Being vs. Doing

"The true expression of Christian character is not in good-doing, but in God-likeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit divine characteristics in your life, not just good human characteristics. God's life in us expresses itself as God's life, not as human life trying to be godly. The secret of a Christian's life is that the supernatural becomes natural in him as a result of the grace of God, and the experience of this becomes evident in the practical, everyday details of life."

-from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Facts of Fiction

"Child Killer Shirley heard voices of defeat. Suddenly he felt himself growing stronger. He turned toward the Third Heaven angel that was opposing him and spit death into his eyes. Blinded, the angel continued swinging his weapon, but the child killer laughed and stole away. He could always count on the soft ones -- they were always judging by their feelings. No feeling, no prayer -- he looked at the blinded angel still flailing with his blade -- no prayer, no power. The light was dimming around him, so he turned his good eye to see the soft one. She didn't know the power of her negative words -- power that was strengthening the attack against her mother. He nodded at her. He loved the unknowing allies -- the doubting people -- best." -- from Riding through Shadows by Sharon Foster

I just finished this fiction book that has fiercely reminded me of crucially important truths: we live each moment in a spiritual battle, the tongue holds the power of life and death, the importance of praying without ceasing and never forgetting that "the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."

This Morning

I enjoyed our time today visiting our homeless friends. It's very different not going to the camps, but that is okay. Different does not mean bad, it means different. I like having the extended times for visitation, and getting to know everyone.

Highlights for me today were:

• Seeing toothless Terry and his wheelchair, and hearing he will soon be receiving his prostetic half-leg
• Seeing Lorie back with us
• Seeing some of the ones with new homes looking refreshed

Not-so-much highlights for me today were:

• Finding out that Roy was in the hospital with congestive heart failure. Lord, please restore and heal him, and bring him back to us.
• MIA's - Jason, Donnie, all from Raymond's camp, Battle, Evelyn, Carl

All in all, it was a good time feeding and visiting with Jesus. There is no such thing as a typical Saturday morning. They are new every time. God is faithful to provide and sustain our friends.

Passionate Reflection

I found out this week my primary personality trigger is Passion. I was happy to find this out. Passionate expression is when I am most successful in getting my message across. I want to further His message? I know He doesn’t need assistance. He would prefer I do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. When I do that with passion, His kingdom comes to the neighborhood. When Christ comes to the neighborhood things change. He wired me this way for a purpose. I must allow Him to shine His light upon me daily, that I might reflect it upon this broken neighborhood He has me in.

Serpentitus

I've been told that I have "serpentitus"! What in the world is that, you ask...it's not even a real word! That may be true, but I do have it and maybe you do too...

I enjoy running on trails. Lately I've discovered the wonderful levy tops that meander along the river. What a great way to enjoy the beauty of nature. One problem is that they don't get mowed down too often.  When that happens there's always the potential of coming across a "snake in the grass". If the snake can be seen in advance, it can be avoided and does not cause much alarm. When you can't see it and actually step on one while running, pandemonium breaks out!

After an encounter like that, you become more focused on avoiding a repeat occurrence. To do that, your steps are a bit higher and there are several quick jumps left and right to avoid anything resembling a sneaky serpent (curved sticks, coated wire, rope, etc...)! The once enjoyable journey is now a fear focused frolic that expends tons of energy on needless things ~ SERPENTITUS!

Perhaps it's just me, but I realized how often I live life that way too! Instead of enjoying the beauty of The Creator along the journey I focus on the probability of being surprised by the Serpent.

Feeling "whipped"? ~ Rejoice!

It's easy to become discouraged, disillusioned, and depressed when carrying the name of Jesus into the world, only to be beaten down and mocked for it. We are not alone! It's the norm for those who know Him and are motivated by passionate love to serve Him and proclaim the Name above all other Names among the nations! It is a GREAT privilege to be counted so worthy that we would be dishonored because of Jesus! This is a marathon journey. Hang in there. Take a moment to regroup; focus on Jesus Christ and what He has given you to do in bringing His love to the world. Drink a deep refreshing drink from the well that never runs dry. Face towards the goal and press on! We must learn to rejoice in the sufferings of Christ and rejoice ALWAYS in Him!

Let these words be an encouragement for you today. After a miraculous exit from jail the night before, the apostles are back in the Temple court teaching again after being told not to...

Acts 5:29-42 (MSG) 
Peter and the apostles answered, "It's necessary to obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross. God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven. And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail."

When they heard that, they were furious and wanted to kill them on the spot. But one of the council members stood up, a Pharisee by the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of God's Law who was honored by everyone. He ordered the men taken out of the room for a short time, then said, "Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these men. Not long ago Theudas made something of a splash, claiming to be somebody, and got about four hundred men to join him. He was killed, his followers dispersed, and nothing came of it. A little later, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and acquired a following. He also fizzled out and the people following him were scattered to the four winds. "So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it-and you better not be found fighting against God!"

That convinced them. They called the apostles back in. After giving them a thorough whipping, they warned them not to speak in Jesus' name and sent them off. The apostles went out of the High Council overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored on account of the Name. Every day they were in the Temple and homes, teaching and preaching Christ Jesus, not letting up for a minute.

One Day at A Time

Wow! Has it really been 3 weeks since anything was posted? Where did the fire and passion go? I think we sometimes just have to sit back and let things settle a bit. It's not all bad. I know we all have intentions to be catalysts in our neighbor. Sometimes it's hard to realize that we really are making a difference right here and right now. Don't allow the "Liar" to get to you with his lies about how little you are making a difference. We should just take it one day at a time, just as our Jesus did. He was never in a huge hurry to change the whole world, and yet, He changed the world by seeing and fulfilling needs one at a time. Be encouraged and be of great courage my fellow OR's.

Mary Oliver's Poem "Praying"

It doesn’t have to be

The blue iris, it could be

Weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

Small stones; just

Pay attention, then patch

A few words together and don’t try

To make them elaborate, this isn’t

A contest but the doorway

Into thanks, and a silence in which

Another voice may speak.

A Gospel Jesus Would Preach

“A church that doesn’t provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed – what gospel is this?” - Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador

You're The Message!

I was reading in Paul’s first letter to the Christ followers at Thessalonica this morning. A couple of things jumped off the page at me. These followers were living out their faith with convictions of “steel”, which was put there by the Holy Spirit. I think that is very cool. I like the fact that God in us gives us that kind of strength and resolve to live our faith boldly in a society who for the most part does not get it. A conviction of steel would be difficult to break or destroy. It is very hard and does not give very much. With that, we can go boldly in the directions He leads us, knowing nothing is going to break us. I take comfort in that.

The second thing that I observed was the idea of the living message. In the first chapter, Paul tells these guys that he doesn’t even have to witness about this group anymore because they are living out their faith so powerfully that they have become the message (the gospel). They are the good news in their communities just by how they live their lives. The word is out. These guys are living out the love of Jesus daily, and that kind of living radiates outward from us, and spreads to others. What the others do with it is another topic. Our takeaway is to “be the message”.

So, how about it my brothers and sisters? How are we doing this day? Do we feel and believe with our convictions of steel? Are we running hard after Jesus? Do those around us sense and observe the living message in our lives?

Happy Sunday! Be the living message today, with your Holy Spirit created convictions of steel! Live Love Loud.