Category Archives: Faith

Mic Drop Monday: Are You Naked?

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Hmmm, I’m wondering, how many Jesus followers are walking around naked?

Here’s the test:

Does my heart harbor unforgiveness? Prejudice?  Pride? Self-righteousness? Judgement? Anger? Ungratefulness?

Do I allow myself to have foul conversation? To talk unkind about others? Be impatient? Rude? Bitter? Complaining? Vengeful?

Then I am walking naked!

Colossians 3 reminds us of what should be in our closet!  We need to put on the clothing of love:

 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like Him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

OK, I experienced a few ouch moments reading that, how about you?  Let me go get dressed…

Live loved and Dressed too! 

Favorite Friday: Artist

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OK… fangirl post! From the early days of DC Talk’s hit Heavenbound to his new release, The Elements, dropping today, TobyMac has been at the T-O-P of my favorite artist list!  As I was thinking about this blog, I tried to choose my favorite TobyMac tune and I have to confess, that was not an easy endeavor!  Some songs stand out because of their artistic wow-ness while others have lyrics that go deep… and that’s without factoring in the Christmas songs!

DC Talk, Then and Now

But before we go to the favorites, here are the top 10 reasons that I think highly of TobyMac.  (No, I don’t know him as a person, but the fruit of his walk is evident to anyone who pays attention.)

Top 10 things I appreciate about TobyMac:

10: DC Talk brotherhood: In this age of “no one stays together,” TobyMac, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max demonstrate that brotherhood is still a priority even while pursuing solo careers. Jesus Freak

9: Gotee Records: Toby formed this label with two others when they were unable to find a label deal for Out of Eden.  Today, you’ll find diverse and talented artists such as Aaron Cole, Hollyn, Capital Kings, and Relient K on Gotee’s roster!  Right on Time by Aaron Cole

8: Commitment to People: TobyMac is in his 10th year of sponsoring Run for Hope, a local school in his area.  Additionally, he sponsors Camp Electric which is an interactive worship and rock & roll camp.  He values his community in Franklin, Tennessee, purposefully frequenting the local businesses.  This Christmas

7: Christmas tunes! I love what TobyMac brings to Christmas… A fresh perspective of the delight and beauty found in celebrating Jesus’ birth! O Come, All Ye Faithful

6: Promotes others: I know that TobyMac must have a strong business sense and most likely take seriously the blessing of providing an inheritance for his children’s children.  But kudos to the guy for investing in others by lending his talents to their songs and coming alongside others to help make their vision a reality! Check out this Citizen shop. Hold Me by Jamie Grace

5: Artistic creativity: Do I need to explain this?  Every album: same signature voice in outrageously creative, diverse tunes!  It doesn’t get old! This is Not a Test

4: Passion about diversity: You don’t have to listen long to pick up on TobyMac’s passion for diversity.  Not only does he sing about it, but he even named his band Diverse City!  Colored People, Wanna Be Loved (both by DC Talk), Diverse City, City on Our Knees, One World, all point to his desire to see love trump hate, differences, and division.

3: #SpeakLife Movement: After TobyMac’s song Speak Life hit the airwaves, its popularity inspired the #SpeakLife movement encouraging positive, life-giving words that shine His light to a hurting world. (Ephesians 4:29) Speak Life

2: Spiritual growth: From my perspective, TobyMac demonstrates new spiritual depth with each successive release.  His songs seem to reflect an increasingly deeper personal connection with His Heavenly Father.  In his words, “I try to lean into God and say ‘What’s up? Watchya want me to say, Daddy*?'” when he is in the writing process. As listeners, we feel his growing understanding of walking out this faith, grappling with real life issues, and pressing through the fire to find victory. I Just Need U

1: Commitment to family and faith: It’s clear, this man loves and values his family!  And He loves his Heavenly Father!   He purposes to show that in the choices he makes and the songs he writes and sings. What a blessing! Lose My Soul, Family, Steal My Show

 

Okay… I tried to come up with my favorite, but that was a no-go, so here are my favoriteS by TobyMac and Diverse City:

Maybe someday, I’ll get to chat with the this artistic legend!  Who is your favorite artist and why?  I’d love to hear…

Live Love and Sing with abandonment!

P.S. If you enjoyed this, please share on social media and comment! 🙂

Special thanks to:

P.P.S.: Andy and Caleb met TobyMac, Jon Micah (of Kutless), and Mark Stuart (formerly Audio Adrenaline) at Grove City College in Pennsylvania in 2005.  After a rousing game of stick ball, the artists gladly posed for some fan shots!  Here’s a throwback shot!

Disclaimer: I own the rights to none of these songs or videos.

Favorite Friday-Lemme Tellya!

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Oh no, that was not a typo!  Planetboom’s new song Lemme TellYa is topping my list of favorite’s this week.  Why? Powerful lyrics married with incredible beats!  Turn up that volume…

As a teen, I remember the debate over “Christian Rock.”  Many in the older generation thought that it couldn’t be a good thing, after all, think about the reputation of the rock ‘n’ roll world, right?!  Today, there are many who decry rap, hiphop, metal, reggae, or any music involving more than piano and guitar!

My stand then, is the same as today… What about the lyrics? What are they alluding to or outright saying? Are the lyrics positive or negative? Uplifting or degrading?

 

Music itself is a vehicle that delivers; the lyrics are what impacts the mind and even beliefs.  Regardless of style… the lyrical quality determines the impact value of the song! 

Want to bring more dance inspiring tunes into your day?  Here are two more of Planetboom’s tunes that are definitely worth a listen!

If you enjoy these tunes (and maybe my thoughts too), please share on social media and comment!

Live Loved and Dance like only He is watching!

P.S. Thanks to Miranda for introducing me to yet another cool tune!

P.P.S Planetboom might not be familiar to you, but they are the youth spinoff of Planet Shakers, who have some inspiring tunes themselves!

Let It Go!

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“Do you remember that time that you _________  (fill in the blank with any poor choice)!”

How painful it is when someone reminds us of our past mistakes!  Just when you think life has moved on and your royal screw-ups have been forgotten, someone pulls out their shovel and digs it up again.  We wish that memories could be wiped clear and clean slates were mandatory.

Back in the day, there was a Christian music artist that I didn’t care for… not because of her style or voice, but because she had allowed herself to be sponsored by a disreputable company.  Recently, I heard her name in connection with a current project and immediately that memory surfaced, along with my dislike.  The Holy Spirit whispered in my ear, “When do you allow someone to grow past their errors?”

His voice was so gentle, but I felt the strong conviction of truth.  I knew that the Lord was challenging me to go to a new level in my desire to be more like Him.

It’s human nature, really.  Whether we’ve been personally hurt by someone or their reputation leaves a bad taste in our mouths, rarely do we allow our opinions of someone to change, even years later.

  • We still think of the high school bully as an adult bully.
  • We still imagine that the man caught in moral failure continues to be unfaithful.
  • We still believe that the person who stole in the past is a thief today.
  • We still consider that wild girl from college as promiscuous.
  • We still look at the man down the street as the punk teenager who was disrespectful.
  • We still remember the hurtful words spoken even after the apology.

When will we allow others to grow past the errors of youth, ignorance, stupidity, and selfishness?

It’s time to make like Elsa and let it go! 

People change!  But even if they don’t, you and I are responsible to move beyond the status quo and offer grace and forgiveness.  Just as God gives us new mercies every morning*, we can offer others a clean slate in our minds and hearts.

Now don’t get me wrong… God gives us wisdom!  If a neighbor stole money from me last year, I’m not going to leave my purse open for their perusal.  If a family member negatively impacted a child in the past, I’m not going to give them unguarded access again**.  Caution isn’t a wrong choice, but assumptions that people can’t, don’t, or won’t change is.

Forgiveness isn’t a prize we present.  Grace isn’t a reward given to the worthy.  They are non-negotiables for those who call themselves followers of Jesus.  How you and I view others does not ultimately affect them; it does, however, reflect the condition of our hearts.

If we call ourselves Believers, followers of Jesus, the Body of Christ, then we are called to a higher standard, to live a life worthy of our calling as Kingdom Ambassadors. Ephesians 4 challenges you and I to:

  • Think humbly
  • Treat gently
  • Love generously
  • Embrace unity
  • Reflect righteousness
  • Be honest
  • Choose rightly
  • Speak encouragingly
  • Offer kindness
  • Release anger
  • Forgive consistently

There are no boundaries placed on these expectations… we don’t get to pick and choose who we treat this way!  In fact, we are to even treat ourselves this way!

Do we still think of our own failures as permanent stains on who God intended us to be?  Again, when will we allow others, and ourselves, to grow past the errors of youth, ignorance, stupidity, and selfishness?

Today is the day to let it go!

 

Ask the Lord for a new lens, a lens of love and forgiveness, with which to view yourself and others.  You may not see the results of that new lens in the lives of others, but you will see the effects in your own heart.  As compassion, peace, and thankfulness well up, you can’t help but reflect the heart of the Father to others!  This is the life of the Kingdom culture that will impact our world and bring Heaven to earth! 

Live Loved,

*Lamentations 3:22-23

**God never intends for us to place ourselves or others in a place to be repeatedly hurt.  You can offer forgiveness and grace and still set boundaries that limit the access of others to your life.  Learn more about being a powerful person in the book “Keep Your Love On” by Danny Silk.

Favorite Friday… Just Wow!

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True confessions… I’m not a dancer!  Oh, I look like one in my mind!  I enjoy beboppin’ around the house, trying those dance moves that my daughter makes look so easy!  I’ve had my moments of “River Dancing” right along with Michael Flatley and I can do the Cupid Shuffle with the best of them!  But…  I’m probably the only one who thinks that what I’m doing is actually dancing!  (At least I’m having fun, right?!)

 

Regardless, dancing competitions and cool dancing videos are popular around our house.  Miranda showed me this video the other day and I was captivated!  The incredible talent and synchronicity of this group blew my mind!  In fact, I used it in a lesson on teamwork with my students yesterday!  I liked it so much that I decided I had to share it with you!

But… that’s not the only reason this song caught my attention.  After watching the dancing video, we watched the lyric video of the song, Lazarus.  Trip Lee tells a story of coming to life spiritually in such a creative and unique way!  I turned to Miranda and said, “That’ll preach!” Her response: “It already is!”  And she is correct!  The truth of God’s faithfulness, how He rescues us, and restores our spirits can be “preached” in so many ways!  God’s power is at the heart of Trip Lee’s Message:

“Hopped up out the grave, thriller style
They ain’t think that He could do it, but He did it now
I mean the Captain, the almighty Lord
Setting captives free, all aboard, all aboard
Can’t stop Him when He got His mind made up
He don’t like that grave? Sayonara, see you later
He made the blind see and got the lame up
So it’s no surprise He can raise us
Wake them up now
Believers when your life is looking tough now
When you’re at your all time low
Don’t forget that power that He already showed”1

God has shown His sustaining power and His faithfulness to me in so many ways!  I see it in His provision on a daily basis.  I hear it in the voices of those I love.  I feel it in His grace that carries me through the difficult days!  I can’t help but celebrate who He is whenever I get the chance!

 

Our God is amazingly creative and we are just like Him!  How do you share Your Father’s faithfulness with those around you?  Singing, writing, drawing, posting, sculpting, dancing, chatting, giving, loving?  You were designed to paint His reflection on your world! You have a story to share and someone needs to hear it!

Live Loved,

1Lyrics from “Lazarus” by Trip Lee

 

Put the Stone Down!

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I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your measuring stick is flawed.

Please don’t be offended… because mine is also flawed!  Yet, sometimes we wield our measuring stick like a sword aimed at what we consider errors in the lives or opinions of others.

Even though we know we are far from perfect, we forget that our measuring stick is not that of Mary Poppins.  You know the one, the practically-perfect-in-every-way measuring stick. We hold it up to “that neighbor,” “that relative,” “that church,” “that blogger,” “that co-worker,” and find them lacking in some area.  Why does it seem so easy to zero in on the negative?

Unfortunately, highlighting the faults of others seems to be a social epidemic.  If you spend any time on social media, or the internet for that matter, you’ve seen what I’m talking about.  Self-appointed “inspectors” pass over the good in favor of criticizing, cutting down, nitpicking, and judging.  Sadly, I think Christians (and I use this term loosely here) are some of the biggest culprits.

You may have stumbled across one of these situations:

  • Complete websites dedicated to tearing down pastors, prophets, and teachers.
  • Bloggers who have taken the time to write an entire blog about why a worship song isn’t worth singing.
  • Professors who teach that church services shouldn’t have low lights, loud music, dancing, children’s church, etc.
  • People who have stormed out of churches because they didn’t like something the pastor said, did, stood for, or even implied.
  • Those who are more concerned that you use their version of the Bible than living by what’s inside of it.
  • Pastors who use their authority to declare entertainers, music styles, and even people groups as demonic.

How it must grieve God’s heart to see His children throwing stones at others.

Some of you might be thinking, but we are supposed to judge the fruit, right?  We are supposed to be “wise as serpents,” aren’t we?  Let me refer you to the first sentence of this blog and then remind you of the second half of Matthew 10:16, “and be harmless as doves.” Note that the word “judge” means to form an opinion or conclusion.  There’s an old adage that says, “Opinions are like armpits, everyone has them and they often stink!” Much of what criticizers call out in others is simply a reflection of their own opinion or their disagreement of someone’s understanding or interpretation.

Even if someone is doing or saying something that seems askew, what purpose does it serve to publicly defame them?  Does it glorify God? Build them up?  Encourage other believers?  Bring life to the situation?  I’m confident that the answer to those questions is an emphatic “NO!” Rarely ever will public criticism bring about a positive outcome or fruitful discussions.

So, what IS an effective action when you suspect that a speaker, ministry, or songwriter seems off?  Pray and bless! Pray for God to give them (and you) a revelation of truth and clarity!  Pray that they will be drawn deeper in relationship with the Father! Bless them in the areas they are right on track.1

This may come as a shock, but there is NO perfect theology, NO perfect church, NO perfect worship style, NO perfect sermon length, NO perfect author… Do you get my point?

Churches, pastors, ministries, authors are all different and unique.  Why?  Because that’s how God created each one of us!  We were wonderfully formed in His image as one-of-a-kind children who have individual relationships with our Heavenly Father.  As creative as our God is, why do we think that He would want us to have cookie-cutter churches or ministries?

While our tenants of faith stand strong (based on the Word of God), our walks as believers, our preferred ways of worship, our revelations, our engagement with the Holy Spirit will reflect our uniqueness.  He is not a cookie-cutter God!

So if we are all so different, what does God expect of His wonderfully unique children?  God’s measuring stick is reflected in His Word: Seek Justice, love mercy, walk humbly (Micah 6:8), Love God, love others (Matthew 22:37-39), Bless, do not curse (Romans 12:14), Mercy triumphs over judgement (James 2:12-13).

Peter sets forth a challenge:  “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (I Peter 4:8 NLT)

Here are some practical ways to rise to the challenge!

  • Purpose in your heart to look for the good in others. See criticism as a weapon of the enemy and demolish it!
  • Celebrate the efforts and hard work of ministries, pastors, writers, believers, prophets, etc. who are living and declaring the Kingdom of God.
  • Find and embrace a place of worship that shares your heart, vision, and style. Stick with that church family through thick and thin until God clearly directs you otherwise!
  • Pray for other believers and ministries asking the Lord to bless them in their “on-target” areas and bring revelation to their “off-target” areas.  Pray the same clarity for yourself!
  • Seek to be like Jesus!  Study His life and grab His heart!

Let’s be Jesus-followers together!

Live Loved!

1Note that James 5:19 discusses turning back one who wanders from the truth.  Realize that publicly denouncing someone on social media or anywhere else will not turn someone to the truth.  A personal relationship that is based on love and respect will enable this to occur and the one in error will be protected because love covers a multitude of sins!

Here more here: Designed to Impress

Strength for the Struggle

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Related imageLife can be exhausting!  At times, I feel like that circus plate spinner… you know who I mean…  The one who has numerous poles with plates on top and runs back and forth between the poles, rotating them in order to keep the plates spinning so they won’t fall and shatter.  My plates are probably similar to yours: family, finances, job, classes, friendships, health, chores, volunteering, etc.  All are valuable and all are demanding!  Mix in a few stressors (conflicts, unexpected expenses, health issues, changes) and we feel like we are one misstep away from plate shattering chaos!

The struggle is real! Some days, the struggle seems too real!  I’m tempted to run someplace safe and curl into a ball with a blanket and pillow and hope that the world will run smoothly without my help.  Am I alone in my urge to hibernate from life??

Sigh… so do I hibernate or put on my big girl pants and keep pressing on?  It’s not really much of a choice, is it?  Life goes on and we either grab ahold and ride along or it will drag us behind it!

I have good news and better news!  The good news (depending on how you look at it) is that the world really does need you and I!  Each of us are valuable, unique, and loved by someone who would not be the same if we chose to hibernate indefinitely!  The better news is that there are ways to help us cope with the chaos that has our heads spinning with those plates! There is strength to be had if we know how to tap into it!

As I have been wrestling with my own sense of plate-spinning panic, I’m realizing that I can make some choices that enable me to not just survive the struggle, but to even thrive in it!

Rest: “Ummm, when am I supposed to rest?” I know, it seems like an impossible feat, right?  But the truth is, if you don’t find time each week to rest, your body will get to the point where you have no choice in the matter.  Rest can be sleep, but it is not the equivalent.  Sleep is physical rest; but your soul needs rest too.  For me, soul rest involves choosing to think about positive concepts, creative ideas, and exciting dreams.  It may include reading a book, crafting, exercising, or chatting with someone I love. It might involve a family adventure or quiet time to write.  No matter what you choose to do, strength is found in giving yourself a “brain break” from the responsibilities that pull at you.

Rejuvenate: Different than rest, rejuvenate is to bring new life to something.  What in your life needs a little rejuvenation?  What dreams have you set aside that need revisited?  What relationships have you put on the back burner that need to become a priority?  Ask yourself what makes your heart jump and infuse some of that into your life again!  If traveling brings you joy but finances and time are a hinderance, take a day trip someplace you haven’t visited before.  If time with friends lights up your world, then arrange a game night soon! Strength is found in rejuvenating dreams.

Relegate: Not everything in our lives is of equal importance.  In fact, the things in our lives demanding the most attention are often not those that are the most valuable.  If I’m not careful, my responsibilities as a teacher can run roughshod over the valuable relationships in my life (FYI: Rarely do teachers accomplish all their work at school, thus the evenings of grading and writing lessons!).  It’s not that my teacher responsibilities are not important, but rather that my family and friends are more important in my life and deserve whole hearted attention.  Sometimes we have to relegate the less important to its proper place!  Take a few minutes to examine your priorities.  If your relationship with the Lord and with the precious people in your life are not at the top, it’s time to relegate!  Strength is found when you say “no” to what may be good so that you can say “yes” to that which matters most!

Redistribute:  This is the opposite of micro-managing!  When you redistribute, you are passing out some of your spinning plates so that you can better focus your time & energy!  It may be time to enlist some help to keep things in order.  My wise friend, Sarah Lehmann, calls herself an “opportunity maker!”  She values teamwork and realizes that there is strength in inviting and enabling others to take ownership in a process, project, or goal.  There’s truth in the statement: “Teamwork makes the dream work.”  So, rewrite the chore list, reduce your volunteering, share the cooking load, say “no” to a request.  Redistribute and you will find strength that enables you to be more effective and find the rest your soul needs.

Remember:  Remember the “why” and the “Who.”  This requires taking a step back and looking at the big picture.  This choice was a big boost for me and I’m thankful for the people in my life who propel me on!  Remember your “why”…  Why are you doing what you are doing?  Is it your calling, your dream, or your family?  Bringing your “why” into focus will help you find the strength to face each day’s demands.  Then, more importantly, remember the “Who”… Who is it that has called you and me and enabled us to do what we are called to do?  When I remember who I am and Whose I am1, I find myself focusing on all the things I am thankful for instead of all the things I can’t control.  It is a shift in thinking from the negative to the positive, from looking inward to looking outward, and from looking around me at the physical realm to looking up into the spiritual realm!

Do you remember who you are and Whose you are?  Write it down and post it on your mirror!  You are a child of the Living God!  You are anointed, enabled, capable, and equipped!  You and I can do everything He has called us to do!

I am grabbing on to this truth today as a face a new school year, in a higher grade level, with a new team, deeper standards, increased expectations, and a different classroom.  I am going to hold onto the truth that I truly can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13)! I will actively pursue these “strength tools” as I navigate this new journey.  I hope you will too!

Lord, I pray that You would bless and strengthen this reader!  Give them wisdom to navigate all that is before them and make choices that allow them to rest as well as fulfill demands.  Enable them to see the people in their lives who will come along side them and help them stand strong.  May they feel your love wrapped around them today!  Thank You, Father!

Live Loved,

Read more encouragement here: I Just Can’t… or Can I? and Life Happens

1All I Need

Favorite Friday-Dancing Fun!

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Yes, you busted me!  It’s actually Saturday!  But yesterday, focusing on my firstborn’s birthday was a priority, so here we are with slightly late Favorite Friday!

I’m not sure what your “religious paradigm” involves, but I was raised in a non-conservative denomination with solid faith foundations that I am very thankful to have embraced.  However, as I explore the difference between Kingdom Culture as evidenced in the life of Jesus, outlined in the Word, and confirmed by the Holy Spirit and America’s version of Christian culture, I realize that much of what I was raised with is definitely rooted in the latter instead of the authentic Kingdom Culture.

I could give you various examples of how historically many cultures have translated Kingdom culture through the lens of their own culture, but I will give you this biblical example:  When the Gentiles joined the rank of believers, the Jews felt that they should be circumcised because that was Jewish law.  However, Paul contended that under the New Covenant, it was a circumcision of the heart God expected, not the physical body (Romans 2).  Physical circumcision was Jewish culture; heart circumcision (spiritual submission to the Lord) is Kingdom culture!

All that to say, that I was raised believing that dancing was not appropriate in the Christian culture unless you were dancing “in the Spirit” (II Sam. 6:14).  Sound familiar?  As I’ve grown as a person and a believer, I understand that while dancing in the Spirit is a very valid (and biblical) act, dancing in and of itself is not wrong either!  I love that!  I love that we can worship the Lord with dance (Psalm 149) and we can also just have fun dancing (Jeremiah 31:4)!  Dancing is healthy for our minds and bodies!1  (Caveat: like anything else, dancing can become negative but that’s not the subject of this blog!)

Then I stumbled upon this song by MercyMe in one of my playlists:

Love it!

“We’ve got reason to get up 
Reason to get down
He done traded our sin for joy
And now, that joy wants out”2

Don’t wait! Play the song and jump out of your chair to dance!

“It’s okay, to cut loose
Oh, it ain’t about how you move, but what moves you
We’re so consumed with what we think we’re supposed to be
That we stop living like we know that we’re free”2

Dance because you are free!

Live Loved,

1Dancing Makes You Feel Better article

2Lyrics from Happy Dance by Mercy Me

When God Whispers

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“I heard Him!  He whispered to me!  He said that I’m a dew drop of sunshine!”  This from a precious little one in our VBS Discovery Station.  “Me too!  He said that I’m beautiful!”  “He told me that I’m a victorious warrior!” Others joined in sharing what they’d heard from the Holy Spirit during our listening moments.  What a delight it was for me to see their hearts open to the loving words of their Heavenly Father!

I had been teaching the children that we can have confidence in who God says we are only if we know what He says about us!  First, we looked at what the Word of God tells us.  We are loved with an everlasting love!  We are made wonderfully in the image of God!  In Jesus, we are set free, healed, and victorious!  All powerful truths.  Yet there is so much more!  Our Father wants us to spend time with Him, sharing our hearts and listening for His voice.  How amazing to begin developing the skill of knowing His voice at a young age! (John 10:3, 14:6)

It was recently that I was encouraged to do just what I had asked the children to do… sit and listen, asking God to tell me how He sees me.  Have you ever tried that?  I have had experiences with hearing the Lord, so I wasn’t really concerned that He wouldn’t speak, but I was a bit nervous about what I was going to hear.  I wasn’t prepared for how quickly I would hear!  It’s like He’d been sitting on the edge of His seat waiting for me to ask!  I grabbed a pen & paper and began writing down His words of life and love for me.  I felt so treasured and valued as He poured His love over me like only a Daddy can!

God longs for us to sit up and take notice of His thoughts written across all creation!  He has made His love abundantly clear through the plan of redemption and He inspired Biblical writers to take note of His handiwork.  Yet, there is more!  Just as we have daily conversations with those we love, our Heavenly Dad has words of life for us each day that take our understanding of Him and His love for us to new levels.  Paul said it this way in Ephesians 1:

17” I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know Him through your deepening intimacy with Him.  18 I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination, flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of His calling—that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that He finds in us, His holy ones!  19 I pray that you will continually experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power made available to you through faith.” tPt

During my lesson, one of the kids asked me, “How do you know that it is God speaking?”  Don’t we all wonder that at times?  “Lord, is that you?”  “How do I know He is speaking and it’s not just my thoughts?”  Whenever God speaks, He is faithful to His character.  He will not ask us to be or do anything that contradicts who He is or His Word (Hebrews 13:8). God’s voice will not discourage, condemn, or tempt us (John 3:17, James 1:13).  God’s whispers will not devalue you and I but rather will speak life into our spirits (John 6:63)!1  

When God whispers into our hearts and spirits, His desire is to draw us into deeper relationship with Him!  Can you feel the Father’s hunger to spend time with you?  He tells us to seek Him and we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  He whispers your name in the chaos of life.  He wants to encourage you and I to see ourselves as He sees us—as He created us to be!  When we get a revelation of who He is and who we are to Him, we develop the deepening intimacy with Him that enables us to act and react from a place of perfect love instead of a place of ignorance, hurt, fear, or desperation.

He calls to us through His handiwork: in the vibrant sunset, across a shimmering rainbow, on the wings of a butterfly, and in the arms of a loved one.  But He also waits for our ears to tune in to His heart.  He whispers truth and life to our spirits.  Will you pause and listen?  Ask your Heavenly Dad to tell you how He sees you!  Embrace the truths He drops into your heart and then combine them with truths from His Word.  Write them down!  Declare those truths!  Your thinking patterns will be transformed into His as you renew your mind with the power of His Words, both written and revealed!  (See Romans 12:2, I Corinthians 2:16)

Live Loved, because you truly are!

1 To learn more about listening to the right voice, read this blog post by Kris Vallotton.

Favorite Friday: Upside Down Thinking

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In the interest of transparency: This blog is about humility… not really one of my favorite things.  But when I listened to this teaching by Jen Toledo, it rocked my thinking and helped me better see the upside down thinking of the Kingdom of God.  Since the Kingdom of God is a favorite, then God’s keys to the Kingdom are my favorites too!

Jennifer Toledo is a co-pastor of Expression58 Church in LA.  I stumbled upon her teaching session 1 of a series on Kingdom Culture.1  Since this topic is close to my heart, I eagerly listened and learned… a lot!  Then, session two came around and brought with it some “ouch moments” as I took a hard look at myself and my way of thinking at times.2  It was a timely teaching that facilitates my goal of being Unoffendable, which I wrote about here. The text Jen chose was Philippians 2.  She read it in 3 different versions; the Passion Translation brought incredible clarity to the challenge of humility.

“2So I’m asking you, my friends, that you be joined together in perfect unity—with one heart, one passion, and united in one love. Walk together with one harmonious purpose and you will fill my heart with unbounded joy.

3 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. 4 Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. 5 And consider the example that Jesus, the Anointed One, has set before us. Let his mindset become your motivation.”

I’d encourage you to take the time to listen to Jennifer’s teaching Kingdom Culture-Humility as it simultaneously blessed me and challenged me.  Here are a few highlights:

  • Kingdom of Heaven culture is based in humility. (Jesus carried all authority on earth, but still chose to submit Himself to His Father’s will daily.)
  • Kingdom of Hell culture is based in pride. (Remember that satan guy?  He used to be an angel with authority until pride took over!)
  • Upside Down Thinking: The way up in the Kingdom of God is to humble ourselves before Him.  James 4:6 “But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.”tPt
  • Humility values and protects relationship over winning a “discussion.”  (In other words, let go of the argument even if you are right!)
  • Humility builds healthy relationships but pride destroys relationships.
  • False humility is as detrimental as pride, both are self-focused.  Authentic humility understands the power and authority we have in Jesus, but lives a life submitted to the Father’s Will.
  • Humility and pride are not character traits but rather choices that we make.

These are a few comparisons between pride & humility:

 

Wow! As I continued reading Philippians 2, what a beautiful example of humility was set by Jesus!  At any time He could have taken advantage of His equality with God.  He could have justified being entitled to Heavenly privileges because of Who He was, but He chose not to.  I want to be like Jesus… even in the difficult things.  Lord, help me embrace humility!

Live Loved!

1Listen to session one of the Kingdom Culture Expression58 series here.

2Listen to session two of the Kingdom Culture Expression58 series here.

Please feel free to share or comment if this blog blessed you!