In my previous post “Take My World Apart,” I referred to my friend  exhibiting the following qualities: “confidence, love, passion, and abandonment to God for the people he has been called to serve.”  I mentioned having been in a place where I have experienced this before.  In order to get there, I recall having had to take some great risks and he is no different.

During church on Sunday I began to journal about the importance of taking risks when Brian Bloye said,

The greatest risk is not to risk at all.

As I have gone throughout this day, I kept having this thought that great risks will have to be taken once again in order to be where I really want to be.  I try each day with all that I do to seek Jesus and his teachings in my decisions.  Presently, I am camping out in the Gospels to continue getting to know him more.  I still hold fast to this passage found in Hebrews,

Keep (my) eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.  Study how he did it.  Because he never lost sight of where he was headed- that exhilarating finish in and with God – he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever.  And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.  When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.  That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews 12:2-3, The Message).

I can’t tell you how many times I have walked out of West Ridge Church in the past 9 months and have been incredibly challenged!  This week was no different.  The message series is called, “One Month to Live”.  The following video challenged me… I hope it will you too.

There is this part of my life I haven’t found the courage to let go.  I think what I’m most afraid of is letting go of this fear or lack of courage and truly allow God to express Himself through me. I guess this place without courage has become comfortable. Yet more than anything else I want to live and prosper beyond this fear.

I was listening to someone talk recently.  This person has “found their voice“.  This person is at a place where their life has intersected with God’s destiny or purpose.  As I listened I could hear confidence, love, passion, and abandonment to God for the people he has been called to serve.  I’ve been in that place before and if you have or are there now you know what I’m talking about.

Over the past several years God has been deepening the foundation of my life.  It’s been a painful process… one that I have become to grow a bit impatient with… Yet deep down I know it is all for my growing.

 “In the spiritual realm, God only allows us to have as much of Him as our foundation, or life in Him, will support. If we want a powerful ministry that is Spirit-anointed, our house must be built on the Rock.  So when the storms come (and they will) our house will stand.”  A Cry in the Wilderness, Melody Green, xii.

I woke up yesterday morning with Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth,” on my mind.  As the day progressed, I took a moment to see how The Message read for this verse,

Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

We should never grow tired of the refining process God allows us to go through.  I know I am learning more and more each day that He is laying a greater foundation in my life.  Each day I live I pray that my life is “salt-seasoning that brings our the God-flavors of this earth.”

One of my favorite songs by Jars of Clay is ”World’s Apart”. My prayer is that as God continues to work in my life that I leave nothing hidden from Him.  I pray that He takes my world apart so He can use me to be salt in this world.

Has God spoken to you? Has God revealed Himself to you through His Word, in prayer, a sermon, a friend, or a moment of being quiet before Him?  What has He told you?  When He spoke did you immediately walk into the light of His revelation? Or did a season of darkness sweep into your life?

I’ve found in my life when God speaks there is often a time of darkness that follows… A time of testing and trial… A season of waiting.

When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, January 19).

How do you handle those dark moments when silence is all your hear?  Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all of these things will be given to you as well” (NIV). 

“Be still and know I am God.” Psalm 46:10.

What do you do when your dreams aren’t turning out the way you expected?  Do you give up? Do you ignore your dream(s)? Do you continue waiting like the Israelites did whining and complaining? Or maybe you are like me and go through seasons of depression, times of complaining, moments of bitterness, and times of intense growth in Scripture and prayer.  I’ve experienced all of it.  I wish I could say I have been more spiritual than the rest of my list.

Maybe you are a lot like me and you have experienced the highs and lows of waiting.  The one thing I am so glad I can say is that I haven’t given up.  I haven’t quit pressing on and looking to God for strength and wisdom. Despite my resolve to finish this race strong, I have gone through moments of whining and complaining the past several years.  I told one friend recently that it is time for a change… just to hear him say, “That’s what your baby will be crying for after she is born. (Due in September).

Waiting is an interesting activity.  There are times of waiting and being still before the Lord.  And at the other extreme there are those times where it is necessary to break down some walls and get busy… put your hands to the plow and work.  During this season of waiting I’ve done a little of both.  But each time I begin to get busy I keep hearing this voice say, “This isn’t it.”  I heard those all familiar words at the first of this year. It was once again very frustrating for me.  What did I do?  I obeyed what I believed the Holy Spirit was telling me to do.  I totally backed off and stopped volunteering what I was doing at a particular church.

I haven’t arrived at where I desire and believe I will be one day…  I have a lot of hopes and dreams…  But I do believe I am exactly where I am supposed to be.  I’m taking in everything I can as I continue to wait and seek the Lord. 

The following message by Brian Bloye, “When Life Makes You Wait.”  Has been one of those moments where God has affirmed His presence in my life.  This message really inspired me.  I hope it will you too.

My number one desire in life is to please God with all that I am.  I have a passion for people and a desire for others to come to know Jesus.  In my pursuit to know Him more I’ve moved from state to state serving Him… always willing to do whatever I thought God was leading me to do. 

The subtitle for Pete Wilson’s book Plan B, “What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought He would?”  is a question I have contemplated and thought about so many times over the past five years. 

I never dreamed I would be where I am today.  The heartbreak, brokenness, and shattered dreams have all left me with more questions than answers.  Many times I have sat back and asked God, “Where are You?”  Plan B has helped me begin to really dive into those places of my life where I still hurt and question God.

Pete Wilson tackles this question “What do you do when God doesn’t show up the way you thought He would?” in Plan B.  He dives into the lives of many we find in the Bible as well as people living today dealing with issues that we all face at some time or another in our lives.

Plan B living may be the story of your life right now.  If so, take the time to understand who you are in Christ and let these encouraging and challenging words by Pete Wilson begin to help you on your journey.

I think there is a question that can lead us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God… if we have the guts to ask it. 

The question is this: What would you do if you were absolutley confident God was with you? (Plan B – 67).

One thing God continues to show me is that this life is not about me.  It is all about Him.  Just because we are faithful to do what He leads us to do doesn’t guarantee success… at least the way most of us would define it.

Just because God calls you to some venture, that doesn’t guarantee the venture will succed.  Just because life doesn’t turn out the way you thought, that doesn’t mean you missed God’s will. (Plan B – 79).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

This is a repost from January 31, 2009
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Did you know that you can’t have an encounter with God and walk away the same? When you have an encounter with God your life is going to change. Moses spent 40 days on the mountain with God his face radiated with the glory of God. When you spend time with the LORD people are going to know it.

I called a friend a couple of weeks ago and when he heard my voice he said, “I must have made an impression on you back in college.” I asked, “Why are you saying that?” He replied, “Those you leave an impression on will always remember you.”

What sort of impression do you leave on others?

“You were not created to be normal. God’s desire for you is not compliance and conformity. You have been baptized by Spirit and fire. Asleep within you is a barbarian a savage to all who love the prim and proper. You must go to the primal place and enter the presence of the Most High God, for there you will be changed by His presence. Let Him unleash the untamed faith within you.” (Erwin McManus, The Barbarian Way, 82).

I’ve started teaching my daughter to drive. It’s been a great experience and I have cherished every moment with her behind the wheel. I can tell with each day she sits down in the drivers seat she is gaining more confidence.

In Andy Stanley’s message, “Pray until the peace comes,” he asks, “What drives your prayers?” I answered, “Fear and worry.”

As my daughter got behind the wheel for the first time I know she was afraid. I’m not sure what she was most afraid of (the car, messing up, or how I might react to her messing up). Over several days she has gotten better with more and more confidence.

As I’ve observed and coached my daughter, I’ve thought about my own fears and how often I don’t allow God to coach and train me through my fears. I am not like my daughter learning to drive as I tend to grip the steering wheel of life too tightly, step on the gas too hard, and when it comes to braking – I haven’t quite managed how to delicately apply them. I’m getting concerned that maybe I’m frustrating God with my inability to overcome my fears.

“If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and want be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who ‘worry their prayers’ are like wind-whipped waves.” (James 1:5-7, The Message).

“…get serious, really serious. Get down on you knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet,” (James 4:8b-9, The Message).

2009 has been a great year for me. It has also been a very difficult one. I know a week ago God began leading me to focus on prayer for the remainder of this year. A much different kind of prayer.

“The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.” (James 5:16b, The Message).

The title of the talk I heard Andy Stanley give, “Pray until the peace comes” has become my personal theme for the rest of this year. I must let God in on what my deepest fears and desires are.

The words of Paul sum it up,

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers. Letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (Philippians 4:6-7, The Message).

I’m praying until the peace comes.

Do you ever watch the news and wonder what was really said? I do. I want to know the context of the sound bite the networks show us.

I recall attending the Inauguration for George W Bush’s first term. I was amazed at my experience! It is by far one of the greatest moments of my life. If you weren’t there then you didn’t really see and hear what all I got to see and hear. You saw what the networks wanted you to see.

To a degree lately I’ve been living my life feeding off of one sound bite after the other. I’m not talking news but rather small little quotes from books and Twitter. My journal is starting to gather quite the collection.

Most that make the journal are powerful bites that are more like an energy drink (I guess… Although I’ve never had an energy drink). They are great for the moment until the next one comes across my eyes and makes me stop and think for a minute.

We can’t live our lives and remain healthy if all I do is eat little snacks all day long. There comes a time when one has to sit down for a meal. It’s the same for our spiritual lives. We need to take time daily to dine with our Heavenly Father. Then take what He gives us to someone else.

So, in this world of sound bites and Twitter that we live in – remember – that when Jesus says, “Come be my disciples. I will show you how to fish for people.” He didn’t show his disciples how in 140 charcters or less. It was a painful process that took getting involved in the lives of others. It involved courage and risk that led to him giving his life for them and us.

Let me leave you with a “sound bite” from Bill Hybels book Holy Discontent,

“If something is worth giving your life to, it will inherently involve a high level of risk.”(86).

I’m watching the Tour de France and am amazed at the strength of the riders.  I am blown away at the thought of how much training these guys have gone through in order to ride their bicycles the distance and at the pace that they will go over the next several weeks.

It’s remarkable that Lance Armstrong is making a comeback after being out for 4 years at age 37.  Not to mention he has already won the Tour 7 times after his fight with cancer.  He is in 3rd place now after the 3rd stage.  Amazing!

I think about the training that I must go through as a Christian in order to live the life Christ has placed before me.  As I see these well conditioned cyclists, I ask myself, “Is my spiritual life as well conditioned as these guys are physically?”  Paul exhorts us, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

Are you running the course of your life to win?  Are you conditioned in such a way you will finish strong?  Do you have someone who is running with you to push the limits of your faith?  Are you on a team (a part of a small group) that will help you get to the finish line?  None of us can finish this life on our own.  We need each other if we are going to live and finish strong.

Thank God that He does give us difficult things to do! His salvation is a joyous thing, but it is also something that requires bravery, courage, and holiness. It tests us for all we are worth. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, July 7).

I’m having a beautiful moment with the Lord. I’ve wondered if this is one of those moments I should keep to myself or not. Obviously, I’ve decided to share a bit of it.

I’m worlds apart from the person I am to the person I dream of becoming. I wake everyday hoping that today I become more like the man I have entrusted every bit of hope I have… The man is Jesus Christ.

The lyrics of Worlds Apart by Jars of Clay are more beautiful than anything I could ever write on my own:

I pray… “To rid myself of all but love, to give and die… Take my world apart – I am on my knees – take my world apart – broken on my knees… All I am for all you are because what I need and what I believe are worlds apart.” (Jars of Clay).

I pray God takes my world apart and uses me for His glory. I ask him to use the breath He has given me to glorify Himself however he chooses.

I’m understanding today a little bit about obedience thanks to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. I am am rejoicing today with the words of David found in 2 Samuel 22:21-25,

“God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I cleaned up my act, he gave me a fresh start. Indeed, I’ve kept alert to God’s ways; I haven’t taken God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works, I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.”

God take my world apart and let me change the world for your glory…