Andrea's Insights
I have been excited about what God has been teaching me lately. After I stepped out of doing Young Life ministry, I had a hard time putting a finger on the Lord's purpose for this time in my life. Recently, I have been seeking and searching and have a slight clue to what He has for me right now. Dan and I were talking about our present purpose on this earth and like to correlate it to a rodeo bull. Before the bull goes out into the arena it is poked and prodded to make sure that it gives one of the wildest performances for the rider. We feel we are in that bull pen, waiting...being poked and prodded by the Lord to learn and grow closer to Him so that when he opens the gate for us, we can make sure to give the wildest ride we possibly can for Jesus. I am SO excited and can't wait to gain wisdom, passion, and compassion for our mission and life's ministry no matter what that turns out to be. Here are just a few pieces of insight I have been gaining lately.
I have been excited about what God has been teaching me lately. After I stepped out of doing Young Life ministry, I had a hard time putting a finger on the Lord's purpose for this time in my life. Recently, I have been seeking and searching and have a slight clue to what He has for me right now. Dan and I were talking about our present purpose on this earth and like to correlate it to a rodeo bull. Before the bull goes out into the arena it is poked and prodded to make sure that it gives one of the wildest performances for the rider. We feel we are in that bull pen, waiting...being poked and prodded by the Lord to learn and grow closer to Him so that when he opens the gate for us, we can make sure to give the wildest ride we possibly can for Jesus. I am SO excited and can't wait to gain wisdom, passion, and compassion for our mission and life's ministry no matter what that turns out to be. Here are just a few pieces of insight I have been gaining lately.
Crazy Love Book by Francis Chan
God created me for Him...for His glory, His honor, for me to show Him in all that I do (Colossians 1:16). In Chan's book he says "Don't we live instead as though God is created for us, to do our bidding, to bless us, and to take care of our loved ones?" (pg. 33). How often to I take for granted that I am here to please God...not for Him to please me.
Life is all about God...when I stress and worry, I am showing Him and everyone around me that my circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. Me, my finances, my relationships, my children, my family, or what I am making for dinner are not more important than the work God created for me...stop stressing.
As Chan said: "Both worry and stress reek of arrogance." (pg. 42) OUCH!!
"I am still dumb enough to forget that life is all about God and not about me at all." (pg. 42)
I want to desire Him...not just have a daily devotional, but desire Him in all that I do. Matthew 22:37-38 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind". What a commandment!!!!!!!
Francis Chan's thoughts:
"Over time I realized that when we love God, we naturally run to Him-frequently and zealously." (pg. 57)
God had great plans for me...He knew me before I was born...knew what I was going to say and do...WOW!!! (Jerimiah 1:5). I can't wait to do what He has planned for me...daily...what is it tomorrow? :0).
Chan's interpretation of this:
"My existence was not random, nor was it an accident. God knew who He was creating, and He designed me for a specific work." (pg. 59)
Life is all about God...when I stress and worry, I am showing Him and everyone around me that my circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. Me, my finances, my relationships, my children, my family, or what I am making for dinner are not more important than the work God created for me...stop stressing.
As Chan said: "Both worry and stress reek of arrogance." (pg. 42) OUCH!!
"I am still dumb enough to forget that life is all about God and not about me at all." (pg. 42)
I want to desire Him...not just have a daily devotional, but desire Him in all that I do. Matthew 22:37-38 "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind". What a commandment!!!!!!!
Francis Chan's thoughts:
"Over time I realized that when we love God, we naturally run to Him-frequently and zealously." (pg. 57)
God had great plans for me...He knew me before I was born...knew what I was going to say and do...WOW!!! (Jerimiah 1:5). I can't wait to do what He has planned for me...daily...what is it tomorrow? :0).
Chan's interpretation of this:
"My existence was not random, nor was it an accident. God knew who He was creating, and He designed me for a specific work." (pg. 59)
Bible Study Fellowship
I am just amazed at Jesus life here on earth. The example He left for us to follow is astonishing!! I have gone through the book of John a few times since I have become a Christian and pointed many Young Life kids to read the book of John, but I can truly say this time it is showing me how amazing the life of Christ really was.
Also, I was struck by John the Baptist. When he was ministering the people asked him over and over who he was. John conitnued to point toward Jesus. He could have easily taken the credit and brought confidence, glory, honor, and fame to himself at that moment, but he chose to make Jesus name known in whatever he was doing. What an example for us!!!!! (John 3:22-36)
I am just amazed at Jesus life here on earth. The example He left for us to follow is astonishing!! I have gone through the book of John a few times since I have become a Christian and pointed many Young Life kids to read the book of John, but I can truly say this time it is showing me how amazing the life of Christ really was.
Also, I was struck by John the Baptist. When he was ministering the people asked him over and over who he was. John conitnued to point toward Jesus. He could have easily taken the credit and brought confidence, glory, honor, and fame to himself at that moment, but he chose to make Jesus name known in whatever he was doing. What an example for us!!!!! (John 3:22-36)
Songs Touch the Heart
I LOVE music. I always have to be listening to something and really listening. It inspires my thinking, my ministry opportunities, and my life. Lately I have been listening to kids music with Marissa. At first I was disappointed that "my music" had been replaced, however, God can inspire anything...and He does. He has been "awe-ing" me lately with the fact that He is so personal, cares so much, and desires us with such passion. Here is a children's song that talks about Jesus passing through the city of Jericho...with no intention to stop until he noticed a broken, searching, humbled man. In the end, because of His heart for this searching man, Jesus saved Zacchaeus' life. How amazing that God cares for a sinful, unliked, morally wrong, person...and took the time to seek and save him!
Who Am I (Faith Kids--Blue Album)
Who am I? Lost in a crowd smaller than me.
Who am I? A sinner with greed, that's all they see.
So I run ahead, to higher ground, but I did not know I was going to be found.
When you came to the place, looked up and saw me, on a branch of a sycamore tree.
Today, salvation came to my house, because I am the son of Abraham.
The Son of Man came into my house to seek and save me.
Who am I, am I riches and fame, abusing my name?
No, no, no I am a good man, I give to the poor, over 4-fold.
Now there's something about the way you speak,
oh its not just your words that give strength to the weak.
It's the way that you say "come down from that tree",
it's the way that you say "come follow me, today".
Today, salvation came to my house, because I am the son of Abraham.The Son of Man came and into my house to seek and save me.
How often do I stop and seek out those that are truly broken and lost, but deep down want to be saved and want to see Jesus? And how much does God love his broken people...that's me? WOW!
I LOVE music. I always have to be listening to something and really listening. It inspires my thinking, my ministry opportunities, and my life. Lately I have been listening to kids music with Marissa. At first I was disappointed that "my music" had been replaced, however, God can inspire anything...and He does. He has been "awe-ing" me lately with the fact that He is so personal, cares so much, and desires us with such passion. Here is a children's song that talks about Jesus passing through the city of Jericho...with no intention to stop until he noticed a broken, searching, humbled man. In the end, because of His heart for this searching man, Jesus saved Zacchaeus' life. How amazing that God cares for a sinful, unliked, morally wrong, person...and took the time to seek and save him!
Who Am I (Faith Kids--Blue Album)
Who am I? Lost in a crowd smaller than me.
Who am I? A sinner with greed, that's all they see.
So I run ahead, to higher ground, but I did not know I was going to be found.
When you came to the place, looked up and saw me, on a branch of a sycamore tree.
Today, salvation came to my house, because I am the son of Abraham.
The Son of Man came into my house to seek and save me.
Who am I, am I riches and fame, abusing my name?
No, no, no I am a good man, I give to the poor, over 4-fold.
Now there's something about the way you speak,
oh its not just your words that give strength to the weak.
It's the way that you say "come down from that tree",
it's the way that you say "come follow me, today".
Today, salvation came to my house, because I am the son of Abraham.The Son of Man came and into my house to seek and save me.
How often do I stop and seek out those that are truly broken and lost, but deep down want to be saved and want to see Jesus? And how much does God love his broken people...that's me? WOW!
Perfection for an inspirational, perfect, Holy God!
Lately, I have been convicted to take a deep look at what I am intentionally doing for the Lord. God has called me here on earth for a greater purpose than to get by daily and just survive. He wants me to thrive and make Him known through everything I do. What a calling!!!! So, in that calling...am I showing others, my daughter, husband, friends, and family a half-hearted, "only on 'my' time" kind of a God. I hope not. When people think of God they think of perfection, and Holiness. So why don't I show others the perfection and Holiness of God. In all I do daily and in the ministries that He has called me to be a part of, I strongly desire to show that perfection. That means taking every opportunity I can to show this...no matter the cost (time, money, whatever it takes). I know God calls us to more than mediocrity, so why would I not show others who God really is...AMAZING...in everything I do?
Lately, I have been convicted to take a deep look at what I am intentionally doing for the Lord. God has called me here on earth for a greater purpose than to get by daily and just survive. He wants me to thrive and make Him known through everything I do. What a calling!!!! So, in that calling...am I showing others, my daughter, husband, friends, and family a half-hearted, "only on 'my' time" kind of a God. I hope not. When people think of God they think of perfection, and Holiness. So why don't I show others the perfection and Holiness of God. In all I do daily and in the ministries that He has called me to be a part of, I strongly desire to show that perfection. That means taking every opportunity I can to show this...no matter the cost (time, money, whatever it takes). I know God calls us to more than mediocrity, so why would I not show others who God really is...AMAZING...in everything I do?
A thought on a Holy God from Crazy Love by Francis Chan
"Many Spirit-filled authors have exhausted the thesaurus in order to describe God with the glory He deserves. His perfect holiness, by definition, assures us that our words can't contain Him. Isn't it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?" (pg. 31)
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