Not by Chance

How is it that God somehow never ceases to amaze me as far as coincidences? Really...He is not random. Even when I expect Him to be completely done, He reminds and confirms. He is quite amazing....Insane. But love it.

Removing Noise...We Were Meant for SO Much More

Removing noise from my everyday life has been the most refreshing thing I have done recently. I have been purging all unnecessary things; anything from pointless television shows to environments that I know don’t contribute to my growth. I have lightened my load of commitments and have, for once in my life, tried NOT to do everything. I dropped a few classes, have been getting rid of clothes, and am even trying to be more cautious about what I am spending money on. I have been craving and finding simplicity and freedom in living in a world with less distractions.

What I have noticed…

• Removing distractions leaves room for love to infiltrate. In making my life simpler, I have less to think about and feel more open to loving and being present with people.

• Opportunities to love seem to pop up more often. People from all different walks of life, homeless, handicapped, whatever have been coming up to me. I love it, I want to serve and give joy to these people. And in this, I find joy myself, all due to God allowing my cup to overflow and attract.

• Obedience is joy. By doing what my Father is nudging me to do, I please Him. In this pleasure I find peace and contentment. Love NEVER fails.

• Everything is more beautiful. I have the time to meditate on my surroundings and be thankful for all God has given me. Why would I want a life that I am too busy to enjoy?

• I can hear. I can listen, discern, and be content in my surroundings right here right now. Removing the clutter helps fight an unhealthy thought life.

• My room is cleaner. It is easier to stay on top of responsibilities and break simple things down into manageable tasks. I think when we are so overwhelmed with ridiculous amounts of stuff we categorize everything as one giant problem and are unable to delegate and divide truth from error. Everything is clearer in simplicity.

• It’s easier to start and finish something. When you don’t have twenty billion lose ends hanging around you actually feel the joy of accomplishment. I love projects.

• I am not stumbling over the same road blocks. I am progressing, moving on to solid food and actually giving my faith the freedom to breathe. How can we ever grow if we keep falling into the same holes?

• Priorities change. Life becomes more than just mundane, and every day becomes a treasure hunt. There are more “coincidences” and you are able to recognize and feel for things and people that you were once numb to.

Overall, the “joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Life’s circumstances may be less than ideal from what I would have planned for myself currently, but that’s not really something I need to worry about. There is a season for everything. I have a roof over my head, food, clothing, a wonderful family, and an abundance of goodness in my life. What more could I ask for? He knows the deepest desires of my heart, He got the memo, and nothing pleases Him more than my satisfaction. But in that, I must seek only Him to satisfy. It’s a two way street.

Obedience in Worship…Let's be Silly!

The LORD directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

Though they stumble, they will never fall,

for the LORD holds them by the hand.

-Psalm 37: 23-24-

Growing up in church I never wanted to be the person who was “noticeable” in the crowd. Often in worship and praise I would be concerned about my voice, and when I felt a nudging to raise my hands to the glory of God I would convince myself not to. I would second guess myself and was always afraid that people would look at me like I was a hypocrite and unworthy of “appearing” holy. I never wanted people to think I was doing it for show, often a thought that crosses many of our minds. I was so afraid about what people would think that I couldn’t truly enjoy worship.

Now, isn’t it amazing how so many people and circumstances seem to shape a person? How people, within their own heads, decide what they should and shouldn’t do based off of what someone else thinks about them. I mean, there are such things as social skills, but deciding on whether or not to wear the red or green shirt based on what Jimmy Sue would think is ridiculous. Sadly, most of us have probably done this before. By letting someone else’s opinion shape our decisions, we decide that our value comes from our appearance, speech, or the impression we leave on people. We are not taught to be ourselves, we are taught to be what someone else wants us to be. We don’t need other people to label us as an object if we have already done that to ourselves; a self fulfilling prophesy. This form of slavery is not part of God’s design for our lives.

Did you know He knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139: 13)?

That He has numbered every hair on your head (Matthew 10:30)?

That He would leave ALL 99 of His sheep to find you (Luke 15:4)?

He loves you. Not someone else’s version of you, but you. He DELIGHTS in EVERY detail.

All He wants is you, your whole heart and not the pieces you decide to share or reveal. He doesn’t want you to hide yourself from this world because He made you exactly the way you are, and for His purposes alone. How do you expect to fulfill His plan for your life if you are so focused on what other people think and don’t utilize the gifts He gave you? It is technically sinful not to love yourself or view yourself as loved because He made you perfect in his sight. You are His Bride, washed white as snow from the crimson stains of a fallen world. By not respecting yourself enough to be yourself, you are letting Him down and not fulfilling your function/role as part of the body.

We need to focus our obedience on loving and serving Him, not this world. And, as an overflow of doing this, we tend to serve the world with His love and strength. We kill two birds with one stone. This all has to do with worship because God will often use simple acts of obedience to get your attention. When He says get your butt up to the altar and praise me in front of the whole congregation no matter how uncomfortable it makes you, you should do it. Stop worrying about what other people think and focus on Him. Don’t second guess your motivations if you know they’re true. Stare Him straight in the eyes and give Him your undivided full attention, as if you have been reunited with a long lost love. Let Him be the only one in the room. You will see the love in His eyes and then you shall know true joy.

The only reason I write this stuff is because I have deeply struggled with these issues. I have lived my life for other things and people, without fully taking a firm grip to the hand of my Father. I have been running a zigzag race because I keep looking back at the people and things behind me, not keeping my eyes fixed on Him. But now, I am beginning to learn the greatness of focusing on Him, allowing Him to be my EVERYTHING. Because of this, I have noticed a change in my prayer life and inward joy. Zeal should be my new middle name. Overall, I am being exactly who He designed me to be. I am being me, and am finding complete, relentless satisfaction in little acts of obedience like raising my hands and praising Him at His lead.

Once you take the step, get your butt up to the altar, raise your hands and shout His name for all to hear, then you will know completeness. Let’s pull a David and bust out some “mighty” dance moves to consummate our joy and excitement for Him (2 Samuel 6:14). Now that is COMPLETE submission.

How will you ever know true love and freedom if you don't let yourself be different and SILLY for His namesake?

Give Thanks-Marvin Sapp Gospel Style

Sometimes it rains in the midst of your parade

and the hard times come after you've had a great day

for with every test there's a time and a season

and with every trial there is reason

sometimes you're hurting there's a pain deep within

seems like the more you pray, that thing just wont will never end

just have patience

when you're weak say i'm strong

but this is a part of life's journey

keep the faith and prayer's on

in everything give thanks

lift your hands and give thanks

for everything's working out for your good

Even when things dont look like they should

in everything give thanks

lift your hands and give thanks
for if you will..

Sometimes it's hard and your ways seem dim

just keep on pressing on put your trust in the Him

Learn to lay your side every weight it's on

he's there beside you, for in time he will come forth for he is gonna bless you

in everything give thanks

lift your hands and give thanks

for everything's working out for your good

Even when things dont look like they should

in everything give thanks

for the lord he's good

he's kind.. he's good

and his mercy is good forever

he's kind

GIVE THANKS

http://s0.ilike.com/play#Marvin+Sapp:Give+Thanks:6294983:m9426935

I Heart C.S. Lewis

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

Your Legacy...What will you leave behind?

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality”(Romans 12: 9-13).

I have been to three funerals in my life, two of which were within the last year. One was for a 15 year old kid who died in a car accident with his older brother at the wheel, and the other, last night for an outstanding Pastor named Ed Davis. This year has been full of tragedy and sorrow for our community.

Ed Davis was an incredible man. I got the privilege to work with him a little bit when the World Vision: Step into Africa exhibit came to CSU in the Fall of 2008. Although I didn’t know Ed very well, in the brief moments I worked with him I remember a man full of life and humor. He was on a mission and extremely gracious. With his push in getting the exhibit into town, 300 children from the DRC got sponsored, and his shared vision of uniting the community was briefly achieved. This was the first time World Vision brought a Christian exhibit into a secular environment. People from all over the community waited hours to see the exhibit. Fort Collins is a very special place.

Now, going to a funeral is never an easy thing. There is so much pain and sorrow, and your empathy doesn’t even come close to the feelings that are felt by the family. Ed left his high school sweetheart of thirty some years, and three children who couldn’t have been much more than in their late twenties. His family is hurting right now, and there is nothing any of us can do to make the pain go away. They will be in all of our prayers. But boy did Ed leave quite a legacy to follow, both within his family and community.

The most consistent thing I heard about Ed was that he was an inviter. He was present and poured so much love into every person he met. His love was perfect, and he did not have a selfish bone in his body. When his children went up to speak, they said his top priorities were his family and God. He lived out this calling every single day, and gave everything of himself to love on people. His daughter even stated that her Dad’s love was so present that no unworthy man will ever be let into her life. She knows her value because her Dad acted out his love for her daily. What a memory to leave. What a gift to give to your children. The same was said about his relationship with his wife.

In the community, many people spoke of Ed’s zeal and joy for life. He was always asking about people’s families, jobs, work, etc. The difference between Ed and an ordinary man was that he actually cared. He took the time, focus, and energy to be present with everyone he came in contact with. He never got tired of doing good, and was up to every adventure in which he could be in relationship with people; even if it meant going to the DRC in the midst of a rebellion. He took advantage of life on a daily basis. Ed truly was an outstanding example as a father, husband, brother, pastor, and friend.

My hope in all of this is to recognize how valuable daily life is. How being present can change a person’s life and impact more people than you know. Vulnerability and giving everything of yourself to love a person is a good thing, even though society teaches you to live for yourself. People want to be loved, they want people to REALLY listen, and they want to know they are treasured. You can’t truly love someone without being vulnerable. They don’t exist without each other. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

I can only hope to be half the person that Ed was. He leaves some large shoes to fill, but I believe that we will harvest the seeds he has sown in this community; the prophetic words that were left behind after his death. It is our job to contribute to the well being of every individual we meet, and not just when it’s easy or convenient.  We are being called to love, one day at a time. We never know what day may be our last.

In our last days, let’s hear our master say, “well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!” (Matthew 25:21).

A Different Training Program...

"How did Jesus prepare to do wonderful works? Part of His training involved suffering. Christ was a man of sorrows. He was One who was acquainted with grief. Yet His suffering was the Father's means of acquainting Him with the actual feelings of mankind's need and pain. Because He suffered what we suffer, He is able to serve as a faithful high priest. If we yield to God's plan for Christ to be formed in us, God will take our sorrows to enlarge our hearts. Once we have been acquainted with grief, we then can be anointed with compassion to deliver others" (Francis Frangipane).