Faith...and planes

Mark 16:15 "Go into all the world..."

It takes faith to go, whether it's to go to school, go to work, or go into all the world. But faith begins with something inside that says, "YES!" When God asks, "Do you want to do thus and such?" Then you take a step, a leap is more like it.

Mark 16 goes on to say this, "...and the Lord worked with them." I have never read that verse before (or paid attention to it) until Friday. When God says go, He goes with us.

So if you've ever seen someone jump out of a plane for the first time they are strapped to someone. It's called tandem. A person is not told to jump out of a plane on their own, they are given a professional to guide them.

So when God asks if you want to go, just say yes and know that He's a pro and will be right there the whole adventure through!!! He has already been there and He is inviting us share in the adventure...

The world is my playground...

So I didn't want to get out of bed this morning. It's one of those days I just want to stay in bed and think myself into oblivion...it's safer that way right? NOPE! But I'm on vacation, I don't have to be active - right? WRONG! Inactivity sets us up for failure (King David took a vacation from the war and that's when he saw Bathsheba...need I go on...) Rest is good, and necessary, but even in rest I can meditate on good things.

The Lord reminds me of this verse, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Phil 4:8

I can't be afraid of what is waiting for me when I get up. I know that something (and someone) big awaits me and as excited as I am to get there, I'm terrified too (this is where I get choked up and stop myself from crying.) All the "what if" questions hit my mind and I want to hide...ere go stay in bed. But I prayed for a few minutes before getting up and took care of some distracting negative thoughts, then I got some coffee and opened my computer to check my emails...

As I was reading another friend's blog (davidlawrencelive.wordpress.com) the most freeing thought came to me - "The World is my Playground, and it's Time to Get Moving!"

So as I meditate on pure, noble, and lovely things, I will get out of bed each day with the hope that I am moving forward, and face the world that is my playgorund.

Oxygen and tears....

Well today one of the best friend's I've ever had moved to St. Louis. Tears of sadness and loss, and yet tears of joy and great hope. Because what lies ahead is SO FAR greater than what lies behind.

If you get the chance to have really good friends...fight to keep them. Fight. Say what you need to say to be open, vulnerable, confrontational, and true.

Other than family, I've never known loyalty in a friend until now. I know what "tough love" means and go through life to come out on the other side even better friends. I know what a real friendship looks like and my life will never be the same.

"fan into flame the gift within you." 2 Tim 1:6

Flames need oxygen. In our lives we can give so much to others and see our flame dim sometimes, but people who are life-giving friends will breathe oxygen into that flame and cause it to grow.

To all my life-giving friends, thank you ...

fresh quote....life motto

"I've simply decided that it is better to launch people than lose them." (Next Generation Leader)
Andy Stanley, Pastor
Northpoint Church

Hope Fulfilled

This is a season of Hope Fulfilled. I am in awe of how amazingly wonderful the Lord is to us. He is faithful and gracious. People in my life are approaching their fulfillment or have had their hope fulfilled. New doors of opportunity. Strategic alignments. Each person had prayer before the Lord, and being that it was God's desire in the first place, the pieces are coming together. My thoughts......

My Hope lingers

A glimpse of fulfillment

I wait patiently

Press forward

Moments of impatience

Give way to trust

As I wait

And keep moving forward

Disturb Me!

Last year at Catalyst Conference (catalystspace.com) I listened to Craig Groeschel, pastor of LifeChurch.tv, speak about two very dangerous words: Disturb Me! It was a prayer of his heart to God to shake him from his current state of complacency and apathy. I knew these words were dangerous and at that time could not bring myself to truly mean them for my life. I knew the weight of that prayer. But these last few days the Lord has reminded of his words and they have now become my prayer.

I happened to be reading Acts 19 and came across this verse and it struck me with such conviction..... verse 23 says this: "...there arose a great disturbance about the Way."

The chapter is about Paul's ministry in Ephesus and this "disturbance" was the result of two years of discipling and adding people to the Kingdom. He put two major trade industries out of business - the equivalent to tens of millions of dollars! I love it!

My point is this - Disturbed people create disturbances.

"Disturb me O God that I may disturb what is around me."

The Fear of Disappointment

Over the last week I noticed a change in my behavior, and not in a good way. I would get angry out of no where and want to scream. It was totally out of character and sometimes I would be around people who would get the brunt of my anger and later I would have to go & ask their forgiveness. I knew something was worng and it needed to be dealt with - and quick! I have been seeking the Lord and asking Him to show me where this anger is coming from and let's get it out! I sensed it was a something I had let in and had taken root somewhere along the way and was now showing its ugly head.

Tonight as I was spending time with the Lord I felt the Holy Spirit quietly say to my heart, "disappointment the fear of disappointment." I knew immediately that was it and tears came to my eyes as I knew it was time to release that fear. I felt so much peace and freedom once I prayed and declared the Word that the Lord is my Hope and all my Hope is in Him. I kept saying, "I believe You!" I felt the Lord ask me, "Do you think I can do this?" I kept on smiling an saying, "I believe You. My hope is in You"

I was reminded of a Psalm and a song...it goes like this
My hope is in the Name of the Lord
Where my help comes from
You're my strength my song
My Trust is in the Name of Lord
Where my help comes from
You are faithful

Its from the Hope album by Hillsong. It so refreshed my heart and I knew I was finally free.

So what's next....what else is ahead? As I surrender to Him I trust that what the Lord has planned for my life shall come to pass and I must believe Eph 3:20 (which was my devo reading today)