A few years ago, I was grieving over the loss of a child that God had placed in our lives for a short time. In my grief, I found myself sitting in the garden at the Cenacle Retreat house. God gently comforted me with the sound of the birds singing and the wind blowing through the trees and then He spoke to my soul. There is a plaque in that garden that says, “The greatest gift is love.” As I numbly stared at the plaque, my heart listened, “Jana, you have given the greatest gift. That is all I have asked of you. It is my turn now.” You see, the child I am speaking of didn’t die. She simply had lived with us for 8 months and it was time for her to return to the refugee camps in the Sahara Desert where she lives.
Prior to her coming, I had been naively excited by the fact that I was going to get to convert someone. The Spirit prompted beautiful conversations with time and her understanding of the English language. She asked what she had to do in this life to be smart. She wondered how I listened to God. She learned who Jesus was. She left us though and I don’t know if she accepted Him. I may never know. And yet, I do know that she felt loved. When I was picking lice from her hair, she felt accepted. When she had surgeries and needed to be nursed, she felt cared for. When we had her hair straightened because it was important to her, she felt beautiful. When we told her she was our daughter, she felt loved.
The beautiful thing is that God keeps His promises. I know from other people who have seen our refugee daughter in the camps that He is continuing to move her heart towards Him. And, I learned from the experience that nothing I do in this life will ever be as important as loving someone. I only have to look at the example of Christ to know this but, I am a slow learner. Recently, God has graciously reminded me that as I do church on Sunday and as I am the church throughout the week, I am to give the greatest gift – Love.
Monday, February 20, 2006
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Keep It Simple Stupid
When Bill Clinton was running for President, his campaign crew used a popular catch phrase when strategizing, “Keep It Simple, Stupid” or KISS for short. The phrase implied that their campaign should stay basic in message to reach the most number of people. You start complicating the vision or muddying your speeches with too many messages and you’re going to lose voters.
It was getting late in the day, the disciples mind was on food and what was this large crowd going to do when there were no concessions? They suggested dispersing the multitude but Jesus had another one of his crazy ideas. He suggested the disciples feed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. Jesus really had to be out of his mind with this one, right? He had the crowds divide up into smaller groups (hmmm… the first small groups?). Looking to heaven, Jesus gave thanks and broke the loaves. Verse 42 says, “they were all satisfied”.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Enough Grace on Groundhog Day
Happy Groundhog Day! I know most of you are leaving work early to celebrate. Don't you wish God would provide us a groundhog? We need something from him that allows us to see what lies in the future. We want to know what will happen next. It's just too scary to trust him for tomorrow. Funny thing is, regardless of how much we can reflect on the past and see his providence, we still can't seem to leave tomorrow in his hands.
John Piper refers to something called "Future Grace." It's the concept that we can see his unmerited favor to us in the past and trust that this unmerited favor will persist in the future. Faith in this "future grace" is what we all need when we are scared, lonely, depressed, or disappointed. Not unlike the Israelites making their journey from Egypt, we must not forget his past provision. This is the basis of our belief in his future grace.
Here's where future grace meets us this week at The FOM. There are lots of things we cannot control. We can't control the sound board crashing, we can't control who comes, we can't control video bulbs going out, etc. Mostly we can't control God's Spirit. His meeting us there this week is the basis for everything we want to see happen in the lives of people who come to FOM environments - transformed lives. But as we look back on the last two years, we can depend on his future grace. There is no question that he has opened doors and led every step of this journey. Not because we were unwavering in our obedience, but because his grace is enough to cover our lack of faith and lead us in the paths of righteousness.
This week will will open elevation with a song that is timely. "Great is your faithfulness oh God. You use the weak to lead the strong. You lead us in the paths of your salvation.... Your grace is enough for me." Let's celebrate his faithfulness this weekend. Let's celebrate his past and future grace. Let's release the spirit of performance and make this Sunday an offering to him - this is our spiritual act of worship.
John Piper refers to something called "Future Grace." It's the concept that we can see his unmerited favor to us in the past and trust that this unmerited favor will persist in the future. Faith in this "future grace" is what we all need when we are scared, lonely, depressed, or disappointed. Not unlike the Israelites making their journey from Egypt, we must not forget his past provision. This is the basis of our belief in his future grace.
Here's where future grace meets us this week at The FOM. There are lots of things we cannot control. We can't control the sound board crashing, we can't control who comes, we can't control video bulbs going out, etc. Mostly we can't control God's Spirit. His meeting us there this week is the basis for everything we want to see happen in the lives of people who come to FOM environments - transformed lives. But as we look back on the last two years, we can depend on his future grace. There is no question that he has opened doors and led every step of this journey. Not because we were unwavering in our obedience, but because his grace is enough to cover our lack of faith and lead us in the paths of righteousness.
This week will will open elevation with a song that is timely. "Great is your faithfulness oh God. You use the weak to lead the strong. You lead us in the paths of your salvation.... Your grace is enough for me." Let's celebrate his faithfulness this weekend. Let's celebrate his past and future grace. Let's release the spirit of performance and make this Sunday an offering to him - this is our spiritual act of worship.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Big Ups - Day 2
We each have been on this journey for different lengths of time. Some of us came on 18 days ago with the “Journey to Elevation” prayer blog. Others have come to Fellowship in the last few months. And then, there are the visionaries of Brandon and Lee Anna, Chris and Lisa who have been with this from inception. As Sunday approaches, we will look to the One who has been with us for eternity. It is time for some “big ups”. No more virtual paper. No more thoughts to meditate on. No more challenging of your spirit. This is it. This is what we were made for. We were created to bow before His throne. And, I am unable to do it alone. We are a body.
Today, hit “reply all” on the e-mail, place a comment on the blog, call a friend, sing in your car, or kneel in your closet. Do whatever it takes to show our amazing God that you are thankful, you are in awe, you are a witness, you are humbled, and you are blessed.
The smile on your face today is because of Him. The song in your heart is from Him. The life that you live is for Him. He is.
There is nothing like our God. The whole earth resonates with the beauty of His glory. He is like a star whose bright light will never wane. His love is perfect and pure. To stand before Him is to be filled with the greatest joy and the most perfect peace. All praise, all glory, all honor are His and His alone. He is our Father, our Savior, and the great lover of our souls. He is beautiful, so beautiful that words cannot express. We praise you. We thank you. You are our God and we are your people. We belong because of you. We exist for you. We love you. You are.
Today, hit “reply all” on the e-mail, place a comment on the blog, call a friend, sing in your car, or kneel in your closet. Do whatever it takes to show our amazing God that you are thankful, you are in awe, you are a witness, you are humbled, and you are blessed.
The smile on your face today is because of Him. The song in your heart is from Him. The life that you live is for Him. He is.
There is nothing like our God. The whole earth resonates with the beauty of His glory. He is like a star whose bright light will never wane. His love is perfect and pure. To stand before Him is to be filled with the greatest joy and the most perfect peace. All praise, all glory, all honor are His and His alone. He is our Father, our Savior, and the great lover of our souls. He is beautiful, so beautiful that words cannot express. We praise you. We thank you. You are our God and we are your people. We belong because of you. We exist for you. We love you. You are.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Say His Name - Day 3
God always teaches me something from listening to the hearts of others. Today, I’m having lunch with a precious friend who has taught me much about who God is. When we have prayed together, I have been so blessed by her prayers. She prays beautiful, heartfelt prayers to our Father but, what strikes me the most is how she calls upon the name of Jesus. As I am praying, she simply repeats the name of Jesus over and over again. “Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus…..” Her reiterating of our Savior’s name is like ointment on a wound or fresh water to a thirsty soul. Through her statement of adoration, it is as if the heavens are opened and we are transported to the throne of our Lord. It is a truly beautiful experience.
The Bible tells us there is power in the name of Jesus. Raging storms are stilled. Tormented souls are freed. Illnesses are cured. Broken hearts are cleansed. We are told that the angels who live in His constant presence repeat in unison, “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God almighty who was and is and is to come. Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God almighty who was and is and is to come.” (Rev. 4:8) Might we learn from the angels or even from my friend?
On Sunday, what would happen if we as a body of believers came together and repeated the name of Jesus? While we are singing or meeting a guest or setting something up or checking sound or hugging a child or participating in worship, say His name. Allow it to fill in the holes of your soul. Ask Him to invade the building, the room, your being, and the guests. He will be there. He always shows up when we call out his name, Jesus.
Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:10 - this is our prayer today.
The Bible tells us there is power in the name of Jesus. Raging storms are stilled. Tormented souls are freed. Illnesses are cured. Broken hearts are cleansed. We are told that the angels who live in His constant presence repeat in unison, “Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God almighty who was and is and is to come. Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God almighty who was and is and is to come.” (Rev. 4:8) Might we learn from the angels or even from my friend?
On Sunday, what would happen if we as a body of believers came together and repeated the name of Jesus? While we are singing or meeting a guest or setting something up or checking sound or hugging a child or participating in worship, say His name. Allow it to fill in the holes of your soul. Ask Him to invade the building, the room, your being, and the guests. He will be there. He always shows up when we call out his name, Jesus.
Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Phil. 2:10 - this is our prayer today.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Beware of Bumper Stickers
(Written by Lisa Archinal) There is a custom in this country of slathering your life story and beliefs on the back of your car in the form of bumper stickers. This visual pollution, as I see it, makes for a fascinating sociological study. Why do people feel the need to reveal their children’s names and sports to the general public? Do I care that your child is on the honor roll? Is it necessary for me to know you support George W. or that you long for World Peace? Excuse me if I am not compelled to share my life story with strangers on the freeway. There is a silver double T logo and a Baylor trailer hitch on the back of my car. Neither was put there by me. I am a passionate person but choose to express my convictions in other ways than on the back of my motor vehicle.
Bumper stickers are not only a visual nuisance, they can also get you into trouble. See if you can relate to this scenario. My friend had a prescription to fill on her way home from work. She pulls up to the drive-thru pharmacy to see a car in each of the two drive up windows. She patiently waits centered between the two lanes for the first available window. About ten minutes later a few cars pull in and fall in line. The car immediately behind my friend shortly starts honking for her to move up. My friend moves up a bit thinking perhaps someone in the back of the line is trying to get off the street and into the lot. However, the driver continues to honk impatiently. My friend inches up just enough for the driver to suddenly squeeze by her into one of the window lanes. As fate would have it that lane moved up and the rude driver was waited on before my friend who’d been there some time.
My friend, not suffering from a case of shyness, rolled down her window to politely explain to the woman why she had been straddling the two lanes and that now she would have to wait even longer. The woman driving the car was as brash to my friend as her horn had been and quickly closed her window as if hanging up on a telemarketer during dinner. It was at this time my friend couldn’t help but notice not one, not two, but THREE Christian bumper stickers on the back of the brash lady’s car. One for her church, one promoting prayer and of course the famous fish. My friend thought of several very clever quips she would like to share with the woman, but feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit, unlike the car next to her, kept the thoughts to herself.
How many of us can relate to both characters in this story? One day we’re the righteous victim being treated so unfairly, the next day we’re the ones with the Christian labels telling the rest of the world what they can do with it!
Oh sure, we all believe Philippians 4:4-5, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” As well as, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” Christians know to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”. Let’s not leave out, John 3:36, which says, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Ouch!
Of course we say we believe these things and we do but it’s nearly impossible to live this all the time. It’s hard to always live what we believe. Here’s the other problem, aren’t we just walking bumper stickers? Aren’t us Christians, wearing His name? God took a chance leaving us here after we accepted Him as Lord. Why take the risk?
The bible says it’s because, of good ol’ Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. God prepared for us to do good works! That’s what we’re doing here, and Romans 1:6, “(For I am) confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” If you had been taken upon receiving Jesus, who would be here this Sunday to teach at the Treehouse or help in the parking lot or set up the stage for worship?
We’re all a work in progress. God planned to leave us here to be his ambassadors and to continually work on us. Our failures keep us on our knees in awe of his perfections. Our good works allow us to participate with him in the gospel. He’s got a good plan. We’re part of that plan in whatever stage of faith we may be.
My friend did the right thing that day, exercising her beliefs of being quick to listen (to the Spirit in this case) and slow to speak. Her sister in the Lord driving that car next to her didn’t exercise that day. I don’t know which role I’ll play later today when I get out in Houston traffic but I do know this, “I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
Drive on brothers and sisters in the strength of the Lord but please, don’t ask us to print any FOM bumper stickers any time soon!
Pray today that all our volunteers will be positive bumper stickers for His Name. Pray that his name and renown would be the desire of our hearts. Blessings to you!
Bumper stickers are not only a visual nuisance, they can also get you into trouble. See if you can relate to this scenario. My friend had a prescription to fill on her way home from work. She pulls up to the drive-thru pharmacy to see a car in each of the two drive up windows. She patiently waits centered between the two lanes for the first available window. About ten minutes later a few cars pull in and fall in line. The car immediately behind my friend shortly starts honking for her to move up. My friend moves up a bit thinking perhaps someone in the back of the line is trying to get off the street and into the lot. However, the driver continues to honk impatiently. My friend inches up just enough for the driver to suddenly squeeze by her into one of the window lanes. As fate would have it that lane moved up and the rude driver was waited on before my friend who’d been there some time.
My friend, not suffering from a case of shyness, rolled down her window to politely explain to the woman why she had been straddling the two lanes and that now she would have to wait even longer. The woman driving the car was as brash to my friend as her horn had been and quickly closed her window as if hanging up on a telemarketer during dinner. It was at this time my friend couldn’t help but notice not one, not two, but THREE Christian bumper stickers on the back of the brash lady’s car. One for her church, one promoting prayer and of course the famous fish. My friend thought of several very clever quips she would like to share with the woman, but feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit, unlike the car next to her, kept the thoughts to herself.
How many of us can relate to both characters in this story? One day we’re the righteous victim being treated so unfairly, the next day we’re the ones with the Christian labels telling the rest of the world what they can do with it!
Oh sure, we all believe Philippians 4:4-5, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” As well as, “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” Christians know to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”. Let’s not leave out, John 3:36, which says, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." Ouch!
Of course we say we believe these things and we do but it’s nearly impossible to live this all the time. It’s hard to always live what we believe. Here’s the other problem, aren’t we just walking bumper stickers? Aren’t us Christians, wearing His name? God took a chance leaving us here after we accepted Him as Lord. Why take the risk?
The bible says it’s because, of good ol’ Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”. God prepared for us to do good works! That’s what we’re doing here, and Romans 1:6, “(For I am) confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” If you had been taken upon receiving Jesus, who would be here this Sunday to teach at the Treehouse or help in the parking lot or set up the stage for worship?
We’re all a work in progress. God planned to leave us here to be his ambassadors and to continually work on us. Our failures keep us on our knees in awe of his perfections. Our good works allow us to participate with him in the gospel. He’s got a good plan. We’re part of that plan in whatever stage of faith we may be.
My friend did the right thing that day, exercising her beliefs of being quick to listen (to the Spirit in this case) and slow to speak. Her sister in the Lord driving that car next to her didn’t exercise that day. I don’t know which role I’ll play later today when I get out in Houston traffic but I do know this, “I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”
Drive on brothers and sisters in the strength of the Lord but please, don’t ask us to print any FOM bumper stickers any time soon!
Pray today that all our volunteers will be positive bumper stickers for His Name. Pray that his name and renown would be the desire of our hearts. Blessings to you!
Bless You - Day 5
“Do you bless people?” This was the question God asked me yesterday. It’s a simple question, really. So, why has the examination of it pained me so much? God knows how full my calendar is. He knows that I have two kids and a husband to take care of. He knows how many friends I have. He knows I am a part of starting a church. Still the irritating question, “Do you bless people?” He even managed to hit me with it in scripture. Genesis 47:7-10: Then Joseph brought his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him. Jacob replied, “I have lived for 130 hard years, but I am still not nearly as old as many of my ancestors.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before he left.
Jacob blessed Pharaoh not once but twice in the extremely short time of being in his presence. It was instinctive for Jacob to do this. This is why God has asked me this question. Instinct. Blessing people is not my first instinct. God needs to hit this home for me right now. Look at it from His perspective. If I am to be a part of God’s kingdom by starting this church, His desire is that my first instinct be that of blessing another.
How do we do this? In the book we all just read, The Challenge of the Disciplined Life, Richard Foster says by “[looking] into the eyes of that solitary individual. And perhaps, just perhaps, that look will keep us from betraying the Lord of glory. You see, service is not really charts and programs and elaborate strategies to serve humanity. No, it is looking into the fugitives eyes.”
We will serve by blessing people. It won’t be because we have slick ads or cool music or a new way of saying what is ancient to God. It will be because we will look them in the eye and bless them in the name of our mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Do you bless people?” God, please let it be so.
Ask God to show Fellowship how to richly bless people. Pray a prayer of blessing for Katie as she undergoes a procedure today.
Jacob blessed Pharaoh not once but twice in the extremely short time of being in his presence. It was instinctive for Jacob to do this. This is why God has asked me this question. Instinct. Blessing people is not my first instinct. God needs to hit this home for me right now. Look at it from His perspective. If I am to be a part of God’s kingdom by starting this church, His desire is that my first instinct be that of blessing another.
How do we do this? In the book we all just read, The Challenge of the Disciplined Life, Richard Foster says by “[looking] into the eyes of that solitary individual. And perhaps, just perhaps, that look will keep us from betraying the Lord of glory. You see, service is not really charts and programs and elaborate strategies to serve humanity. No, it is looking into the fugitives eyes.”
We will serve by blessing people. It won’t be because we have slick ads or cool music or a new way of saying what is ancient to God. It will be because we will look them in the eye and bless them in the name of our mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Do you bless people?” God, please let it be so.
Ask God to show Fellowship how to richly bless people. Pray a prayer of blessing for Katie as she undergoes a procedure today.
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