A New Philanthropist

Several weeks ago at The Roots Community we brushed the topic of philanthropy. Someone gave a great definition of a philanthropist as a person with a lot of resources that supports a mission, ministry or cause.

Webster gives this definition:

one who practices goodwill to fellowmen; especially : active effort to promote human welfare; one who dispenses aid from funds set aside for humanitarian purposes

So, to combine both definitions, a philanthropist is someone with resources who gives to humanity.

The next question at Roots was "Who in the room is a philanthropist?" No one raised their hand because we were all thinking in terms of money (All of us at The Roots fund raise our salaries). But Jesse made the parallel of Jesus being the real philanthropist and how He has given us the opportunity to be the same. Jesus had everything available to Him from the Father and we are given that same access. God blesses and gives to us so that we might bless and give to others (check out Gen 12:1-3). It is also a definition of community and of love. The following scripture was mentioned, which I thought was perfectly fitting:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

The final question asked was this: "What has Jesus blessed you with so that you can be a blessing to others?"

Great question!

After thinking about it for a bit I have an answer. I have recently figured out some things about myself. I took a strength finder test and empathy was the top result. A love language test found words of affirmation to describe me. Finally, a spiritual gifts test showed a high score in exhortation. A lot of things make much more sense to me now about why I think the way I do and I happen to think that is a pretty specific combination that Jesus has put together!

I feel like Jesus blesses me with words of encouragement for a positive mindset and I want to give that away! I want to do that by texting and twittering. I am really excited about this and think it will be a cool way to give away what's been given to me. So, if you need some empathy, words of encouragement or exhortation, you can follow me on twitter or you can email your name and phone number to freedomrach@yahoo.com with the subject line "encourage me" and I'll text you. I promise I won't bombard you...in fact it probably wont even be daily. But I will pray for you and as I feel led, share some thoughts and scriptures to hopefully bless and encourage us both.

So how about you? What has Jesus blessed you with that you can give away?

A Missed Opportunity

Yesterday was a great day with The Church. Our Pastor Jesse started a series titled "The Beautiful Truth". It's sort of an antidote to the movie out now "The Ugly Truth". It is a series about the role of women, men and marriage.

It was a great conversation. Our discussion opened with some of the labels and expectations that the world places on women. Next, Jesse lead us through some of the scriptures of Jesus' interaction with women and the value He gave them. Great scriptures! Then his wife Anitra spoke and reminded us that we, as women, are made in the image of God, suggesting our first and foremost role - we are image bearers. It was so insightful and inspiring.

Then in a new normal format, Jesse opened up our time for some guided dialog. This is my new favorite part gathering. Jesse asks such thought provoking questions (at least they are thought provoking to me) . Usually they are questions that really challenge me and I rarely have a quick answer. Herein lies my missed opportunity.

After a great time of congregational sharing Jesse closed out our time with one final question; "If you had a microphone to the ear of every woman in the world right now, what would you say?"

Such a great question! As some other people shared, I felt Jesus whisper an answer to me. I waited patiently for Jesse to say "Anyone else?" after several people shared, but it didn't happen. Time was out and I missed the moment. I was so aggravated with myself because the moments that followed in communion were so sweet.

So, I will make an opportunity now.

If I had a microphone to the ear of every woman in the world right now I would say:

You are wildly, lavishly, passionately, recklessly, loved by the Creator of your soul. And, YOU are breathtakingly beautiful!

Jesus, how amazing that You made me in the image of You, a helper. Your love oh Lord, reaches to the heavens and I am overwhelmed!! Wash Your creation in Your love, Jesus.

You Are It!

This week is a marker of sorts for me. I have mentioned before that 2008 was the most difficult year of my life and the middle of July was it's peak. Thankfully some things are very blurry, but some things are extremely, fiery vivid. Here were some of my circumstances:

• At 15 weeks along, I lost another pregnancy.
• I knew for over a week that the life within me was gone.
• This loss was just days before the due date of my previous loss just 4 short months prior.
• I was also still grieving the loss of 2 adult friendships and felt alone.
• I was very angry with myself for my response to the sonogram technician and not getting a picture of my child.
• I was angry at God and angry at the devil.

But one of the most vivid memories that I have is this; I had been hiding, almost under the covers for some time and along came Saturday night. At that time, The Roots Community was meeting on Saturday evenings, and at Mike's gentle persuasion I went to the staff meeting before church and the following service. I skipped several weeks prior and decided to go SOLELY with the intention of putting my happy face on and to find something else to think about. I don't think most of The Roots Community even knew I was pregnant.

At the start of the meeting Jesse, in his excellent coaching fashion, posed a thought to us. And in a spirit of unity, authenticity and accountability asked us all to go around the table and share what we felt like God had been speaking to us this week. So much for 'playing church' this day! Not only did my happy face leave but my tears became uncontrollable. I knew that I had a free ticket to not share and I didn't want to for a host of reasons. As I listened to others go around the table sharing their struggles and victories, my turn came.

I so badly wanted to pull myself together. I hate crying in public settings like this. In all my own strength I mustered out some words about having a purpose and a calling and just willing my way through this part of life, not at all revealing the reason for my tears and pain.

I was so hurt and confused and was battling blaming God. I was in no way ready to ask Him, "What are You trying to tell me?" I had been at this very awful place such a short time ago and did not want to be here again.

However, this really was a question in my heart.

Prior to this time Mike had lovingly suggested to me that maybe "Why" was not the best question to ask. But that the "What" questions might more easily have answers.

And I knew that in this circumstance, he was right.

Fast forward to some time later. I finally got still before the Lord. You know, the kind of stillness that comes at 2 am after wresting in your mind to the point of exhaustion but only to find no solution. With all the courage and vulnerability I could come up with, I asked the Lord,"What are you trying to tell me?"

In the most gentle, tender, all loving, soul captivating, and equally vulnerable way, I felt Him ask me, "Will you still trust me?"

(long pause)

What a question. It was not 'Do you still trust me?' as if there was some sort of contractual obligation. Is was not 'Can you still trust me?' as if somehow I had been unforgivably betrayed. The question was 'Will you still trust me?'. As in, a present, active, conscience choice. A choice even though I can't understand why. A choice when I don't trust my circumstances. A choice when I can't see the bigger picture.

As I searched my soul for an answer, my mind was taken to this passage of scripture in John. Jesus had just taught at the synagogue about feasting on Himself in order to have life. And some of his disciples said; "This is a tough lesson Jesus, in fact, too tough for us." Many of His disciples left and followed Him no more. Then Jesus turns to the 12 and(I believe humbly and lovingly, giving freedom and grace) asks, "Do you want to leave, too?"

Peter replied, "To whom would we go? You are It!"

So, to answer His question 'Will you still trust Me?' my heart settled on the answer 'Who else can I trust?'

Who else can handle the great depth of my need? Who else can I bring my brokenness and pain to for healing and restoration? Who else can make this work for my good and Your glory? Who else can bring order and even blessing from this chaos and mess? You are It!

So in remembering life a year ago, circumstances are different now. Time has passed and healing has come. But the questions are still the same:

• Will I trust Him when circumstances are not ideal?
• Will I trust Him when I can't see past this moment?
• Will I trust Him when my heart has been beaten and broken?
• Will I trust Him when the lessons are tough?
• Will I trust Him when things feel out of control?
• Will I trust Him when I have only questions?

The answer is also still the same; Who else can I trust?

"Lord God who rules over all,
everything you do is great and wonderful.
King of the ages,
your ways are true and fair.
Lord, who will not have respect for you?
Who will not bring glory to your name?
You alone are holy.
All nations will come
and worship you.
They see that the things you do are right."

Revelation 15:3-4

Jesus, You ARE It!!

I Did It!

I taught this morning at The Roots Community!  I was the first time to do that there and the first time at all in several years.

I was a nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

But, I made it through, to God be the glory!  And I'll take all the shame of the horrible nerves that kept me from taking a deep breath and being able to talk like a normal person.  Haha

It was a really cool time for me.  Right before the service Jesse encouraged us (my awesome friend Mary also spoke this morning and shared an amazing testimony) to not feel the need to over emphasize any given thought.  He said that when we do that we are putting our confidence in our flesh to be able to explain rather then the Holy Spirit to lead.  Good thought.

So, that cut my talk down from 6 minutes to 3.  haha

But all in all I felt like I was able to share the main idea if what God had given me.  Which, as Jesse also encouraged me, can be summed up in one statement: 

Control brings bondage but grace brings freedom.

Although I truly was an absolute nervous wreck, it was good for me.  I knew that what I was doing was right.  And even though I cried a bit as I got personal, I really did enjoy sharing!  I finally took a breath and relaxed just as I was almost done. I am excited and hopeful to have another opportunity and to get better.

Thank you Jesus that YOU are the true Teacher! Thank you for giving me the privilege of being a student of You.  May I never stop learning You. Thank you also for Your grace and Your freedom. Teach me to walk in Your ways Rabboni.  

The Roots Community

Man, it's Thursday and all week I've wanted to tell you about Roots on Sunday! Last weekend was our 3rd out of 4 Sundays meeting in Jesse's home.  It was really good.  

Jesse preached on The Prodigal God and brought some really great insight. You can read the full story in the Scriptures here.  It is the passage of scripture that is commonly referred to as the Prodigal Son.

Jesse began to define prodigal in this way: to lavish, extravagant and profuse expenditure. So, to look at that definition, yes the younger brother did that. But really, the father did that more! For the father to give the younger son his inheritance, it was a extravagant expense for himself as he would have to sell off part of his livelihood. And then to take him back after his son's foolishness, with NO lecture or condemnation or consequence was definitely some lavish love as well. 

So, onto the new to me insight. 

Jesse began to explain that really both the brothers had similar motives.  The younger brother was just a little bit more honest about it.  He just wanted his inheritance now.  But really, the older brother was pretty concerned about his portion too.  

When we read the story, we see that the older brother is mad, but why?  Well, now that his younger brother was back, he is now available to receive yet another inheritance when the father dies.  This means that the older brother's share would not be what he originally expected it to be.  

Both the brothers saw their father as a means to an end.   Whoa! 

For years I have identified with the older brother far more then the younger.(Thank you Jesus for Your miraculous protective grace!) And I have recently come to understand that the older brother was choosing to live life out of obligation rather than celebration. He tells his dad "I've keep all your rules and you've never let me have a party?!" and his dad's response is "Son, you can have a party anytime!  All I have is yours!" 

But the part that really grabbed me was to admit that the older brother was really only interested in what his dad was gonna give him.  A means to an end.

Parallel my relationship with God.  Especially after confessing my personal insight to the older brother's mind, am I really just looking for what God can give me?  Am I only keeping the rules for some sense of self imposed entitlement? Is that all God really is to me? 

Tough, humbling questions.  

But a good gut check.  Because the beauty of the story is, the father offers immediate restoration to the older brother as well.  He is pleading with us older brothers, "Please, come in! Celebrate! This is something worth getting excited about!" 

He rushes to us that are a little more honest about ourselves and He rushes to those of us that are better at hiding ourselves.

Thank you Jesus for your lavishing, extravagant and profusely expending love for us.  You always want us to celebrate with you. Please forgive me for wanting what you can give me over wanting You. Help me to know your heart better.

* In a side note, next week we move from meeting in Jesse's home to the KOA campground on the corner of I-4 and HWY 27.  I am really excited about this.  Please pray for the staff at Roots and all the adjustments that will need to happen.  Please pray also for the staff at the KOA as we begin establishing relationships there.  We went to love, serve and be Jesus to them.

The beauty of the Lord

It's the 1st of the month and time for another verse.  This time I want to memorize Psalm 90:17

And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, 

And establish the work of our hands for us;

Yes establish the work of our hands.

I had initially picked it when I heard it a couple of weeks ago in my Esther study.  My teacher made reference to it in context of not being vain.  Meaning, if anyone sees beauty in me, let it only be the LORD and His beauty they see.  I really love that!  Especially in today's society where physical appearance is of high, high value.

But then, Sunday at Roots, I heard some more thoughts that really made me want to take this verse in.  

In the closing of Jesse's message, he mentioned how when we see the beauty of God, we are moved and taken to a right perspective.  For example, we would not stand before the Grand Canyon and say "WOW! Look how great I am!" but rather we are humbled and in awe of something that is bigger than ourselves and the beauty that is before us.

That is the beauty that I want to rest on me.  Beauty that draws people to the heart of God. Beauty that gives inspiration and hope.  Beauty that establishes the work of my hands.

 

Lord Jesus, may my heart be a place that is fitting for You to rest on me.

 May Your beauty be only what anyone sees on me.

Tuesday

What a great day today was! This morning the girls and I made Resurrection rolls.  It was very fun, and super messy. (I learned a couple of 'what not to do' tips for next time!)  Then the girls made some beautiful Easter cards for us to take to a nursing home.

Lucy is loving our new workbox deal so much, she actually cheered this morning looking over some of the things she got to do.  (Sigh)  I love that!

Then we went to the nursing home.  This is something I have wanted to do regularly with the girls for some time now and I finally got around to doing it. We went to see a sweet friend named Mrs. Jewell.  She directed my wedding and I cleaned her house for a about a year.  Mike also used to help her in her yard often.  It was such a sweet time to spend with her.  She is such a hoot and still has a quick wit about her.  

After that we went to the park and hung out a bit waiting for Mike to finish up some work. Then we found a letterbox made in honor of the very first Publix ever and came home for some dinner. The girls and I watched a Doughnut man video and now it's off to bed.

What I really wanted to share with you was about the Resurrection rolls we made today.  They tell the story of Jesus and an empty grave.  The girls and I made cute little bags to hand out to everyone at the nursing home today with a poem on them that Mike wrote for us last night.  It was really neat to be able to share a quick moment of Jesus with these sweet people.  Most were very appreciative.  

It was definitely out of my comfort zone to deliberately speak about Jesus to the people.  I didn't know them (and many couldn't hear me!) and sadly it's just not something that comes overly easy to me yet.  But, one of the things that Jesse our pastor is encouraging us to do is to have weekly appointments where we purposely share the gospel.  So this is where I am starting.  

Old people love kids, so I know that my rejection level will be low.  But I want it to be easier and easier for me to share the gospel with anyone at anytime.  So, for now, this is a safe 'practice' place.  Plus, I really have a heart for these people.  It makes me so sad at how many of them are just forgotten and how lonely they are.  It really blessed me today to see so many of them smile and respond to me and my girls. They were truly thankful for some company.  

It is my goal to go about once a month and creatively find ways for me (and my girls) to share the gospel and love on people. I know that somethings are taught and somethings are caught.  I hope my girls catch this because there is no higher calling than sharing the gospel.

 

The story of the roll is this:  The marshmallow represents Jesus, dipped in butter to represent the oil anointed on Him by Mary, then dipped in cinnamon and sugar representing the spices before his burial and wrapped in the bread - the grave.  After they are cooked, the marshmallow disappears (theoretically) and leaves an empty grave.

We learned that if you don't seal the tomb well, Jesus makes a mess!!

Mike's poem: We hope today this roll will bring the joy of Jesus Christ our king, peak inside at the empty grave and remember our Lord's Resurrection Day.  (Mike's so good!)

Lucy and Mrs. Jewell.

Planting the gospel

Planting a church is what Mike and I have been working toward in the Davenport/Haines City area for the last eight months or so.  One of the phrases that has caught my attention lately, and for some God ordained reason explicitly Sat night, is 'while yes we are planting a church, really we are planing the gospel'.  

What does that mean? What does it look like?  Are we playing semantics here? 

For me initially, it meant we were going to 'do church' with a better, more hip, really loving and NOT condemning display of the message of Jesus.  And then I realized that my perception was still 'doing church'.  

I feel like over the last couple of weeks the Lord has been really showing me something that I've known in my head for sometime, but evidently haven't made it to my actions yet. It's not about doing church, it's about being the the church. 

Let me say that again, It's not about doing church, it's about being the the church. 

The passage of scripture that comes to mind about being the church comes from Romans chapter 10 and it says this:

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

It is my job to be the feet and bring the good news.  And I have to be intentional about it. Deliberate and purposeful. No hiding in the fact that I am the music guy's wife or that I'm all wrapped up in homeschool and my kids. No, the great commission didn't give exceptions.  It just said go.  In my normal traffic patterns of life, in and out of my neighborhood it is my beautiful and amazing privilege to share with people that Jesus wants to hang out with them! (And what an amazing week this is to share!)

So, for my first intentional move I have a question for you; Do you know that Jesus wants to hang out with you, like right now,...daily,...hourly,...all the time?  And if you do know that, how is it changing your day? 

It is good news isn't it?!

The Roots Community

I haven't shared too much about Roots/church planting.  I am going to change that.  There are a couple of reasons I've been quiet.  The first is, like so many other hats I wear in my life, I have no idea what I'm doing.  Second, I am all too comfortable hiding in the "I'm his wife" and "I'm their mom"  hats.  And yes, I do mean hiding.

Saturday night however, the Lord allowed my eyes to really open to the fact that while I am 'his wife' and 'their mom', those are not my only roles, and possibly not even my most important ( I am still wrestling this out).  Who I am first and foremost is a child of God and an ambassador for the King.   And right now that means helping to plant this church in Davenport.  

Easter Sunday is our official launch to the public.  We have not been able to secure a building so we are committing to 4 more services as a home church with hopes to be in a building after that (as I understand it).  I really am excited about this. I believe in the vision that Jessie has and I think possibly just this weekend I have finally taken it as my own.

Here is part of an email he encouraged us with this weekend:

I wanted to steer our group's focus this week as we get ready to Launch on Easter Sunday.  

Let me just remind us what this is all about:  In Jeremiah 17:5-8 it says, 

5  This is what the LORD says:
       "Cursed is the one who trusts in man,
       who depends on flesh for his strength
       and whose heart turns away from the LORD.

 6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands;
       he will not see prosperity when it comes.
       He will dwell in the parched places of the desert,
       in a salt land where no one lives.

 7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
       whose confidence is in him.

 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
       that sends out its roots by the stream.
       It does not fear when heat comes;
       its leaves are always green.
       It has no worries in a year of drought
       and never fails to bear fruit." 

Our Vision at The Roots Community is to join God in His mission as He seeks to Restore all things back to himself.  Just as Jesus moved into our world and pursued us with love we also move into the lives of those around us and add value to them as we seek to show them love. Our ultimate aim is to see all people put their confidence in God and a community of Christ followers loving one another as we seek to build for the kingdom of God.  
May this vision be burned into our souls daily as we seek to see with the same eyes as God.

I am excited to see all the great things that God has in store for this community and I am amazed to be able to be part of this team. 

Closer

At The Roots Community we have been introduced to a new song and I absolutely love it! Check it out for yourself.

Beautiful are the words spoken to me
Beautiful is the one who speaking (2x)

CHORUS:
Come in close, come in close and speak
Come in close, come closer to me

Beautiful are the words spoken to me
Beautiful is the one who speaking
(Chorus)

BRIDGE:
The power of your words are filled with grace and mercy
Let them fall on my ears and break my stony heart
(Chorus)

Lord Jesus, come close and wash me in your love. Transform my mind.  Create in me a new heart.  Come in close, I want to feel you.

Here is a link if the video isn't there.

Hurt or loved?

I can't decide if I want to write this blog on being hurt or being loved.  The two are really so very closely related.  So many times it's the people that we have allowed to get close enough to love us are the very ones that hurt us most.  It is easier to toss off pain from someone that we have not allowed into our inmost space.  

Two weeks ago at church we talked about love and what it means to love people. Last night we talked about community and what it means to have and be in community with others.  The real sum of both weeks was that we all want to be loved and have a place to belong.  To be able to be ourselves and be accepted faults and all.  

Both of these weeks have been so hard for me.  Last week I was not feeling very loved and this week I was feeling very rejected.  Isn't it funny how on top of things God is? Both weeks, the last place I wanted to be was church and both weeks God spoke such a timely word to my heart.  

My buddy Jess says that the opposite of love, contrary to popular belief, is not hate but rather self love.  I think he is so right.  When we with hold our love from one another for any variety of reasons; fear, insecurity, protection or retaliation it really produces a pain like no other.  I think to truly love someone is to put their needs before your own.  That is the example we have in Jesus.

I think so many times the reason that we withhold hold love from each other is because we have been hurt.  So we guard our hearts to not feel that pain again. I felt the Lord give me such a great analogy for this. Luke 5:36-39 in the amplified bible says this:

He told them a proverb also: No one puts a patch from a new garment on an old garment; if he does, he will both tear the new one and the patch from the new [one] will not match the old [garment].

God has created us to give and receive love.  When we stop giving love especially because we have been hurt, we are trying to do a patch job that just won't work.  Our efforts to protect ourselves will never match what God has made us for and ultimately hurt us further. 

Thankfully there is an answer. God tells us Isaiah 61 that He sent Jesus to bind up the broken hearted. When we take our brokenness to Him - all of it, being brutally honest with Him about our fear, insecurity, our need for protection and/or retaliation, - then he is able to heal us and make us whole again.  Whole to give again and to receive again. Whole to consider others needs before our own.

Jesus, may I be quick to bring my broken heart to you. I need your healing. I want to be saturated and satisfied in you so that I am free to give and receive the way you created me to. I want to be free to put others needs in front of mine. Thank you that your Kingdom is a kingdom of opposites.

 

A love letter

Last night at church, Jesse (our pastor) shared this with the group and I thought it was so great! (Thanks Nadine for bringing it to him!)

You may not know me,

but I know everything about you.

Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.

Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.

Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.

Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.

Genesis 1:27

In Me you live and move and have your being.

Acts 17:28

You are my offspring.

Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.

Jeremiah 1:4-5

I choose you when I planned creation.

Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,

for all your days are written in my book.

Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth

and where you would live.

Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.

Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.

Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those

who don't know me.

John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,

but I am the complete expression of love

1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you

1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.

Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect Father.

1 John 3:1

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.

James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.

Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always

 been filled with hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.

Jeremiah 31:3

My thougths toward you are countless

 as the sand on the seashore.

Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.

Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.

Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.

Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you 

with all my heart and all my soul.

Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.

Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.

Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you

 the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.

Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you

than you could possibly imagine.

Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts

you in all your troubles.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are broken hearted, I am close to you.

Psalm 34:8

As a shepherd carries a lamb,

I have carried you close to my heart.

Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away 

ever tear from your eyes.

Revelation 21:3-2

And I'll take away all the pain

you have suffered on this earth.

Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you

even as I love my son, Jesus.

John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.

John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.

Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,

not against you.

Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression

of my love for you.

1 John 4:10

I gave up everything that I might gain your love.

Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,

you receive me.

1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.

Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest

 party heaven has ever seen.

Luke 15:7

I have always been Father and will always be Father.

Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is...

Will you be my child?

John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.

Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad,

Almighty God

Church

Yesterday we had church and it was so good!  It went like this: 

The Roots Community got to the park around 10:30 to set up. We cooked some burgers and dogs and and got everything ready. The people from the neighborhood came. We all ate and hung out.  The kids played and everybody got some sun.  The weather was beautiful.  No catch. No program. No secret agenda. 

It was a great day at church.

Galatians 5:13-14 My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. All that the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself.   

The Roots Community

Mike and I are involved in a church plant in the Davenport/Haines City area.  This is the church that Mike was the interim pastor earlier this year.  The new Pastor as well as a crew of 20 or so moved up from Miami and West Palm this summer.   In these last few months we as a launch team have been learning what it means to plant a church.  My role so far has been with the children a lot of the time but now we have a children's director so a few of the other moms and I are freed to be in the service. Saturday night's service was GREAT!  

We learned about a, new to me, method we are going to participate in called triads.   It is not an evangelistic program. It is also not a curriculum focused on information and teaching. It is a group of 3 people that agree to get together weekly for approximately 18 months to hold one another accountable, encourage each other and learn from each other. It is a method for making disciples by, initially for us, learning to practice 12 spiritual disciplines. ( I would list them for you, but I don't know what the all are yet.)  Then hopefully after a year and a half or so, we are in a place to then each go make a new triad and disciple 2 more people.

I am so excited about this new opportunity.  Although I'm not real sure what to expect there is a longing in my heart to 1) be a better disciple myself and 2) to learn how to make a disciple.   In the last church we were at I was involved in an evangelism program called FAITH.  It was a neat program and I learned so much about how present the gospel of Jesus to people.  I personally led 2 people in a "sinner's prayer" to meet Jesus.  But one of the weaknesses of this particular program was any kind of real follow up that would actually come along beside these new believers and disciple them.  Sadly, I have never again made contact with either of these 2 individuals.  Nor do I know if either of them actually have a relationship with Jesus or if they just answered yes to all my questions to shut me up and make me leave or if it was a "fear of hell" yes. 

One thing that was taught when I started that program was that Jesus told us to make disciples. (Matt 28:19) He also told us that He would build His church. (Matt 16:18)  I think for most of my life I have been attending churches that had these two concepts reversed.  Churches that I have been a part of - God loving, bible believing churches - have been trying to build the church and hoping that Jesus (or the pastor) would make them disciples after we got them in the doors. Tonight we were challenged and encouraged to make disciples and (I believe) allow Jesus to build His church.  

There was one statement that stuck out to me that I hope I never forget.  The statement was "A successful disciple makes disciples".  It was a light bulb moment.  I felt like it answered so many questions for me.  It was confirmation to me from an earlier teaching this week;  you can't push anybody to Jesus - you have to get in front of them and lead them to Him.  

Discipleship isn't entirely about a teacher and a student.  I think I am beginning to see that it is more about coming along beside one another and walking through life together.  Isn't that a picture of what Jesus did?  He came along beside a couple of guys and said "Hey, let's walk some life together".   I am excited to grow with and walk beside the other 2 people in my triad and as we learn better what it means to be and make disciples.  

Matthew 28:18-20  And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and yes, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Missionary or Volunteer

Mike and I are helping to plant a church - something new to both of us.  It is an interesting challenge.  It is the goal of this new church to really be effective to the community.  To really meet the community where they are and take the gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ to them. As you might imagine there is a lot of work to do.  

Last week we were reminded that we want to be a church that raises missionaries not just volunteers.  This was such a great challenge for me.  As I defined in my mind the difference between a missionary and a volunteer, this was the main conclusion I came to: a volunteer serves for a time, but a missionary serves a purpose for life.   A volunteer says " I will commit to this".  A missionary says "This is my life's passion".  

I don't think I have been living a missionary life, but I want to.  I want my mission in life to be to share the life changing love of Jesus to all I come in contact with.  But I am encouraged.  The more I open up and allow His love to flood my soul, the more free I become to be a catalyst to give His love instead of just a vessel that keeps it.

Free to be passionate about, not just committed to. That's what we were created for. 

Some words of His love for your soul from Romans 8:

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: 

   They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. 
   We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us. - The Message

May your soul have a drink worth sharing passionately today, not just taking in and committing to.