering what Pastor Aaron was talking about..it was so interesting that this section was what I am currently at in the word. I have been begging the Lord to show me what causes me to slip into standing idol.  I never ever want this!

 Amos 6:4 reads “you lie on beds inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches.” This made me think about how being comfortable is so dangerous to my spirit. Lounging around, sleeping gets nothing done. Prayer is what is needed. Actively pursuing my time with the Lord, and my time with others. Reaching out. When I begin to crave my bed or my couch, then I should be so nervous as Amos warns. 

Amos 6:4 (second part of the verse) reads: “You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves.” This one hit me so HARD! Again, gluttony always slowly attempts to creep back in my life. I hate it. Why in the world do I think I can eat whatever I want? I slam cookies, junk, literally all the things that I know I should not be eating.  I need to see this as a sign that I am beginning down the road of complacency.  This might not be for everyone, but in my case I know this to be true.  My eating habit represent the amount of self-discipline in my life.

Amos 6:5 reads: “You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instrument.” I believe this is a representation of the importance of balancing out how much ENTERTAINMENT I allow in my life. From Guitar Hero, to television, we are a consumed people. I need to be carful how much time is spent in these type of activities. 

 

Amos 6:6 reads “you drink wine by the bowlful.” Obvoiusly, balance is needed here. Enough said. I think we all know that it is easy to get carried away with alcohol. Balance beam….. The next section is “and use the finest lotions.” How often do I get swept away and consumed with my outside appearance. I know that I know that my spirit matters more then my hair or make up. I can tell when I am consumed with this sort of business that my focus is wrong. I am not saying that I need to quite bathing and such, I just need to be fixing my eyes more on Jesus more them my figure, my hair style, my scent. All of these things take money and time. I just need all my efforts to be on discipleship, harvesting, reaching out, seeking God’s heart!

This section really made me take notice of how and in what areas I need to re-align in my life. These I think are simply signs of idol-ness or complacency for me.  I choose to not allow the things of this world to steal what God wants for my life.  

LOCUST from God? April 11, 2008

As I read into chapter 2 in Joel, it hits me that the Lord had sent these beast to destroy the people. In verse 11 it reads “The Lord thunders at the head of His army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty in the army that obeys His command.” Notice the word OBEY!! I believe that this is key. If the people of Judah would have OBEYED the Lord then He would not have had to send the armies of locust, which obey His command. He longs for my obedience.

 The next verse is amazing. It’s the LORD basically begging them to render their hearts, to return to Him, with fasting and weeping. Again He wants us to starve for Him. After reading this section, my heart is quickened to continue hungering after God’s words, His revelations, and His heart. I am so hungry for His full out instructions for today, this week, this month. I need to know what His heart desires. The minute I begin to feel like I can handle it by myself or have an “I got this” mentality I have put myself and my life in a position to be swarmed by locust…no thanks! I would rather just chill out in the Hands of  a living God…the same living God that made those little sick locust. 

LOCUST!!! April 10, 2008

  As you can guess, I just began Joel. The entire first chapter tells of the absolute desolation the locust brought unto the people of Judah. These crazy bugs destroyed everything. The farmers, the vine growers, every one was hurting because of these bugs. 

  I thought about how America really does have our own set of locust that are ruining people’s spiritual lives. I know the people of judah were starving. The locust took out all of the food, even the seeds that would have produce the following seasons crop was destroyed. They were starving. Just like many here in the good old USA. As I watch and talk to people, I realize how starving we all are. Starving for our savior. So why do I find it so easy to slip away from an attitude of starvation in my prayer life and in my times why the Lord?

   I then remembered a story about Locust. In Thailand, they actually deep fry these bugs (locust), and sell them in every market. I asked some one how these little nasty critters got to be a food source. A native of Thailand told me that the country was infested with locust in the 1980s. They had no food to eat so they started eating the actual bugs. 

   I thought about how instead of praying for what God would have us eat upon (His word). We are so quick to feed our souls whatever we can find that will satisfy us for a minute. Sometimes the very thing that we are being destroy by is the thing we keep consuming. I was taken aback but this in my own life. Today, I asked the lord to expose any areas of my life that I am eating upon the very things that are purposed to destroy me.  I am hungry for what God is speaking and saying. I refuse to be satisfied with bugs to eat. I want the manna from heaven, the word, His word!

 

Let’s talk about Hosea..please! March 27, 2008

Hosea 5:6Get serious…I have always loved the beginning of chapter six, but this day it’s chapter five that is hitting me so hard.It’s basically talking about persistance sin. It hardens the heart, making it difficult for people to be able to come to repentance. I look around this world of our at all the hearts that have been darkened becuase of persistant sin. I asked the Lord today to reveal anything in my life or heart that is not pleasing to Him. If there is sin…please show me…if there is idolatry…show me.The verse reads “Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God. A spirit prostitution is in their heart; they do not acknowledge the Lord.” My heart’s cry is to truly acknowledge God. Press on to acknowledge Him. I want every area of my life to acknowledge the Lord! 

First blog ever…. March 26, 2008

Hey, so here it is….my first blog.  I am currently reading in Hosea. I just began about 2 days ago. Today, I am in chapter 2:14 “Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.”I am blown away simply by the fact, though the Lord is leading her to a desolate place He is so loving that he is going to deal with her tenderly. I think of how many times in my life, I deserverd to be brought to the wilderness and spanked, but God in all of His lovliness simply spoke tenderly to me. Thank the Lord for His grace and mercy and tender love that speaks to our hearts softly….I really love Him!