Change is a Comin'

I recently read Crazy Love by Francis Chan. This book was a nerf gun... full of little foam darts hitting me in the head every time I turned another page. 

Here are just a few:

"Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers."

"This place of trust isn't a comfortable place to be; in fact, it flies in the face of everything we've been taught about proper planning. We like finding refuge in what we already have rather than in what we hope God will provide. But when Christ says to count the cost of following Him, it means we must surrender everything. It means being willing to go without an extra tunic or a place to sleep at night, and sometimes without knowing where we are going. God wants us to trust Him with abandon. He wants to show us how He works and cares for us. He wants to be our refuge."

"But God doesn't call us to be comfortable. He calls us to trust Him, so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if He doesn't come through."

"...you must learn to listen and to obey God, especially in a society where it's easy and expected to do what is most comfortable."

So that brings me to here and now... I have felt for months that God is calling me away from everything comfortable to move someplace I never wanted to go. I don't know what He has for me... I can only assume it must be something incredible! I know the process has been and will continue to be a true lesson in faith. Doing something without it all planned out goes against every fiber in me, it puts me 100% outside of my comfort zone, which is exactly where God wants me... and that gives me peace. 

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way."

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Blindfolded

We've all been there... blindfolded... not knowing where you are going... 

The natural reaction is to reach out. But what are we reaching for? Somebody we can trust, something solid to hold on to, something or someone to lead the way...

This is where I am at with my relationship with God. I have my blindfold on. I know where I am, but I don't know where I am going. He is telling me to reach out for Him. He will guide me and direct me, step by step.

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along the straight paths. 

Proverbs 4:11

Numero Uno

It seems as though I have broken 2010 rule numero uno! I have been ignoring God in a big way over the past 2 months... It just took a loving friend to point it out.

Here's hoping maybe He didn't notice... oh alright... of course He noticed. HARUMPH!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 

Hebrews 10:23

Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

Luke 1:45

Unashamed

I'm a part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His and I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I'm done and finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, or first, or tops, or recognized, or praised, or rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by Holy Spirit power.

My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road may be narrow, my way rough, my companions few, but my guide is reliable and my mission is clear.

I will not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.

I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I will not negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He does come for His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. My colors will be clear!

by a young African pastor

Found among his papers in Zimbabwe after he was martyred

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him 

as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  

We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, 

in order to make your hope sure. 

Hebrews 6:10-11 

in rilievo

 

Have you ever watched a symphony? From the triangle to the tuba every instrument has its own unique part. A time to play and a time to be quiet. A time to be soft and a time to be loud.  A time to be fast and a time to play slow. However without the conductor to direct them all it would sound like nothing more than just a loud noise rather than a brilliant masterpiece.

This is the perfect example of what God desires our relationship to be with Him. He wants to direct us. If we don't follow His timing our masterpiece will a mess.

As I look back at the past few days, weeks, months and years I can see how even the smallest, most mundane things were all a part of His plan. I am so relieved that God orchestrates every part of our lives, every decision we make is an opportunity to follow Him.

I want to be a beautiful instrument to be used for His will. Guide me and direct me Maestro!

My heart is steadfast, O God;

I will sing and make music with all my soul. 

Psalm 108:1

in rilievo

adverb 

1. (music) The musical notation that indicates that a particular instrument to play slightly louder than the others so as to stand out over the ensemble; in relief.

Etymology: Borrowed from Italian , meaning "in relief"