Monday, September 29, 2008

Love me some Jesus Love

Jars of Clay, one of the most epic Christian Bands of our time, have a song called "I need You" and through the years it has become one of my life's songs. Have a listen/read

Strangely out of place
There's a light filling this room
Where none would follow before
I can't deny it burns me up inside
I fan the flames to melt Away my pride
Do I want shelter from the rain
Or the rain to wash me way?

[chorus]I need you, I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for

I might sound like a fool
But I think I felt you moving
Closer to meFace to the ground
To hide the fatal cutI fight the weight
I feel you lift me up
You are the shelter from the rain
And the rain to wash me away

I need you, I need you, I need you
I need you, I need you, I need you
(All I'm living for)I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living for
All I'm living for
You're all I'm living for[

Face to the groundTo hide the fatal cut
I fight the weight
Feel you lift me up
Can't deny it burns me up inside
I fan the flames to melt away My pride
Only had a second to spare
But all the time in the world
To know you're there
You are the shelter from the rain
And the rain to wash me away

I need you, I need you, I need you
(All I'm living for)I need you, I need you, I need you
(All I'm living for)& I need you, I need you, I need you
You're all I'm living forAll I'm living for
All I'm living forAll I'm living for
You're all I'm living for


Amen and Amen! There are so many times that I get distracted by the frustrations and mundaneness of everyday life that I forget who I'm living for - who's purpose I'm here to do. Not my will, but God's will be done within my life. Too many times life gets in the way of eternity - and taking the time to reflect on the important, eternal goals is vital to my overall faith and trust in the One and Only. Why let the busyness of everyday life take me from the desires the Lord has laid on my heart? Why is it always so much easier to say we're going to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding, than actually living it daily? What is the deal?

I need You Lord for you're all I'm living for....

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

This lot is full

Parking Spaces. Really? How is it that the Lord can speak to someone's life with something as simple as a parking spot? Seriously? It's amazing to me that Jesus is found in the small, simple things of life, just as much as he's found in the devastating tragedies of this world. Parking... Spaces... of life.

Recently, I've been struggling with my prayer life - wondering if God is even there and answering my prayers. So many times in my life it seems that He's just not listening to my requests and kind of forgets that I'm around. Then, one fine Saturday afternoon I was running errands around town and was completely exhausted and having a tough time even functioning. As I pulled into the Costco parking lot (gosh, I'm beginning to sound more and more like a mom!) I just sat in my car, Coldplay playing in the background, and said, "Lord, I'm so tired today, and I know this is a stupid request, but could you please just give me a parking space close to the door?" You know where this is going.... I pull down a row and low and behold the first parking space just so happens to be the closest to the door is open and waiting for the Tenacious mobile. All I could do is sit there and laugh/cry at the same time. He does hear my prayers!

That Saturday afternoon I was reminded of the faithfulness of the Lord, even in the little things of life. A parking space, for heaven's sake, is what it took for my simple mind to realize that God is standing beside me, hearing my calls to Him each and every hour of each and every day. That means he hears just about everything I talk about - my complaints, my needless worry, my frustration, my fears, my everything. And the funny thing is - he not only hears my requests, He answers them as well. The point is that often he says, "No" to my requests simply because they are not appropriate for my life that certain point in my life, or they are requests that He cannot answer because I'm unwilling to act...

Push me into action Jesus when you press desires and issues on my heart - that I may hear your calling. Let me accept the "no's" you send my way as blessings and times of growth, and help me to appreciate the value of the "yes'" you so freely give - that I may be a better light to You, Your Kingdom, and Your Faithfulness.

Amen!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Nooma

Nooma is coming. Have you heard? It's the Christian worlds newest phenomenon which encapsulates a typical hour long sermon in a few short minutes. Nooma is coming, it's almost here. Have you heard of the impact it's making within our generation? This one organization is making the gospel reachable to young people throughout the United States and world. Nooma is coming... it's actually here!

Did I get your attention? I certainly hope so... today instead of hosting our typical team meeting at the local GFC, my boss brought in one of the Nooma series videos by Rob Bell. You may recognize his name.. he's the author of Velvet Elvis. A new wave or way, rather, of teaching the gospel to those around us is found in the short, concise video series called Nooma. Today's video, titled "breath" shared the depth and power of each breath our human bodies take. Within that breath there are options. Options to see others as God sees them - and our ability to be aware of those people and things around us so that we may better reach out to one another.

As the short film continues Rob reminds his watchers of the fragileness of life and how vulnerable we truly are as humans. From dust we come and to dust we go. There are no guarantees for tomorrow - just today - just this moment - just this breath. As it says in Romans 8 - breath = the Spirit. So where the Spirit of the Lord is there is breath? Interesting concept here... I would say that God's Spirit is in each and every breath he gives us. He gives us a choice with every breath we have - to serve Him, to serve the needs of others, and love on those around us - or to misuse the gifts and talents he has bestowed on each of us.

How often do we waste time worrying about what happens next? How frequently do we question our purpose? Instead, maybe we should take life as it comes - and let God lead us with each breath we take. Not worrying about what lies ahead- for God is our compass and our master planner. And not letting the past hinder us from moving forward in here and now. But using every breath that the Lord gives us to glorify Him and His purpose while we're here on earth. Easier said than done - that's for sure...

But seriously... why do we hold ourselves back so much? Why is it so hard for us to appreciate the simple gifts in life? Why do we make everything so much more complicated than it needs to be? And how do we glorify the Lord with every breath we take?

Why does anger, frustration, sadness, anxiety, confusion, and so much more plague our lives with uncertainty? Why can't we grasp a hold of the negative and throw it out of our lives.. and let our lives shine the opptimism and grace that only the Lord gives? Wow... I don't even know where to begin here... lots to work on, much to challenge my daily life by, and so much growth to do...

www.nooma.com - check it out - it's pretty gosh darn revolutionary! :-)