I had a random thought today, about something that happened to someone I love, a few years back and thus, this note began to come to life.



I will make mention to this person as "they", "their", "such & such" or "them" so as not to reveal the persons identity. On with the story..



As I mentioned, a few years back someone I am close to, decided to make some very big changes in their life. They were involved in some situations that were illegal and were quite addicted to a drug/negative lifestyle. Some things transpired that woke them up, (if you will) and they chose to make a pact with themselves and God that they would live for Him and leave these things in the past.



They went through an extensive drug-rehab and over time became beyond, on fire for God. The place they were getting treatment with saw the persons ability to preach and recognized what God did through them and they decided to use them (quite often) on a traveling team and even locally to minister to other recovering addicts. Knowing the person as well as I did and knowing where they had come from, I was convinced without a shadow of a doubt that God Himself was in fact working in and through this person. It was quite the miracle.



Once they were out of the program (which was well over a year) and it was time to come home things drastically changed. They were so on fire! They couldn't wait to go back and prove how much God had done in their life! They wanted to help others find what they had found. The program staff was so impressed with this person that they even offered them a full time staff position as a minister/counselor.



The person could not wait to get home to their childhood home church to be embraced and encouraged by all that knew them before, so that they too, could see what God did!



I am sad however to announce (and I am sure you were expecting) it wasn't the homecoming or encouraging moment they had imagined in their mind. The childrens minister of the church where they grew up, walked up next to them, put his arm around them and said to everyone within hearing distance "Oh, look!" "Its' such and such, THE DRUG ADDICT!"



Needless to say the person was beyond hurt and crushed. I wish I could tell you that this was the only event in which this scenario happened, but it wasn't. It seemed everywhere this person went, they were faced with the same treatment. You could call it a test, but maybe it wasn't them, being tested.



When told about the occurrences of that day with the pastor, I was instantly reminded of the story of the Shepherd who looked out admiringly upon all of his beautiful, plump sheep and then suddenly noticed one had gone off. He couldn't see them anywhere. He looked to and fro seeking and searching for any sight of his beloved, lost sheep. All of a sudden he looks out and sees the sheep in danger of going off the cliff! He runs through the sheep as fast as he could, trying to save the sheep who went off on his own and now is so close to danger. The shepherd finally comes to the lost sheep and instead of yelling or reminding it of what a dumb decision it had made, he lovingly, picks him up, brushes him off and wraps him around his shoulders and carries him back to the flock.



I believe with all my heart that, that story was a depiction of what God the father wants from the shepherds He has put into place to guard, protect and govern, His beloved sheep. What a difference this would have made in the life of my aforementioned friend.



I am sad to say that the story isn't over and it unfortunately, didn't get any better. During the time they were trying to decide whether they should stay home or go on in ministry, the persons uncle offered them a job. They were so excited, because their uncle was a so called, "on-fire" christian with a very similar past and the job was in the exact field they wanted to be in. The person felt God, had to be in this! As you might have already guessed though, it surely wasn't at all what the person had envisioned.



The uncle reminded the person of their past and because of that he said "You are only worth $4.00 an hr to start". Again, the person felt defeated, hurt, confused and crushed.



By now, I'd bet you wouldn't be surprised to find out that the person went back to their lifestyle and left the things of God behind.



I often think of how judgment cancels out mercy. I ponder about how us, being mere humans who are capable of nothing pure or good on our own, could get to a place where we feel we have arrived and can do no wrong. That somehow our titles, ministries, churches and striving's, would ever be able to cancel out our own sin?



Yet, God is God and He is Merciful. He sits in the perfect position to judge, does He not? He sits without blame, in utter perfection and supreme authority and yet, He has mercy. He chose mercy, his name was Jesus.



I think Christians often misunderstand grace and mercy. They believe if they show grace or mercy than it is stamping the persons sin with their approval, but that is false.



Mercy sees the sin encased in the love of Christ, mercy recognizes Jesus stamp that says, imperfect, with sin, addicted, hell bent and unlovable, but "I died for them".



When you approach the prodigal or lost with the stench of judgment you push them further and further from the grasp of Christ. If you approach them with aroma of grace and mercy, you lure them in and within that place, in that sweet aroma of grace and mercy you, you win their trust and the miraculous, is able to take place. Salvation, deliverance and healing.



In essence we truly reap what we sow, but some harvests we may reap for all of eternity.



I encourage you today, to die to your own flesh. To extend mercy when you feel like judging. To embrace when you feel like pushing away, to take the log out of your own eye, so that you can see clearer through the eyes of love. For even Jesus said in regards to his murders... "Forgive them father, for they know not, what they do.



Matthew 18:11-14

Parable of the Lost Sheep

12 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn’t wander away! 14 In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father’s will that even one of these little ones should perish.



Luke 6:36

36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.



Luke 15:4-7

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.



James 2:13

13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.



Siochan',



~K

>hate< all of this dissension in the body of Christ. It was never God's intention to have all of this bickering, fighting, division, lack of unity, competition, fighting over sheep ->free men/women, slander, gossip, passive aggressive punches. UGH! It's pride, it's foolish and it is no wonder the world sees no difference in us, the modern day church, of pharisees.



Where is faith, hope and love? Where is unity? Where is forgiveness? We cannot give what we do not possess! My heart is sick! We are told in 1 Corinthians what the fruit of the spirit is... So, if they will know us by our fruit and our fruit does not look anything, but counter to that of the fruits of the spirit they will not only cast us away, but the will cast away our Savior, of who we say we represent.



I am at a literal loss anymore. I have grown up in the church since I was 8 years old and the things that I have seen in 23 years is despicable!



If I did not love Christ the way I do and have the memories of his faithfulness, I would have absolutely nothing to do with Christianity. AND THAT IS TRUTH.



The weapon we posses as Christians is mighty, yet we lay it at the feet of the enemy willingly. Our power lies in unity -with one another. Where two or more are gathered there He is in the midst of us! -When we are in unity... the WHOLE world will know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our weapon is unity!



The very life giving breath of God dwells within us. His name is the Holy Spirit and yet, we slander, back bite, hurt, control, manipulate, cast away the very ones our savior loves and for what?? A bigger church or ministry? A bigger following? Because we are hurt so they must pay! More money in our church budget? How we must daily grieve the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Father and the very bringer and originator of unity... Jesus.



I cannot tell you how many people saved, unsaved, back-slidden that I have met over the years (myself included) that walk around with gaping wounds from a fellow soldier of Christ! In the military if you hurt one of your own on p-u-r-p-o-s-e you get severe punishment. You are dishonorably discharged! But yet... we are saved by grace! Lest any man should boast! Make right your wrongs. Release your fellow soldiers from the wounds you have inflicted. And those inflicted... Forgive, set boundaries if you must, but stop wanting retribution on those whom your savior so loves. We are all wretched, bruised, imperfect and moldy fruit! Face it you... me... she... he... we need a Savior.



Do you think that your father does not see? That he is not grieved? You are sadly mistaken. You will stand before the almighty one day along with every other believer and you will take account for what you have done. Those things you could have made right and didn't. Those seeds of unity you were given, but kept to yourself, instead choosing to sow seeds of division for your own gain. He sees it all. You may not see the affect of this personally here on earth, but you will see it for all of eternity.



I am not omitting myself from this. I am a imperfect, wretched human, this message is just as much to myself as it is to you. My heart is so heavy for what I see, hear and feel from the church, the church that I have loved since I was eight years old.



In John 17 it says that once we are unified.. the whole world will know Jesus.



Can you not see that the enemy is fighting so hard to keep this from happening? His reign and power rely on us continuing on in individual, corporate and global division.



God, forgive me for any part that I have played in this! Forgive your body! Rise up in us spirit of conviction! May unity, conviction and forgiveness spread globally! Holy Spirit I ask thee to build supernatural God bridges within denominations, ministries and local and global bodies. May our conviction surpass our differences, ego's and pride. Jesus renew within your people the understanding and weight of the sacrifice you made in your life & death so that all men would know your name. Create in your people oh God a clean heart, a new spirit and may there be in your people no more no wicked way within us.



This thing called Christianity... It isn't about your name. It isn't about your church. It isn't about your tithes and it isn't about your sheep. It isn't about doctrine or your personal beliefs. It is about Jesus and his love and desire for all men to be saved.



May God realign our vision. May he purify our hearts and may He renew a right spirit within us.



Time and souls are of the essence.




Siochan',

K

This more than likely will not be a very popular, well-liked or embraced blog. But whoever said truth was “easy to swallow”, never tried swallowing it.

As a newly saved seven-year-old girl, I felt God leading me to become a missionary. For years God placed people in my path to further stoke and grow that side of me, which ultimately lead to me becoming a short-term missionary on a few occasions in third world countries.

What we are called to in life and the experiences that come with it, begin to shape and mold us into who we are placed on this earth to be. My desire for fewer things and more of God is still found to be the same. Now I am a girly girl on the outside, but a missionary internally, and the two rarely war with each other.

The things of this life and the western church way of doing "church" is boring and couldn't be farther from the initial, original design of the church and because of that, the church has no appeal or power outside of its patrons.

Having spent time overseas, in third world countries, seeing the vast and powerful presence of God forever changes you. You may try to forget the encounters you had with God, what you've seen with your own eyes and know in your heart to be the truth, but it eventually will have its way again, in you.

I have served in American churches for most of my life in various denominations; cultures etc and they are all the same, powerless.

The American Church is in fact a business and it is a smart one, much smarter than the world (in that realm). See big businesses in America are required to pay taxes, but the church get's a 501-C3, which requires them to pay no taxes (outside of property taxes) on any income that comes into the church. Leaving the church with limited to, no accountability in regards to where the money goes once it comes in. I know this fist hand working in a church office, running the books.

It quite amazes me actually, how intelligent the enemy is because for the most part he designed the American “Western” church. He quietly seeped in, laid its foundation that causes us to sacrifice, compromise and step on everyone and anyone so that we like the world, can to keep our comfy positions and businesses ahem.. I mean churches open.

We purchase bigger buildings to house "the people", more effects, sound, media, near perfect "worship" teams, suave and gifted speakers, more and more appealing things to draw the world in because "we have to give the world what it is used to".

Friends, if the world already has it and isn't satisfied with it, what makes you think if we package the vary same things, wrap it and stamp Jesus on it that it would have any more power or enticement? It doesn't and it never will. It is a lie that we have bought for more than it's worth and strive, repackage compromise and water it down to match up with a world who has it all and does it better than us. We are and look like a joke to the world.

My heart goes out to the poor soul who on their own decide to read the Bible and as they read, they stumble across the church of the Bible. Amazed at its power and benefit they venture out in excitement to our churches, stay for awhile and then ultimately leave and go back to the world because they were completely dissatisfied, confused and left jaded that the Bible they read, now looks like a farce, because the churches and it’s followers, it spoke of, mirror the reflection of the world that they chose to leave behind, rather than the Jesus their soul longs for, the one they thought they read about.

The original day the church was founded three thousand people were converted to Christianity and were baptized. Now, we swap people from church to church. We look for whoever has the best goods, music is better and children’s programs wins, but we rarely see new conversions or real manifestations of any kind of healing or power. Which only further confirms how far away we have gotten from the church of the Bible.

God's word says greater -works- shall we do...

Budgets, pay checks, gatherings, events, equipment, pretty buildings, products, merchandise, media, books, the world already has it. Why would they buy your version?

See, Jesus had everything you could imagine. In fact, He left the creativity capital of Heaven, where every idea, gadget, jewel, gold, finance, mansion, delicacy, etc is created, came to earth and died with nothing, but the power He came with.

I look at pastors today with big beautiful homes, high-end clothing and vehicles, gigantic ministries, TV shows and budgets and wonder to myself, where is Jesus in that pretty, expensive package?

I will be called "religious" for this post for many reasons, of that I am already aware and at peace with. Yet, dear brothers and sisters wasn't it Jesus who called the flashy, well-dressed Pharisees, religious? You might want to re-read that again. Here, I will help you… Jesus couldn’t stomach the fancy Pharisees who had fine clothing and riches, haughty dispositions and glaring glances for the people Jesus so loved.

The first original church couldn't be farther from its beginning roots, foundation or blueprint and our God has been gracious and merciful, but he says I am a God that will not be mocked and judgment starts at the church and judgment will come. In fact it is already in motion. Hold onto your fine china, hide your precious jewels and transfer your money over to Sweden. It’s only a matter of time.

Jesus said ”be in it, not of it”, meaning don’t do it their way, choose my way. Jesus could be right dead set in the middle of the world today and they wouldn't know it because the supposed “reflection” of Jesus and his church today looks nothing like Him! Have you seen the play “Jesus Christ, Super Star”? Get my point?

Church!!!!!!!!!!! We have no power, we have a waning reflection of Jesus, conversions are at an all time low and we are fat and happy with it.

Ah, Jesus' heart must be broken. He didn't die to give us these big things, here on earth. He died to save us from a very real hell and so that we feeling, sounding and looking like Him, could do the same for a lost and dying world around us. Jesus left all of his millions and billions in heaven, knowing that one day they would again be his, forever and he requires the same of us.

We talk and tell our people to leave their worldly jobs behind and that the success in those jobs is wrong. You tell them “pick up your cross and follow him”, but pastor with your million dollar buildings, big homes, and nice cars chaining you to the very same idols you proudly demand your sheep to stop caring, would you, yourself be able too? Who would pay your paycheck then?

Today, pastors do not preach on dying to our flesh, fear, insecurities, lust of money and prestige because it isn’t popular. It isn’t what the masses want to hear and so it has driven a wedge the size of niagra falls between us the present church and them its original founders. There is no comparison. I repeat… No comparison to founding church of the New Testament.

The age of the "mega", "powerless" church will in fact come to an end. God himself, even now, is drawing a dividing line and one day, not to far off from now, our big buildings will sit with all of it's golden goods, empty and foreclosed. With no more power than when it was in its entire splendor. Oh, how we will be mocked. We had it all, but stored none, here on earth, nor in heaven. We will have nothing to offer those who are so desperate for help in a time of great famine. Oh, the grain; it slipped right through our fingertips.

This next thought will anger many, of that I am more than positive, but I am my fathers daughter so, I will say it anyways. The world when you give, gives a return. If I have money and I go to the store I will give the clerk my money and I will leave with provision i.e.: clothing, food, housing etc.

However, when I give my tithe at church I leave with nothing. I am told that I am investing into the kingdom of God, which will one day bring a heavenly reward, and happily and comfortably I give 10 % of all that I gross per week, never second guessing or looking closely at where my “heavenly” investment is going.

See the world is smart. When the world invests its finances they look into, question and deeply research where their finances will go. They know for the most part its finances are going to the right things and that they will get a reward on their money some day, should they need or want to cash it in.

Church people give because they are taught that they should, but rarely see where the "harvested" money is going and when they do ask, they often leave brow beaten or ashamed for asking.

We should be boldly asking, is it feeding the poor of the church and external? Is it clothing the needy? Caring for the elderly and widowed? Is it sheltering the homeless etc or is there just not enough in the budget for that?

It is mindboggling to me that we offer our hard earned money blindly never questioning where it will go. Where is wisdom and accountability, church?

Why did Jesus live meagerly on the earth while He was here? Because He never wanted the things of this earth to stand between what he was called here to do. He wanted the power and reward of heaven rather than the power and fleeting pleasures of this earth.

Jesus himself fed the poor, he lived and ate amongst them. He loved and healed the homeless, forgotten, forsaken and afflicted and distanced himself from the Pharisee’s and the name they had so proudly made for themselves.

Today however, we have pastors who live in castles, are fed grand feasts, kids in private schools, drive golden chariots and have it all from the tithes of those who believe in the message of the true Messiah. People, who are often poor, rejected, afflicted and in desperate need of a healing.

They cry I am hungry! I am needy! I am broken! I am guilty! I am dying! I am homeless! We reply in disdain, it's not in our budget, I’m sorry I don't have time, but we will add your name to the prayer list as we turn the corner, hit the garage opener, turn the key to our big beautiful homes all on the dime of our Messiah’s seed and the cries of His people.

No, dear friends, the church today looks nothing like that of which the Bible describes. God will not be mocked. Nor, will He be called a liar. Judgment is coming to the church.

-Matthew 25


Siochan',
Kristi White

Forgiveness is a painful process..
Share
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 6:09am | Edit Note | Delete
I have been going through a season right now where I am asking God to search me and really make sure that I have forgiven someone. This person isn't making it any easier on me that's for sure. They have caused alot of pain and a year later are still making sure to rub salt in my wounds. It hurts, but forgiveness always has.

I had this random thought last night while I was walking from my living room to my bedroom to get my Bible. My intention was to leave a friend an encouraging email and boom this random thought hit me. Forgiveness is a painful process.

Think about the way in which Jesus died on the cross for our ultimate forgiveness and pardoning of our sins.

He started with being tempted, given a choice to do wrong instead of right, he is accused, lied about and then ultimately was betrayed behind his back. He instinctively knew it was happening, but still he loved. He went to his friends for support and they offered little to none. He wept. He asked his father for comfort and if there was any other way than this. He's given two choices, they pay for their sins or you you set them free.

He firmly makes His choice.

He is openly brought before many, some of his closest friends, his family, his followers, strangers and his enemies. In front of them he was lied about, accused, beaten, cursed, humiliated and ultimately forsaken.

He was stripped of his good name, his good deeds, his God given title, his rights, his family, his friends, and his life. He took it all without one word of defense for himself.

He then faces the most painful choice of all.. Retaliate, defend himself and forsake the call that the God of all creation himself asked Him to do or offer his life and dignity for ones that were never more undeserving.

He resolves within himself that he must finish this call, this mandate and this commission for his life. For His life was truly not his own.

He carries the very thing he knows that will end his life. Yes, a wooden cross, but more importantly our freedom. Freedom from a punishment we more than deserved. So walking to the hill of golgotha, he carries our freedom, stumbling by the weight of it all. He willingly and lovingly lays himself down on this cross he painfully struggled to carry, and one by one offers up each limb of his body in sacrifice.

Each hand he offered had healed a sick person, touched someone lovingly, fed the poor and even rose someone from the dead. Hardly a hand deserving of a nail.

Next he offered his feet and through each foot they drove a nail once through the first.. then through the next... pounding and pounding causing pain unimaginable.

Weren't these the same feet that remained worn and dirty as he cleaned the feet of his beloved friends and even betrayer? Weren't these the same feet who walked for miles spreading the news he never had to preach, stopping on weary feet to answer a cry for mercy? Wait, wait!! There must be a mistake! These can't be the feet you mean to nail!

But on this cross for me he stayed this blameless man, this provider of the poor, this preacher, this teacher, this missionary, this healer, my friend.

As they rose his cross up into a standing position he began to feel the immense pressure of all that he was being asked to do. Again my sins, my betrayal flashed before his eyes.. And again he was given the choice to prove his power and innocence and yet, again he chose my forgiveness.

His pain was fierce, unimaginable. His pores bled and his nerves and tendons screamed. His heart ached, he felt alone. His father who remained with him through it all was now silent and no where to be found. Alone he stood with the weight of his choice to forgive on his shoulders and through his pain, through his agony we were forgiven, slate washed clean and chains removed.

The call of a christian has not changed in over two thousand years. It is still painful. It causes you to loose your name, your friends, all of your deeds, everything you worked for. You feel alone, betrayed, forgotten, forsaken all the while you are asked to forgive.

Jesus knowing all to well, this life and this pain, asks you to take the vary ones that deserve this cross, this punishment, off of their cross carved with their sins and to instead nail yourself in their place.

You offer your hand... and with each slam of the nail, you say I forgive you... I release you... your words have no more power... they bind you no more, they bind me no more.. You can start a fresh... I can start a fresh... With each foot you lay down begins a new journey... a lighter journey for the pain is over... the load is lighter... and his message remains in the scars on your hands and the remnants on your feet... forgiveness is painful... death is necessary... but healing and freedom awaits you on the other side...

Siochan',
K

I kept hearing that phrase tonight and come to find out it is in Psalm 42:7..

So I googled just that phrase itself and a song by Shane & Shane came up. Shane & Shane is a group that I frequently worship to when I would like to really worship (aside from countless others).

Here are the words to the song I am referencing, it is called "Vision of You".

Come meet us, King Jesus
Oh wind of change blow through this temple
Sweet Spirit of God, come and mend our hearts
For all we have are songs
Unless You come

Awaken what’s inside of me
Tune my heart to all You are in me
Even though You’re here God come
And may the vision of You
Be the death of me
And even though you’ve given everything
Jesus come

Come free us, King Jesus
It’s the only way that freedom’s given
From You and You alone
In the work You’ve already done
For all we have are songs,
Unless You come

Here we are, Lord
In this place
Crying out for
Your embrace
To hear Your voice
More than songs
Please come
Jesus come

Those words hit me and hit me hard. My husband I have been worship leaders for almost as long as we have been married and for us, it has always been more than the harmonies, the arrangements, the hype and the words..

If God doesn't come and change a heart, save a soul, lead a prodigal home, heal someone in desperate need of healing then it is just music, just us and he is no where to be found.

Because when Jesus in the days of the Bible showed up, these things were accomplished.. We have seen these very things with our own eyes on this earth today. It is not us.. It will never be us.. We cannot change a heart. Only He, The Kings of Kings and Lord of Lords can change a person/heart or situation. In his presence.

I can sing the most perfect of songs and focus completely on myself and making sure that I sound great and that I look great doing it, but its about us or I and no where is He to be found.

God so desperately wants to touch people and to change and transform lives/souls. Systems have never worked, it is in the pure moments of worship or in delivering the word or a combination of both that God can have his way. No longer are we focused on us and our situations, but on offering a gift of all that we have to offer in that moment to our Savior and in that moment He does not disappoint.

We are created to worship. If we cannot worship here on earth... how then will we ever suffer Heaven?

I think about the moments in the Bible where people were radically changed, healed and saved it was because they did whatever it took to touch and be in the presence of the one they knew could heal them.

They worshipped.. They cried out, they ran, they sat at the feet and they offered that which was most precious costly, possession and He drew near to them.

In the middle of a vast crowd one woman so desperately wanted and needed to touch her savior and she pressed in and in further till she touched him and he knew it! He stopped right there to let her know I felt you! Your faith, your pursuance of me, I felt it! And in return she received her healing...

The man who sat by the pool waiting to get into the water... believing one day he would be healed.. he sat and he waited and he believed until his savior arrived and he called out loudly, and then louder and even louder still and then his savior turned and gave him what he so desperately needed... His healing..

Or the man who couldn't walk, couldn't get to that place where his savior was dwelling on his own. He couldn't walk, he was to weak, there where to many vying for his saviors touch, but his friends.. they pushed in and they dug deep until fingers bled pulling apart the roof until they could get to there savior, dragging their weak and crippled friend to the feet of the only one who could heal Him...

So much is in my heart, but worship... it is the same way it is pressing in, and pressing in and not taking no for an answer calling out to your savior until he inhabits your praise, your existence.. and then boom faith and God collide and you are never left the same... ever.

When I worship I want all that my savior has to offer... Just me and my savior.. God you are awesome You are amazing! You are all I need You are more than enough for me... He hears me he takes my gift and he says daughter/ son what do you need... God here is my family, here is my life, take it all.. don't leave me the same, don't leave my family the same...

The woman weeping for her dead brother Oh, Lazarus.. Her heart was breaking, God do something God move... Jesus arrives on the scene and even those dead in the presence of God almighty cannot resist his life changing power and breath returns to his lunges..

The daughter who lay dead in her bed.. Her family had no faith, wailing and wailing.. but someone ran to get the Healer.. He came... he removed all who didn't believe he could what He SAYS he will do.. and He did it... Life came into her lunges...

Worship is what you have to offer your king... Sometimes you are empty, but you squeeze out all that you have left, you soul cries to him to fill you up, he fills your cup overflowing.. Sometimes you have so much to offer him and he is still moved.. It is not what you have to offer or how much, but that you are no matter the situation willing to offer up what you have...

That you trust God with your church, with your city, wit your family, with your dead walking, with the afflicted and you say.. I cannot do this.. my methods do not work.. I relent God have your way... Move... We give you what we have, but don't God leave us the same... We need you.. we need what you have promised.. we believe what you have promised...

I can no longer sing to sing. It's not me. I can no longer rehearse to rehearse it's not me.. I have, but one thing to offer this amazing God and it is my life in worship to him..
And all though He is moved by my love for him it is I who am moved, changed, altered and healed because of His love for me and so the cycle continues..

Give him what you have.. offer it up.. pursue him.. until he answers.. praise him.. speak loud his name.. Just as insensate child calls and calls until his parent is moved to listen and give them what they need.. so should our hearts be towards the king of kings and lord of Lords..

And if Jesus himself did this.. Should we not pattern the founder of the Christian life... Hebrews 5:7-8 (New International Version)

7During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

He taught us in our sufferings.. so much power we have when we offer up prayers, cries and worship.. We need to offer this antidote to a lost and searching world..

We say come Lord Jesus come... Nothing, but your will for me.. I'm ONLY free when YOU come...


Please take time too...
Listen to his heart... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VulENveEvlc

And then song being shown live with both Shane & Shane... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goKXIZntOyQ

So often people think that God loves in a rigid, heavy-fisted and unapproachable way. I believe with all my heart that His love at times can be completely undignified. I came home tonight and had two experiences that has spurred me to love people in a completely undignified manner.

One I will share with you. Tonight I came home from a very long day, I was tired, thirsty and sweaty from working in the sun all day and just wanted to be left alone to sleep.

Well my hubs let our dogs out of their crates and my male Sheltie, Shiloh came barreling up the stairs running from room to find me and when he did his face expressed so much love and he went crazy licking my face and cuddling up to me.

I was overwhelmed with his love for me. I instantly had a picture in my mind of the prodigal father waiting and watching for his son to return home and then the elation he must have felt when he finally did return!

Can you picture it? Dad is waiting and watching.. Son returns.. Son walks the long path to the front door of his fathers home. Smelly, sweaty, tired, ashamed, worried he walks to the door.. Father sees him, grabs the things he had been saving for his sons return and starts off running out of the house.. The servants are in a furry because their dignified, honorable master is now running through the house yelling 'throw a party!', 'kill the biggest, fattest calf we have!' 'my son, oh my son he has returned!' So on he runs to his son, heart in hand and dignity out the door.. he runs and he runs.. and his son ashamed, smelly and exhausted raises his head and catches the display of love going on before him and he is moved.. Dad gets closer and grabs his son, kissing and kissing and hugging this man, his son who slept with pigs and ate from their plate, but in his undignified manner of love his son is forever changed. Marked and forgiven by his father.

That picture spurred these final thoughts within me... People of God... Christians marked by the Christ... Does his undignified love shine through you? When posed with an unlovable, smelly, less than desirable person do you display a love that is undignified? Do you roll out the red carpet, hug, love on, show the royal treatment, lend an ear to, speak life into those that appear less than to deserve our love?

What grace, what love, what honor our Abba Daddy displays to us. I seen tonight through my dogs pure and undignified love what God, through us living in an undignified manner can do to the heart of man. I am forever changed.

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ -Matthew 25:40

-Ephesians 3:17 I pray that you may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Siochan',
K

Just a random thought today.. Watered down Christianity is as effective as watered down alcohol. When you go to a bar to drink you are looking to 1. get drunk or 2. unwind. If you go to a place where the liquor or alcohol is watered down it will cause you to keep searching because 1. It doesn't do what it promises and 2. It won't fill the urges you feel or bring about a change in your mood. Water down, or diluted Christianity (if you will) is the same way.

Often Churches today offer the "Word", but in watered down, diluted form. We wonder why people that are "lost" are never changed or ever stick around very long. The watered down, diluted "Word" of God is not, the "True" "Life-changing" "Word" of God.

It's power, presence and purpose is ineffective because we are not giving people the "high quality" stuff. We are causing people to bar, I mean church hop or leave the church completely because we are after all just like the things in the world that they have tried before. Just another fad. This off brand, knock off Christianity gives them nothing of substance. Nothing that will truly sustain, change or effect their lives for very long.

Check out what Jesus said...
Mark 7:6-9, when He stated, “Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do…Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition.” In verse 13, He stated, “Making the Word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you.”


We as Christians have no life changing, system changing, reality swapping affect on this world we live in because we are told and taught more about grace and have bought the lie that (often without even saying it) Jesus came to over throw the "Law", but in fact He said otherwise.

Matt. 5:17-18 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law, till all be fulfilled.

See so many Christians get caught up in the "Law" being religion. In fact it is way opposite. The "Law" sets us apart from what the world is and does and embodies as "every day life". Religion or where people get confused is "man, made rules or by-laws".

For example.. 10 commandments..
1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your manservant, nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Man made laws (which churches often want you to sign when you join as a member or want to serve in the church)

1. No going to the movies.

2. No dancing allowed (even at your wedding).

3. No piercings and or tattoo's.

4. So say you can't wear make up.

5. So say women should have long hair and skirts and dresses to match it.

etc.. etc... Vast difference right??

Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

You get my point, the problem is, is that these things are man made. They become like a yoke around our necks, never finding true freedom and our relationship with Christ becomes more of a routine rather than a relationship.

So my reason for saying all of that is that many churches/leaders today feel that people can not obtain those levels of commitment and have swung left and now preach "Do whatever you want, be whatever you want, God's grace is sufficient for you!" These churches exploded and became huge, watered down, ineffective bodies of people who love to go to a place that says, be and do whatever you want God's grace is good and your salvation is secured!" Great, now we have people routinely attending church who bring no multiplication of souls, but rather more confusion, who may ultimately end up in hell anyhow. Blind, leading the blind. Harsh, but true.

I think it's a load of crap! I remember way back in Junior High I was sitting on my friends porch and somehow we got into our different beliefs/religions. My friend came with me a few times to youth group and at the time I surely wasn't reflecting Christ, as I should have been and she said to me that day on her porch. "Kristi, I see no difference between you and I and your Bible says there should be a difference right?" She said, "you go to the same parties I do, swear like I do and act like I do". I was dumbfounded, but she was on point.

Being now thirty years old (approx. 16 years later) I can see how our lives as "modern day christians" could confuse the population that does not call themselves a Christian, but is surely watching us.

We have no effect on our world, our voices our silent, our messages watered down and yet believe God can and will move through it. Have you looked at America lately Christian? Didn't he say something about if you're lukewarm He will spit you put of His mouth?

Jesus was bold. Stood for; right is right and wrong is wrong. Went against man made religion at all costs. No, it is not okay Christian, to live however you like. His grace is good, but your life makes Him look like a fool, His message pointless, His sacrifice a joke.

If you don't want to live His life or carry His cross then maybe, just maybe you shouldn't carry His name?

I'm not saying you have to be perfect, but the disciples/prophets/worshipers of old, true followers of The Christ reflected ""The Christ". And when they fell, they didn't continue to live in the place of oh, I have grace I can do as I want. No, their hearts were broken and contrite for the things they had done. Today, there seems to be no fear or shame. No realization of the reality that this life is, but temporary and this world shall pass away.

It's time children of the most high God, that we live what we preach, so that when we preach they are changed and not confused by what they see and hear us live.

I'll leave you with this... Matthew 5:13-20
Matthew 5:13-20 (New Living Translation)

Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Teaching about the Law
17 “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Just another random thought, but that Christianity below doesn't look all warm and fuzzy does it??...

Hi Everyone,

We have so much great news coming up to share with you! Please make sure to sign up to be added to our email list for the full story! We thank you all for your prayers! Let us just say this to you; Saints... No matter what your situation or the adversity that rises up against you stick with what God is saying to you! Do not compromise! God will be faithful! We had someone say to us that "every year since God birthed this ministry it has grown and grown", and in the short period of time that we have been in 2010, that has sure been the case for sure! The words that God spoke to us (through very faithful servants) during the adveristy we faced last year have come to pass! IN A VERY MIGHTY WAY! So no matter how the situation you are facing looks do not bow to control, manipulation and fear tactics that the enemy will send your way. Ignore the nay-sayers and slanders. Do not rebuttle, be silent and let God win your battles. If you push through you will receive all that He has for you! Again for the full update please make sure to join our e-newsletter via our email list page! Blessings to you all!

And the God of grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." -1 Peter 5:10-11 AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Love,
David & Kristi White

Was spending time with my God tonight and opened to these portion of scriptures...
Isaiah 55:8-13 (New Living Translation)

8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts" Pretty powerful words. He says 'My thoughts are NOTHING like your thoughts". So even on a good day when we think we have it so together.. we still cannot attain his way of thinking. Makes me respect Him all the more. He goes on to say... “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine." So, even my wildest of imaginations cannot come close to his ways, or the ways in which He operates.

Skip down a few and He says It is the same with my word. "I send it out, and it ALWAYS produces fruit." "It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." So you mean to say to me that no matter how we package it or present it, it is going to produce fruit?? That's so much pressure taken off! He promises His Word is gonna have a return NO MATTER WHAT.

Then skip a few more down he says "Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.” Ok, wait a second here... You mean to tell me that where once useless thorns grew you will now place a mighty cypress tree just by the sowing of your word? That to me sounds like a revival, a great move of God!

And once where nettles (stinging, burning plants) grow you will make them myrtle (Very tall tree). -The Myrtle tree grows 60-120’ in the wild. Myrtlewood tolerates many conditions, but grows best and fastest in deep soil with lots of compost, ample water and full sun.

So this mighty tree grows best when it is in "deep soil", "with lot's of compost, and ample water and sun"... When I looked that up it struck in me quite possibly what God is saying here...

I'm willing to take things that have no use (yes, even people) and replace them or make them things of purpose, of lasting strength, but are you willing and ready to put them in deep soil? Are you willing to feed them the good stuff? Not the watered down version?

These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

He is a miracle working God so why do we think as his people that He can only speak in certain ways? Why do we continue to dumb down and allow people to stay in or at a level he never desired for them to be at (regardless of where they are born and raised)?

For instance.. I was born in Cleveland, let someone come at me talking to me like a baby! Telling me I can only get God's truth if it's packaged this way.. I got saved in the 'burbs! Jesus' message is going to cut through! Let's even take it a step deeper... My dad a total alcoholic, a carouser, a trouble maker, a tough guy, a gang-banger (yes he lived and breathed in a gang growing up), a die hard clevelander heard the gospel in the way it was written with hymnals and all and got saved in the burbs! I'm talking about a totally unchurched person.

Maybe people act like babies and never grow up and never radically change their lives because we speak to them and treat them as if that's what they are and will always be. We dumb down the word leaving it as ineffective as watered down beer. "Well, your from the ghetto let me present you with the word in this way, and well you're from the 'burbs so yours get's a pretty bow!"

Huh? What? In my recollection Jesus presented the word while He was here on earth in one way and that is with the truth. He spoke it out believing that no matter how he said it, it would transcend cultures, genders etc...

Here he says...

Hebrews 4

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

His word is alive. It is powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword.. cutting between soul and spirit between bone and marrow. SO POWERFUL TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing in all creation is hidden to God! So maybe, just maybe (yes its a long shot) when the word is spoken out... the holy spirit translates the word in such a way that each individual can understand? WITHOUT OUR HELP????????????? Like I said, just a long shot...

In my opinion (whatever that is worth) he doesn't need our man made agendas, plans and packaging to present his word! When we get in the way his word looses its effectiveness! We just need to say it, present the gospel as it was written and trust that what he says is true and that it's going to break through.

Let the Holy Spirit do it's job people. He knows what He is doing and doesn't need us rewriting and dumbing down his message. Remember he already took it to a level where we can get it. It's called a parable. He knows where to plant it, whose gonna hear it so just speak it and let him do his job!

*This one is/was so hard for me to adequately express from my heart to paper (so to speak).

Siochan'
K

Revelation often brings about exposure. Upon exposure healing can begin. Once healing begins a new healthy skin or layer develops. Little by little the infected wound looses its sting, smell and allows you to move on from hiding and nursing the wound over and over again. When the new skin comes it is a lil tougher and a lil more ready for whatever comes it's way. The key is acknowledging the revelation and allowing the exposure to begin its job. When we cover our open wounds and hide them away choosing to ignore their existence a deeper infection sets in which can cause an even deeper infection which can spread throughout the body eventually going as deep as infecting your blood. Sometimes the infection or open gaping wound can lead to an amputation of sorts.

The effects of this on someones life is quite great. It causes you to become a recluse. Hiding away nursing your wounds. You start to die emotionally, spiritually, mentally and eventually physically. Not only do you not want to be around people, but people do not want to be around you. The infection spreads and it causes people to gag from the smell and turn their heads to the effects it has taken on your body. Often people that have nursed their wounds for long periods of time can think of nothing, but their own problems, having nothing truly to offer anyone, but themselves. Measuring your pain and needs to that of their own.

On the other hand some have wounds, but rise to the occasion. Choosing to not let the wound go deep and letting it out in the open to heal and not fester. They take on a fighters mentality vowing to not let this infection get the best of them. This type of determination and drive causes people to rally around them offering all that they can in support of their need to survive.

People like that are infectious you want to be around them. It causes you to want to attain that kind of faith, drive, devotion and makes you look at your situations and problems a little different. For example: the man who comes home from war without a limb fighting to regain his independence, people in other countries that have faced catastrophes, or the homeless person that rose from the ashes to make something of themselves.

What a vast difference within the two. One causes people to scatter, running as fast as they can from being like them. The other one causes people to come up higher, strive to attain those type of goals and accomplishments.

I ask you today which type of person are you?

Are you the scatter? There is still hope for you. Shine the light on that deep, dark, stinky place. Let it air out, deal with the things that brought you to that place. Reach out, surround yourself with positive people. Find an over comer and make him your friend. Watch the impact you will make within yourself and those that are watching around you. The affect will be powerful.

No more excuses people. We have all been hurt, we have all had our struggles. Some we have caused and some we've had no choice about. Either way you are responsible for the health of your mind, body and soul.

Don't look at the time that has been wasted, you will bury yourself in it. Think only to your future and the hope you have. You can do it. Many before you and many after you will be faced with these same choices/circumstances.

At the end of the day when you face God what will you hear? What will you see? What will you remember? You can not say, well God I am sorry, but he did this to me and well, he did that to me.  I just couldn't do what you asked me to do.

HE will say, I gave you the knowledge, a fighters spirit and my word to see you through. I left you a guide and a comforter. I promised you that through it all I was there with you. My son took stripes on his back for your healing. Healing that could be drawn from daily if you needed it. Why then didn't you choose to live your life more abundantly?

What then will you say?

Hebrews 4:12-14 (New Living Translation)

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

So I say to you since he sees already what is hidden (what you have tried to hide), why not let him heal it?

Job 33:24-26 (New Living Translation)

24 he will be gracious and say,
‘Rescue him from the grave,
for I have found a ransom for his life.’
25 Then his body will become as healthy as a child’s,
firm and youthful again.
26 When he prays to God,
he will be accepted.
And God will receive him with joy
and restore him to good standing.

What a powerful scripture...

I encourage you to allow him to do in you what needs to be done. Heal those places that need healing. What a plan He has for your life! But truly, He wants you to live. Not only in the life to come, but here on earth.

John 10:10 (New International Version)

10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.


Siochan',
K

Psalm 63:1-11 NLT
Share
Today at 7:36pm | Edit Note | Delete
So I have been frustrated in myself trying adequately to find a way to describe what I am feeling inside. As usual I asked God to help me pinpoint it and adequately express it. I opened my word and came to this verse. I will be adding my thoughts through out this passage of scripture. Above all else hear my words less and be awakened to what He could be trying to say.

Let me just say this first before I start. What if we the individual church had such passion that is expressed within this portion of scripture? Ok, so let me get going on this...

Psalm 63
A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.
1 O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.

*In our human bodies we often long for many things. We long for water when we are thirsty, we long for food when we are hungry. What if we the individual church were to long for God as much as we do for physical gratification. At this point in my life I can connect to the feelings that the author of this book expresses. But what would our walks with God look like if we could maintain this level of desire for him. I can envision it as we speak. Oh, how it would spill over into all that we do. As leaders of a body what a difference it would make.

2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.

*See ah, man... I have seen him work. I have seen his power and glory. I know there is so much more that He wants to dispense to his people, to those that are truly seeking. Because of what I have seen him do seen him accomplish it causes me to want more of him. To not be satisfied with what he has done, but to be thirsty and hungry for what he can do and wants to do next. But is that hunger, is that desire for more of him being shown in his church today? Individually or corporately?

3 Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.

*Shouldn't our satisfaction of him cause us to be walking talking billboards for him? My lips will glorify you. Have you ever known someone who found a new product and is just so passionate about it that they can't stop talking about it? Shouldn't that be us? Shouldn't that emotion within us be evident to those that have never had the experience of knowing him? Seeing him move, seeing his glorious acts through us?

4 I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.

*I will praise you as long as I live? As long as I live... Each year we live 365 days times thousands of days throughout our lives. We live each day, but each day do we praise him? Expel his movement within us without even words?

5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

*Within us we have the only thing that is truly gratifying and yet we continue to fill ourselves with temporary gratifications. Never truly living a life of spiritual abundance. He wants to give us an abundance of peace, revelation and joy so that we can give out of our over flow. "My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods". Think of a food that you long to taste. Now think of the emotion and satisfaction that comes with eating this food. David says My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods. I am on a daily mission to find this.

6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

*I am at this point in my life that I am realizing why I am such a night owl. It seems he speaks to me the clearest at night, but that aside... When all is silent, when all distractions have ceased, there he is waiting to be summoned.. He wants and longs to have rendezvous with his people.

7 Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.

*He shows time and time again how wonderful he is in those moments of fear (that he knows will arise) and he offers you his wing. Where you can/will find courage and strength, enough to praise him anyways.. A place where it is second nature to you. No one can tell me that this does not exist because in my soul I know it does. Again, I am on a mission to find it.

8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.

*He said my soul (which is the true essence of who we are) clings to Him. God stands up and takes notice of this. He says yes, there is my son... there is my daughter clinging to me! He stands up comes over and upholds us! No one will touch my child!

9 They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.

*And just like any father in defense of his child he means business! Get away from my kid or I am gonna knock you out of dodge and to the depths of the earth they go (so to speak)!

10 They will be given over to the sword
and become food for jackals.

*Don't worry about what they will say or do to you! He has a plan!

11 But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

We are kings and priests of the most high God. Let them say what they will (because they will) because God says vengeance is his and he has the last word!

I just keep thinking about us as leaders or even as christians and the amount of power that we have dwelling within us and how often we try to shut it up, to cover it up...

What if we were to get a true revelation of what David is saying here. How much would that spill out of us? Would that not cause those around us to want the satisfaction that we have within us? That mmm... that was good feeling? Soul satisfaction?

As worship leaders, preachers, harvesters what if we were to so desperately desire to be in his presence and let our hangs ups go? God has a bigger agenda that he wants to do through us.

Is there freedom? Is there change in the people? Is there a hunger rising within the body? Is there growth? Oh, the plans of man and how often they stop the agenda of God...

We don't need to speak a language or get down to there level for God to move. He wants us to come up higher. To make people jealous of what we have so much so they they bypass all road blocks to attain it.

His presence is real. His power is there for us to give and take. David's passion for God inspires me, causes me to want to come up higher, this leads me to believe that my desire my passion for him may cause others to want to come up higher to come in just a lil deeper.

David is long gone living with his father in heaven and yet his words still inspire me. I am alive and well and a carrier of the most high God and his power, strength, love and grace dwell within my inner being. Having that knowledge and awareness I can no longer shut it up, pretend that it is not there or go with the church norm. We were created for greatness. Created for more than mediocrity! If I am alive think of the days I have been given we have been given to make a difference. When I am dead and gone will my life for his sake have made a difference?

Churches everywhere cater to people, only to fill churches with spiritually dead people that make no real change in their community or world around them... Let's wake up. It's not about saving people from hell. It's about God's desire to sit and commune with his child. To take there miserable life and give them one of abundance. To awaken them from their sleep and give them a passion they never knew existed. Something to live for. When those things are accomplished how then can communities not be changed, lives not lit with passion?

He is saying to his individual church to come a lil closer... come a lil deeper and watch what I can do in and through you!


Siochan',
K

Proverbs 18:24 (New Living Translation) 24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

This passage of scripture illuminated itself to me this morning and thought I'd write the random thoughts that came to me as I pondered these words.

First let see what the dictionary's description of a friend is.

Friend:
/frɛnd/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [frend]
–noun
1. a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter: friends of the Boston Symphony.
3. a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile: Who goes there? Friend or foe?
4. a member of the same nation, party, etc.
5. (initial capital letter) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.

And then the synonyms are...
Synonyms:
1. comrade, chum, crony, confidant. 2. backer, advocate. 4. ally, associate, confrere, compatriot.

And then the Bible uses certain references such as: John 15:13 (NLT) There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Or as I previously referred to: Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) 24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Friends...

Hmm.. As always here are my random thoughts on a real friend and it is quite simply this...


Over my 29 years of life I have had good friends and I have had bad friends. And I truly have valued both versions of relationships.

I had a convo with a family member recently that asked me "how do you do it"? How do you allow yourself to be open to new relationships when you have been hurt so badly before. My answer was simple, but the process most definitely has not been.

I responded "I choose to keep making friends and keep opening myself for me." "If I chose to sit in bitterness, regret, fear or be just plain jaded that would only hurt me.

I don't want to stop living because there happen to be people out there that may hurt me. I enjoy people (though not always attitudes), I enjoy helping others and forming meaningful relationships.

Meaningful relationships will always be a rarity because quite honestly they are full of meaning and how often do you truly find anything full of something that great? Often it is a half or a quarter of anything, but a pure meaningful relationship to me is worth weeding out the ones that are not full of meaning. If I was to stop and never trust and never open myself to anyone, than the anyone in whom I may truly be able to have a meaningful relationship with will pass me by and I will be the one who will ultimately suffer.

I often think of poor Jesus. I mean the perfect model of a meaningful friend. And yet, some just could not see it because of their own selfish ambitions, hurts, wounds and fears. So in turn they lied, they sold him out and they left him in his time of need.

You will have friends like that. I have had more than I'd like to admit, but it is ok. I can really say that. It is ok. Yes, they have hurt me. Yes, they used and abused me and often left me in my time of need, but I can see now that it was about them way more than it was about me.

And let me just add that I have learned from their mistakes and from mine and it has made me a better person for it. A better friend at that.

I love the synonyms for a friend: Just to name a few... Ally, confidant, compatriot, backer.

Here are their descriptions:
Compatriot: a native or inhabitant of one's own country; fellow countryman or countrywoman.

Compatriot reminds me of how as Christians we are not of this world. As christian friends we are fellow natives of a foreign land. On loan to this world. We speak the same language have a common bond and although may be of different race and different cultures we have one thing nothing and no one can take from us.. The spirit of God dwelling within us. Oh how awesome it would be if we could truly grasp that.

How about Ally: 1. to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like

I loved that! I looked up the word treaty and here is the jist of it: a formal agreement between two or more states in reference to peace, alliance, commerce, or other international relations,
the formal document embodying such an international agreement, any agreement or compact.

As Christians we have been given a treaty agreement! I mean really! Jesus said I give you peace and he signed it in His blood. I leave it with you... As Christians our common ground is in our alliance to our awesome God! When you have a peace treaty amongst two separate, but common bodies you have agreed to be at peace, to unite and to work together to defend a common cause!

As Christians, as friends we have a common cause and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Together what awesome things we can do, but separated it is that much harder! We are fighting against our brother, against our very own cause, against our forever ally.

We have been given the tools to work together. To walk without fear into wholesome relationships. We are all broken people looking to be loved and to love. What if we looked at our differences as just that differences and look more to our place of common ground? Jesus.

To realize that is less about us and truly more about Him.

Back to synonyms.. Confidant: a close friend or associate to whom secrets are confided or with whom private matters and problems are discussed.

My description: A place where you can fall easy. A place where we can leave our deepest secrets and know they they will be cared for and protected.

And finally Backer: back⋅er
1. a person who supports or aids a person, cause, enterprise, etc.
2. a person who bets on a competitor in a race or contest.
3. canvas or other material used for backing.

I like this one alot and even want to end on it because I like what it says here. I'm a read between the lines kind of person so I am going to read between the lines here...

When you back anything you have to believe in it 100%. If you're going to put your money, your time, your energy, your stamp of approval and be seen doing all of the above and risk your good name by being associated with this thing you are backing, you better believe you are going to stand by it 100%. You're going to nurture it till it grows because you ultimately want something out of it...

Gosh! Shouldn't that be how we view our relationships with people? We are so devoted, so behind each friend that we have that we would put everything we value into on the line for it/them?

I'm so comfortable with you that I want to be seen with you. I'd trust you with my life. I'm going to put one hundred percent into this relationship. I'm never going to talk or slander you because well then my good name, my time my energy is on the line.

How often we put stock into things that truly do not matter, but human life which is greater than any living breathing thing even the angels, we put less than our best into.

This year and for the rest of my life I ask you God to make me a person who is the kind of friend I would like in return. Make me an Ally, Backer, Confidant, Compatriot worthy of a good return in things such as friendships...


Sichan',
K

Phillippians 3:13-14

So I made a New Years Resolution to start going to bed earlier, but sometimes God doesn't like certain things that we make resolute in our haste to change ourselves into better beings...

Anyhow, I felt really drawn to open my word. Very frustratingly so. I was deep in a conversation on the phone and yet felt extreme angst to get off to hear what He was trying to say. So needless to say this is what in fact jumped out of the pages to me.

Philippians 3:13-14

I am still not all that I should be, but I am focusing all of my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

I began to think about that scripture in segments. First off Paul starts by saying "I am still not all that I should be", I think to myself "brother I feel ya, I should be way further than I am presently too.

Then he goes on to say "But (I love that word) I am focusing all of my energies on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead". Dude! Seriously I feel like I can so connect to that statement. I may never know the exact point he was trying to make during that point, but here is my interpretation "I know I'm no where near where I should be, but (there's my word again) this past of mine that has held me back from fulfilling my God appointed destiny has to go bye bye because I am tired of it"! I'm tired of being fearful of what Mary, James and John will think. I'm tired of what Judas and Matthew said that I could never accomplish and so what if stones where thrown at me every year that I served you or ho cares if when I have spoken the very word of God in boldness I was asked to leave.

I would rather face these things a hundred times over than to bind myself, cover my own mouth with my own fears.

Paul says "I strain" He says "I strain to reach the end of the race." Oh man can I totally connect to what he may be saying here. It's like ugh! I have been running and running often with no one cheering me on. And forget about someone bringing me water to quench my thirst or wipe the sweat from my brow. No! I have run this race often by myself and I am tired. I am beaten, I am worn and yet, my hunger for his prize his well done good and faithful servant pushes me to run on. I must hear those words. I cannot stop until I do. He is my prize. He is my pay off. Say what you will. Do as you please, but my Jesus I run this race for you.

Can you hear him? Maybe even see him? He's calling us to heaven. He waits at the finish line for me. For you. Can't you see that proud look on his face? Though there were times I never saw anyone on the side of the road as I ran my race, he was there. He wiped my brow. He patted me on the back. He called out to me Kristi you can do it! Look at that stride! Woah, watch out for that hole. Phew you made it! AH ha! That's my girl!

He never leaves us. He never fails us. There will never be a greater cause then the one of Jesus Christ, for the souls of man to know and acknowledge him as their Lord and Savior. Never has the end of the race, the finish line been so close. Never before have I seen the outline of his image as clearly as I do now.

Jesus, today, I choose to bear your name across my back bolder than I have ever before. Today I choose to leave my past, my fears, my foes way back at the starting line. I was never meant to carry them. How could I ever have thought I could run this iron man marathon with a bag this full upon my back? Ungh, ungh no way, no longer. It's time to be free! I gotta race to win!

I'm running this race. Who's going with me?


Siochan'
K

Kristi M. White

PS... As I reread this I feel like He is offering someone a second wind. Take a deep breath! You can do this!

Hurry up seed and grow!
I am sure that many of us have a seed or two that we personally feel responsible for. We planted the seed and we want to see it grow in our timing. So, every day we make it our business to be out "watering" and shinning “the light” on the seed.

Sometimes so much so that we drown the seed with “our” water and scorch it with “our” light. Yes, I fully understand that more often than not it is derived from some really good intentions, but almost just as often our watering and bringing of light is brought on from a place of fear.

We think that the seed should have blossomed by now! Why aren’t you growing? Hurry up already and mature! All along, never truly realizing that each seed matures and grows at a completely different pace and needs different things to grow. In real life if we were to plant a seed in the ground and go to it every day willing it (so to speak) to grow, we would be considered a fool! And ultimately we would be! ;)

In my own life I took a while to grow and mature in the things that God has called me to and am still on my growth journey. When I was younger I even chose to grow amongst some thorns and close to the edge of a cliff, but through the process I came out and am still coming out a more mature product. But when I wasn’t growing as fast as some well-intentioned people would have liked they ultimately fell into fear and began shoving the light and miracle growth down my throat, but I wasn’t ready for it and I shrunk back from it. Ultimately resisting my growth process and rightly so because it wasn't my "right" growth formula.

I have had flower gardens and even houseplants before and have grown over zealous for it to reach its mature bloom, which I over watered it and it began to die. Then in my frustration I freezed it out (so to speak), having the attitude well, whatever, you’re not growing as fast as I'd like so I’m just going to give up on you! That is also a counter productive attitude that does not yield much fruit, for the seed or the sewer because as they are learning and growing as am I learning about the growth process. If I would just be patient and wait on God’s perfect timing I would learn and mature along with the seed.

Each seed or life form has a creator that knows that seed and how it ticks and the day of its full maturity. It knows exactly how much water it needs, how much light and never worries about its growth. It just knows it will grow.

The other side of the coin is knowing exactly when to plant a seed. A farmer knows that he can’t plant corn to early or to late because it won’t bring forth a ripe and healthy harvest and will be of no real worth or use to anyone. You cannot plant a tomato and seasonal fall item at the same time, one will be early and one will be late.

It would be like trying to plant a cornfield in the dead of winter, it’s ludicrous in those terms, but yet we as Christians don’t always know when to judge the planting, cultivating or reaping season correctly.

Truthfully those of us who are garden enthusiasts turn to garden magazines and manuals to learn how to perfectly grow a seed into a mature product that yields forth something of true worth. Often we even seek out professionals on tricks of the trade and yet as Christians we have been given the ultimate “Home and Garden Manual” and choose not to use it.

As Christians we are called to plant seeds, but it’s not our responsibility to force the seed to grow. On a farm more often than not there is more than one person tending the fields and crops; it is nearly impossible to be done by one person alone. One sows, one waters, one weeds, one cultivates and one harvests.

Why do we always want or need to be all of the above? It not only frustrates the “seed” it frustrates the sewer and neither one maturing as a seed or a sewer.

In Ecclesiastes 4:1-14 “The Home and Garden Manual” gives us a clear description of life, sowing, reaping, life and ultimately death… Let’s take a look again at this all to familiar passage in scripture that was “covered” by the “Beatles”.

Ecclesiastes 3
1To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:
2A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted,
3A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up,
4A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6A time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away,
7A time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak,
8A time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9What profit remains for the worker from his toil?
10I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business, which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves.
11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
12I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to get and do good as long as they live;
13And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor--it is the gift of God.
14I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is].

In a nutshell, he knows the timing to and for everything. You, we cannot add to or take away from his divine timing. Don’t grow weary of waiting for your seed(s) to grow. Or if your the seed enjoy the process learn all that you can through each season of growth that God has divinely designed just for you. And sewer’s, He says that your seed will grow, but in HIS timing. He knows the inner working of men and can see their/our heart and because he doesn’t fear or worry he just trusts that His will, will be done and perfect growth will occur.

The growth and the maturity will well be worth the wait. Until then trust the creator, keep your ear close to his heart and your eyes in His manual He will lead you and your seed on its journey to maturity.


Siochan',
K

Luke 18: 1-9
1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

He's gonna answer your prayers. Don't give up. Be persistent. He doesn't rule as the world does. He is fair, he is loving and He is going to make away. "HE will see that they get justice and quickly".

What does justice mean? Dictionary says to rule in fairness.... So when you plead your case before Him He will answer you with fairness.

And lastly remember that His ways are not our ways. So in our fast paced society we expect fast results, but that is not always how He operates. He has perfect timing. Trust in Him for your answer, but trust that His timing is perfect. Remember He has the ability to see the end result we only see the "moment".

Siochan',
Kristi M. White

God's been speaking loud and clear to me about somethings that I just need to share. Want to share? No. Need to share? Yes.

Either we have control or He does. There is no happy medium. He won't bless, remove stress or calm the storm until we take our hands off of the situation. Often times He allows the storm, the stress and the seasons of silence and frustration to happen so that we will learn to just allow Him to be God.

Think of it in these terms. Say you are on a chartered boat with a seasoned captain or sailor. The water is calm and there are no worries, but then all of a sudden the waters begin to get choppy the wind is blowing, rain starts to fall, lighting is striking and you are being tossed to a fro. Oh man you're starting to sweat now! What just happened? All was well! Then you wonder what the heck is the captain doing? Can't He get this thing under control? I mean I slipping and sliding everywhere! Ugh! Man! I just knocked my head on the side of this dang boat, you scream. You're angry now!

So.. you go into the captains quarters and he is manning the ship. He is calm and confident because he's done this for years. And oh man that just irks you! You start to question him. "what are you doing?" How long have you done this anyhow?" You say "I seen on discovery channel that you're supposed to it this way!" But He is steadfast ignoring you cause he knows what he is doing. From here the story can have two endings and here they are...


First ending...
Finally you'd had enough with this guy! You think to yourself "He has no idea what He is doing!" "I know better I'll show him!" So you wrestle and wrestle with him for the control of the wheel and finally he gives you what you are asking for. You struggle and you struggle and although the storm was bad before it feels like it picked up spped! The ship was rockin' before, but oh my gosh it's rockin' like never before! So you try as you might to get this thing under control and you're tired and exhausted. Finally you give up and you become over come by the very waves the captain was trying to protect you form...

Second ending...

The boats rockin and weavin' and you're freaking out! You say "I've gotta get control of this thing!" But then something in you causes you to stop for a moment and you really look how calm and capable this captain looks. You're amazed because you're drenched with sweat, but he doesn't have a drop of sweat on his forehead. He keeps reassuring you that it's okay. He says "I know what I am doing." "Trust me, I'm gonna guide you through this storm." And his words and his actions they cause you to take pause. You decided to put your life in His hands and although the boat rocked and knocked a lil longer eventually the storm ceased, you lived and and you'd learned in the process..


Life is not easy. It's a journey. On any journey there are things that will happen to us that we just cannot control. I think of "The wizard of OZ" and the journey that Dorothy had to make in order to get home. Man that journey was filled with all kinds of thing that went wrong, but there were pleasant things that happened along the way too.

See she could have went on the journey alone, but she didn't. Ok so yeah she had a scare crow with no brain, a tin man with no heart and lion with no courage, but she had someone.

Yeah, I'm sure they all got on each-others nerves and thought it would be just easier to go this trip alone, but then the witch would send trouble and they would band together and all those things that annoyed each-other went right out the window because they had need of each-other. And I'd like to mention amidst attack after attack they skipped and sang and just enjoyed each-other. Maybe we should take time amidst all the horrible things that are going on to just skip and sing a song and just enjoy one another.

God knows what He is doing even when we don't. I have heard alot of people lately (including myself) say I am just not hearing God!

This storm is raging and He is no where to be found! Where are you God? Maybe I made the wrong decision! Maybe I need to go back from where I came from! Could it be that we are right where He wants us?

How will we ever know what He is really made of and what we are really made of if we never go through a storm? There is so much that he wants us to discover about ourselves and about Him.

When you are in a storm control goes right out the window! You cannot control those waves, that rain or that piercing lightning. What you can however control is your reactions during the storm.

For instance the Israelite's in Egypt. Man, where they just facing one storm after another. They prayed and they prayed for a deliverer. So... God raises up a deliverer and sets them free from Pharaoh. Well, on their way from to hell (so to speak) to the promise land they decided that hell looks a whole lot better than the promised land because of their current circumstances.

Manna? Come on I'm sick of manna! Weren't you starving in Egypt? Well yeah, but I'm tired of manna! I'm tired of walking! Well, wait weren't you a slave back in Egypt well, yeah, but I'm tired of walking... Murmur....complain....murmur.... complain....

Instead of a short trip to the promise land it ended up taking them forty years! FORTY YEARS! God could have lead them straight to the promise land, but their hearts weren't ready. Instead of praises for what they had their mouths were full of complaints and fists full of murmuring! They didn't understand all that they needed to learn. After sign wonder and miracle they still didn't trust him or see a true need for him so they had to take a 40 year trip around the mountain until they got it.

Well you may say that God is cruel, making them walk 40 years. I beg to differ. I think he is a wise God because he knows what he is doing and why he is doing it. We could get to the promise land way before we are ready, but we will just squander the blessing.

Even as a parent when you're child is bad and is whining and complaining you don;t just hand them a treat in return. Heck no it's "get to your bedroom until you learn your lesson"! Because you know if you give them their treat their going to learn a pattern that is not healthy. It's the same way with us!

If you're feeling out of control he's wrestling you for control of you're life. If you're feeling that He is being silent. Seek him like never before. No matter how you feel. Your feelings will lie to you every time! If you feel like the storm is raging and that you need someone to guide you through it he is saying... Stop! Stop looking to man. Look to me. Let me be your crutch! Wives can't do it! Husbands can't do it! Friends can't do it! Your pastor can't do it! Your mom and dad can't do it! No matter how you feel, no matter how it looks, no matter how new all of this is trust HIM. Let him control and guide your life.

With him controlling your life there is peace., there is joy, there is freedom.

When we control and choose to not submit there is contention, stress and bondage. Everything from Egypt creeps in and tries to regain us as a SLAVE.

Let him reign in your life today. Is it scary yes but I'd rather be scared with Him in control than to be in control only to be over taken by the storm.

Siochan',
Kristi M. White

My husband and I were talking today about the trials and tribulations that come with ministry and so I began to open my word. Often times I begin my bible study by asking God to show me what He wants me to see or what He wants me to hear.

Today I opened up in 2 Peter 1: The message version....

In this chapter Peter said something that rocked me and it is quite simple actually. This is what He said. "Because the stakes are so high, even though you're up-to-date on all this truth and practice it inside and out, I'm not going to let up for a minute in calling you to attention before it. This is the post to which I've been assigned—keeping you alert with frequent reminders—and I'm sticking to it as long as I live. I know that I'm to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me. And so I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you'll have it for ready reference".

So what stuck out to me you ask? He says... "I know that I am to die soon; the Master has made that quite clear to me. And so I am especially eager that you have all this down in black and white so that after I die, you'll have it for ready reference".

What? That so rocked me. He said in such a matter-of-fact kind of wat " I am going to die soon, but anyways" (I paraphrased of course).

The father had told Him he was going to die soon and he kept doing the work he had been called to as if it was nothing. Wow.

What boldness, what faith, what sacrifice. I am telling you right now when it get's hard being a christian, sacrificing my needs for others, living a less than glamorous life I am not always at peace and have such resoluteness like Peter had.

I remember even the story about how the roman soldiers came to get Jesus and how Peter cut off the soldiers ear that tried to cease Jesus and I thought myself what sacrifice. I mean common Peter didn;t you even think about the fact that there were armed men that could slice your head off as fast as you sliced the soldiers ear off?

His love and dedication to Jesus was so inspiring to me. I mean wow! Even the fact that here is Jesus walking on water and Peter is like hey "let me try". Yeah, yeah, He did fall, but man at least he believed when his eyes were on Jesus that he could do it.

When I think about all of the scenarios above it makes me question this American culture of church. Peter kept doing what God called him to even though he knew he would be put to death because of his belief and following of Jesus Christ. He said he was going to die as if it was nothing. As if it didn't even plague his mind. Wow. I can tell you right now that so rocked me and made me reevaluate so much of what I am going through. It should be like oh yeah this is going on, but anyways Jesus... Life is hard, but anyways Jesus... Everything I know if being shaken, but Jesus... He is stretching me, but Jesus, my flesh wants what it wants, but Jesus....

And finally I researched Peter's death... He was crucified, but his love for his Jesus never waned, never faltered. He loved his Jesus so much that he refused to be crucified like Jesus and requested to be crucified upside down.

Wow. Even in his death his love for his Jesus shined through. There was no this is all your fault! The days of denying him were behind him, he knew it was coming. He went on as if nothing was coming and was a beautiful reflection of Christ and what are love should be for our most deserving savior.

I ask you the questions I had to ask myself today. Could you sacrifice everything for him? Even your beautiful cushy life? Could you serve him knowing that your life was about to end in a horrific, painful, graphic way? Could you risk your life for the protection of Jesus and his very name? Could you walk out on murky water not knowing what the outcome was just because He called you?

Hard questions I know. I had to answer them myself.

Siochan',
Kristi M. White