When ordinary becomes extraordinary

Day 3

Let the standard of all things be Christ 

First I wanted to mention that it's an upside down world we live in today, good is called evil and evil good... A quick glance at the movie blockbusters show an increasing amount of sex, violence, gore and evil served up in pretty Hollywood packaging. It seems like being a wizard or a vampire or a zombie is the norm these days and regular people are the exceptions! I like that train of thought very much! In fact it's taken me two days to fully articulate this point.  If you are a normal Christian person, with regular morals and values you may be a rare breed of extraordinary human - one who has not been swayed by the lure of the world and has kept your way pure.

At this point I want to mention a prophesy Josh made to the ladies on Sunday... He said that we see ourselves as lumps of coal but God has us in the palm of His hand, and though the pressure of the narrow boundaries of life in Christ may seem constricting... When he opens His hand the diamond is revealed. 

The pressure of narrow boundaries cause us to be transformed into precious gems in God's hands.

So I encourage you today, love your boundaries! Really embrace being in a hidden place in God...it's a good place, a safe place and the pressure brings out the treasure within!

3/13/13

Patterns and palindromes

I love patterns and palindromes are even better, because I am left handed, the idea that reading whether left to right or right to left arrives at the same place is very reassuring to me.

So the date today is a palindrome and that brings me to the day 2 challenge : 

determine to be patient with yourself. 

We are an instant generation, and sometimes apply that same expectation to God and His work in us. I prayed and nothing happened... Well that's all fake then, didn't work for me! God has not forgotten you, nor has He left you. You may not be where you want to be with Him but you're still here, in the race... So today, be merciful with yourself as God is merciful, extend kindness to yourself. 

God's word talks about "line upon line and precept upon precept" which is in the Bible, but if I go to my Bible app to try to paste it here, this whole page of typing will disappear... So bible scholars can help out by quoting the textual reference in the comments and the rest of us will just follow along with y'all. 

Basically what that says is that God knows he has to repeat himself to us :)  Seriously, He is not surprised by our in attentive or disinterested or foggy brainspace. He knows that it takes time to learn a new habit and He knows we fall and He actually knows how many times we're going to fall before we graduate to walking and then running the race of faith. Like any good father he is for us, cheering us on, come'on baby, you can do it, try again, get up sweetheart, I know you can do this! What Dad says to his 1 year old, who has just fallen down for the 15th time that day: "that's it! You're never gonna walk! I'm done with you!" Yet we believe the lies of the enemy when he says those very words masquerading as our Heavenly Father on the judgement seat... 

So today lets keep emptying out the lies we have received as truth, the judgments we have accepted from men, which were not God's voice, but came from his people, and replace them with His truth - you are Loved and nothing you do can separate you from that love.

 Life in God is a Palindrome - just because we start out from opposite directions doesn't mean we can't end up in the same place.

Kenosis

Kenosis

Phl 2:7 emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. So on Day 1 of our journey to the miraculous - this word pursued and consumed me. Kenosis : to empty out of what we are, in order to serve and obediently follow... I am not talking about "emptying" your mind - in the sense of meditation etc... I am referring to emptying your heart... This pouring out of your heart to The Lord is vital, there has to be a release of the past, the hurt, the regrets, the failures, the unforgiveness... That is what God is calling for today... This song which we sang at our home group a couple of Sundays ago sums it up beautifully: Pour Out My Heart (Lyrics) Craig Musseau ©1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing Verse Here I am, once again I pour out my heart, for I know that You hear every cry You are listening No matter what state my heart is in You are faithful to answer With words that are true and a hope that is real As I feel Your touch You bring a freedom to all that’s within In the safety of this place Pour out my heart to say that I love You Pour out my heart to say that I need You Pour out my heart to say that I’m thankful Pour out my heart to say that You’re wonderful  Chorus (I’m longing to)

Expecting Miracles

Purpose!  We are all seeking it, longing for this defining stamp, this title, this vision or gift that we can suspend purpose on... 

What then is my purpose? I want to be hid in Christ.... Is that too simple or lofty a goal? I want to be so fully overtaken by His presence that all you see is Jesus. I am being purposeful in my pursuit because it won't happen without depth of commitment... I can sow into this purpose. How do I sow into this endeavor, it's His Word, and His voice and His love... It multiplies as it is sown.... Generously sow - it's a principle of God, whatsoever you sow you will reap.

I am expecting miracles! I know that God wants miracles to break out in our lives, because He said so in His word... Greater things shall ye do also!

Will you join me on a journey to birth the miraculous? Breaking free from all that holds you back and breaking in on your enemy and breaking out of your paradigms and breaking forth in His Glory!

The Future is Beautiful <3