Burdens on the heart...

It makes so much sense that the face of ‘church’ is changing. From the original church (orthodox/catholic), to the reformation and Wesley and Martin Luther, through the Pentecostal movement to the non-denominational branching, I believe the face is morphing again. Within the last 100 years media has indeed advanced, travel has changed, technology had radically revolutionized how communication is shared. In this relationships change, the things that reached the people’s heart strings before are no longer reaching them.

People have become lost, isolated, and lonely. How do we reach them?

Churches have become mega-churches, yet people are lost, isolated, and lonely? How do we reach them?

Let us reach people from the grass roots. From the outside in.

As the face of church has changed, so has the personality of the leadership. Many have received praise beyond recognition, and they have lost the sincere passion of delivering the gospel, beyond recognition. Being a minister has become a job to many leaders. They are desensitized to the needs of the people.

The words of Christ resonate in my mind, “I did not come for the well, but for the sick”. It is the needy that Christ came for. Those broken, down-trodden….And why is that population not being reached? Lack of unity?

Imagine how many people can truly be reached when we band together in the name of Jesus with all our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet, leadership does not take the lead in unifying forces.

Let us reach people from the grass roots. From the bottom to the top.

Two things are running through my mind.

1) Bring unity in the community.

2) Make disciples, not church-goers.

I sit before the Lord asking Him why do these things pound my heart at night? I lay awake asking God, “How can I help you with this Lord?”

Keeping it real cultivates the GOOD SOIL

I truly am so ecstatic that someone, whom is in the top 5 dearest people to me, has come to know the Lord in such a mighty way this year.

Looking back over the last 11 years of my own salvation, this is a person who saw me BC - Before Christ. She knew who I was before I ever knew the Lord...the good, the bad, the really bad, and the worst!

She saw me when I first got saved and how I tried to plug into church, but would also plug back into the clubs on Saturday nights.

She watched me go back and forth between church and drinking to finally remaining sober, and then on staff at a church.

She graciously received my boundless evangelistic attempts to get all I knew saved.

She saw me go from on staff at a megachurch to on the sofa nursing my son, and seen me at my worst post-salvation. Sleep deprived, post-partum, and unchurched for a season.

She heard me complain about nearly everything at one time or another along the way.

She saw my efforts to go back to when I was at my best.

She was informed when I felt like I was getting back on track.

She was one of the first who heard me poor out my dreams for the Lord and what I was going to do with my Bible college education.

And now it's her turn.

This morning I was really thanking God so much for her salvation. It's been better news than hearing of someone giving birth, getting married, it's one of the greatest things I have experienced.

To know that someone I love so intensely and dearly is on their own adventure to discover and experience how Jesus loves her so intensely and dearly - it's absolutely amazing!

I was in Luke 8 this morning reading about the seed and soils. I felt like the Lord showed me that because I have been so open and honest with her about my life, my relationship with Jesus, and sincere with my love for her no matter what, her heart is even greater than the 'good soil'.

Imagine a compost pile being nurtured for 10 years, always receiving rich nutrients, all the leaf debris, and fruit peels...turned over and over more, for many years....then imagine with it wet and rich, and just a few seeds being dropped in it.

That's what happened to her heart for this last 10 years of her being a spectator of my life pursuing the Lord. I never held back about my zeal for Jesus. I never held back my failures in life.

This is relational evangelism at its best. Being real about it all, never being ashamed, never diluting it, never keeping it mild or worrying about 'offending' someone. But speaking the truth in love, with passsion, concern, and zeal.

This person who is sooooo dear to me has hit the ground running in her own salvation, and now the good times, good conversations, and good relationship with her is going to get even better. For now, she is also my sister in the Lord. The best above all!

LUKEWARM - What is it by definition?

You know you're a nerd when you have fun working on a 75 page paper....

Here's a little excerpt....

"Consider what ‘lukewarm’ in the Greek means, the word in which God describes the church of Laodicea in the Book of Revelation lukewarm is chliaros in the Greek, which means, “ the condition of the soul wretchedly fluctuating between a torpor and a fervor of love.”  Further definition is needed. Torpor is defined as sluggish inactivity, lethargic indifference, apathy, and dormancy; fervor on the other hand is intense heat, passion, and zeal."

Attempting to make this fit as part of my worldview, and will feel like I need to find a way later to refer back to it later when I pose the need for greater discipleship.

Why is this fun? Because it is confirming...no longer do I take offense when people try to criticize me and say that I am too passionate for Jesus...really, according to these definitions can one really be too passionate? Funny how a critical opinion can be received as an affirming compliment.

I was born for such a time as this, to be open and transparent about my faith to serve as an encourager to those who do not want to live the lukewarm life, but find acceptance for their zealous pursuit of the Lord.

It's OK to love God above all....really, it is!

Establishing my 'worldview' for my thesis...

Part of my intro for my thesis will cover my 'worldview'. The instructor to my Christian Counseling Care advised me to establish my worldview. The importance at the time didn't seem as relevant as it does today. In formulating a hypothesis to support a need I see, I find that sharing the worldview from where this need and solution come from are a necessity.

In spending time with the Lord today, I got a nugget of what to include in my 'worldview'...this is before reviewing in a counseling book what  worldview includes, but I feel like God showed me a conviction on which I respond to the world around me.

A foundational pillar to my worldview is that the Bible is the ultimate authority. Yes, it is the unfallible Word of God, inspired by God; however to me, it is superior to all things. What this Bible says is what I base every opinion, idea, dream, desire, and goal around. It is the framework to my thinking. In everything, every sermon, words shared, spoken....I turn to the Bible to see if what ha been said is supported by the Word of God.

 

So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;

It will not return to Me empty,

Without accomplishing what I desire,

And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

 

In a time of relativism and secular humanism, many times the Word is rejected. How can this be?

This raises the need to look up each word in the following verse to see what we are to do with the Word:

 

"...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,  and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:2-4

 

I completely and humbly acknowledge that I falter on presentation of this. I am a cut and dry, to the point, 'it is what it is' kind of person. So then, I address things the way I see it. I don't sugar coat. Although I understand the need to 'appeal' better than I do now. Dear Lord, raise me up and mature my deliverance, help me make what You would have me say more palatable without diluting the clear message You intend behind the words I speak.

 

Now, I say that, but then I read this in Proverbs:

 

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,

but he who hates reproof is stupid.Proverbs 12:1

 

I'm breaking this down in the Hebrew for myself from www.blueletterbible.org:

DISCIPLINE: a) discipline, chastening, correction

KNOWLEDGE: a) knowledge, perception, skill  b) discernment, understanding, wisdom

REPROOF: a) rebuke, correction, reproof, chastisement

 

We gain wisdom and understanding by receiving correction.

 

Now it is important to lay an additional pillar into the foundation of my worldview in that my wholehearted motives in all that I say and do are honestly to see people come to know Jesus Christ. I do believe in that God calls us to be holy as He is holy and I aim in pursuing God with all zeal and passion that is within me. I do not desire to use His grace in vain. Where I can have self-control, I do my best. Where I am faced with temptation, I call on His grace to make me strong when I am weak.

 

 

"....we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain...." 2 Corinthians 6:1

VAIN: a) empty, vain, devoid of truth

 

I want to start rambling on and on about those who blow it and then say, "there's grace, there's grace". There is, and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. But if we continual error on the side of rationalizing sin, are we IN Christ Jesus?

 

I will say this, the moment I want to make excuses for what I've just been called on the carpet for, I stop and make a mental note to explore that in prayer. When people rebuke me, reject me or my words, I take their actions or reactions to prayer and say, 'Search my heart O God'. If I'm wrong, I need to know. If I'm wrong I need to change.

 

This is just the tip of this worldview iceberg. Other things I need to explore to establish it is:

1. What I believe about God. (I declare that God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, refer to Genesis through Revelation, taking special note in the Book of John.)
2. What I believe about the universe. (Need to identify w/ the 'Gap Theory' or the 6,000 yr. old planet theory. Need to research carbon dating & explain dinosaurs? Although either final determination does not affect salvation and belief in Jesus Christ is Lord!)
3. How we get knowledge & accurate information. Objective truth? The Bible. Divine Revelation? The Holy Spirit. (Both. And both shall coincide, confirm, and compliment, not contradict.)
4. What do I believe about human beings. (God created us in His image. Book of Genesis. Period).
5. How do we determine what is right and wrong. (Oh mercy, here in lies homework, scripture research in original language, scripture support for role of Holy Spirit. My moral standards are based on the Word of God, not defined by worldly culture, society norms, or relativistic acceptance. Again this brings me back to the foundational pillar that the Word of God is the absolute truth, ultimate authority.)

Morals need an absolute truth. Does the 'what is right for you and what is right for me' mentality line up with the Word? Or does 'what is right in God's eyes is what is right for me' seem more biblical? Moreover, knowing what God says and thinks takes precedence over following our desires, correct? Furthermore, reading and studying the Word then takes on a higher priority in our lives, in that what it says sets our values - so we must know what it says, correct?

 

Upon researching this and establishing it, I need to test this, (as per a book CHRISTIAN COUNSELING, A Comprehensive Guide by Gary Collins, page 87):

•  Use reason. (How about I use the Bible? Is reason of flesh? If the Word is the framework of my standards, then there is natural consistency, since God is not a God of confusion and is one of order. - Note: need scripture).
• Look at evidence. (Historically men and women of God have fruits of the Spirit, gifts of the Spirit, and signs and wonders that confirm the Spirit of God within them. - Need to qualify.)
• Check with others. (Proves need for accountability. Another value that needs to be formulated into my worldview. Highly agree. Although, outside of non-Christian, unbelieving individuals, I hope not to find others who would disagree that the Word of God is the absolute truth.)
• Test against experience. (Historically, what the Old Testament claimed/held to/prophesied, came to pass over time, recorded in the New Testament. Time will honestly tell, which in a time of such uncertainty, I see how holding to what the Word of God says is even more imperative in these perilous times.)
• Consider whether it feels right. (This is subjective. Although for the believer, one depends upon the Holy Spirit to convict and help and guide. This does allow for more subjectivity due to the individuals sensitive to the Spirit, and whether or not they are walking in the Spirit - Romans 8:4 says, " so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Another opportunity to point to the Word of God - John 1:1-5 - which, when read, stated, and established, can we hold to any other worldview?
• Test it out. (Again, time proves the Word of God is the most consistent pillar of a worldview.)
• Change cautiously. (Holding to the Word of God is the absolute truth in which to form any and all opinions, values, priorities, and goals upon, woe to me if I were to change my worldview.)

 

I know that everything God does will remain forever;

there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it...

Ecclesiastes 3:14

 

And so with that, I must commence upon my day, although, this will continue to be developed and established further.

 

God bless you as you seek God and establish your worldview.

Is it based on what the world, media, prestigious philosophers say?

Or upon the unchangeable, unshakeable Word of God?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want my dreams to be HIS dreams

Do you dream?
I do.

I lay before the Lord begging Him for certain things to happen in my life. Although for me, at the center of my requests is the consideration of what is best for my family and God's will for my life.

My husband and our boys are so dear to me, no words can fully express how much I love them. And their state of being and health is at the forefront of my mind when I pray and dream. I do not ask for things that would take me away from them. I do not ask for things that would compromise our relationship, or my responsibilities to take care of them all.

I ask for things that would allow us more time together, better environments to live in, and spiritually encouraging activities.

At the heart of our requests are our motives.

My goal in my dreaming is for it to never be all about me.

Godliness with contentment is great gain, the Word says.

My dreams are for a life that will allow my asthmatic son to breathe better, both my boys to get the best K-College education, my husband to be encouraged in his walk with God and endure the least amount of stress as possible...and for me to be able to serve God in the way that He calls me.

I love my family. After my walk and relationship with God, they are my next priority, and then my health and ministry. My dreams are centered on what is best for us all...not what Jennifer wants.

Wants and needs are two different things. I love receiving what I need from God. He promises to give us our needs. But across the pages of the Bible are warnings to not get caught up in money, riches, popularity, etc. So those things are never part of my requests.

I do love the Lord so much. So much so that some react to me as though I'm ridiculous for how much I do...but if I am going to pass down an unswerving faith to my kids in this materialistic, lust-filled, selfish world...I better be pretty radical in my commitment to Christ. I always pray that my boys will be men of God who will pioneer ministry and make uncompromising commitments to Christ into the future. For who will raise our grandkids in the Lord?

My dreams take all that into account. If my goal is to raise men of God who will chase God, how can I give them an example of chasing fame and fortune...chasing prestige, power, and popularity?

Now, if while I live sold out to Christ and commit to fulfilling all that He calls me to, and all that happens, then you will find me on my face again, asking God to not let any of it compromise my relationship with Him....to not let it rip my family off of my time and attention, to not let it interfere with who I am in Him, and even changed me from a friendly caring person to a selfish, boastful person.

I do not want anything of this world that would interfere or attempt to lure me away from my most prized possessions (my boys), most important relationship on earth (my husband), and my most crucial foundation of living (my Jesus, my God).

Folks, let go of what the world says you need. Even well-meaning Christians out there have messages that honestly contradict what the Word says.

Be:
A student of the Bible,
A disciple of Christ, 
A follower of God's leading.

Let go of what interferes in your most important relationships in heaven and on earth. Our children will take your torch and carry it on...and what will they reflect to people when you are gone? Will they carry on your godly values and character? Instill in them what God instills in you, and He will insure your godly heritage continues!