Archive - October, 2009

Not pregnant yet

October 29, 2009 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

hug

Last month saw several doctor’s appointments and a couple of prescriptions. Nothing is severely wrong, I’m just not like clockwork.

Doctor appointments and pharmacies have a way of getting your hopes up, though. So Tuesday’s single little pink line (as opposed to a pair of them) was a little more disappointing than all of the other single little pink lines.

And so Holy Spirit and I talked about it. And we got my priorities on Him first, and then the rest. And I’m okay.

And then yesterday I caught this on Pete Wilson’s blog. You pretty much know where that’s going as soon as the picture comes up, but I might have still gotten a little teary-eyed.

And then someone that I don’t know and have never met before gave me a very insightful book – that, honestly, looks like a feminist text book from the ’60′s but we’ve all heard the same advice about books and their covers. You’ll probably hear more about this book in the days and weeks to come, but for now I’m just feeling very loved and I want to make sure you’re feeling very loved too.

If you have not turned your life over to Jesus, are not a “Christian,” are not “saved,” are not “a believer,” (choose your lingo) know that – like it or not – there is a very specific, very knowable God whose heart aches, He misses you so. He is not angry with you. You are not too far away. If you were hurt by a church or a “Christian,” I’m sorry – but their anger or hatred was not God’s; they’re messed up too.

Matthew 9:12-13//When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

If you are Jesus’ – however you like to phrase it – remember that you’re loved. You are Christ’s bride, body and temple. He knew what He was doing when He called you. He knew about your pride, your weak will, your lie, your temper – before you did, and He called you, He chose you, and He loves you.

Song of Solomon 4:9//You have ravished My heart, My sister, My spouse; You have ravished My heart with one look of your eyes,

That’s all. Take a step away from all of the anger in your heart, or from the deep Bible study and focused prayer, today, and let God love you. Stop pointing out your faults. Stop apologizing for your garbage. Stop cursing Him and His Church. For one day. I dare you. Hold your head up and be the beloved you were designed to be.

(PS – Please, please spare me your fertility advice. I am not infertile, I’m just not pregnant yet. I don’t need another book or strategy or supplement. I’m deleting emails I haven’t even read at this point, so really – thank you, but just don’t.)

The I-HEART film

October 27, 2009 in Reviews with 4 Comments

“On Wednesday, November 4th, popular Australian musical sensation Hillsong United will appear LIVE on movie screens across the US for an exclusive One Night Event featuring a performance by the internationally recognized worship band and their much-anticipated documentary I HEART REVOLUTION: WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, hosted from Australia.

“This one-night event will begin with a LIVE intro by Hillsong United’s lead singer Joel Houston, followed by the band performing from their church in Sydney and conclude with the worldwide debut of their cause-based documentary telling the stories of justice, compassion, and mercy around the globe.”

I admit it. When I heard Hillsong United was doing a one day only, live event in movie theaters I thought, “Publicity stunt.” I did. I’m cynical by nature, and not completely delivered of it yet.

But I don’t know. I love this quote from the trailer,

“If what’s happening within those four walls [where they're having a concert/worship event] is having no effect on those streets we travelled down to get there, then maybe we’re missing the point.”

Casting aside cynicism, I love that they’re doing this. Hillsong United is a very talented group of young adults who have already made an international name for themselves. Yes, it’s about worship and it’s about Jesus, but not any worship team can draw crowds of people – especially young people – out to an event. (And maybe that’s more our fault than theirs.) They’re at a point where they could coast on their success, talent, good looks (most of them), cute accents, etc.

But they’re not. Cynicism now abandoned, I can’t not believe that what they’ve seen as they’ve travelled the world has really shattered them. And I love that they’re doing something about it.

So, first, you can go here to get more info and buy tickets. It’s Wednesday, November 4. That’s one week from tomorrow.

Second, what are you doing about that thing that God has put on your heart? Teenagers, human trafficking victims, orphans, Africa, HIV/AIDS, abortion, etc. The burning heart of a God who loves justice will fuse to yours at a point if you’ll let it, but then you have to do something. It doesn’t matter if you’re an international celebrity or not.

2 Corinthians 8:12//If there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

Two things I want to know.
1 – Are you going next Wednesday? (I think we’ll go to Barrington if you want to come with us.)
2 – What are you doing?

How to get more out of scripture

October 22, 2009 in Discipleship with 2 Comments

bible-study

A lot of Christians spend a (semi-) regular amount of time reading scripture. For pleasure, or to ease our consciouses, we do it. We know we’re supposed to. We know it’s good for us. We know there is much to learn.

And a lot of Christians (at least) occasionally find themselves skimming over the words on the page and thinking about something completely unrelated. Sometimes we find ourselves reading as though we understand, and realize when we get up to do something else that we have no idea what we just read. Sometimes we read and understand – at least on a surface level – but never seem to break into anything new.

I gleaned a great study tip from a Onething interview with Misty Edwards years ago that has opened up so much scripture for me. At first it seemed weird, but as I got used to it I started explaining it to friends. Everyone – so far – has tried it and loves it.

So I thought I’d share.

I journal.

“Journal” is the short term. Really, I brain-dump on paper. One verse at a time. I examine every strong word, every phrase, every conjunction and question it in writing. I recently started doing this with Romans (which may be something I’m not ready for – Romans is pretty dense), so example:

Romans 1:5 reads, “through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;”

I wrote,

“Grace and ‘apostleship’ (the divine calling of our lives) come through Jesus. Grace and calling are for ‘obedience to the faith.’ Grace and purpose are not for liberty to continue in sin, for our own peace of mind, etc. We receive grace through Jesus so we can be obedient ‘among all nations’ – where ever I am, and in the presence of the whole world.

“‘…for His name …’ Our obedience is not for our own gain (prosperity, comfort, Christian-points), it’s for His glory. *We receive grace through Jesus so our lives can glorify Him in the world. It’s not about me.”

You can get some pretty amazing revelation.

Of course, it’s not the ultimate study technique. Over-views are good too, and sometimes you just need to read the stories presented as stories. But it’s been a great tool for me, and some of my friends, and hopefully for you too.

What do you do to maximize your Bible study time?

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