Journal 11.11.08

This is what I read this morning-

    Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!  It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.  Watch our for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh.  For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh-though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
    If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:  circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;  in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
    But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all thins.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God ans is by faith.  I want to know Christ and teh power of his resurrection and the fellowship of shariing in his sufferings, becoming like him in death, an so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
     Not that i have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take holdof that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I don ot consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, i press on toward the goal to win the proze for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

                                                        -Philippians 3:1-14



Over the past several days I have been working my way through Galatians and the prison epistles.  The heart of Paul is so clear especially as he speaks from his jail cell in Rome.  Even in his condition we see him write in Philippians 1:14, "Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."  It was because of Paul's imprisonment that the believers were being encouraged.  Later in chapter 2 he declares to us that, "it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him."(2.29)  So, i guess as i read these words I am wondering where the suffering part comes in for me.  I am aware of the fact that man Christians around the world today are suffering and dying for their faith and nothing in my life compares to that.  I am pondering the thought that maybe we aren't putting ourselves in the position to suffer.  I mean, honestly, how many American Christians really suffer for their faith.  I don't even think this is an issue of living in a country where we have religious freedoms at all.  I think it has more to do with where we position ourselves.  If we aren't suffering for our faith then maybe we aren't being active enough in what Paul calls the "forceful gospel" (Matthew 11:12).  Maybe I will develop this more and maybe I wont, but wanted to share this with you this morning.

What do you think about this?  How much does freedom of religion play into the whole idea of suffering?....or should it?  And if it shouldn't what's the deal in your opinion....

Journal 10.23

I feel so overwhelmed today and not in the way you might think.  I feel overwhelmed with the presence of God.  Almost like I am in a haze or something.  As per the urging of the Lord earlier in the week, I have probably prayed more and read more from the Word this week than I have in a long while.  So, maybe its just a realization of well, reality.  That God is not only the mastermind and creator of the universe, but he walks among us every day as well.  I have asked Him for so much this week, so maybe its the Lord just giving me his calm assurance.  Who knows, but what I do know is that the passion I have been praying for, the "IT", I have been missing has come back with force.

I love that word....force.  It reminds me of one of my favorite passages.

Matthew 11:12
"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it."

This verse brings up the kind of emotion I feel when Mel Gibson yells out "freedom" at the end of Braveheart.  A sort of barbaric spirit that should arise out of the soul of every believer.  That we are most definately not on the defensive end of God's strategy.  In fact he has placed us right in harms way.  yea, that's right....on the front lines.  Not because he wants us to fail, but bc he put the ability in us all to be warriors and victors.  Could you imagine what could happen if all believers began to carry the cross like William Wallace carried his slain wife's hankerchief?  He held it close to his heart and would die to protect it.  Heck yea, I just blew that off the top of my head.  But, how about it?  Would we, could we live with such reckless abandon?  I believe the first century Christians can answer that one for us.  As they were crucified, murdered and fed to lions instead of turning their backs on the one who gave them ultimate "Freedom."

So, as I just sit in this overwhelming presence of God I ask that He cloth me with such passion.  That if needs be I would lead the charge.

PG

Journal 10.21

As I laid in bed last night an overwhelming feeling came upon me.  That something imminent was on its way from the Lord.  So, I told Becky and we decided to fast today so to be in position to accept this Word from the Lord.  I don't know what to expect, but I am expecting.  Shouldn't that be out attitude everyday as we roll out of the bed.  To Expect!  We live these civil religious lives that are pretty much predictable.  But, we serve a supernatural God who is anything but predictable.  Anyways....

I had a great prayer time this morning.  Through that time something fell on my Spirit hard.  I have allowed time, experiences, denominationalism and church to literally extinguish the fire of God in my Spirit.  The Spirit of God that was made alive in me has at best played a dormant role for years.  And I am not talking about the polite understanding of the Spirits role in the life of a believer.  And there is a place for this because the Spirit is a total gentleman.  I am speaking of the violent shaking of a man's spirit that leads to a powerful display of God's supernatural hand.  Some people probably think I am nuts.   Good!  I think it is about time that we start living out the dangerous gospel that Christ came and established on Earth.  This modern domesticated Gospel that man has created really gets on my last nerve.  We are living in times when the power of the Holy Spirit through the life of the believer and church is needed more than ever, but we see that as being a little to over-bearing on those who don't understand.  I don't know about you, but there was a time when I didn't understand, but through that same life transforming power of God I came to understand.  You may think I am nuts and I really don't care if you agree, but that was so heavy on my mind this morning.

Acts 1:8  "And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;  and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Some people dismiss this passage because is sounds to much like what those Pentecostals teach.  This has nothing to do with denomination beliefs and has everything to do with the power of our influence.  You want to influence the nations?  Then you have to be living in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The disciples knew this and did it.  They went to all the known world and kicked the hell out of hell because they believed it so much.

Father I pray today that you renew the spiritual passion that I once had.  Increase my desire to know you and to be known by you.  Open my eyes to the Scriptures like never before and use me to increase your kingdom-Amen

The Rant of a Raging Lunatic

Yea, well atleast that's what they thought. Who is they, you say? God's people, the chosen ones of Israel and the apple of God's eye....that's who. So who is this raging lunatic and what was he ranting about?

It is the prophet Jeremiah and he pretty much beat God's people to death with the words he spoke. Here's the catch: God set him apart from before birth to do these things(Jer. 1:5). How would you feel if your life's calling was to fuss and complain at the church day-in and day-out. And I'm not talking about the disgruntled old dude who hates the color of the new carpet. I mean a constant word from the Lord that lashed the Israelites as if they were tied to a whipping pole.

Read the first couple chapters of Jeremiah to get an idea of what I am talking about.

Let me make a couple of major points.
1. God was terribly upset and angry at his people
Why? Because they had forsaken their first love. Take the time to read Jeremiah 1-2 just for a glimpse. God pronounces His judgment on them for three things: for forsaking Him, worshipping other gods, and worshipping the works of their hands. Here's the key, they had forsaken God simply so they could worship themselves and the things that were more convenient to them.
2. He sent Jeremiah as the Lone Ranger to set them straight
Why? Who knows why he chose Jeremiah. He became known as the weeping prophet bc all he brought was bad news. The majority of what he spoke to the Israelites was what they were doing against God and what God was going to do to straighten them out.

This is going to be longer than expected so I will probably stretch it out to another post. But, for the meantime here's a question.

Why would God chase after the Israelites after the way they treated Him? I mean, He is God and He doesn't need these people to validate who He is. If someone treated us that way we would disown them at best. Chew on that one for a while and I will add to this later.....

Before I cut this off let me tell you why I chose to write about this. Jeremiah 2:25 says this,

25 Do not run until your feet are bare
and your throat is dry.
But you said, 'It's no use!
I love foreign gods,
and I must go after them.'

When I came across this verse it truly disturbed me.......'I love foreign gods, and I must go after them.'

But more disturbing is the fact that most of us live this as our creed. No, not posted on our walls, but on our hearts......

If somehow we could rekindle a passionate pursuit of God. My hearts cry is to lead people to discover how wonderful it is to follow closely after the heart of God. Let that be your prayer today....

Share this message today and you will be called a raging lunatic. I mean we overdo this Jesus thing, right? Jesus really doesen't care about my day to day does He? I will save that for later.....

Be a Passionate Pursuer of God......

Wrong Place-Wrong Time

Have you ever truly been surprised by God? Yea, I have to. I can admit it has been a while, not bc God has been chillin' on a beach somewhere, but more bc I haven't even been in the same ballbark as Him lately. I have been in one of those places where I feel as if the rinse cycle has to be right around the corner. Those who know me are aware of my recent illness, but that is only part of the deal. I have been in this funky-funk-funk where all things are as if the camera is out of focus. Thanks to all of you guys who have been right in my face letting me know you are praying for and supporting me. One of those guys, JKL.....you know who you are recommended a good book for me a couple weeks ago. That book is Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. Well, I went to get it, probably to sit on my shelf with all of those other lonely never read books. While there I saw Batterson's first book, In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day and picked it up to. Well, I decided to read this one first, besides I would much rather read about a lion than a goose. Only makes sense right? This book has slapped me right in the face and has helped me put my life on auto-focus. Ok, catch this....

"Right at the onset, let me share one of my core convictions: God is in the business of strategically positioning us in the right place at the right time. A sense of destiny is our birthright as followers of Christ. God is awfull good at getting us where He wants us to go. But here's the catch: THE RIGHT PLACE OFTEN SEEMS LIKE THE WRONG PLACE, AND THE RIGHT TIME OFTEN SEEMS LIKE THE WRONG TIME." -Mark Batterson, pg. 12

Well, I need to say no more. Often we find ourselves in a place that is uncomfortable and with a sense of "Why God??!!" Maybe we just need to hang on for the ride and be surprised where we come to a screaching halt! And yes, I do feel like i am at the wrong place at the wrong time, but maybe, just maybe I am right where my Father wants me to be. How about you?

JRHI Bigstuf Day 4

Again day 4 comes around with mixed emotions.  Another day of camp is in front of us but we know it is the last day.  The morning session was beyond belief.  The Daraja Childrens Choir sang and led in worshp.  These children just arrived in the states and will be at Bigstuf each week.  Durnig the other times they will travel to churches spreading the Gospel with their voices.  They will be at CFUMC on June 26th and you don't want to miss it.  These children have such joy and the smiles on their faces are without compare.

The afternoon found us all on the beach for the 4th annual Solid Rock sandcastle building contest.  We had about 10 groups put a lot of time in each of their sculptures but only one came out victorious.  These are the winners in 08: Ginna Blair, Kate Marshall, Kaitlin Redford, Brooke Worsham and Lauren Venters.  We all had a great time hanging out together not to mention them trying to drown me on multiple occasions.  Anyone want to remind me why I do this?  No, just kidding.  We all then spread out and ate at local restaurants in the evening.

The evening session was eye opening for all of us I believe.  Jarod simply told the great story of God's love for us by animating the Bible from Genesis to the Cross.  We were all touched by the greatest story ever told.  There were 8 students from our group that laid their live at the cross for the first time.  Many others expressed later in our church group time that they feel their faith is at a place that it never has been before.  I challenge you as parents, leaders and peers to pray for everyone who was touched by Bigstuf this year to continue with what the Lord has started.

Ok, well I am on the charter bus on the way home as I write this and the wifi wont let me upload pics.  So, I will add some to this post later....

PG

JRHI Bigstuf Day 3

I just now uploaded our day 2 post and it is the morning of day 4.   Man, we have been so busy that I have literally had no time to tune you guys in.  So, I am frantically typing before the morning session so you will know what is happening.   I am very tired this morning as your little angels were tossing shaving cream at each other around 1 am last night.  It looked like we were having a white Christmas in June in PC......

I have to say that last nights session has been the most impactful yet.  The entire night was centered on the idea of pain.  Yea, I know that sounds a little off the beaten path for youth camp, but was right on for what our students needed.  Since our theme is Broadcast it ended up on whether the pain we go through is broadcast through a mirror or a window.  Do we look only at ourselves when we go through pain.  Are we center stage?  Do we want everyone to pity us and soak up all the attention.  Or, do we broadcast through a window?  Do we allow our pain to be transparent so that God will get the glory?

During our church group time after the big session so many shared pain that they

 have been kept bottled up for a long time.  It was such a touching moment as students who had not been friends loved on each other and we cared for those among us who were hurting.  Bigstuf is turning out again to touch lives and change the course of our lives.  Please encourage your son/daughter to share with you what God did in their lives this week.

McKinley Shunn was on stage tonight sharing her story of struggle and how God has worked through her pain to be glorified.

God bless and will let you know what happens on this eventful 4th day.

Thanks to Katie Brewer for being the most awesomest intern ever!   And that she turned Chris down for a date!!!!!!!!!!

PG