Trust Your Crazy Ideas

I remember how Christopher Columbus believed that the world was round at a time when most believed it to be flat. He was sure that if they kept sailing, they would find land. No, he didn't know all the details, but he persisted in the belief of a round world. Those with him were afraid, because they were sure that if they kept going they would fall off the end of the world and die. He believed the truth and went forward in it in hope. They were on the same journey, but believed a lie. They were in bondage to fear and acted out of that fear. I bet they were surprised to find that Christopher was right.
We are called to be like Christopher. God is setting us free to be truly us. He is saying that we are valuable and worthy of love. We are his Beloved. God is calling for a change in our lives. He is asking for a new belief for us."The change of which I speak is the change from living life as a painful test to prove that you deserve to be loved, to living it as an unceasing 'yes' to the truth of that Belovedness." (Henri Nouwen, LIFE OF THE BELOVED)
Years ago, I heard a pastor talk about how he spent an hour a day letting God tell him how much he loved him. It radically changed his life. God is calling us to the same thing, except that we are to listen 24 hours a day. This comes in the delightful things in life like watching a sunrise. He also tells us of his love through our suffering, which brings us closer to him. He is with us always, whispering words of encouragement.
You are a radically amazing gift to God and the world. Be you, O Beloved one. I have a sign on my wall. It says, "Trust your crazy ideas." Be free. Walk forth in the Belovedness of God and the dignity of who you are.

Rise Up Beloved

A PROPHECY THAT GOD GAVE ME TODAY
"There is no contest. You are one of a kind. Who are you in competition with to prove your worth? No one will defend you. No one will cheer you on in this self-defeating lie. I am your Lord, and I say that you are My Beloved. I have named you thus, and no other name fits you. Discouraged, dishonored, failure, hopeless; these are not your names. You are My Beloved. No other name fits you. What difference does it make that the enemy flings mud at you and calls you worthless? It is all a lie. Give it no thought. Walk in My Belovedness. This is where I have called you. This is who you are. This is a joyous journey that I have called you on, one filled with freedom and light. Don't be afraid of the enemy and the lies he speaks against you. You have nothing to prove. Hope in God, alone, and he will see you through. The enemy has defeated you as he mocks you and shames you. Rise up Beloved. Rise up and know my love for you. Run, run far from this shame and discontentment. Walk in my love. For this is where you belong. Your hope is in me. Trust in me."

Army Of God's Beloved

"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:14

I am very aware that we need God to intervene on our behalf. We can't satisfy ourselves by just remembering that God loves us. It is important that we meditate on his love. Yes, this is true, but we need God to supernaturally intervene with his love. Remember, that is what differentiates Christianity from other religions. Our God, the One True God, comes to us. Even while we were sinners, Jesus died for us. It isn't about whether we deserve God's love. No one does. There is nothing we can do to make him love us more. His love is unfailing. We can't mess it up. We keep trying to satisfy ourselves with other things. You all know what they are in your lives. That can't mess up God's love either. Nothing, and I mean nothing can separate you from God's love! It is here right now in you and surrounding you. What God is asking today from us is that we be still and know he is God. Be still and quit struggling. Be still and rest in his love. Then humbly cry out to God to satisfy you with his love. This is his will. So you can't go wrong asking for it. I am convinced that God is raising up an army of his Beloved. You are one of that army. Receive his love today.

Yet Will I Hope In Him

"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him." Job 13:15 NIV Bible

I am very aware that my hope must be in God. I can't hope in me or others getting it right. I can't hope in my human heritage. The world says that if things are a certain way in your life, then you are successful and good. Job is a perfect example to disprove this lie. He was one of the most holy men on earth and God let almost everything be taken from him. This had nothing to do with his goodness, or ability, or heritage.


Then there is the other side of the coin. We can find ourselves like the Apostle Paul that said, "When I want to do good, evil is right there with me." (Romans 7:21) We try to be good, but we keep messing up. Paul says, "Thanks be to God - through Christ Jesus our Lord!....Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 7:25 & 8:1)


My hope is in God, alone. I declare that God is good and faithful. I declare that he is in charge of my destiny. He is making all things work together for good in my life. This day, I choose to hope in God.

Truly Come Vibrantly Alive

"Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." John 15:4 NIV Bible

I am remembering a crucial thing that a pastor taught me. He said that the people that identify counterfeit money have become really familiar with what real money looks like. They have focused on it and memorized it. Then when a counterfeit bill comes along, they know it right away.
I have found this to be a truth in my relationship with God. I must remain plugged into God through prayer, worship, Bible reading and and intimacy. Then as I go through life I recognize the counterfeit that would otherwise deceive me. Also I have found that when I am listening to God, I can hear him more correctly. I end up being in the right place at the right time more, and I can have a deeper impact on the lives around me. I guess my light shines brighter in me and on those around me.
We are going to live this life no matter what. Why not live it to the fullest? I don't want to live as a faded, sickly flower. I want to be vibrant and beautiful. I don't want to be a victim to every idea and scheme. I want to know the truth. This is what Jesus offers as we spend time in his presence. Then we truly come vibrantly alive.

Walk On Water

I was listening to the radio, and I heard a girl named Britt Nicole tell about her mother. Her mom had a dream to open a home for girls, but there were so many obstacles that made it all seem impossible. Then she just stepped out and began one step at a time. Britt wrote a song with us mother's in mind. We are not at the beginning of our lives. Many of us feel like most of life has passed us by, and so many of our hopes and dreams have never materialized. She speaks God's heart to us. It's not too late. You can walk on water. Step out.

The Year Of The Lord's Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign
Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the
prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's
favor
and the day of vengeance of our
God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in
Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV Bible

To Be Known By God

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

You are being set free to be you. You can't truly be you apart from God. We live in darkness and deception. As God inhabits each part of us, we are lit up and can function in the way that we were meant to be. We were knit together in our mother's womb, and God is still at work within us. You cannot truly be you and what you are meant to be unless you are known by God.

I keep seeing a picture of someone intricately made and perfect, but they are living in darkness and not functioning. Then God begins inhabiting them, and they are filled with light. Each part was in place and ready to go. It was just waiting for the Father's touch. Then it truly comes to life and begins operating to its full potential. Each person is totally unique, and so they are amazed at what comes forth as they are being set free by God.

The Lord Will Guide You

"Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: And about this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; He will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me." 1 Samuel 9:15-16 NIV Bible

From Saul's perspective, he was just out looking for lost donkeys. He had learned about Samuel, the prophet, and had decided to go and ask him where to find the lost donkeys. That's it. No voice from heaven. He just felt like going to see Samuel. The truth was, that God had sent Saul to Samuel. I find this portion of scripture really encouraging. God promised to guide us continuously. He is always faithful to do just that. Approach this day with confidence. Your Lord will guide you. Let's see what adventure he sends you on today. Keep me posted.

God Is Your King

"But the people refused to listen to Samuel. No! they said. 'We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 1 Samuel 8:19-20 NIV Bible

We are called to be us, the one God handcrafted with awesome, unique features. We are made to live in freedom with God as our leader. It feels like if we blend in with society and follow humans and their systems we will have peace. In some form, it feels like it will be easy street. I know, because so many people say to me, "Just do it my system and you will get those perfect results. You will be wealthy, healthy, and everyone will look at you and be impressed." Don't listen. Look up to the God that loves you and has your best interest at heart. Look in his eyes and see the love there. He is your source of rest. He is your source of peace. He is your source of identity. He is the source of all you need.

You Are Chosen

"But you, O Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from the farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are my servant;
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:8-10 NIV Bible

Today, God would really emphasize our choseness. Society may reject us. We may even try to reject ourselves. We are not reject-able. I guess we are kind of like a non stick pan. Rejection cannot stick to us because we are not reject-able. We are wearing the armor of God's love. So, I would encourage you to live this truth. Be filled with joy because your Father in Heaven loves you. You are God's chosen one. Celebrate your choseness.

Apart From God We Can Do Nothing

God wants us to live life as his Beloved. I put on Beloved glasses. I am clothed in Beloved clothing. I eat Beloved food. I breathe Beloved air. I live in Beloved light. Life isn't so much about being good as being loved. When I am trying to be good it is based on my ability. When I live, knowing I am Beloved of God, then all of life is based on God's love. This reminds me of the scripture, "In Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 7:28) Another is, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." (Psalm 34:8)
I don't think God is going to give us courage for the whole day right now. It will come as we need it. He isn't going to give us a pill and send us on our way. He is going to hang out and give us grace for each situation. He doesn't want to just give us help. He wants to be our help. Apart from God we can do nothing. (John 15:5) We cannot live in the "I shoulds" or the "if onlys." We can only live in God. Then we have true life.

Beloved

"You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you." Matthew 3:17

It seems like all of us have lives filled with "if onlys." I know mine has been. If only this were different, then everything would be O.K. Sometimes that thing changes and, guess what? Another "if only" just pops up to take it's place. Remember my first blog? God told me that my purpose for existence is to be loved by him. You are his Beloved. This is your identity. This is the only "if only." No, all your trials won't go away if you live as his Beloved, but I guarantee that all of life will change for the better.

I think of yesterday's vision of Jesus leading me from joy to joy. I keep seeing it as stepping stones. Today, God is asking us to listen to the voices that say we are his Beloved. It is to be a little like a game. We are to pretend that every other voice is dangerous and we can "only" step on the stones of being God's Beloved.

Have a wonderful day, Beloved.

Journey Of Joy

"I felt a strong urge to break down all those walls of fear, convention, social expectations and self-deprecation. .... 'If you really want it, you can do it. You don't have to be the victim of time and money...You should claim your deepest desire and do what you really want to do....time and money aren't the real issue. You are. Everything is possible for you....Why let the world squeeze you in? Why become a victim? You are free to do what you want - if, that is, you really want it!" from LIFE OF THE BELOVED by Henry Nouwen

God is calling me on a journey of joy. I see a picture of Jesus trying to entice me to follow him. He is filled with joy and keeps laughing and looking at me with love. He is leading me to places and experiences that bring me joy.

Yes, there will be suffering. Jesus endured the cross because of the joy set before him. He is setting joy before me. I am afraid of the cross. So I am finding every excuse in the book to not move forward. There will be a cross. He said,"If any man come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." "The joy of the Lord is my strength." "We go from strength to strength." So, we go from joy to joy. Step out today, and begin your journey of joy.

God Will Meet All Your Needs

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

I don't have to be intimidated by the belief system that says that I have to know, be capable of and have everything. God is my source. He has all of this. He is all of this. I am a little, well made, human. God knows everything. God is my capability. God supplies all my needs. The world can point at me and call me a failure. I am, by their standards. They want to be a little god. God just wants me to be little and let him by my God.

I Will Not Forget You!

"Can a mother forget the baby at her
breast
and have no compassion on the
child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
I will not forget you!
See, I have engraved you on the
palms of my hands.
Isaiah 49:15 NIV Bible

The theme that God is emphasizing for me today is that he is always there for me in whatever way I need him. Today, each time I thought of something that seemed lacking in my life, by my standards, I declared that God is that for me. All morning I was praying things like, "God, you are my health, you are my sanity, you are my joy, you are my strength, you are my love etc." I have found it comforting and inspiring.

I heard this song on the radio that really touched me

Walk The Way Of Hope

"O Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
'God will not deliver him.'
But you are a shield around me,
O Lord;
you bestow glory on me and lift
up my head.
To the Lord I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy
hill.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord
sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.
Arise, O Lord!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
From the Lord comes my deliverance.
May your blessing be on your
people."
Psalm 3 NIV Bible

I have found that I have been stockpiling evidence of why I should be afraid, sad and discouraged. This morning I have been using it as evidence against God and myself. I became aware that I am being led down the wrong path. All evidence against God is false. Also, he says that I am hand made by him, and he did a good job. I am not to accept evidence against myself either.

I don't want to pile evidence against hope. The truth is that there will be trials the rest of my life. People will suffer that I love. Things will not go according to my plans. God wants me to follow him through this. He has a hope that is bigger than all this. I would walk the way of hope

God Has The New Cool For You

"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." John 5:19
NIV Bible

It is crucial that we be led by Jesus. He is going to do something new in our lives. He is the only one that knows what it is. He is the only one that understands. God has the new cool for you. It may not be cool to anyone else. You need to follow him, because it is especially designed for you.

He is asking us to follow him in every area of our lives. God has a variety of adventures for us. We are not a failure when we don't fit in some else's mold. We are free to follow Jesus.

The cool thing is that we will start to be at peace being ourselves. We will stop feeling inadequate like we don't measure up. We will be able to be in a variety of situations and be at peace because we are comfortable with who we are. Hallelujah! God is good!

My Heart Will Trust In You

"For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." 2 Corinthians 1:5 NIV Bible

Life has been a bit rough these days. I am thankful that in the night and throughout the morning God has been giving me words of encouragement. I thought that this one would speak to you too.

"My Little One, I am so proud of you. I see your suffering, and yet you cheer me on and call me good. I am proud of you. You have not betrayed or denied me. You have held steady in the midst of this pain. Hold fast to your Savior. He will see you through. The storm is mighty, but you won't drown. You will come out victorious. I have conquered your enemies for you. I will see you through this pain and suffering. Don't give up. Hold on, deliverance is coming. I will be with you through thick and thin. Don't give up. I am pleased with you. Don't let anyone or anything tell you differently."

Here is a song by Hillsong that is good to sing when you are in the midst of trials.

Hillsong

Follow Jesus

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12 NIV Bible

Jesus is asking us to give up trying to "be good". He is asking us to give up our "if onlys". We are to lay it all down and come and follow him. We don't need man's acceptance and approval. We don't have to prove anything to them, or even ourselves.

It is actually a relief. Jesus has what we truly want, a deep relationship with and dependence on the Father. He has joy. He has peace.

There will always be rejection and suffering. He is the way through it. We can't stop to try and get rid of it. We must follow him through it. We can only have one master. He is Jesus. We are weary from trying to serve all the other masters. Jesus is asking us to give it up and come and follow him.