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.