Don’t give you heart to another…

We wrapped up our series at Westside Family Church on Evidence that Jesus was who he claimed to be – the Son of God.  Today Brian Phipps (our Next Steps Pastor) talked about how we need to forsake things that we run to when trials hit whether it be relationships, food, substances, pornography, approval etc.  I know in the past I have been an approval addict – I craved approval because I was teased while growing up because of a speech problem and it caused things to happen for which I had no control over but I also know that how I respond is MY responsibility and no one else.  I know God still has some healing to do BUT I also know I have come a long ways and I can’t allow people to put expectations on me and I can’t try to live up to the expectations of others.  I have gained so much FREEDOM the last few months when I discovered that I was trying to live up to people’s expectations and that is unhealthy.  I am in the best place I have been in a  long time.  Jesus is ENOUGH – he is more than enough.

• Jesus says to the rejected – I LOVE YOU.
• Jesus says to the hurting – I WILL HEAL YOU
• Jesus says to the thirst – come to me and I will satisfy you!

Just some thoughts on this Sunday afternoon.

 

Summer 2012

North Carolina! Childress Vineyard!

Summer 2012

North Carolina!

Don’t listen…

I entitled this don’t listen – but I encourage you to listen to your friends – the people who have your back even when you screw up (and I know I mess up a ton).  The people who encourage and love you when they see your faults and don’t ignore you instead they work through the conflicts. I heard a message one time from a pastor and he said “Consider the source’.  For example, would you put a lot of weight when a person who knows you barely criticizing you – my question is do they really have the right to say those things and let it get underneath your skin.  I hear that pastor whispering in my ear “consider the source”.  This is an example.  I just want to encourage you to really pay attention if you are listening to people instead of God –  I love this I got this from a 30 Day Campaign that Passion City Church is doing called Wide Awake to Who You are.  Each day I have gotten an e-mail that starts like this –  Good Morning… just wanted to remind you who you are in Christ:  God-designed, purpose-intended, significant, lavishly-loved, prince/princess, son/daughter of the King of the Universe and then it says receive his love by meditating on a verse and then reflect his love.   I believe we can’t truly love like God wants us to until we receive his love.  

I can think of so many situations lately where I have to say to myself “CONSIDER THE SOURCE”.  Is it true?   So my question to you and me is this WHO ARE LISTENING TO?  Are you listening to the God of the universe who loves you and when he points out sin – he is doing it out of love and wants you to grow stronger.  He has made you a MASTERPIECE.

 

 

You Lost Me…A Boook about the younger generation

Here is a quote from a book I am reading and it made me go WOW!..

“When it comes to young Catholics’ and Protestants’ perspective about Jesus Christ, are the age group least likely to say they are personally committed to Christ.  While they have generally favorable views of Jesus, they also harbor significant doubt about the central figure of Christianity.  Young Adults are more likely than any other age group to belive that Jesus sinned, to doubt the miracles Jesus performed, and to express skepticism about his resurrection.  Despite their previous religious experiences, twentysomethings are the least likely to say they are confident that Jesus Christ speaks to them in a way that is personal and relevant to their circumstances.”

 

From You Lost Me..

I wanna to be an idiot (catchy title isn’t it )

I heard a great message from the Pastor of Lifechurch.tv Craig Groeschel and his topic was being an idiot for Christ.  At the beginning he reminded me that God calls the outcasts to make a difference in the kingdom and he uses people that have been with Jesus.  He discussed three things that idiots for Christ do:

1…They obey irrationally.  

He said they say yes even when it doesn’t make sense and he reminded us when God tells you to do something just do it – RIGHT AWAY!

2.  They give extravagantly.

He reminded us that EVERYTHING I have belongs to the Lord and that if the church got serious about giving how their won’t be a need in our community.  Look at Acts 4:34-35 – there wasn’t a needy person in that community.  Just a thought – how many single moms do we know?  How do we help them?  How many people do we know who are out of work – do we help them?   I want my generosity in all areas to go up.

3. Lastly, they believe what other’s say can’t be done.

How many of us shrink back because others say yeah right?  How many of us say yes but you don’t know how this hinders me?  Am I a big enough idiot to believe that God can use me right now in my brokenness.

One of my goals this year is to listen to more messages, to read more books, and to journal more.  I have some serious time to do this and am so grateful. I have some work to do and am so thankful for this season in my life.

Who do you say?

I didn’t blog at all this fall.  I have been kind of hiding – busy with the youth up at Westside and then two life groups.  If I could pick one word to describe this fall it would be CHALLENGE…

• A challenge to know what has my heart completely – who or what has captured my heart?
• A challenge to knowing who I am – Who I am really?  Am I believing what others say or do I believe the one who created me?
• A challenge to know who my true friends are – I went through a period of trial up until the beginning of November.

I think this fall was hard – was really hard but in November I was reminded that God is bigger than any challenge I am facing.  I was reminded that God has me completely and he only has good things in mind – he has good gifts for me if I look beyond the circumstance I find myself in.  I was reminded that if I draw near to God he will draw near to me.  What a thought as we approach this Christmas Holiday – that God came in the flesh to draw close to us.  We have a choice do we draw near to God or go in the opposite direction.  Do we surrender our will, our dreams, our wants and trust the one who says all things will work to the good of those who love him.  Yes, life stinks sometimes. Yes, life is hard.  Did I want to crawl in a hole and hid during a couple months absolutely but once again God proved himself faithful.  He is so faithful.  He is so good.    I believe that God is good…I believe that God is faithful…I believe  that God is love…I believe that when you trust him in the heartache and know he is in control – he gives joy and peace.  That is my story the last four months.  I am now in a season where I am to be quiet and listen – listen to what he is saying…listen to him say to me “I LOVE YOU and I have good plans for you”.  That is the God I have fallen deeper in love wiith this fall…