Spiritual Obesity

Have you ever wondered if there is any way that you could study the Bible too much? I've been contemplating this for the past month or so. I'm gonna go ahead and say that I love reading the Word, and communing with God through the words inspired by Him. I love the way He speaks through it. I want to make it clear that this post has nothing to do with me thinking that reading the Bible is a waste of time...THAT IS NOT THE CASE!

What has really made me think about all of this is the fact that I feel like some people spend their whole life reading the Bible and they never actually put the words into action. They can quote scripture all day, but have never quoted it for the good of someone else. They know exactly where to find, "the great commission" but have never done anything with it.

I've come to the realization that Americans have not only become physically obese, but we've figured out a way to become spiritually obese. We continue to read the Word of God and we soak it in and talk about it with our Christian friends. We do our Bible study once a week with a group of people from our church, then we go to church on Sunday and listen to the preacher and we leave with this new morsel of understanding. But most of us just stock pile it all. We learn and learn and study and learn...but how often do we put that learning into practice.

When I look at the ministry of Jesus I definitely see that he studied the scripture. He knew it. I know that because when he was tempted he replied to satan with scripture. When Jesus was walking the earth he was fulfilling exactly what the scriptures said. But I also see that Jesus did more than study the scriptures. He gave life to people through sharing them.

I also see a great example in the disciples. These guys were not spiritual leaders when Jesus picked them. They were fishermen, tax collectors, just plain old guys...then Jesus entered the picture. At that point, Jesus didn't tell them to immediately go share. Jesus taught them. They sat at His feet and learned. So, there is a place for sitting at Jesus' feet and learning. What I'm seeing is that a lot of us just stop there and keep sitting...getting more and more tubby as we take in the words of Jesus and just sit on them day after day. We miss the part where Jesus sends out the disciples and they become Apostles.

Matthew 10 says: "1 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. 2 Here are the names of the 12 apostles:...5 Jesus sent out the 12 apostles with these instructions:...7 Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!

It is interesting to me that this is where the 12 are first called Apostles. Jesus gives them authority to do great things and then sends them out as apostles. He tells them to GO! I think we get caught in the thought that we aren't able to live up to that standard. But Jesus said that we would do far more than He did. He gave us the same authority to cast out demons and raise the dead and heal every sickness. He told us to GO! Instead, we sit around and do our Bible studies and live our comfortable lives, all the while becoming more and more spiritually obese.

That's what I've been thinking about...share your thoughts!

My Declaration

I had a conversation tonight that has my heart beating in anticipation of what is to come. As I sat in a crowded restaurant with a friend we talked about the Holy Spirit. I know that there are lots of things that I have yet to experience with the Holy Spirit. In the Bible it speaks of gifts of the spirit, you know, speaking in tongues, prophesying, healing...you get the point. While this conversation was happening I made this statement, "I will see demons cast out, I will see people healed..."and as I paused the Holy Spirit showed up. My friend looked at me and began to speak a word of prophesy over me. As I spoke those things there was a spirit of timidity and uncertainty. Would God really allow me to see these things? Am I ready for this? Am I worthy of the miraculous? At that moment the Holy Spirit stepped in and began to speak. I shouldn't speak of those things and wonder if I'm really capable, I should make them my declaration! It is my declaration that through the power of Jesus living within me I WILL see demons flee. I WILL see people healed. I WILL speak words of prophesy over people. I WILL!

This Easter season, I'm not just focused on the resurrection. I'm remembering that Jesus said we would do far greater things than He did...when's the last time we really let that soak in? He healed the blind...he cast out demons...he did the miraculous. That means I (you too) can do the miraculous, even more than we see Jesus doing. So, that's my Holy Spirit moment of the day. Wow, God is good. I can't wait to be part of what He's got planned!!!

The World Race

So, today has been a pretty crazy day. Work was normal, friends were normal, it was in all usual ways normal. The crazy part comes in when you throw God into the mix.

I guess I should give some back story. Last year around Thanksgiving I met someone who had just gotten back from something called The World Race. When I met her, I realized almost immediately that God was changing things within me. For 2 years now, I have been a youth minister, and I have absolutely loved it! God has taught me so much that there's no way I could type it all here. And now He's changing things up. Ever since Thanksgiving I've been trying to "figure this out". I've been trying to convince God that He really wants to wait for all this mission stuff. The whole time, I'm saying Hey God, I'll go, but I know you want me to wait for a few years, right? I mean that's the logical thing. Why would I leave the job I love? Why would I want to be anywhere else at this point.

Today God reminded me that I told Him I would GO. I didn't put a time on it. I just said "Here am I, SEND ME." Really, I said that. (wow, I need to watch what I say) So, as God keeps hitting me with this idea of The World Race, I'm beginning to realize that it's not way down the road. It's coming. I need to get ready. My every day life needs to be preparing me for the race. I'd really appreciate you praying for this whole situation. This is going to require a lot of work. There's a lot of stuff that has to be taken care of, but I know God is in it. Since that's the case I know He's gonna take care of the details. I just need to know that my friends are praying. If you are interested in looking at what The World Race is all about click here: theworldrace.org. It's a great organization, and God is doing might things through it. Overall, I just need you to pray that God gives me wisdom and discernment. A lot of things need to happen for this to work...My God be glorified!

Duffy Street Reunion

On Friday night I got to hang out with the awesome room mates I had during college.  It was a great time to catch up and laugh (along with making ourselves feel old).  I was the only one that had a camera handy, so here are the pics.  There aren't many, but they show us.  I miss you girls already! Let's do it again...quicker this time!

Selfish

Yeah, that's me. In a word. I must confess that most of my life has been spent living a life that is all about ME.  The funny thing is, it looks normal.  I mean, everyone has t.v.(s), most people have at least one computer and the internet in their house, and I have all the comforts of living in America.  I love my life, I'm comfortable in it.  I have my own little place with everything mentioned above, and I have a cute relationship with Jesus to share with the Christian people that I surround myself with.  At this moment I'm wondering what Jesus must think about that.

I've really been burdened lately about taking an international trip.  If you know me at all, you know that's where my passion lies. So, when I started wanting to leave the country it was nothing new to me.  The thing that was missing was my willingness to give up MY comfort.  I love my job, my condo, my car, my friends...why would I leave all that to board a plane to who knows where? 

This morning I was completely humbled by God.  I got just a glimpse of what He sees when He looks at people all over the world. He's a God that could look at us and see us as filthy sinners that deserve nothing but rags...He could view us as failures...as cheaters, liars, and sex addicts...you name it. God has the right to see us in all our shame.  Instead, God looks at us and sees beauty.  

I think I may have learned a little more about love.  I love people. I love life.  I love my friends and family.  But, do I love the people who don't love me in return? Do I truly love the nations, or just the idea of traveling and meeting new people?  Right now, I'd have to say, I love myself way more than any of that.  I love being comfortable. 

I say all of that, to say that I'm done with all of it.  I'm leaving my selfishness.  I want to see what it's like to live like Jesus. I want to experience what true love really looks like. I want to be a vessel for people to see Jesus' ridiculous love.  I'm not talking about people seeing ME. I'm talking about people wondering why.  

Jesus taught and lived a life that revolved around loving people. He loved the guys that followed him. He loved the people he passed on the road.  He even went a step farther, and loved the people who killed him.  You know this already.  So do I, but I didn't take that into consideration when I said that I wanted to be like Jesus.  

He's calling me to love, period.  He's calling me to love the world around me. Instead of sitting in my own little bubble, He wants me to get out and love His kids, because everyone is a Child of God.  Yet another cliche, I know, but SO TRUE.  I'm so frustrated that I've missed it for so long. I don't want to anymore. I want to love without condition. I want to love without expectation. I want to love like Jesus.

I was challenged by the thought of loving the faceless. Do I love the people that I've never even met?  I want to. I want God's Spirit to be so present in my life that I can't help myself.  God loves us unconditionally. I want to love Him so much that His love flows through my veins. I want to be a continuation of the love that He has shown me.

You may be wondering why I'm blogging about all of this...Well, for one, I needed to get it out.  Second, I want you to hold me to it.  Be my accountability, I need it. I don't want this to be a passing wind.  I want it to be my lifestyle.  I want it to be my identity. My life isn't at all about me, it's about Jesus.  He saved me by an act of extreme love, and I need to show that love to the rest of the world.  

Earlier I said something about wanting to travel. And honestly I've been very conflicted about where I'm supposed to go.  There are multiple places that have been dropped in my lap recently, and I thought I was just getting in the way and wanting to leave the country.  I'm beginning to realize it's not about picking one place.  It's about loving the people in those places and every place in between.  I want to love Ukrainians. I want to love Filipinos.  I want to love the Chinese.  But I also want to love the Iraqis. I want to love Africans. I want to love Americans. I want to love...

So, I guess my final thought is that i WILL go. It's not about where. It's about why.  I will go to love...not wanting anything in return.  May God's Will be done in my life.  If it costs me everything, then I count it as a blessing.

I don't understand why God still uses me, but I'm working on accepting it. I will no longer hide behind my insecurities, but live in the power of knowing that Jesus is within me.  I'm a sinner, saved by scandalous grace.  I'm going to love with a love that only comes from God.

Music, Friendship, and Worship

So, this weekend has been quite the refreshing weekend. It started out as another trip to see Rachael play in Georgetown, and ended up being exactly what I needed.  I must say that playing djembe is one of the most relaxing things I get to do. When I get to play with Rachael though, it takes the relaxation (and pure enjoyment) to a completely different level.  When I drove to G-town I didn't plan on playing, I was just going to see one of my favorite people :) Playing was just added bonus.  After playing I got to do one of my other favorite things...hang out with friends! I loved every second of random conversation. It was good to hang out with someone who knows me so well.  

The weekend was topped off by getting to baptize another one of my youth.  I must say that getting to baptize someone is one of the most incredible experiences a minister can have. Getting to baptize Livie took it up a notch though.  Livie is a youth that I absolutely adore. I'm so proud of her and the way she lives her life.  She's one of those people that just has an amazing spirit.  She was one of the youth that I got close to as an intern and HHBC, so today was something that I've been praying about for a while.  God has been doing amazing things, and this is yet another outward manifestation of The Spirit at work.  I'm so blessed to be a small part of that.

So, over all, this weekend was one that was completely refreshing.  I praise the Lord for knowing what I need, and allowing me to be part of His plan. A weekend filled with music, friendship, and worship...what more could I ask for? 

Super Bowl

So, here's another post...for the one person that's gonna see it. I just got back from a Super Bowl Party with my youth, and well, it was eventful.  Teenage hormones are ridiculous! I already knew that, but they never cease to amaze me.  One moment a guy is flirting with 2 girls on a couch. When those girls leave, he finds another one (who was ticked off the whole time he flirted with the other girls) and flirts some more...and any time he talks to me or the other youth guy he's completely consumed with Jesus. Now, how can you do all that in one night!?! I'm pretty sure I skipped that stage of life.  

I must say though, I had a great time with the youth tonight.  My head hurts from all the noise, but really that's the point of a Super Bowl party. There were about 30 people, and it was just fun to goof off with no agenda for the evening.  What makes me even more happy is that of the 30 people there, I'd say 10 of them were new. I love meeting new youth, and having fun with them. I think one of my favorite things to do is to change people's view of "church".  If people can just see that it can be fun, I think it makes a huge difference. So, new people for a super bowl party is a winning situation in my book.

I'm pretty sure I'm done with the ramblings for tonight, but I'll share a few pics, enjoy :)

Nerts Action!!!

Catch Phrase

Some beautiful faces