Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Morning
From the book of Lamentations...
22 "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Every single morning we can trust in the Lord's compassion when feel none from the world. Every morning we are covered in grace to avoid the consuming world. Every morning we can proclaim that God is good, and Great is His faithfulness. Each morning we can declare that the Lord is our portion, and the things of earth can grow dimmer and dimmer until we no longer see them. Every morning we can wake up with a clean slate. Every morning we can trust in his mercies and His voice. Every morning we can stretch our bodies for the long day ahead, knowing He will provide. Every morning we can thank our God for our sleeping, and the clearing of our minds. Each morning we can remember that God chose to have the sun rise for His children. Every morning we can look forward to hearing the waking of His creation.
God never sleeps. God is continual love. God never ceases to pour His blessings upon us. I am beginning to fall in love with the morning; it is the origination of the day of proclaiming the Gospel. Let us fall in love with mornings- our God spends each moment as we sleep, pouring His grace upon us in preparation for our waking and doing. In fact, every second of the day he begins preparation for the following morning-when we make the decision to sacrifice our days to bring HIM glory and bring HIM praise.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sustaining through Steadfastness
Have you ever felt lied to? Betrayed? Trampled over? Just plain tired? I have. In fact I am right now. The Lord is my sustainer, giver of Life, and Savior-but are words really enough? We always hear the phrase growing up, “Actions speak louder than words.” Why is that? Why is our given word not always binding us to the Truth and the words of our mouth prove us to be far from a Good God? As Christians, our actions must speak LOUDLY. How can we do this?
I believe in God’s divine providence. In fact, I am one of those radical Christians that believes in the Lord overseeing all moves that we make each day. So, I love just flipping my Bible’s pages through my fingers and opening up to a random section, whenever I feel like it. And, it always seems like there is pertinent information and Good News for that specific day (even when you open up to a book like Habakkuk or Exodus!). Tonight, at 12:15 am, I did this. Now, I am wide awake basking in the Glory of our Lord and Savior.
If we have sat in a few church services, we have most likely heard the verse Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” When flipping through the pages of my bible though I opened to this passage and read the preceding verses. “For thus says the Lord: When Seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.”
God promises to fulfill. The covenant He made with the people must be made to retroact and diminish the teachings made by false prophets in the region. While many were “deceiving” and prophesying to the people in the name of the Lord, Our Father held His covenant. To abolish the false teachings of false prophets our omnipotent and omnipresent God knew He must intervene to uphold His promise to Babylon. He knew the plans He had for Babylon. Plans to give it a future and a hope. Often we think the Lord is just speaking to us when we read Jer. 29:11, don’t we? Instead, the Lord is speaking to nations, to the world, and to each and every one of His children. He is not speaking simply of an intervention when false prophets arise, or glimpses of hope in times of darkness. No, God is talking about entire redemption and fulfillment. Our God is not a God who makes and breaks promises. Our God is not a God who declares His might to scare, threaten, or frighten. I am beginning to see that the Lord’s voice is one of Steadfast presence. God’s entire mission-even when he was here as “God in the bod” (Jesus), was to substitute the lack, and be the consubstantiation for the sins of the world. It was a fulfillment and it was a continuance. Then why was it “finished” when Christ was crucified? The ultimate covenant was fulfilled. Snapshots of the intensity of God’s promises are revealed through His covenants from Genesis 1 until Revelation 22. Once again, God wants to make it VERY clear that He is our sustainer through steadfastness. Through steadfastness alone, God is different and God is Holy. Our Earth and none of the people are steadfast and unconditional…relationships are broken, lies are spread and promises certainly are not fulfilled. While things of this earth wither and die, God’s glory, grace, and mercy are unchanging. Our Heavenly Father’s actions on the Cross fulfilled his Glorious words from Day One. Let us give this method a test run. Let us try to not only bring someone hope today…but really follow through with that friendship and foster its maturity. Let us prioritize a task and truly complete the work dutifully and with integrity. We will fail as we are living in a conditional world. But, when we do come through, and when we do fulfill all that we speak we become different. As Christians let’s become people of our word. Let us become people who aim to sustain. Let us transform into the likeness of God by fulfilling all of the callings and desires that the Lord places in our heart and soul.
“When the Lord pours out an especial spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourage prayer”- Matthew Henry
I believe in God’s divine providence. In fact, I am one of those radical Christians that believes in the Lord overseeing all moves that we make each day. So, I love just flipping my Bible’s pages through my fingers and opening up to a random section, whenever I feel like it. And, it always seems like there is pertinent information and Good News for that specific day (even when you open up to a book like Habakkuk or Exodus!). Tonight, at 12:15 am, I did this. Now, I am wide awake basking in the Glory of our Lord and Savior.
God promises to fulfill. The covenant He made with the people must be made to retroact and diminish the teachings made by false prophets in the region. While many were “deceiving” and prophesying to the people in the name of the Lord, Our Father held His covenant. To abolish the false teachings of false prophets our omnipotent and omnipresent God knew He must intervene to uphold His promise to Babylon. He knew the plans He had for Babylon. Plans to give it a future and a hope. Often we think the Lord is just speaking to us when we read Jer. 29:11, don’t we? Instead, the Lord is speaking to nations, to the world, and to each and every one of His children. He is not speaking simply of an intervention when false prophets arise, or glimpses of hope in times of darkness. No, God is talking about entire redemption and fulfillment. Our God is not a God who makes and breaks promises. Our God is not a God who declares His might to scare, threaten, or frighten. I am beginning to see that the Lord’s voice is one of Steadfast presence. God’s entire mission-even when he was here as “God in the bod” (Jesus), was to substitute the lack, and be the consubstantiation for the sins of the world. It was a fulfillment and it was a continuance. Then why was it “finished” when Christ was crucified? The ultimate covenant was fulfilled. Snapshots of the intensity of God’s promises are revealed through His covenants from Genesis 1 until Revelation 22. Once again, God wants to make it VERY clear that He is our sustainer through steadfastness. Through steadfastness alone, God is different and God is Holy. Our Earth and none of the people are steadfast and unconditional…relationships are broken, lies are spread and promises certainly are not fulfilled. While things of this earth wither and die, God’s glory, grace, and mercy are unchanging. Our Heavenly Father’s actions on the Cross fulfilled his Glorious words from Day One. Let us give this method a test run. Let us try to not only bring someone hope today…but really follow through with that friendship and foster its maturity. Let us prioritize a task and truly complete the work dutifully and with integrity. We will fail as we are living in a conditional world. But, when we do come through, and when we do fulfill all that we speak we become different. As Christians let’s become people of our word. Let us become people who aim to sustain. Let us transform into the likeness of God by fulfilling all of the callings and desires that the Lord places in our heart and soul.
“When the Lord pours out an especial spirit of prayer, it is a good sign that he is coming toward us in mercy. Promises are given to quicken and encourage prayer”- Matthew Henry
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Lukewarm
Recently, many have asked me my views on anything from Gay Marriage, to abortion, to divorce, or even tattoos. I wanted to write a quick excerpt on how I answer these questions. I am no expert, but riding the line between Legalism, Timid Faith, and not standing up for your faith at all, is quite tricky as believers. We want people to appreciate our presence so that in the end, they may hear the gospel from our lips. Yet, we cannot sacrifice our beliefs, views, the Word, or His calling in front of worldly temptations just to be “well-liked”.
Here are some interesting definitions of which I am glad I now have clarity:
Legalism: Excessive adherence to law or formula, Or b) Dependence on moral law rather than on personal religious faith.
Faith: Belief that is not based on truth.
Testimony: a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter.
These three Webster definitions seem pretty dark, don’t they? When we are confronted with a thought process that questions or shakes our faith, how do we respond? Do we hold fast to what has been taught from the pulpit in hopes that strong conservative mindsets will hold out? Do we simply have blind faith knowing that the Lord is alive in our lives but claiming there is no “proof”. Or, do we just speak our testimony hoping it “wins” the questioning person over without stepping on anyone’s toes? I seem to stick to number three…and is the fruit around me proving that this recent method has been effective? No. Instead, we must let the word speak for itself. Truth, is everlasting and Truth will stand. BUT, Truth is attached to grace and mercy-both of which are fulfilled in love and compassion. When we speak the truth in love and compassion, we must not worry about hurting a brother or sister in Christ, or a nonbeliever. Instead, we must cling to Child Like Faith-not blind faith-seeking the questions and answers from our Heavenly Father with fervent passion. That is what we were created for! To seek and know our Father! In addition, we must keep in mind that questions or pokes from seekers may move or shake our faith-this is not a negative consequence. This is where many people disagree with me. As believers are we supposed to be people that do not allow our faith to be vulnerable? Our faith should be open and expressed which allows it to be vulnerable, and allows it to evolve, mature and grow. This is far different than a question “jeapordizing” our faith. The only thing out faith should not be is fleeting in times of turmoil or subject to world or human emotions-FAITH is of the Most High.
When we are confronted with questions from believers, seekers, questioners, mockers, friends, family, or strangers, let us remember to stray away from legalism and harsh tones. Let us give more than our own testimony. Let us give the TRUTH-and not be afraid of its power! The earth may not agree with it, but its Power will stand. And, its Power will stand in Grace, Mercy, Love, and Compassion. This is something we can have child-like faith in, and leave up to God.
A beautiful depiction of faith: (Mark 5)
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Here are some interesting definitions of which I am glad I now have clarity:
Legalism: Excessive adherence to law or formula, Or b) Dependence on moral law rather than on personal religious faith.
Faith: Belief that is not based on truth.
Testimony: a solemn attestation as to the truth of a matter.
These three Webster definitions seem pretty dark, don’t they? When we are confronted with a thought process that questions or shakes our faith, how do we respond? Do we hold fast to what has been taught from the pulpit in hopes that strong conservative mindsets will hold out? Do we simply have blind faith knowing that the Lord is alive in our lives but claiming there is no “proof”. Or, do we just speak our testimony hoping it “wins” the questioning person over without stepping on anyone’s toes? I seem to stick to number three…and is the fruit around me proving that this recent method has been effective? No. Instead, we must let the word speak for itself. Truth, is everlasting and Truth will stand. BUT, Truth is attached to grace and mercy-both of which are fulfilled in love and compassion. When we speak the truth in love and compassion, we must not worry about hurting a brother or sister in Christ, or a nonbeliever. Instead, we must cling to Child Like Faith-not blind faith-seeking the questions and answers from our Heavenly Father with fervent passion. That is what we were created for! To seek and know our Father! In addition, we must keep in mind that questions or pokes from seekers may move or shake our faith-this is not a negative consequence. This is where many people disagree with me. As believers are we supposed to be people that do not allow our faith to be vulnerable? Our faith should be open and expressed which allows it to be vulnerable, and allows it to evolve, mature and grow. This is far different than a question “jeapordizing” our faith. The only thing out faith should not be is fleeting in times of turmoil or subject to world or human emotions-FAITH is of the Most High.
When we are confronted with questions from believers, seekers, questioners, mockers, friends, family, or strangers, let us remember to stray away from legalism and harsh tones. Let us give more than our own testimony. Let us give the TRUTH-and not be afraid of its power! The earth may not agree with it, but its Power will stand. And, its Power will stand in Grace, Mercy, Love, and Compassion. This is something we can have child-like faith in, and leave up to God.
A beautiful depiction of faith: (Mark 5)
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
Testimony...through the most unlikely of places!
This was an application I just completed for the opportunity to Study, learn, worship, and have a time of discernment with the Lord in Scotland this summer. I learned so much about myself while typing it, so I thought I would share it. It got me thinking about what a testimony really is.
1. Why do you wish to participate?
I wish to participate for two key reasons. One, I don’t think it is myself who is wishing to participate. The timing of this mission and retreat comes at a time in my life that only His divine plan and Hands could form. Secondly, I am excited to have another spiritual adventure with LAVIM. After Honduras for going on three years each summer, I know the professional aspect and friendly grace that comes with this organization. I have been feeling drawn towards the mission field each season of my life-now it is a time of discernment with just me and the Lord, and fellow believers (my peers).
2. Describe your personal experience of God.
I grew up in a mega-church until the age of 16, full of electric guitars, blinking lights, and programs, stages, and flat screen plasma televisions everywhere one could look. The cross, or signs of the empty tomb were nowhere to be seen: something BIG was missing. My freshman year of highschool at the age of 15, I remember praying a prayer in the middle of Mexicali, Mexico following a nightly time of worship. I was on a mission for the Lord there, doing construction and leading Vacation Bible School. I remember a heart-wrenching message that came from the Lord Himself, through the mouth of our mission leader. He said, “Ask the Lord to make you UNCOMFORTABLE. Break away numbness. Await a challenge from the Lord to grow and challenge your faith in a radical way. So then I did the dumbest thing I could have ever done: I prayed that prayer. You see, it was not actually “dumb”, but to a world of consumerism, materialism and complacency, it was. Fast forward one year to the exact week of March 28th, 2008, and I was diagnosed with stage two Ovarian Cancer in both ovaries with fear of spreading to my entire body. Frightened? Yes. Troubling my faith? Most definitely. God works in radical ways with ordinary individuals to achieve extraordinary results though, doesn’t he? I can now say I understand that. Through my bought with cancer, I met one of my greatest lifelong friends, Daniel Walbert, who brought me to a church home in Granite Bay, CA where I called home. I not only invested myself in this thing they called the “Word”, but I meditated on it. I began to realize that blind faith does not include an uneducated faith. Seek your answers with only childlike faith, and seek the Lord continually! I worshipped and grew in insurmountable ways as I grew closer to my creator until I graduated highschool two years ago. Currently I attend High Point University in North Carolina studying both Business and Religious Studies as my two majors there. I love learning, and I love seeking. I am a curious person when it comes to religious Experience, and I fiercely pursue all that God brings into my life. I do attend two churched in North Carolina right now. I have always attended Grace UMC in Ruston, when visiting Mary Shankles (my grandmother and true Spiritual mentor in all senses of the word). While in High Point though, the two churches that are near to the church that foster a great program for young adults is St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in High Point, and The Journey Church of High Point. To be honest with you Mr. Norman and Ms. Coppit, finding a home church to not only attend but grow in, has been the greatest challenge of my years at HPU. I still attend regularly, yet long for a deeper connect to a church family and the Church as a whole. That is why coming back to California for breaks, or spending long months of the summer with my Grandma in Louisiana, allows for times of intense spiritual growth. I await the Lord’s timing with this…He has me in His hands!
3. Please indicate your state of physical and emotional health (the mission will include opportunity for some rigorous activity and travel hours will be long). Is there anything the team leader(s) should know regarding your health (allergies, diet, etc.)?
Now I threw out the “C” word to you, didn’t I?! J I am in great health now, by the grace of God. I am completely in remission and have had zero health scares since. I take medication regularly, but it does not affect anything in regard to my physical condition whatsoever. I am fit, enjoy traveling, and zero allergies or diet restraints.
4. Team members may be given the opportunity to participate in Iona worship services. Would you be comfortable doing this?I would be honored.
5. Please list your skills, your gifts for ministry in the church. What skills and talents do you bring to this mission that you perceive might be used at Iona?My heart has always been on the mission field. I remember my first mission trip with LAVIM to Honduras in 2010. I recall sitting in the hot sun mixing mortar and cement allowing my emotions of the earth get to my spirit. I glanced up at Carolina, the most precious depicition of innocence and God’s love that I have ever experienced. She just smiled at me. And later came up and gave me papayas from her garden. She said that she loved me and wanted me to “smile”. This story reveals some pretty fantastic aspects of our Lord and Jesus. First, the Lord notices us, and knows how to speak to us. I have always felt close to the Lord through SMILES. I was born with a cleft lip, and used to be self conscious about my smile. I love seeing people smile: to witness joy in the midst of a depraved world is rare and beautiful! That is why at High Point University I started a chapter of Operation Smile, an increibble nonprofit raising money for cleft lips and palattes. Now, many asked me why I didn’t do something in the line of ministry if it is my greatest passion? I believe that a smile, a comforting grin, is often enough of a witness to His grace, than anything at all. His mercy and grace allow us to smile each day-nothing of this world. We have created 10 smiles so far with Op. Smile at HPU. Very time we send an email to our 200 person team we leave with this: ”Keep smiling, and Keep looking up!!” Keep looking to the heavens for your Hope and Your smile. It will be perfected in Him. So, between my incredible run-ins with Jesus incarnate in the beautiful children of each mission I participate, and seeing God’s love and grace in SMILES, I also love the Hebrew language. I am studying my second year next semester, and am fascinate by it. We may not know all the answers of the mysteries of the bible, but It is important knowing why we believe what we believe-reading in the OT’s original language is part of that.
6. How do you perceive yourself, your gifts, your motives and your present and future role in the church and the world?It is pretty crazy, how after my short 19 years on this earth, God’s plan for my life is beginning to take shape. I called my Grandmother about a month ago....I said, “Grandma..the Lord has been speaking to me.” I expected her to say…ok..??? Instead she asserted, “Awesome, so what’s He been saying?!” My Grandmother saw this Lord working in my life even before I did. All I know now, is that I am in a waiting period in my life. I know my heart is on the mission field, and my strengths, from Spanish to Hebrew to ministry, are there. Yet, I have not felt his calling in any specific way at any specified time. So, now I am trying my hardest in school, and waiting for the next revelation from God. Something interesting from the Lord is that I always hear Him when I am walking somewhere. When I hear my feet stomp across the ground, I can almost hear His will being shown for my life. Maybe, God is awaiting on a plan for me to pursue something where I am moving for him-or serving for him in a physical manner, not just with my words. Talking, typing, public speaking, and debating comes easily to me-it is all I did for my entire highschool and Junior High. But physical service transcends words. Jesus WASHED His disciple’s feet…He didn’t say it would be a cool thing if He did. Let us all cleanse, let us all have the beautiful feel of the Lord walking…running…to serve.
7. Iona and its community is an ancient place in a modern world. How do you imagine an experience in a medieval abbey will influence your actions in the 21st century?
I just completed my course on Ancienct Christian Theology and Monastacism. I am not only excited for Scotland (a country of my heritage!), but also a true religious experience inside the walls of the great thinkers. I think it will just, leave my speechless and allow me time to breathe. It will keep me without words-without technology, so I can hear Him, and hear Him BOLDLY.
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