Two articles and a blog...

Here are two excellent articles that Darrel sent me the other day - I hope the links work!

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life_article.php?id=7153

http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life_article.php?id=6966

Here is a blog Darrel sent me that is excellent, too!

http://eclesia.blogspot.com/2006/03/run-laity-are-coming.html

They will really challenge your thinking about the modern man-made structure we call church and how it differs from the original plan for God's Church - the body.

Have a great Easter weekend!

Eureka!

I have always been a reader. I love books - mostly fiction books - mostly suspenseful books. I used to be an avid Stephen King fan in college, but I found that I just couldn't deal with the demonic scary stuff so well. Anyway, I did read the current Stephen King novel, "Cell" which was ok, but I could have done without the f-word every other sentence. I have always loved Frank Perretti, too. Well, recently I bought the book "House" which Frank authored with another writer. It was a great read. That's when I made my most recent discovery - Ted Dekker. I went immediately to our local Library and checked out one of his novels, "Three". I finished it last night around midnight. I am completely taken with this writer. Dekker is a master storyteller who gives a much better ride than Mr. King. I am starting the book "Black" today - it's the first of a trilogy.

What a find...Eureka!

Good ol' American Guilt...

Well, I feel guilty about saying all those mean things about the other contestants. I should wish them all good luck in the contest and hope they do their best. So, sorry about the smart remarks. But I'm still not happy about Mandisa getting voted off...

It appears that I have way too much time on my hands.

American Idol tonite

Well, I'm so disappointed that Madisa was voted off American Idol tonight. This cometition has become more and more about looks and less and less about talent. Mandisa made a strong stand for Christ, and I'm sure that this is what ultimately sunk her. Oh well, no worries - God has something else for her - I'm sure there are no end to the offers that are poring in for her right now. God bless you, Mandisa - you are truly beautiful inside and out.

I'm not sure if it will be worth missing CSI to watch American Idol anymore...The performances have been blah. Next week should be better - the music of Queen. Ah, I'll be enjoying some of my favorites I hope - maybe Ace will sing "Bohemian Rhapsody" or Bucky will do his rendition of "We Will Rock You". I think Kellie Pickler doing "Another One Bites the Dust" would be sooo entertaining. Wow. Simon should have a heyday.

OK, I'm down off my soap box - something more serious next time.

Message Weekly

I get a scripture from the Message Bible weekly in my email inbox. This week's scripture just hit me, so I wanted to share it with you.

It comes from Galatians 2:20 - "I identified myself completely with Him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me live is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

This is essential for me today. I need to be reminded that I am not my own - I belong to Him. He lives in me, through me. Who I appear to be to others or how I appear to live is not the point anymore. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks of me. I don't need anyone's "ok" on how I'm doing as a servant of Jesus Christ. Neither do I need to give my opinion on how anyone else is doing. I am no longer driven to impress God - I am secure in the fact that He sees Christ when He looks at me. He sees that the sacrifice has been made and I am His. That will not change. I am sealed to the day of my redemption. I cannot earn any more of His love - He's given me all that I could ever need. I don't have to perform well for Him to pleased with me.

Doug was talking with Darrel the other day. He had heard someone speaking about the fact that it isn't what we are doing that brings the attack of the enemy - it is who we are and who we are becoming that catches the enemy's attention. When Jesus was being baptized, God chose that moment to reveal how He felt about Jesus - Who Jesus was. God said, "This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased." Jesus is then led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He faces the challenges of His enemy. It isn't because Jesus is doing a good work by being baptized. It is because of what God says about Him that causes the enemy to take special notice.

I could never say it enough - it's not about what we do. It is about who we are. We are in Christ. Our agendas, our good works, out attempts at appearing righteous - they are no longer needed. We can clearly see that it does not impress God. He is not prouder of us because we are so "holy". We live this life by faith - relationship. We learn that holiness is not outward actions. It is love. Living a life motivated by love. That's what Jesus did. He was not holy because of the things He did - some of the things He did appeared to be unholy according to the religious people. He was holy because He was God - and God is love. Now check your definition of love. I won't go into that today, but that doesn't mean He's some big fluffy bunny in the sky. Love is passionate, wild, and dangerous. It is a fire, and it burns with holy passion.

Now, let men say what they will. Let others think what they like. It can't touch who I am - or who I am becoming. Let it be the same with you. Hold your tongue and let the world rage around you - find yourself rooted firmly in love.

So Efficient...?

My definitely better half helped me to see something about myself this week after much debate on my part. I guess I've always known that I'm this way...I just hated to admit it. The last few weeks have found me a little out of sorts. It seems that I have fallen back into a familiar pattern of dealing with people who I perceive are hurting me or those I love. It seems I have dug out my old filing system - which is oh so efficient if I do say so myself...

I have two major files into which I place the people I come in contact with each day: those who hurt me and those who don't. Seems logical doesn't it? When someone does something that hurts me, I immediately place them in the "hurt me" file. They beome "Joe who hurt me" or "Jane who I can't trust". But the problem is, once someone is in that file, it's hard to ever let them out. In other words, it's hard to forgive.

Darrel helped me to see that I had placed several people in this file, and it was beginning to affect our ministry together. I found out, however, that it is easier to chuck those files than I thought it would be. It was simply a decision. A choice. I chose to forgive and let them go. Now when I see these people, they are simply "Joe, a human being I won't judge" or "Jane who I chose to love anyway". Has it been an easy task? Well, easier than I thought. I have been given many opportunities this week. Some are easier to forgive than others. But, I am going to try to follow the example of my good friend, Brandon, who inspired us during a recent Mosaic to see people the way that Jesus sees them. To see past their humanity into their eternity. To stop running them down in my mind and with my mouth, and begin to build them up instead. To find those gifts and talents that God has given them, even if I don't like them very much.

I think this filing system will be much more efficient. Maybe now it will be "Joe, the encourager" or "Jane, the discerner". Seeing people not for who they are now, but who they are becoming. Seeing their place in the body of Christ. Recognizing that I am full of the same ability to hurt others. Realizing that I want to be seen as more than just my failures and faults. Knowing that we are all destined to bring glory to God.

Yes, I think this new system will be much more efficient...