Hey, everyone - for those of you who don't know, Josh and Cat are leaving for Fiji today!!! Please continue to pray for them over the next six and a half week as they travel and follow God's call for their lives this summer.
Josh and Cat will both be updating their blogs weekly, so to find out how they're doing, or to drop them a note, swing by their blogsites when you get a chance. Thanks! Their blogs can be found here:
Josh: A Cup And A Chair Far From Here
Cat: Turn Around
Showing posts with label our stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label our stories. Show all posts
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Loading...
So if any of you saw this yesterday, there is actually content to it. It is rather ironic that this letter my wife wrote is entitled Loading... and we couldn't get her computer to actually post it. I guess it wasn't done loading. Anyways, here is Ashley's letter she wrote to her family that I believe her Torch family needs to read.
Good Morning Friends and Family,
I hope everyone is doing well. I know that its been a while since I’ve seen most of you but I just wanted to share something with you today. To start off, Chris and I are doing very well. We have finally settled into our apartment and are enjoying married life to its fullest. We can honestly say that this was the best decision we have ever made. We are growing closer to each other and to God everyday :) Chris is still looking for a full job as a pastor, but its seems as though our prayers are being answered because we have a new church every week calling for an interview. We are just waiting on God to put us in the right place. I don’t want to pull the wool over your eyes and say that everything has been peachy keen since the wedding, because it hasn’t, by far. We are learning what it means to be adults. Learning how to responsibly spend the little money that we have, learning how to live with each other, learning each others habits, wants, needs, and desires. Its been difficult but we know that we are growing :) But that’s not why I’ve emailed today. I feel something that God has put on my heart today that I would like to share with you. So here it is...
Part of being Christian is devoting time every day to sitting and “spending time with God” as we like to call it. This can mean anything, whether its reading the bible, listening to music, reading a Christian book or praying. I TRY to do this everyday, but that seems to be one of my struggles. Anyways, I got up this morning, with no real intention to sit and spend time with God. Oprah seemed a lot more interesting this morning, I will admit. But nonetheless, I felt convicted and I felt God tugging at my heart to sit and be quiet. So, I found a book in our house (one of the hundreds my husband brought with him) and this book is entitled “Waiting- Finding hope when God seems silent’”. It's been sitting on my coffee table for about 3 weeks now and I just now decided to crack it open. The title brought some curiosity to mind because this was something that I have been struggling with the past few months. And most Christians can relate when I say that nothing is harder than when your prayers seems to bounce off the ceiling and come right back to you. The times when you need help the most and God seems to be silent. I once wondered if God was on a coffee break at Starbucks, sitting and reading people magazine and forgot that I desperately needed his comfort and guidance. Of course, after some time, I realized that wasn’t true; I knew it wasn’t true. But today, while reading this book, I did realize how hard it is to wait. I once heard a statistic that we spend about 2 years waiting. If you take all the time we wait in line in the drive thru, wait at the doctors office, wait for our morning latte at Starbucks, it adds up to about two years - more for others. Waiting....it's what our American society does more than anything and might I say we are terrible at it. We live in a world where everything is at the tip of our fingertips. We want it and we want it now. That’s how we live our life. How many times do you catch yourself say “I can’t wait for.....” - you fill in the blank. We are the most impatient society in the world. Of course, with the advancements in technology we find that waiting is something of the past. But in those times when you are forced to wait, the times when you can’t do anything about it, how do you react? When you are late for work, and you come to a railroad crossing and just as you are about to cross, the signal starts to flash, the barriers come down and of course a ten minute freight train has just made you that much later, that much more anxious, that much more frustrated because YOU have to wait. How dare that train! Doesn’t it know that YOU have things to do? Doesn’t it know that your time is precious and you can’t be waiting on some else’s time? How often has that happened? How often do you get so angry because YOUR time is being wasted?
Waiting...we all do it...have come to hate it, despise it and go to desperate lengths to avoid it. The anxiety becomes that much more difficult when you are waiting on life....”Waiting in a dead-end career break, waiting in a in unhappy marriage for relief or escape, waiting in a chronic illness for a ray of hope, waiting in solitude for the loneliness to subside, waiting in turmoil for peace to come”... “Sometimes we find our lives placed on hold. Deep questions begin to surface. How long must I wait? Is there any meaning to all this waiting? Can I trust God? We can’t help but wonder what is happening- and why?’”
This is where I am right now. Questioning where God is. Why hasn’t my life been made perfect? Why hasn’t my husband found a job? Why do I still get up a 3:30 in the morning to go to work? God, why haven’t you done anything yet? Why am I still waiting? I thought that waiting was over for me. I had been waiting for months... Waiting to get married, waiting to move out of my parents house, waiting to be intimate until my wedding night, waiting to start a new job, waiting for a new chapter in my life to start. I did my share of waiting, God, and I don’t want to do it any more. That’s where I am at. My new chapter has started but only the first paragraph of it. I, now, I find myself waiting again. Waiting for Chris to find a full time job, waiting to move... again, waiting for the point where I don’t have to work anymore, waiting for God to make a move. And that can be more difficult than waiting for any freight train. Waiting on the God of the Universe to say “Go”. In reading just the first few pages today, I learned that life is not all about what I want and when I get to have it. Amazing, I know! Yes, I have always known this... but when I put God into the mix, it makes a lot more sense to me. God taught me this morning that waiting is hard, yes, but it's in the process of waiting where he does all of his work in us. To quote the book “That at least as important as the things we wait for is the work God wants to do in us while we wait.” “Waiting is not just the thing we have to do until we get what we hope for. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what we hope for”.
God is the master at doing “behind the scenes work”. He is preparing you, growing you, making sure things are perfect before He blesses you. It reminds me of all time I spent working in theatre. You don’t have opening night of a play without first preparing a script, making the costumes, building the set, putting on makeup. If I said that tomorrow, I want to put on a production of “Romeo and Juliet” on Broadway with me as the director, the cast, the set constructor and musicians and have it become a hit overnight, you would think I was nuts. Things take time. It takes preparation. Life isn’t like a microwave dinner.... To quote Tom Hanks “It’s like a box of chocolates.” So, in this time of waiting, which by no doubt sucks, and I still have the mentality that I want things done on my time, when and where I want it, God is teaching me to be content. CONTENT!!!!! Yep, something else Americans know nothing about. Contentment. We have always been told.... "go after what you want, don’t let anything get in your way! Strive for the best and don’t stop until you get it!” Ever said that to someone? Ever thought that? Now let me say, this can apply in some situations, but we have taken this attitude and applied it to EVERYTHING! We don’t know how to be content. Patterson says “God is doing a good work in us as we wait, producing in us things like patience, perseverance, character and hope.” The apostle Paul writes in the book of Timothy: “After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” We have all been there. Patterson says, “Whatever we have, we have because God in His grace and generosity has given it to us. When we realize this, there comes into our lives a joyful gratitude for what we do have and we are freed from resentment and anxiety over what we do not have.” Are you content? Or are you living with the want to always have more? Are you constantly thanking God for what you do have? Or are you always asking God for more and getting mad when he doesn’t deliver right away? Paul tells the Philippians “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Does Christ give you the strength to get through? Or are you relying on your own strength and wisdom? Have you thanked God today? Not just for your house, your car, your paycheck...but for your life...for being alive? For being able to take that breath you just took...and that breath......and that one. It's easy to give thanks when things are going well. But do you give thanks when things aren’t? Are you complaining and asking, "why, God, why?"
Can I challenge you? Give thanks, not just when everything goes well, but when you are in tears because things are not going the way YOU planned. Did you ever think that God has different plans than you do? “With God’s power working in us, He can do much, much more than we can ask or imagine.’’ Maybe God is waiting for you to give up control of your life. He wants to take control, because he loves you so passionately, so deeply, so much more than any human being could, and he wants what is best for you. You just need to LET GO AND LET GOD....as I once saw on a bumper sticker. He wants you to have good things, but not always when YOU want. Give it up, all of it...because he knows better than we do. Ecclesiastes 7 :14 says “When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember: God gives good times and hard times, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring.” Later in 8:16, it says “I tried to understand all that happens on earth. I saw how busy people are, working day and night and hardly ever sleeping. I also saw all that God has done. Nobody can understand what God does here on earth. No matter how hard people try to understand it, they cannot. Even if wise people say they understand, they cannot, no one can really understand.” So you see, God knows that you don’t understand... He wrote it in the Bible. He wants you trust Him. He created the Earth, he knows it better than you. He created you, and he probably knows you better than you know yourself. Trust in that. Trust in Him. You may not understand why things are the way that they are, but stay hopeful, praise Him no matter what circumstance, and TRUST HIM. Jesus said “Trust in God, trust also in Me.” Paul said “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” People, keep your eyes towards Christ, your hearts abounding in love, and your minds at rest. There is NOTHING our God cannot do. Be patient, be kind, don’t be jealous and don’t brag. Don’t be rude, don’t be selfish, and don’t get upset with others. Don’t count up wrongs that have been done. Patiently accept ALL things. Always trust, always hope. “These tree things continue forever: Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is LOVE.’’
If you know someone who needs to hear this, please feel free to forward it.
Love, Peace, and Blessings,
Ashley
I hope everyone is doing well. I know that its been a while since I’ve seen most of you but I just wanted to share something with you today. To start off, Chris and I are doing very well. We have finally settled into our apartment and are enjoying married life to its fullest. We can honestly say that this was the best decision we have ever made. We are growing closer to each other and to God everyday :) Chris is still looking for a full job as a pastor, but its seems as though our prayers are being answered because we have a new church every week calling for an interview. We are just waiting on God to put us in the right place. I don’t want to pull the wool over your eyes and say that everything has been peachy keen since the wedding, because it hasn’t, by far. We are learning what it means to be adults. Learning how to responsibly spend the little money that we have, learning how to live with each other, learning each others habits, wants, needs, and desires. Its been difficult but we know that we are growing :) But that’s not why I’ve emailed today. I feel something that God has put on my heart today that I would like to share with you. So here it is...
Part of being Christian is devoting time every day to sitting and “spending time with God” as we like to call it. This can mean anything, whether its reading the bible, listening to music, reading a Christian book or praying. I TRY to do this everyday, but that seems to be one of my struggles. Anyways, I got up this morning, with no real intention to sit and spend time with God. Oprah seemed a lot more interesting this morning, I will admit. But nonetheless, I felt convicted and I felt God tugging at my heart to sit and be quiet. So, I found a book in our house (one of the hundreds my husband brought with him) and this book is entitled “Waiting- Finding hope when God seems silent’”. It's been sitting on my coffee table for about 3 weeks now and I just now decided to crack it open. The title brought some curiosity to mind because this was something that I have been struggling with the past few months. And most Christians can relate when I say that nothing is harder than when your prayers seems to bounce off the ceiling and come right back to you. The times when you need help the most and God seems to be silent. I once wondered if God was on a coffee break at Starbucks, sitting and reading people magazine and forgot that I desperately needed his comfort and guidance. Of course, after some time, I realized that wasn’t true; I knew it wasn’t true. But today, while reading this book, I did realize how hard it is to wait. I once heard a statistic that we spend about 2 years waiting. If you take all the time we wait in line in the drive thru, wait at the doctors office, wait for our morning latte at Starbucks, it adds up to about two years - more for others. Waiting....it's what our American society does more than anything and might I say we are terrible at it. We live in a world where everything is at the tip of our fingertips. We want it and we want it now. That’s how we live our life. How many times do you catch yourself say “I can’t wait for.....” - you fill in the blank. We are the most impatient society in the world. Of course, with the advancements in technology we find that waiting is something of the past. But in those times when you are forced to wait, the times when you can’t do anything about it, how do you react? When you are late for work, and you come to a railroad crossing and just as you are about to cross, the signal starts to flash, the barriers come down and of course a ten minute freight train has just made you that much later, that much more anxious, that much more frustrated because YOU have to wait. How dare that train! Doesn’t it know that YOU have things to do? Doesn’t it know that your time is precious and you can’t be waiting on some else’s time? How often has that happened? How often do you get so angry because YOUR time is being wasted?
Waiting...we all do it...have come to hate it, despise it and go to desperate lengths to avoid it. The anxiety becomes that much more difficult when you are waiting on life....”Waiting in a dead-end career break, waiting in a in unhappy marriage for relief or escape, waiting in a chronic illness for a ray of hope, waiting in solitude for the loneliness to subside, waiting in turmoil for peace to come”... “Sometimes we find our lives placed on hold. Deep questions begin to surface. How long must I wait? Is there any meaning to all this waiting? Can I trust God? We can’t help but wonder what is happening- and why?’”
This is where I am right now. Questioning where God is. Why hasn’t my life been made perfect? Why hasn’t my husband found a job? Why do I still get up a 3:30 in the morning to go to work? God, why haven’t you done anything yet? Why am I still waiting? I thought that waiting was over for me. I had been waiting for months... Waiting to get married, waiting to move out of my parents house, waiting to be intimate until my wedding night, waiting to start a new job, waiting for a new chapter in my life to start. I did my share of waiting, God, and I don’t want to do it any more. That’s where I am at. My new chapter has started but only the first paragraph of it. I, now, I find myself waiting again. Waiting for Chris to find a full time job, waiting to move... again, waiting for the point where I don’t have to work anymore, waiting for God to make a move. And that can be more difficult than waiting for any freight train. Waiting on the God of the Universe to say “Go”. In reading just the first few pages today, I learned that life is not all about what I want and when I get to have it. Amazing, I know! Yes, I have always known this... but when I put God into the mix, it makes a lot more sense to me. God taught me this morning that waiting is hard, yes, but it's in the process of waiting where he does all of his work in us. To quote the book “That at least as important as the things we wait for is the work God wants to do in us while we wait.” “Waiting is not just the thing we have to do until we get what we hope for. Waiting is part of the process of becoming what we hope for”.
God is the master at doing “behind the scenes work”. He is preparing you, growing you, making sure things are perfect before He blesses you. It reminds me of all time I spent working in theatre. You don’t have opening night of a play without first preparing a script, making the costumes, building the set, putting on makeup. If I said that tomorrow, I want to put on a production of “Romeo and Juliet” on Broadway with me as the director, the cast, the set constructor and musicians and have it become a hit overnight, you would think I was nuts. Things take time. It takes preparation. Life isn’t like a microwave dinner.... To quote Tom Hanks “It’s like a box of chocolates.” So, in this time of waiting, which by no doubt sucks, and I still have the mentality that I want things done on my time, when and where I want it, God is teaching me to be content. CONTENT!!!!! Yep, something else Americans know nothing about. Contentment. We have always been told.... "go after what you want, don’t let anything get in your way! Strive for the best and don’t stop until you get it!” Ever said that to someone? Ever thought that? Now let me say, this can apply in some situations, but we have taken this attitude and applied it to EVERYTHING! We don’t know how to be content. Patterson says “God is doing a good work in us as we wait, producing in us things like patience, perseverance, character and hope.” The apostle Paul writes in the book of Timothy: “After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” We have all been there. Patterson says, “Whatever we have, we have because God in His grace and generosity has given it to us. When we realize this, there comes into our lives a joyful gratitude for what we do have and we are freed from resentment and anxiety over what we do not have.” Are you content? Or are you living with the want to always have more? Are you constantly thanking God for what you do have? Or are you always asking God for more and getting mad when he doesn’t deliver right away? Paul tells the Philippians “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Does Christ give you the strength to get through? Or are you relying on your own strength and wisdom? Have you thanked God today? Not just for your house, your car, your paycheck...but for your life...for being alive? For being able to take that breath you just took...and that breath......and that one. It's easy to give thanks when things are going well. But do you give thanks when things aren’t? Are you complaining and asking, "why, God, why?"
Can I challenge you? Give thanks, not just when everything goes well, but when you are in tears because things are not going the way YOU planned. Did you ever think that God has different plans than you do? “With God’s power working in us, He can do much, much more than we can ask or imagine.’’ Maybe God is waiting for you to give up control of your life. He wants to take control, because he loves you so passionately, so deeply, so much more than any human being could, and he wants what is best for you. You just need to LET GO AND LET GOD....as I once saw on a bumper sticker. He wants you to have good things, but not always when YOU want. Give it up, all of it...because he knows better than we do. Ecclesiastes 7 :14 says “When life is good, enjoy it. But when life is hard, remember: God gives good times and hard times, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring.” Later in 8:16, it says “I tried to understand all that happens on earth. I saw how busy people are, working day and night and hardly ever sleeping. I also saw all that God has done. Nobody can understand what God does here on earth. No matter how hard people try to understand it, they cannot. Even if wise people say they understand, they cannot, no one can really understand.” So you see, God knows that you don’t understand... He wrote it in the Bible. He wants you trust Him. He created the Earth, he knows it better than you. He created you, and he probably knows you better than you know yourself. Trust in that. Trust in Him. You may not understand why things are the way that they are, but stay hopeful, praise Him no matter what circumstance, and TRUST HIM. Jesus said “Trust in God, trust also in Me.” Paul said “Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God’s peace which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” People, keep your eyes towards Christ, your hearts abounding in love, and your minds at rest. There is NOTHING our God cannot do. Be patient, be kind, don’t be jealous and don’t brag. Don’t be rude, don’t be selfish, and don’t get upset with others. Don’t count up wrongs that have been done. Patiently accept ALL things. Always trust, always hope. “These tree things continue forever: Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is LOVE.’’
If you know someone who needs to hear this, please feel free to forward it.
Love, Peace, and Blessings,
Ashley
Thursday, April 17, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 9
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever." - Psalm 138:8
No matter where I go in life, Your Spirit will guide me.
Every time I find You somewhere in my life.
Always seeking, never finding, never knowing
what I'm hiding.
Your Spirit fills me in places no one else can find.
For my heart is deep with dark places - fill me!
Your Spirit guides me to places I can't see.
Have Your Spirit come back to me.
Feed our stomachs with tacos and our hearts with love.
Take me to that place, where hopes and dreams
bring us closer to You and in the end,
Your purpose will be known.
- Team Taranatron
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8
No matter where I go in life, Your Spirit will guide me.
Every time I find You somewhere in my life.
Always seeking, never finding, never knowing
what I'm hiding.
Your Spirit fills me in places no one else can find.
For my heart is deep with dark places - fill me!
Your Spirit guides me to places I can't see.
Have Your Spirit come back to me.
Feed our stomachs with tacos and our hearts with love.
Take me to that place, where hopes and dreams
bring us closer to You and in the end,
Your purpose will be known.
- Team Taranatron
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 8
Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry for help come to You. - Psalm 102:1
Here is my heart, broken and cut.
No other could mend, so I brought it to You.
Lord, hear my prayer,
though it's as silent as the night.
Take me by heart, take me by hand.
Walk with me so I'm not alone.
Mend my poor heart, that I may live.
This is my prayer.
Wake me up from my spiritual sleep,
yet give me rest in Your Name.
Please hear my prayer for this new job.
When I can't see, You still see
the big picture; You push aside everything
to spend time with me.
I'm tired and overwhelmed... there's just
so much to do. But I know that Your power
is much greater than my circumstance.
Lord, melt me and shape me into the tool
that You would have me to be.
Reopen my heart; light a flame of passion inside
that only satisfies and delights in You.
I don't know what to do;
I don't know what to say;
and I don't know how to wait patiently.
Teach me to trust You,
and to truly know Your voice.
You redeem all of my mistakes
and make them beautiful
when I entrust them to You.
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6 , Part 7
Here is my heart, broken and cut.
No other could mend, so I brought it to You.
Lord, hear my prayer,
though it's as silent as the night.
Take me by heart, take me by hand.
Walk with me so I'm not alone.
Mend my poor heart, that I may live.
This is my prayer.
Wake me up from my spiritual sleep,
yet give me rest in Your Name.
Please hear my prayer for this new job.
When I can't see, You still see
the big picture; You push aside everything
to spend time with me.
I'm tired and overwhelmed... there's just
so much to do. But I know that Your power
is much greater than my circumstance.
Lord, melt me and shape me into the tool
that You would have me to be.
Reopen my heart; light a flame of passion inside
that only satisfies and delights in You.
I don't know what to do;
I don't know what to say;
and I don't know how to wait patiently.
Teach me to trust You,
and to truly know Your voice.
You redeem all of my mistakes
and make them beautiful
when I entrust them to You.
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6 , Part 7
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 7
(in times of failure)
May the intensity of my longing for You be pleasing
even when we feel we don't deserve it.
The Lord sees and judges the heart, is pleased
with a heart of obedience.
When I'm feeling so low, God is even then with me.
Hold my eyes up to Your light.
Please hear my prayer for this new job.
May I remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
What others see as nothing You find in me something great.
even when it wasn't perfect.
- The 3 Musketeers
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6
May the intensity of my longing for You be pleasing
even when we feel we don't deserve it.
The Lord sees and judges the heart, is pleased
with a heart of obedience.
When I'm feeling so low, God is even then with me.
Hold my eyes up to Your light.
Please hear my prayer for this new job.
May I remember that I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
What others see as nothing You find in me something great.
even when it wasn't perfect.
- The 3 Musketeers
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5, Part 6
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 6
I woke up today feeling that life was gray.
You are faithful despite my unfaithfulness, doubt, and confusion.
In my head, I know You are here. Sometimes my heart is not as sure -
sorry for my instability...
Your love is amazing, constant, never-changing and beautiful.
Thank You!
God of light, I want to see You through my heavy eye-lids.
Thank You for making that possible.
Even when I'm a moron, You still prove faithful!
(How do You do that?)
Let Your overflowing love pour over to others more deeply.
God, give me strength that I don't have.
Help me keep my focus on You.
Pray for me, Lord.
- God's Grace
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5
You are faithful despite my unfaithfulness, doubt, and confusion.
In my head, I know You are here. Sometimes my heart is not as sure -
sorry for my instability...
Your love is amazing, constant, never-changing and beautiful.
Thank You!
God of light, I want to see You through my heavy eye-lids.
Thank You for making that possible.
Even when I'm a moron, You still prove faithful!
(How do You do that?)
Let Your overflowing love pour over to others more deeply.
God, give me strength that I don't have.
Help me keep my focus on You.
Pray for me, Lord.
- God's Grace
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 , Part 5
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 5
My heart cries out for wisdom.
I seek You and still find no joy.
Where is the path You want me to take?
Thanks for the "treasures" You have brought this week.
My body cries out for Your strength
for I am weak without Your mighty power.
Words can't describe how I feel towards You.
Your grace is enough!
Lord, if You could just speak a little louder, please...
God, I need You. I cry out for Your touch, Your love,
Your wings to come and keep me from harm.
Like a chicken with its head cut off, I run around
seeking satisfaction and fulfillment. I need You
to grab my face and show me the satisfaction I may find in You.
Why do I even bother breathing
if I don't breathe in You?
Life is death if You're not living in me.
Ps. 70:4 - "May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You."
- The T-Birds
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
I seek You and still find no joy.
Where is the path You want me to take?
Thanks for the "treasures" You have brought this week.
My body cries out for Your strength
for I am weak without Your mighty power.
Words can't describe how I feel towards You.
Your grace is enough!
Lord, if You could just speak a little louder, please...
God, I need You. I cry out for Your touch, Your love,
Your wings to come and keep me from harm.
Like a chicken with its head cut off, I run around
seeking satisfaction and fulfillment. I need You
to grab my face and show me the satisfaction I may find in You.
Why do I even bother breathing
if I don't breathe in You?
Life is death if You're not living in me.
Ps. 70:4 - "May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You."
- The T-Birds
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
Saturday, April 12, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 4
"O Lord, You have searched me, and You know me." - Psalm 139:1
You Rocketh.
I can't hide from You, even when I try.
Take the anxieties from every corner of my heart
and hold me to You
so that I cannot avoid my responsibilities.
Ask me. Tell me.
I am here for You.
Lord, set my soul on fire; You are my one desire.
Let my tears fall in Your hands; let my trust be kept in You.
- B to the K2G2
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
You Rocketh.
I can't hide from You, even when I try.
Take the anxieties from every corner of my heart
and hold me to You
so that I cannot avoid my responsibilities.
Ask me. Tell me.
I am here for You.
Lord, set my soul on fire; You are my one desire.
Let my tears fall in Your hands; let my trust be kept in You.
- B to the K2G2
for the beginning of this series, you can go here
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
Friday, April 11, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 3
By seeking Him wholeheartedly, we shall find peace.
How almighty is our God; how awesome His power is.
By trusting in Him, we can live this life for Him
without limitations.
Thank You, God, for my great friends
and thanks for always being there for me.
I don't really know where I'm supposed to belong.
Thank You for loving me no matter how many times I mess up.
Your grace is sufficient for me.
Your love is everlasting.
You are holy.
I give You praise, for You are good.
- The Shout Outs
for this series intro, you can go here.
Part 1, Part 2
How almighty is our God; how awesome His power is.
By trusting in Him, we can live this life for Him
without limitations.
Thank You, God, for my great friends
and thanks for always being there for me.
I don't really know where I'm supposed to belong.
Thank You for loving me no matter how many times I mess up.
Your grace is sufficient for me.
Your love is everlasting.
You are holy.
I give You praise, for You are good.
- The Shout Outs
for this series intro, you can go here.
Part 1, Part 2
Thursday, April 10, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 2
Turn my frown upside-down.
Please heal my wounds and end my suffering.
Lord, in You I find my rest.
Help! I need somebody, not just anybody...
to quiet my eager heart and to put a skip in my step.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but Jesus
will always heal them.
Keep me safe, guide me home
and fill me with Your love.
Fill me with Your love and peace,
a kind which I have rarely known.
- The Freedom Writers
Series Intro
Part 1
Please heal my wounds and end my suffering.
Lord, in You I find my rest.
Help! I need somebody, not just anybody...
to quiet my eager heart and to put a skip in my step.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but Jesus
will always heal them.
Keep me safe, guide me home
and fill me with Your love.
Fill me with Your love and peace,
a kind which I have rarely known.
- The Freedom Writers
Series Intro
Part 1
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
The Cry of Our Hearts - Part 1
Ok, Lord, seven of us lookin' up at You.
are we ready for Your return?
I want to shout but my voice is muffled by the branches.
Autumn trees blossom green.
Find rest, o my soul, find rest in God alone.
How long do we wait to listen for Your voice?
Even though You are here with us every day,
why do I always feel alone?
How long until we realize that You are the One True God?
Reliance on God relieves anxiety.
I need You, Jesus.
The beauty that You have created is amazing, thank You!
You are truly amazing.
You know the number of stars and the hairs on my head.
You are amazing.
So I shout up to the heavens, "I need Your help!
I need a rescuer."
- By The Doors
For the beginning of this series, you can go here.
For the next post in this series, go here.
are we ready for Your return?
I want to shout but my voice is muffled by the branches.
Autumn trees blossom green.
Find rest, o my soul, find rest in God alone.
How long do we wait to listen for Your voice?
Even though You are here with us every day,
why do I always feel alone?
How long until we realize that You are the One True God?
Reliance on God relieves anxiety.
I need You, Jesus.
The beauty that You have created is amazing, thank You!
You are truly amazing.
You know the number of stars and the hairs on my head.
You are amazing.
So I shout up to the heavens, "I need Your help!
I need a rescuer."
- By The Doors
For the beginning of this series, you can go here.
For the next post in this series, go here.
The Cry of Our Hearts - Introduction
This past week at Torch, we did something a little... well, I guess you could cliche-icly call it "out of the box." (wow, it's kind of ironic that the phrase "out of the box" could be called cliche...) :)
We brought our worship to the Lord without music. I have to say, I was a little worried about how that would go. As our friendly neighborhood worship director, I know that it's important to make sure we know the reality that music and singing are NOT the only form of worship we can bring to the Lord, and that it's good for us to experience that corporately from time to time - but I was still a little nervous.
Silly me.
You guys took a risk and brought your hearts to the Lord in a really honest way, and I know it blessed His heart - and, in that crazy cool way that worship often works, we got blessed in the process of offering our worship to Him.
Nights like that are worth a standing stone, even if it's only a virtual one. :) So here's ours: a series of posts on Chasing Jesus, offering the cry of our hearts to His. Every line of these psalms, with the exception of anything straight from God's Word, was written by one of you. Let's continue to pray them together, amen?
for the next post in this series, you can go here
We brought our worship to the Lord without music. I have to say, I was a little worried about how that would go. As our friendly neighborhood worship director, I know that it's important to make sure we know the reality that music and singing are NOT the only form of worship we can bring to the Lord, and that it's good for us to experience that corporately from time to time - but I was still a little nervous.
Silly me.
You guys took a risk and brought your hearts to the Lord in a really honest way, and I know it blessed His heart - and, in that crazy cool way that worship often works, we got blessed in the process of offering our worship to Him.
Nights like that are worth a standing stone, even if it's only a virtual one. :) So here's ours: a series of posts on Chasing Jesus, offering the cry of our hearts to His. Every line of these psalms, with the exception of anything straight from God's Word, was written by one of you. Let's continue to pray them together, amen?
for the next post in this series, you can go here
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Good Shepherd
"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:16-17
(the Lamb at the center of the throne)
"The I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders."
Revelation 5:6a
I'm reading through Revelation right now (if you weren't picking that up) and it's rocking my world!
To be honest those "springs of living water" are sounding very nice right now. Erica (wife) and I are now both jobless. I lost my job in July and in response to God's consistent prodings Erica quit her job two weeks ago tommorow. Unfortunately, or at least uncomfortably for us, the prodings came in as a "don't stay here anymore" rather than a "go specifically to this place." Neither of us have any real leads on where to go next for work. And honestly the prospect of paying all the same bills with no income starts to feel a little overwhelming. The "sun" and "scorching heat" feel to be "beating upon" us in this season.
Honestly even the "hunger" and "thirst" from this passage speak to my heart too. He's teaching me to be hungry, to need Him. I see moments where I'm really hungering after Him and seeking Him but then, between those moments, I get distracted by every other thing I can fill my stomach with, spoiling my appetite. I want to want more of Jesus, I know I need more of Him. So I've been asking for a hunger for Him in my life. And He's been turning that up!
So, this passage from Revelation really spoke to me. The promise that our shepherd will lead us into a place where we don't hunger or thirst for anything, we'll have all of Him to fill all of our needs! And where the sun and the things of this life will pass away and not beat down on us anymore.
I'm also celebrating the blessing that it is to share in His suffering for now. I found it really interesting that "the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd." The dependency we're commanded to have on Christ as we lean on Him in our suffering is the dependency He had as He leaned on the Father's grace in His suffering. And through depending on Him in our suffering, we get to know His heart and His voice more closely. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15
~also~
"When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do now recognize a stranger's voice." John 10:4-5
So, we still don't have any answers or leads for jobs, but we'll keep seeking God's voice in the trial.
Revelation 7:16-17
(the Lamb at the center of the throne)
"The I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders."
Revelation 5:6a
I'm reading through Revelation right now (if you weren't picking that up) and it's rocking my world!
To be honest those "springs of living water" are sounding very nice right now. Erica (wife) and I are now both jobless. I lost my job in July and in response to God's consistent prodings Erica quit her job two weeks ago tommorow. Unfortunately, or at least uncomfortably for us, the prodings came in as a "don't stay here anymore" rather than a "go specifically to this place." Neither of us have any real leads on where to go next for work. And honestly the prospect of paying all the same bills with no income starts to feel a little overwhelming. The "sun" and "scorching heat" feel to be "beating upon" us in this season.
Honestly even the "hunger" and "thirst" from this passage speak to my heart too. He's teaching me to be hungry, to need Him. I see moments where I'm really hungering after Him and seeking Him but then, between those moments, I get distracted by every other thing I can fill my stomach with, spoiling my appetite. I want to want more of Jesus, I know I need more of Him. So I've been asking for a hunger for Him in my life. And He's been turning that up!
So, this passage from Revelation really spoke to me. The promise that our shepherd will lead us into a place where we don't hunger or thirst for anything, we'll have all of Him to fill all of our needs! And where the sun and the things of this life will pass away and not beat down on us anymore.
I'm also celebrating the blessing that it is to share in His suffering for now. I found it really interesting that "the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd." The dependency we're commanded to have on Christ as we lean on Him in our suffering is the dependency He had as He leaned on the Father's grace in His suffering. And through depending on Him in our suffering, we get to know His heart and His voice more closely. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father- and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15
~also~
"When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do now recognize a stranger's voice." John 10:4-5
So, we still don't have any answers or leads for jobs, but we'll keep seeking God's voice in the trial.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
The Remedy
A couple of months ago I began reading through the Old Testament, well let's just say from Numbers to where I currently am in Nehemiah (there's some good stuff before Numbers I would agree, if you're willing to sift through to find it). So anyways, the running theme throughout the Old Testament is the Israelites' rebellion and straying from God. The Israelites spent so much time running from God, even though he showed himself to them so many times and delivered them from so many enemies, they ran.
This caused me to started thinking about my own current situation. I know God is calling me to be attentive to a certain situation and to follow him through it. However, I've spent the last few days running from that. Telling him time and again that I'm done and want out. It didn't hit me until during quiet time today, I was reading through II Chronicles about the Israelites' idol worship and how God in his grace over and again gave them a chance at redemption, but one line in the passage struck me. "But God knew there was no remedy." (speaking of their lost state of sin) I could see the parallels in my life up until that point.
However, I/we have a remedy in Jesus. He rescued me from a lost state of sin and is giving me a world of love and happiness, if I just trust him and surrender everything to him. I've spent the last couple of months reading through the Old Testament and have been tremendously blessed by the revelations God has there for us. How alive it is, and how amazing He is, but this one fact never was bigger until now. I want to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites and hear God in my own failures and rebellions calling me back to him. I want to hear his voice in the midst of uncertainty saying "I am here." So many times I've thought, "If only God would tell me what to do right now, it would be simpler." That's true, but I'm also realizing it's simpler than that. He is there often saying, "Abide in me," or "Be patient." He's not a complicated God. The lesson with my current situation I'm dealing with is this, and it's simple: He is here; wait on him. Don't become scared and run. He's here and will lead. Just be patient.
This caused me to started thinking about my own current situation. I know God is calling me to be attentive to a certain situation and to follow him through it. However, I've spent the last few days running from that. Telling him time and again that I'm done and want out. It didn't hit me until during quiet time today, I was reading through II Chronicles about the Israelites' idol worship and how God in his grace over and again gave them a chance at redemption, but one line in the passage struck me. "But God knew there was no remedy." (speaking of their lost state of sin) I could see the parallels in my life up until that point.
However, I/we have a remedy in Jesus. He rescued me from a lost state of sin and is giving me a world of love and happiness, if I just trust him and surrender everything to him. I've spent the last couple of months reading through the Old Testament and have been tremendously blessed by the revelations God has there for us. How alive it is, and how amazing He is, but this one fact never was bigger until now. I want to learn from the mistakes of the Israelites and hear God in my own failures and rebellions calling me back to him. I want to hear his voice in the midst of uncertainty saying "I am here." So many times I've thought, "If only God would tell me what to do right now, it would be simpler." That's true, but I'm also realizing it's simpler than that. He is there often saying, "Abide in me," or "Be patient." He's not a complicated God. The lesson with my current situation I'm dealing with is this, and it's simple: He is here; wait on him. Don't become scared and run. He's here and will lead. Just be patient.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Quick Update from Germany
Well, rehearsal day is over, and we're heading home for the night. 7:00am tomorrow we start a last minute run-thru of the first two sessions, and at 9:00am the conference begins. Many, many things to do yet! We have yet to see powerpoint up on the screens for any significant length of time. That's a little nerve-wracking. There are small things here and there that haven't come together, and I saw some of the guys repainting a door backstage a couple minutes ago. We could definitely use some prayer tonight and tomorrow - but we know God will come through as He always does, and it will be an incredible day.
Can't wait to tell you all about it!
Can't wait to tell you all about it!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Hannah's Prayer
Her name is Hannah. She's an older woman, tall, laugh lines, grey hair, visibly someone who has weathered much but done it with that deep joy that marks those who follow Him. Wrapped in her dark dress coat and a brightly colored scarf, she follows us into the arena where our tech crew will soon begin the long haul of a million things that need to be done in the next three days, setting up for the conference that will begin here on Thursday.
"We pray for this," she says. "Years ago when first they begin building this place, we stand here, and we pray. We ask God that someday the Christians will come and worship in this arena. Last year for the first time, the Christians are gathering to worship here, and now you come. You are God's answer. We are so excited for this."
Wow.
Two days from now, Willow Creek Deutschland will hold the first ever women's conference in Germany. It has a slightly different connotation here than in the states - at least half the people attending the conference will be men - definitely no Women of Faith type event. :) But the topic for the conference is the role of women in ministry, which has never been addressed so publicly here before. And as someone said yesterday, "After this, everything will be different."
How cool is it that God has allowed me to be here for such a time as this, to see and to pray in a watershed moment in the life of His church? I am humbled and awed to have some small role to play in this part of the story.
"We pray for this," she says. "Years ago when first they begin building this place, we stand here, and we pray. We ask God that someday the Christians will come and worship in this arena. Last year for the first time, the Christians are gathering to worship here, and now you come. You are God's answer. We are so excited for this."
Wow.
Two days from now, Willow Creek Deutschland will hold the first ever women's conference in Germany. It has a slightly different connotation here than in the states - at least half the people attending the conference will be men - definitely no Women of Faith type event. :) But the topic for the conference is the role of women in ministry, which has never been addressed so publicly here before. And as someone said yesterday, "After this, everything will be different."
How cool is it that God has allowed me to be here for such a time as this, to see and to pray in a watershed moment in the life of His church? I am humbled and awed to have some small role to play in this part of the story.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
More About Love
This post is actually a sort of response to Josh's last post; it's not really, because I wrote it awhile ago, but it is, because it came to mind as I've been thinking about the love Christ showed/shows us. So, as a result of that weird shift in the time continuum - here are my thoughts on God's thoughts on love.
Love is patient when it could be easily frustrated.
Love is kind when it could have chosen to be cruel.
Love isn't envious of the blessings of others even in the absence of blessing to itself.
Love is humble and quiet, not boastful and self-centered.
Love chooses to forget the wrongs done to it; love refuses to stay angry, even though it has every right to be upset.
Love rejoices with everything that is good and true and right in the world, and weeps over that which is not.
Love protects fiercely, trusts unyieldingly even when it doesn't understand, hopes unswervingly against all odds, and perseveres no matter what.
Love refuses to fail.
Love embraces grace, extends it, doesn't give up.
Love recognizes it can't be earned.
Love mourns sin and celebrates repentance.
Love is meek enough - gentle enough - to both hear and tell the truth.
Love hungers for righteousness.
Love extends mercy.
Love is pure in heart.
Love seeks peace, at great cost to itself.
Love will not shy away from persecution of any kind, because its purpose is greater than any temporary pain.
Love is...Love.*
(He is also known as Jesus.)
* 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 5: 1-12
Love is patient when it could be easily frustrated.
Love is kind when it could have chosen to be cruel.
Love isn't envious of the blessings of others even in the absence of blessing to itself.
Love is humble and quiet, not boastful and self-centered.
Love chooses to forget the wrongs done to it; love refuses to stay angry, even though it has every right to be upset.
Love rejoices with everything that is good and true and right in the world, and weeps over that which is not.
Love protects fiercely, trusts unyieldingly even when it doesn't understand, hopes unswervingly against all odds, and perseveres no matter what.
Love refuses to fail.
Love embraces grace, extends it, doesn't give up.
Love recognizes it can't be earned.
Love mourns sin and celebrates repentance.
Love is meek enough - gentle enough - to both hear and tell the truth.
Love hungers for righteousness.
Love extends mercy.
Love is pure in heart.
Love seeks peace, at great cost to itself.
Love will not shy away from persecution of any kind, because its purpose is greater than any temporary pain.
Love is...Love.*
(He is also known as Jesus.)
* 1 Corinthians 13 and Matthew 5: 1-12
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Reflecting on True Love
I was struck by a line in a song I was listening to as I was driving home late the other night. One of the lines from the song said, “The earth was shaking in the dark, all creation felt the father’s broken heart, tears were filling heaven’s eyes the day that true love died.” That one line, “ALL creation felt the father’s broken heart.” God loved his son so much that the whole Earth shook and felt it. ALL of creation. We nailed his son to a cross in a humiliating, miserably painful death.Now think about that, how would you react to that?
We’ve all loved someone, and in many cases that someone has been mistreated or harmed by another and in most cases we probably reacted in a vengeful way. Yet God didn’t. This turned me to thinking about the passage in Matthew when Jesus is praying and asks the Father to let us be with him. What if Jesus hadn’t prayed that prayer, how would God have reacted to the death on the cross? We know that God is love and this proves how much he loved us. Enough that his wrath didn’t come down on us to the point of destroying us and any chance of salvation forever.
He sent his son here to give us salvation and knew what would have to happen in order for us to receive that salvation. But it still didn’t change the pain he felt when Christ breathed his last. Love is evident all over the cross.From the Father God's pain ripping the Earth open to the prayer Jesus prayed asking the father to be with us for all of eternity. Stop and consider how amazing that is. That’s God’s grace, and that’s true love.
We’ve all loved someone, and in many cases that someone has been mistreated or harmed by another and in most cases we probably reacted in a vengeful way. Yet God didn’t. This turned me to thinking about the passage in Matthew when Jesus is praying and asks the Father to let us be with him. What if Jesus hadn’t prayed that prayer, how would God have reacted to the death on the cross? We know that God is love and this proves how much he loved us. Enough that his wrath didn’t come down on us to the point of destroying us and any chance of salvation forever.
He sent his son here to give us salvation and knew what would have to happen in order for us to receive that salvation. But it still didn’t change the pain he felt when Christ breathed his last. Love is evident all over the cross.From the Father God's pain ripping the Earth open to the prayer Jesus prayed asking the father to be with us for all of eternity. Stop and consider how amazing that is. That’s God’s grace, and that’s true love.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Observations and Reflections
So I have noticed at times I definitely can ramble, and you know what - I don't care. I've really been processing what the title of this blogspot is and it dawned on me: I never really thought about what it truly means to chase Jesus. I really love the way that sounds and the way you can imagine that. "Following Jesus" sounds cool and all, but you get the sense that you are right behind Him and going at a smooth and steady pace, not breaking a sweat or anything. "Chasing Jesus" however, sounds like a fast-paced trying just to get closer to Jesus. I imagine running at full pace and just being able to get a glimpse of Jesus. Just a continuous motion that (if you are truly seeking) you don't slow down but want to run that much faster.
Have you ever noticed that when you are running or going towards something, it's so much sweeter when there is a goal, objective, or prize at the end? Again, it never really dawned on me that our prize is at the end of our race and we need to be vigorously going after that prize. Dehydration and fatigue might set in, but the next cool-off station is around the bend. The chase for Jesus is not a sprint in which you get ultimate fulfillment. It is an on-going pursuit in which as you pass an obstacle, you feel great, get some Gatorade, and keep going. And then you start off again. We will always be chasing the prize until we see Jesus face to face. Our pursuit is never ending but our Reward is abundant.
The race we have been set forth on may put obstacles in our path; it might even send us on a detour. However, if we keep running the race to gain the ultimate prize we are well on our way. However, we also need to remember that we might need to help others on their path and that if they stumble, we need to get them up. This prize is better when all make it to the end and ALL are there to celebrate. A party isn't too much fun when you are by yourself. If we are going to "Rock the House," we'd better have a good strong force with us.
As I just think this week and reflect on the race I have been on, I can definitely say I have fallen into a manhole a couple of times. I just had to get right back up again, wipe off the sludge that was slowing me down, and get back to running. You think Nike makes a good shoe? They've got nothing on the good old B-I-B-L-E -- best shoe you could possibly use to keep your head in the race and keep your feet pumping. That's the brand for me. I hope you all remember that the chase for Jesus is a full force drive, not a Sunday walk by the beach. Keep your momentum and drive during the week; get refueled whenever you can. And don't forget your Nikes (your Bible) at home. God is Love, and where there is Love, grace can be found.
God Bless
Benjamin C. Volling
Have you ever noticed that when you are running or going towards something, it's so much sweeter when there is a goal, objective, or prize at the end? Again, it never really dawned on me that our prize is at the end of our race and we need to be vigorously going after that prize. Dehydration and fatigue might set in, but the next cool-off station is around the bend. The chase for Jesus is not a sprint in which you get ultimate fulfillment. It is an on-going pursuit in which as you pass an obstacle, you feel great, get some Gatorade, and keep going. And then you start off again. We will always be chasing the prize until we see Jesus face to face. Our pursuit is never ending but our Reward is abundant.
The race we have been set forth on may put obstacles in our path; it might even send us on a detour. However, if we keep running the race to gain the ultimate prize we are well on our way. However, we also need to remember that we might need to help others on their path and that if they stumble, we need to get them up. This prize is better when all make it to the end and ALL are there to celebrate. A party isn't too much fun when you are by yourself. If we are going to "Rock the House," we'd better have a good strong force with us.
As I just think this week and reflect on the race I have been on, I can definitely say I have fallen into a manhole a couple of times. I just had to get right back up again, wipe off the sludge that was slowing me down, and get back to running. You think Nike makes a good shoe? They've got nothing on the good old B-I-B-L-E -- best shoe you could possibly use to keep your head in the race and keep your feet pumping. That's the brand for me. I hope you all remember that the chase for Jesus is a full force drive, not a Sunday walk by the beach. Keep your momentum and drive during the week; get refueled whenever you can. And don't forget your Nikes (your Bible) at home. God is Love, and where there is Love, grace can be found.
God Bless
Benjamin C. Volling
Thursday, October 18, 2007
LOVE LOVE and LOVE some More
The thought of how to love someone else never really occurred to me until I would say this week. It is unbelievable that Jesus loved everyone; it's just amazing that he had a genuine love and concern for every single person on this earth. What really provoked this thought was I was like WOW, I barely like half the people I talk with in a given day, let alone LOVE them. Why is it that Jesus could do that, and yet we can not? We get annoyed at a way a person drives, eats, talks, or even looks. Why is it that Jesus did not care and just gave of himself? I really pondered this week as I was talking with people and just seeing how I was not showing God's love at all. In fact, I was judging people and specifically trying to point out their flaws. God is love and if we speak his name we need to be speaking in love. I really turned a 180 this week about half way through and just said, let me have grace and for me to see people through Jesus' eyes. The two things that rang through my head are the two greatest things that Jesus said, and as a person once called it, GC squared - which is the Great Commandment and The Great Commission.
Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and soul, and mind. This is the First and gret commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hand all the law and the prophets."
Mathew 28: 19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you."
These passages speak volumes to me and they do so because if we do the first part, the second part will follow. If Jesus wanted us to love him and to love others, wouldn't it make sense that we would want other people to do the same? The saying "kill them with a smile" - it's wrong. I would rather say, "Save them with a smile." A smile can already show a person you care about them. Try to smile at a person and have them not smile back; it's pretty hard not to have them do that. God is about love and if we love one another unconditionally, whether that person is saved or a satanist, we are following what our Lord wants. Chasing Jesus isn't always the easy task but I know there are people in my life that if I loved them and truly loved them, that I could be such a better witness. We fall into that society in which we always have to be better and are always looking out for ourselves. Again, what does that get us except on our knees asking forgiveness, and going back to the same routine? We need to break out of the mold and become the witnesses God has called us to be. To be a witness is to be that light that shines and shows love. I have truly found the way to love another person. GRACE!! That's all you need, baby. God made that person to be who they are; by hating them, you are just smacking God in his face. If we are going to save this world one person at a time, it is through mad love. If that is the greatest commandment, I think that would be something pretty important. Now showing love can be done in many ways, saying you are cool, talking to a person and actually letting them talk and you listen, hanging out with them, making a sacrifice to spend time with them, and my favorite is just telling them that you love them.
My mom was shocked the other day when I did two things that I haven't done in over 3 months. I went to Chicago and just talked with her for the day and told her I loved her. I had no clue it had been that long since i did either one of those. It really put things in perspective for me. If I'm not showing my mom love, who else am I not showing love to? My life can get rather busy sometimes; however, my life is for Jesus and that means this worldly stuff needs to go away and I need to keep my focus and loving people mad style. My job is important, but how much more of a witness could I be if I was showing Love to every person that walked through my doors. It was amazing to see how by the end of this week how people at work could see a difference in how I handled people and it was cool that I was back to my roots of mad dog loving people. Remember what we are called to do. This is not a sprint; it is a marathon, and we need to be well trained and do this slowly. So why don't you go out today and "save someone with a smile"? You just might be able to see them smile back at you in heaven. The fields are plentiful but the workers are few. Go harvest your field today and run the course God has laid out for you.
Benjamin C Volling
Matthew 22:37-40 "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and soul, and mind. This is the First and gret commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hand all the law and the prophets."
Mathew 28: 19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you."
These passages speak volumes to me and they do so because if we do the first part, the second part will follow. If Jesus wanted us to love him and to love others, wouldn't it make sense that we would want other people to do the same? The saying "kill them with a smile" - it's wrong. I would rather say, "Save them with a smile." A smile can already show a person you care about them. Try to smile at a person and have them not smile back; it's pretty hard not to have them do that. God is about love and if we love one another unconditionally, whether that person is saved or a satanist, we are following what our Lord wants. Chasing Jesus isn't always the easy task but I know there are people in my life that if I loved them and truly loved them, that I could be such a better witness. We fall into that society in which we always have to be better and are always looking out for ourselves. Again, what does that get us except on our knees asking forgiveness, and going back to the same routine? We need to break out of the mold and become the witnesses God has called us to be. To be a witness is to be that light that shines and shows love. I have truly found the way to love another person. GRACE!! That's all you need, baby. God made that person to be who they are; by hating them, you are just smacking God in his face. If we are going to save this world one person at a time, it is through mad love. If that is the greatest commandment, I think that would be something pretty important. Now showing love can be done in many ways, saying you are cool, talking to a person and actually letting them talk and you listen, hanging out with them, making a sacrifice to spend time with them, and my favorite is just telling them that you love them.
My mom was shocked the other day when I did two things that I haven't done in over 3 months. I went to Chicago and just talked with her for the day and told her I loved her. I had no clue it had been that long since i did either one of those. It really put things in perspective for me. If I'm not showing my mom love, who else am I not showing love to? My life can get rather busy sometimes; however, my life is for Jesus and that means this worldly stuff needs to go away and I need to keep my focus and loving people mad style. My job is important, but how much more of a witness could I be if I was showing Love to every person that walked through my doors. It was amazing to see how by the end of this week how people at work could see a difference in how I handled people and it was cool that I was back to my roots of mad dog loving people. Remember what we are called to do. This is not a sprint; it is a marathon, and we need to be well trained and do this slowly. So why don't you go out today and "save someone with a smile"? You just might be able to see them smile back at you in heaven. The fields are plentiful but the workers are few. Go harvest your field today and run the course God has laid out for you.
Benjamin C Volling
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