My heart is so full
and I want you to know
how beautiful you are
how much you are cared for
Please hear as He calls you
come to Him
He wants you
Come as you are
Turn from the glistening things of this place
Join the family
He wants you, come to Him
He is waiting for you
Is there anyway you will turn
and truly see the light?
Can I say anything more?
I want you to know how beautiful you are
I want you to know He loves you
more than anyone in this world
Seek Him
He will not fail
His love is perfect
His love is strong
His love changes
His love is real
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Challenge
As defined by the dictionary:
Challenge
–noun
1.
a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.
2.
something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.: Space exploration offers a challenge to humankind.
3.
a call to fight, as a battle, a duel, etc.
4.
a demand to explain, justify, etc.: a challenge to the treasurer to itemize expenditures.
5.
difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.
6.
Military . the demand of a sentry for identification or a countersign.
I have found myself using this word multiple times a day and in various conversations in the last few days. I notice that recently I have been challenged to be more intentional and even that is challenging. I am learning that to be challenged is not a bad thing, it is good. I feel that sometimes when it seems I've been challenged it is by the Holy Spirit; He is stretching me to go out of my comfort and do something more than I am now.
This weekend away at camp with the kids of the city was a challenge. Not only in the sense that I was one of two people out of a group of 35 that was white, but also just culturally, I was way out of my so called element.
But again, even with this challenge, I was reminded the importance of flexibility in ministry and life. Challenges are not to be avoided or even to run from, but are to be taken (usually) face on and with confidence. There were moments on this camping trip that I was incredibly uncomfortable and knew that the kids thought I was crazy, but all I could do was respond in love and confidence that I have in Him.
Even just talking with Clive for a few hours there and back was a reminder to me of the recent challenges the Spirit has been revealing in my life. I am encouraged through conversation with Clive, Carlos, Gerald & Confessor that inner city ministry is rough and challenging, but not meaningless.
To end this post I just want to share what Carlos told our kids last night during our Bible time, we talked about church and 'challenged' them to start meeting and studying the Bible with us. Carlos presented the church to us with the focus on a family aspect rather than the building, title or location. With this mindset of church and knowing the backgrounds of the kids present he said this:
"Come to God, He changes the DNA. You don't have to get right before getting to God, come to Him and He'll change you. God wants to adopt you into His family."
If you read this and follow Christ, please pray for those who heard this and know what we are all about, pray that their hearts would soften and desire to go deeper.
If you read this and do not know Him, read that again, I challenge you to come to Him, despite all that is going on in your life and your past, Come to God, He CHANGES DNA! He makes you HIS OWN!
Challenge
–noun
1.
a call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.
2.
something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle, contest, special effort, etc.: Space exploration offers a challenge to humankind.
3.
a call to fight, as a battle, a duel, etc.
4.
a demand to explain, justify, etc.: a challenge to the treasurer to itemize expenditures.
5.
difficulty in a job or undertaking that is stimulating to one engaged in it.
6.
Military . the demand of a sentry for identification or a countersign.
I have found myself using this word multiple times a day and in various conversations in the last few days. I notice that recently I have been challenged to be more intentional and even that is challenging. I am learning that to be challenged is not a bad thing, it is good. I feel that sometimes when it seems I've been challenged it is by the Holy Spirit; He is stretching me to go out of my comfort and do something more than I am now.
This weekend away at camp with the kids of the city was a challenge. Not only in the sense that I was one of two people out of a group of 35 that was white, but also just culturally, I was way out of my so called element.
But again, even with this challenge, I was reminded the importance of flexibility in ministry and life. Challenges are not to be avoided or even to run from, but are to be taken (usually) face on and with confidence. There were moments on this camping trip that I was incredibly uncomfortable and knew that the kids thought I was crazy, but all I could do was respond in love and confidence that I have in Him.
Even just talking with Clive for a few hours there and back was a reminder to me of the recent challenges the Spirit has been revealing in my life. I am encouraged through conversation with Clive, Carlos, Gerald & Confessor that inner city ministry is rough and challenging, but not meaningless.
To end this post I just want to share what Carlos told our kids last night during our Bible time, we talked about church and 'challenged' them to start meeting and studying the Bible with us. Carlos presented the church to us with the focus on a family aspect rather than the building, title or location. With this mindset of church and knowing the backgrounds of the kids present he said this:
"Come to God, He changes the DNA. You don't have to get right before getting to God, come to Him and He'll change you. God wants to adopt you into His family."
If you read this and follow Christ, please pray for those who heard this and know what we are all about, pray that their hearts would soften and desire to go deeper.
If you read this and do not know Him, read that again, I challenge you to come to Him, despite all that is going on in your life and your past, Come to God, He CHANGES DNA! He makes you HIS OWN!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Confidence
The voices I hear tell me I'm nothing, tell me that those girls have power over me and that I am weak.
These voices lie.
I am told to resist the voice of the devil, he has NO power over me. The POWER of Christ IN me is all I need. Who I really am is all because of Jesus and the power of what He did for me. My complete identity is in Him. Why would I loose my thoughts in the lies of the deceiver when the truth is so evident and powerful?
I will continue to resist those voices that whisper in the quiet, crevices of my mind, I will tell them they lie. I will tell them the truth, I will tell them that because of Christ, all these things I fear He knows and holds dear, He will not forsake me, He will forever take care of me, He goes before me, behind me, and all around me. He walks before me, preparing the way and He allows all things to work together for my good, because He loves me.
So I will walk ahead, though this fearful place, through the voices around me saying I won't make it, and into the unknown, but only because I know that the peace of laying all my cares at His feet is real, saving and sweet, I know I will not be harmed, even in the darkest valley, He will forever and ever be at my side. My confidence is in Him alone.
These voices lie.
I am told to resist the voice of the devil, he has NO power over me. The POWER of Christ IN me is all I need. Who I really am is all because of Jesus and the power of what He did for me. My complete identity is in Him. Why would I loose my thoughts in the lies of the deceiver when the truth is so evident and powerful?
I will continue to resist those voices that whisper in the quiet, crevices of my mind, I will tell them they lie. I will tell them the truth, I will tell them that because of Christ, all these things I fear He knows and holds dear, He will not forsake me, He will forever take care of me, He goes before me, behind me, and all around me. He walks before me, preparing the way and He allows all things to work together for my good, because He loves me.
So I will walk ahead, though this fearful place, through the voices around me saying I won't make it, and into the unknown, but only because I know that the peace of laying all my cares at His feet is real, saving and sweet, I know I will not be harmed, even in the darkest valley, He will forever and ever be at my side. My confidence is in Him alone.
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