Getting reconnected.

Yesterday was a nice break from ministry, and as I "sat and soaked" up some great preaching and tarried at the altar just talking to the Lord after the service was over, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about a few things. I guess I had been getting kind of busy and stressed about a few things (please pray for me if you never get stressed about anything). But during that time of just waiting on the Lord he began to assure me that He was in control and the provider of every need. There was no reason for fear or anxiety, but I needed to "rest" in Him.

Isn't that the way God often works. We think we are doing exactly what God desires until the burden and stress load seem to overwhelm us. Them the Lord seems to specifically orchestrate situations (just for us) in order to speak into our lives - helping us get back to the place He longs for us to be. A place of rest, and peace. A place that can only be found when we're connected to God like He intended.

Yep, it's true. God really does want to be "connected" to His creation (that's us). We're special folks because we're made in His image, and we're made to have a relationship with God. But the only way that can happen is if we allow God's son, Jesus Christ, to truly have lordship and leadership of our lives. I love John 3:16. I guess because it never gets old for me...that God loved the world so much that He would send His only son to die in my place on a cross.

Hard to fathom...sure. But God loved you that much. He loved me that much. Oftentimes, that's a whole lot more than I love myself. When we get "reconnected" into a relationship with God, its as though the arms of heaven just wrap around you. That makes getting reconnected pretty nice. How about you? Do you need a hug from heaven? Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life - then get ready for the hug of your life:).

Do You Believe?

Sitting here, I was just contemplating whether we really believe the Scriptures. We know the Scriptures are the word of God and are even used as official historical documents in many classes. But do we really believe? Do we believe Jesus Christ is the friend that sticks closer than a brother? Do we believe that healing has been provided for each and every one of us through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon that cross at Calvary? Do we really believe that God cares about the minutiae in our lives? Do we really believe that God longs to show Himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards Him? Do we really believe that through simple faith, allowing Jesus Christ to have lordship and leadership of our lives, and asking him to forgive us of all the wrong things we've done, that old things will really pass away and all things will become new? Is this God a God that actually can make a difference in my life?

I must admit that I do adamantly believe, even though that's probably a real no brainer huh? But after running from God for so many years and then seeing how He turned my life around...yes...I believe. Even during some time this morning while waiting for the doctor to finish some oral surgery on my 7 year old daughter - I believed. I'm thankful for God's peace and healing process - how he made our bodies, how he has allowed me to witness miraculous healing in people's lives, as well as the wonderful doctors he has given us today. I believe. Did we pray? Sure. Did we pray in faith? Sure. And although partial healing came, Hannah needed the surgery. Which just goes to show that God's sovereignty trumps my "wants" any day. But God's ways will always be the best way if we allow Him to speak to us through every situation.

That doesn't mean I never have a down day in my walk with the Lord. The challenge isn't in using the title "Christian" as an excuse. No, the challenge is in working everyday to strengthen the connection with God...making sure that we bring our failures, worries, imperfections, and uncertainties to the cross...and leave them there. It is a daily walk after all...but I believe with all my heart that God loves each of us so much that He will always be there with us. He even tells us in the Scriptures that He will never leave us or forsake us. He's just kinda like that...that's why He's God. I hope today is a day that you determine in your heart to reconnect with God like you never have before - because He's real, He's relevant, and He's even a bit radical.

Room for God.

Sitting in a Starbucks café within a Barnes & Noble store, I ruminated on the tensions concerning salvation, seekers, old-time Pentecost, holiness traditions and a myriad of other challenges to the church at large today. In my travels I often see folks firmly on their proverbial side of the fence, believing with all their heart that they are tuned in to the Holy Spirit and representing Christ as scripturally accurate as is possible. But when society takes us outside of scriptural precedence and into the realm of culture – we seem to clash more than we flourish.

I guess I have just been thinking of late, how much I want people to experience Jesus Christ in their lives. It seems as though we sometimes let the frivolous detour the best-laid plans of evangelism. To be sure, God has a standard and I am definitely for upholding God’s Word. I just think we sometimes focus on the external (tattoos, body piercings, smoking, etc…) more than the internal (a changed heart). I have heard plenty of Scriptures pertaining to the external and I truly believe we are indeed the “temple” of the Holy Spirit. But if we are not careful, we can so passionately convey our perception of the external that we destroy any chance of a changed heart.

I do know you must undoubtedly earn the right to speak into someone’s life concerning the deep issues of spirituality. Sometimes the right to speak comes from position or reputation, but the majority of opportunities for someone coming to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are through someone they respect. Since most Christians don’t have any more non-Christian friends after about 3-5 years, we must work to build relationships in hopes that God will provide opportunities to help introduce someone to His Son.

As I look back on my life, it took a “road to Damascus” experience for me to really know that God was real. But for most, finding the greatest friendship known to humanity still comes through an introduction by someone who knows that friend. May today be a day that we all reflect on how much Jesus Christ has done for us, and the mission that each one of us has - to share the good news with someone who just might have room for God in their world right now.