In Pursuit

When My Whole World Came Crashing Down

2008-08-11T17:57:00.003-02:00

I had an opportunity to go to Mooers Camp this past week. I was able to help out with the Praise and Worship for the youth camp and work with some crazy cool Pastors - Karl and Joel.

I was inspired by that atmosphere and taken by what God was doing. I've written songs before, but the song Nicole and I worked on last Thursday was different. Maybe because it seems as if life is crashing down a bit... just when we think we have it all together and "our plan" is in place. While this isn't a hymn by any means, I can slightly relate to the stress and burdening of someone's heart and soul after tragic/life changing events occur. It is a reminder, even to me this day, to go to Jesus and lay down my burdens.

The lyrics are below.

When my whole world came crashing down
The ground was solid?
Now I’ve found I can’t really do this on my own

I could only walk so far alone
Bearing burdens, heavy loads
That are not mine to carry anymore

I look up from this broken place
And humbly reach for Your sweet grace
To lead me through this storm and give me strength

He Says....

Come to me all who are weary
And burdened, I will give you rest
Come to me lay down your burdens,
Come to me, I will give you peace

I will walk by faith not sight
Pressing on, for faith I fight
Surrendered to my Savior I will live

See God, Not Self - Beware Libertarianism

2008-02-09T05:11:00.001-02:00

Beware Of Libertarianism

I have recently discovered a political party called the Libertarian Party.

"Libertarians believe the answer to America's political problems is the same commitment to freedom that earned America its greatness: a free-market economy and the abundance and prosperity it brings; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that marks this country above all others; and a foreign policy of non-intervention, peace, and free trade as prescribed by America's founders."

It seems innocent at first glance - however I would like to point out a few of its ideologies. If you are a Christian and interested in this party, you must realize that this party is about letting an individual do whatever they would like to do (granted it doesn't hurt anyone, yet I don't believe displaying immoral behavior or supporting it is beneficial to anyone)

This party supports that which a TRUE Christian would never support.

1) The Issue: Politicians use popular fears and taboos to legally impose a particular code of moral and social values. Government regularly denies rights and privileges on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Transitional Action Suggested by Lib. Party: Repeal the federal Defense of Marriage Act and state laws and amendments defining marriage. Oppose any new laws or Constitutional amendments defining terms for personal, private relationships. Repeal any state or federal law assigning special benefits to people based on marital status, family structure, sexual orientation or gender identification. Repeal any state or federal laws denying same-sex partners rights enjoyed by others, such as adoption of children and spousal immigration.

THIS DIRECTLY VIOLATES WHAT WE STAND FOR - MORALITY, FAMILY, AND PROTECTION OF MARRIAGE!

2) The Issue: The tragedies caused by unplanned, unwanted pregnancies are aggravated and sometimes created by government policies of censorship, restriction, regulation and prohibition. Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on both sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.

Solutions: We oppose government actions that either compel or prohibit abortion, sterilization or any other form of birth control. Specifically we condemn the practice of forced sterilization of welfare recipients, or of mentally retarded or "geneticaly, reproduction, birth control or related medical or biological technologies. We oppose government laws and policies that restrict the opportunity to choose alternatives to abortion.

THERE ARE NO "GOOD FAITH" VIEWS ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS ISSUE. THERE IS ONLY ONE GOOD FAITH SIDE, AND THAT IS TO NOT SLAUGHTER THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH THIS IMMORAL ACT OF SELFISHNESS AND MURDER - AND WE MUST MAKE THIS IMMORAL ACT OF MURDER ILLEGAL.

~These are just a few examples - It promotes the rights of everyone, and while it has some good ideas, there are some major points of concern for those who call themselves Christians. This way of thought is selfish in nature and promotes selfishness and the love of pleasure.~

Beware!

1 Tim. 3:1-7 "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. and from such people turn away. For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, lead away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

The Lord Speaks and Confirms

2007-09-26T01:13:00.000-02:00

The craziest thing just happened to me tonight.

I was standing in a restaurant tonight getting ready to settle into some work that I needed to get done for school tomorrow. There was a man eating some food from the restaurant who clearly had a physical disability (that didn’t allow him to have full motor control over his body). As I looked over at him I noticed that the bottom of his sneakers were falling apart. I felt like the Lord was telling me to bless him by getting him a pair of shoes.

I sat down and started to set up my gadgets and get to work as I kept feeling urged to talk to this guy. In a moment I decided to pick up my stuff and said to myself, “I can’t let this moment pass me by, I need to do this or at least ask.” So I immediately brought all of my stuff out to the car, came back in and waited for the opportunity.

Within minutes the guy was up and asked to use the phone. I thought perfect… maybe he needs a ride somewhere. I walked over to the counter and as he was dialing asked him if he needed a ride somewhere. He asked which way I was going and said he needed to go downtown… so I let him know that I could take him wherever he needed. To my car we went.

A little bit scared we got in the car and I got ready to leave the restaurant. He shared some "between you and me information" that started to really freak me out.

I composed myself and proceeded to drive to the stop sign, stopped and paused for a few moments. I told him I couldn’t help noticing his shoes were falling apart and asked if he’d like some new kicks. He said he would that his were falling apart. So I said alright, let’s go get some new kicks for you before I drop you off. Off to Wal – Mart we went. By this time I’m thinking “Ok…, this is going to be an interesting trip.

As I started off around the corner, I looked at him and he said: “God sent you didn’t He, you are a Christian” I asked him how he knew that and he moaned and said that God wants him to go back to Church. I let him know that God wanted more than for him to go back to church, but wanted his heart.
In the short, less than 5-minute trip to Wal-Mart I found out that he was in a wheelchair until he was 8 years old. When he was 8 he said he would give his soul to be able to walk. That night he had a dream that a huge red hand came up from hell and took his soul. The next morning he woke up… and he could walk.

(Major goose bumps were happening, hair standing on end, and my body shaking so much that I was trying not to let it show each time I pressed in the clutch…)

He then proceeded to passionately pray that God would take his heart, that even if it meant him having to be in a wheel chair again he wanted to be with God, that he didn’t want to go in hell, he wanted to be with God. I prayed quietly along side of him, whispering Jesus’ name, wondering what was going to happen next…. He asked me if I would pray for him and I said that I would when we found a parking spot.

We got to Wal-Mart and I put my hand on his shoulder and began praying for him. I prayed for his heart, and that he would choose to live for Christ, etc. As I was praying he suddenly started talking very clearly in a strong voice declaring “He’s mine, you can’t have him, he’s mine…” As this demonic force was speaking through him I had to physically restrain him (Good thing I had my hand on his shoulder) and keep him from flailing around in my car. I kept praying in Jesus name for this thing to leave, and that it was through the authority and power of Christ that I was asking it to leave. He began to simmer down as I spoke this guys name and he slowly came too. I looked at him and said “____, let’s go into Wal-Mart now and get you some kicks.”

I went to his side of the car and opened the door for him. He got out, staggered out and leaned up against the car, asking me what just happened. I told him that God was getting a hold of him. He responded with; “That wasn’t God, it didn’t feel like God, that was bad.” He mentioned that sometimes that happened and took over, that he didn’t have any control and asked me what to do about it when it happened. So as we went into Wal-Mart I shared with him that he needed to keep asking Jesus into his heart, that he had to make the choice to follow and live for Him.

We got some cool kicks that weren’t going to fall apart so easily this time. We talked some more on the way to the register. While I was paying for the shoes he finished tearing the bottom of his shoes off as he talked to the clerk about the new shoes hopefully not falling apart so easily. When we got outside he put on the new shoes and we threw those stinky shoes away.

Walking out to the car he asked if I believed in angels. I said that I do and asked if he saw them. He said no, but he could sometimes feel them. As we were driving out of the parking lot he said “Hey man, you are like an angel to me tonight. I’ve been wearing these shoes broken for over a month.” (Someone stole his other shoes).

We talked some more, I prayed with him (outside the car this time) before I left and gave him a hug.
He went on his way. I hope and pray that God finishes a work in him.

I write this as a testimony to God’s love and grace. It was confirmation to me that He really does speak to me (us). He asks us to do things that we wouldn’t normally do, to extend ourselves to those in need. I write this tonight not to put me on a spotlight or pedestal to say “look what I did for someone,” but to glorify my God who is in heaven. To encourage believers to listen and obey the voice of the Lord… don’t let it pass you by….

He has called us to love the unlovable… this is true religion my friends.

Give It All Away

2007-02-14T16:57:00.000-02:00

I give up....

Search my heart, search my mind, search my soul.
Make me clean, make me new, make me whole.

All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before Your feet…
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to your design.
Cause you are the one, the only one that gave it all away for me… that gave it all away for me.

You are my strength, You are my God, You are my King.
You make me laugh, You make me dance, You make me sing.

All of my plans, all of my dreams, I lay them down before your feet…
All of my time, all that was mine, I now submit to Your design.
Cause You are the one, the only one that gave it all away for me… dared to give it all away for me.

~Aaron Shust~
“You Give It All Away”

Our Self Righteous Sin

2006-05-25T13:05:00.000-02:00

How often do we look at others - scorning, condemning, and looking down on them because they "aren't like us."

Why, after all, we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we're all the sudden "worthy," "righteous," and apparently better than others - maybe because we don't swear, don't watch tv or certain movies...maybe it's because we don't go out to parties and drink - whatever it is that we do or don't do as Christians. Ummm...Garbage!

Don't get me wrong - Let us stand for righteousness as Christians.
But DO let us live as the man (or woman) who does not sit in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1)

I don't agree with your actions: you smoke, drink, swear, steal, sleep with your bf/gf.
It doesn't change that I love you.

It is God who convicts. He's much better at convicting. We as humans turn our convictions into condemnation.

Try this on for size. Why is it that Christians have a hard time admitting they sin. It's embarassing, right? I'm ashamed sometimes - I don't like sin, I don't like that I sin, but I do. Bottom line.

If you can't admit and confess your sin, then don't call yourself a Christian. That is after all what defines us as Christians - we recognize that we are but sinners and when we confess our sins - HE is faithful and rightous to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

When people confess their sins to us, they recognize it. We don't have to make it worse by saying, "you should have done this or this, next time do this." Let's stand with them, pray with them, and walk it out with them. ( I believe it's called loving on them).

In other words - let's stop trying to convert and make people our projects - and love them to Christ or to walk deeper into Christ.

Faith - Obedience - And Scattered Thoughts

2006-05-24T13:05:00.000-02:00

Hebrews 11: 1 says that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (NKJV) In Verse 3, it says that "By Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. "

We are guided first by Faith(the substance of things hoped for), through His Word, and then by His peace (You have to know His word before you know it's peace that surpasses all understanding;) )

I could probably stop here. Seems like what's already written is confounding enough for one day.

My Little Addition
The longer I walk with Jesus Christ, it seems I understand less and less everyday. While I learn and gain knowledge, that knowlege has made me realize the overwhelming vastness of His design. I strive for control of the present and the future - to somehow grasp onto what the Lord has put before me. Haha! I make me laugh, that I have the pride to think I would understand His ways.

Lately I've been going through a phase of learning to trust His voice and His direction. When we listen with a pure heart, He will speak to us - When we think God speaks, we must be obedient to what He says, in Hope that each decision made with our purest heart is guided by His eyes. It's a risk we have to take if we want to know His direction and His voice.

Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and I will teach you the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye"

Victory Is The Gift of God

2006-05-11T11:22:00.000-02:00

From "Lover of My Soul"

"I've always thought of victory as an accomplishment. If an athlete strives, trains hard, and performs well on game day, he wins. If he is out of shaped or chokes when the pressure is on, he loses. championships are won through hard work, athletic prowess, and a few good breaks. But victories are not gifts.

Similarly, most Christians think of spiritual victory as a sort of accomplishment. run hard, keep one step in front of the devil, pray an hour each day, and memorize scripture every week; we call it living the victorious Christian life. But if you get down in the dumps one day, choke on your own prayers, and cry in your pillow, we call it living a defeated life."

It goes on to say that our victory - is a gift. "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "It's not so much about how strong I am - it's about how strong God is."

It's also know that it's not enough just to "know" something. When it comes to God - it's a matter of accepting. Accepting Christ, accepting His victory on the cross, and accepting that He is in control of our future. The tough part is living it.

So I feel better about crying in my pillow some nights.

Our worship is embracing victory in Christ even during our times of trouble - when we feel the most defeated. It's when our victory becomes less about how we feel, and more about simply knowing He is God - We are victorious through Christ even during our deepest hurting and most defeated feeling moments.

Again, we don't have to win or earn our victory -
It truly is a gift from God through our Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ

"Lord, You Seduced Me"

2006-04-27T10:32:00.000-02:00

"He knew the depth of his love for the Holy God of Israel. The preacher had no other way to explain his irreversible connection to the Lord. He had no other terms to describe his irresistible attraction to the Word of God. He had no other image to explain a calling so strong that he could not let it go. So the preacher admitted it aloud. He had been allured by an altogether winsome God. He had been wooed by the heavenly Suitor's attractive promises. He had been smitten by the magnificence of Jehovah.

The preachers name was Jeremiah. He really said it. "Lord, You seduced me!" He really meant it."

"O Lord, You have enticed me, and I was enticed" Jeremiah 20:7

"And so the Lord reveals His beauty to you little by little. He grants little samples of His grace so you will "taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8) He wants what every good husband wants in a bride - that she be comfortably content in His love yet genuinely desirous of deeper intimacy."

TODAYS ENTRY FROM "Lover Of My Soul" by: Alan D. Wright

Fascinated By His Love

2006-04-20T11:35:00.001-02:00

His Love is one that I cannot explain.

I ask and wonder, "Why did He choose me to know Him?" Why is it that I get the opportunity to be pursued by the Lover of our souls. To have a revelation of who He is, of what He has done, and to have life in Him who has called us by name. I am completely fascinated by His love, the grace with which He has forgiven me, and the Glory of His majesty!

I will not try to understand, but remain at peace in having known my Jesus (Ahh yes, Peace that surpasses all understanding)

There is however a place in my heart which does not rest. While I am confident in His love for me, I so desire for others to realized and accept this love. As Christians, our passion, love, devotion is within us, but it's not something we can really force or give to others. We can simply be... It's His revelation that will sweep them away.

With this thought, I pray for an atmosphere of Holy Revelation from the throne room of God, from the throne room of His grace - that those who do not know, will see.

They will not hear without a preacher, so expand our territory Lord so we can see Your Kingdom rise up into eternity.

We must burn for Him... will you burn?

Not Everybody Worship's The Same (Continued)

2006-04-04T21:31:00.000-02:00

It's amazing how we begin to think one way, and then the Lord humbles you and begins to destroy your pride. It needs to be broken anyway...

So there I was Sunday night after leading worship at Redemption Tabernacle. Broken before the Lord as I listened to people loudly lifting their voices up in praise after the msg. I was in the front room of the church as I had been praying for a little while, realizing that my soul, oh my soul was downcast before the Lord. Honestly, in my heart I was thinking "I don't feel like praising Him like that right now, so I'm not going to go out there." I believe that the Lord sometimes will send spirits to trouble us, as He did with Saul - because He is so gracious to want us to see what is really insided of us.

I was troubled indeed, but why should my circumstances dictate the condition of my soul, of my hearts desire to lift His name up in Praise...He is so worthy of my praise no matter what my circumstances are.

As I look at my life... I find that I am often melancholy. Where is that passion in each step that I take...

Now to get to my point...
We can't expect everyone to be in the same place, the same level so to speak in their expression of Praise and Worship. There is a time for Praise, a time for a battle cry, a time for unashamed love, a time for sweet still worship to the Lord.

It's so important, especially for those who lead worship, to meet God's people where they are at. The praise'ers I see as going in first (as they did in the OT). They lead the way, allowing the Lord to break up the fallow ground in our hearts. As praise rises it changes the atmosphere, inviting in the presence and glory of the Lord. More will join in praise, yet there are still others who hold back.

It's not a reflection of their love for the Lord... we can't hold any judgements upon them... or I should have been judged last Sunday night. (I wonder who was frustrated with me for not praising the way they think I should have been)

I realized tonight that what I needed was that still, sweet worship before the Lord. When that chance came, bam... he totally spoke to my heart.

Psalm 46: 10 "Be still, and know that I am God..." (john 6:69 "come to believe and know that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God")

In other words, bring down the noise and let the sweet spirit of the Lord minister to their hearts...
Ah yes, discernment. It's not how much we press in as worship leaders... we can't force people to get into praise... but be discerning enough to know where the Lord is moving, that He might touch all hearts. He will guide and direct us by His spirit. We must depend on Him, and not of ourselves. We must decrease so that He may Increase!

Back To The Birthing of Praise – Judah

2006-03-31T13:52:00.000-02:00

Gen 29:31-35

31 Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me." 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." So she named him Simeon. 34 And she conceived again and bore a son and said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore he was named Levi. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
NAS

Reuben – Because the Lord has seen my affliction (roots ra’ah: to see, and ben: quality or condition Affliction - `oniy (on-ee'); from OT:6031; depression, i.e. misery:

Simeon – Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved(sane' (saw-nay'); a primitive root; to hat (personally) Roots: Shim` own (shim-one'); from OT:8085; hearing; OT:8085 shama` (shaw-mah');
primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention)

Levi – Now this time my husband will become attached to me: Leviy (lay-vee'); from OT:3867; attached; Levi, a son of Jacob: OT:3867 lavah (law-vaw'); a primitive root; properly, to twine, i.e. (by
implication) to unite, to remain;

Judah – This time I will praise the Lord. Yehuwdah (yeh-hoo-daw'); from OT:3034 (Praise, Yadah); celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah)

All our praises must center in Christ, both as the matter of them and as the Mediator of them. He descended from him whose name was praise, for he is our praise. Is Christ formed in my heart? Now will I praise the Lord. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1991 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)

Not Everybody "Worships" The Same

2006-03-30T12:43:00.000-02:00

This is true, we don't all Worship the same. We should though. It's garbage that we don't.

This will be an offensive entry, just so you know before you read on. If it offends you already, read on because the Lord wants to do a work in our hearts and get us out of our comfortable ways of doing things. That is what causes us to Praise and Worship the Lord in a different ways, our zones of comfortability we cater to. I'm not talking about style of music either. Read on...

Check out your personality at the doorway of Praise!

First, lets talk about our cubic parameters for the way we praise and worship. The basis for our Praise and Worship "style" tends to habituate somewhere around how we feel, or it's about how we like it. Brings me back to the classic... "It's all about meeeeee..." "I magnify and bless my name..." for it is surely..."Holy."
I hope we have an understanding of the blasphemous... or let's call it prideful arrogance in this particular cubic parameter.

I'm not trying to be condescending, but let's get real. There's this thing called the Bible. It's God's word. He is very good communicating to us how He would like our lives to be lived out, how He wants us to be, what He has for us, and also how HE COMMANDS us to praise Him.

Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song, play skillfully, and SHOUT for joy.
Psalm 47:1 Clap your hands, all you nations, Shout for joy and gladness...
Sing, clap, shout, play instruments... blow the trumpet, sing for Joy!
See, the Lord commands us to do these things...there are many more, just gave you some examples.

My simple question is this.... Should we not praise and worship our God the way He commands us to!?
It's garbage that we don't worship in the same way, because the Lord commands us in His word to Praise Him in the same way. If we just don't shout out to the Lord because "it's not the way we worship" for example, it's about time to break out of our cubic parameter!

The Birthing Of Praise

2006-03-29T14:12:00.000-02:00

Gen 29:31-35

31 Now the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, and He opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 And Leah conceived and bore a son and named him Reuben, for she said, "Because the LORD has seen my affliction; surely now my husband will love me." 33 Then she conceived again and bore a son and said, "Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also." So she named him Simeon. 34 And she conceived again and bore a son and said, "Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons." Therefore he was named Levi. 35 And she conceived again and bore a son and said, "This time I will praise the LORD." Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.
NAS

Praise
It is for the first time, in the Hebrew text, that Praise is introduced. It is introduced when Judah is born. The astounding part of this (to me) is the representation of PRAISE being birthed into the world. Judah, or Praise in a sense has been born. The very roots of Judah and yadah come from is the word yad. Yad represents and open hand, which indicates power or direction. Hmm...

It is a significant event for Praise to be birthed, and I can't help but think of God's intentions. So much history has passed, major events happening, the annihalation of the human race but one family, etc. Most of all, His people have been snared in such disgusting bondage...He no longer walks amidst His people because they are so.... smelly with sin...

Why now, and not earlier...

Yadah

2006-03-28T11:25:00.000-02:00

Yadah (yaw-daw) - to give thanks, laud praise; To confess the name of God

Laud: 1) Praise; glorification. 2) A hymn or song of praise.

Ahh, one day every tounge will Yadah! I'm trying to learn the Hebrew words for Praise. It's one thing to have Praise and Worship times, and another to know and understand how the Lord wants us to Praise Him - and how can we expand our spiritual vocabulary... how He can expand the opening in which to let Him in through His word.

I Love reading from the Psalms...

Ps 7:17
I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Ps 142:7
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Ps 145:10
All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.

Ps 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Ps 35:18
I will give thee thank s in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Ps 42:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

This one is amazing... get out of the 4 walls of the church, and go amidst the world!!!
Ps 18:49
Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praise s unto thy name.

Cubic Parameters

2006-03-28T01:41:00.000-02:00

Life has been so crazy!
I'm on a blog too, that's sorta weird.

So here's a thought.
Boxes - those containers we so easily find ourselves in. Unlike a wet paper bag, boxes are a bit more difficult for us to break out from. It seems though as if more and more people are breaking out of their boxes either seeing Jesus Christ for the first time, or they are seeing Him from a whole new perspective and standpoint. Tradition is melting away, and a young desperate generation is becoming increasingly focused on the one who is worth longing after.

Thought of the day: When we break out of one box, don't get stuck in another.

Being a bit candid... I remember the days of old, back in high school, swearing away without even thinking about it, or how ridiculous it sounded. I was in a box and didn't even know it.

Broke out of that cubic parameter into another...

As I am on the other side of the fence as a teacher, listening to the students swear. It's not something I will stand for....yet my thoughts are so condemning towards them. How do we stand for righteousness without looking down our noses with condemning eyes? We need to love people to Christ, not make them feel like scum!

Psalm 1 says "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seate of the scornful..."

Yet Jesus says in Luke 12:51, "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division."

My prayer is that we will stand for righteousness with our hearts, thoughts, and passion - that we would intercede with our prayers and war in the spiritual realm.... For divine strategies to come that will divide not our witness, but will seperate and set us apart from the actions of this world.

So, I'm going to continue to sing through the halls, play worship music 'under the radar and be firm in my insisting their language be "toned down." Another month to begin changing the atmosphere... what a gift!

I wonder if I can bring my guitar in and start singing over them... haha that would be so cool!
We can sing life into them....

First Post

2005-10-20T16:45:00.000-02:00

To move, or not to move, that is the question.