vision

“Without vision people perish.” We know this to be true so why to we find ourselves and each other time and time again without vision, without purpose? Are dreams taken from us or given up? Are visions compromised when God has asked us to stand firm? You see as I look at the world around us and even within the church as a body, I begin to question where is the vision, the passion, the ultimate purpose set before us by God through his word? Why aren’t we as chrisitians doing our part to end hunger, to stomp out homelessness, abuse, neglect, abandoned children? To me it seems that we can’t find a better way to spread Christ than through loving acts that mimick the actions of our creator. Where is the drive? Where are the risks or even the risk takers? See it is safe for me from behind my computer to throw these ideas out into the blogshpere, but what do I do in the real world? How do I put legs on it? How do I as an individual make a difference?
At some point in our lives we dreamed big, we believed without reservation that we could not only make a difference, but help change the world. Why has that changed? When did we give this up? Why aren’t we making a change in the world that is fast and ferousious instead of being consumed by wordly passions and desires. Why don’t we grab our dreams, our God given desires and make a change. Not a once in a while change, but a life altering change to truly make an impact in the community, in the world. I never wanted to sit on the sidelines playing sports in school, so why be content to do it in life. God is calling for a movement to rise up and be his legs, his hands, his feet to stop sitting back and waiting for opportunities to grab you so you can be who he created you to be; instead, we need to move in outrageous ways to show that we are children of an awesome King, the Alpha the Omega, the king of kings, the Lord or Lords, the alimghty, the all powerful, the creator of everything! How much longer are we going to sit back and fit God into our lives. He has called on us to be the light in this dark world, and that means we need to sacrifice for each other. It means we need to help each other. It means we need to step out in bold faith when God says move, MOVE!

current reading list

To respond to some people:
Currently on my reading list:
The Search for Significance
Crazy Love
Captivating
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
Cure for the Common Life

I am so very pumped to see each and every new thing that God reveals to me through these studies. As Richsa said this morning, it is time we crossed to the other side.
mark 4: 35- 40

books

well, my books are in and I am now half way through The Search for Significance and let me tell you, it is eating me up! I can’t get over some of the things in this book. I can feel some changes happening already just knowing that God is where my approval should come and that it should not be based on man.

Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

“According to this passage we can ultimately seek either the approval of men of the approcal of God as the basis of our self-worth. We cannot seek both. God wants to be Lord of our lives, and He is unwilling to share that lordship with anyone else.”

I really struggle with anger based on feeling like others are always disappointed in me. I really feel that these words are eye opening to me. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for me as I move toward God and away from man’s approval.

Not to mention I still have five other books to read!!

worry

Here lately, I have been anxious about a lot of things. I know that it is silly because God tells us again and again not to worry, but once again today I was questioning God about what the future holds for my family and for myself. He is so amazing and so timely! He told me…

be still and be firm
to trust him to provide
He would exceed my expectations

Then He brought me over to Daniel 3:16

This is the story of three friends asks to worship a king by bowing down to his gods. Of course these good Jewish boys refused and vowed to only worship God. They were thrown into the firey furnace, but before this happened they spoke these words to the king, “we are not worried about what will happen to us.” They go on to talk about the strength of God and how he can save them if he chooses, even if he doesn’t choose to save them, they won’t worship any other.

The next verse that caught my attention was 3:27…”They didn’t even smell of smoke.” Not only were the three not burned, but they didn’t even smell of smoke!

Again God was and is saying to me
Be still
Be firm
Trust me to provide
I will exceed your expectaions

They didn’t even smell of smoke!

Matt

I have a good man. It doesn’t seem to matter what I ask of him, he finds a way to make it happen. He has helped me to transform our backyard into an oasis of relaxation along with many other things. On this Monday, i just wanted to share that my hubby, rocks!

books

I was given several gift certificates for teacher appreciation this past year that I have finally used.  It took me so long to decide which books I wanted to use the card on, but this week I made my decision.  I can’t wait until my books come so I can delve into them and see where they take me.  I don’t know about you, but I love to read books.  I especially like to read books that I know are meant to draw me closer to the Lord!  Come on Barnes and Noble… send my books!

coffee…

ohh soooo goooooood!!!