Here.Am.I.

Posted: Monday, March 8, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, 2k7 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Here.Am.I.

This is a post that I started yesterday.  Actually it was the 2nd half of yesterday’s post….which would have been WAY too long.  So…here it is now, as promised.

Shortly after attending the conference, I found myself reading Encounter God in the City by Randy White.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to discover the exceptional power of experiential discipleship and transformational experience.  Here are a few notes from my journal while reading this book…

  • I’m living intentionally in a high crime, high poverty neighborhood in the city.
  • Cities – not just an area to serve, but to grow my faith and discover a meaningful life where I can be transformed.
  • I will be a repairer of broken walls and restorer of streets with dwellings.
  • Making things the way they should be

IN people,

BETWEEN people, and

FOR people

Human beings dwelling in peace in all relationships with God, self, fellows and nature.

  • Holy Pestering of city bureaucracy

Psalm 82:3-4

2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

I am reminded of the story in Luke 1:26-38 of when the God sent the angel Gabriel who appeared to Mary.  Gabriel said that the Lord was with her and that she was highly favored.  She asked a simple clarifying question.  After hearing the answer, Mary then responded, I am the Lord’s servant.  May it be so, Lord.

Now that I am reminded of all of this…what now?  Lord, as my job soon comes to an end…what do you want me to do?  This time, Lord…it’s not “Not me, Lord! I’m not ready!”  This time…it is “Here am I…your servant….may it be so!  Lord, may it be so.”

On a side note…The funeral for my colleague was wonderful and uplifting!  I also spent some time with my neighbor this evening. She’s in good shape…. considering.  Her hope and trust is in the Lord!  It was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  I understand there were plenty of witnesses.  Pray for justice!  Please keep both families in your prayers.

Do Whatever He Tells You

Posted: Sunday, March 7, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k7 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Do Whatever He Tells You

My Journals from the Last 5 Years

Just today I found my journal for 2007….here are some clips from it.  I’m glad I found it and had a chance to read it again.  It reminds me of God’s faithfulness and what he was stirring in my heart 3 years ago!!!  There’s definitely a theme of hearing and doing!  And bringing God glory.

12.31   James 1:22-25

  • When the Holy Spirit reveals something…ACT.  Do something about it.  Don’t walk away. Or you’ll forget.  Blessings come from listening and acting.

1.6       ComChap Church Service (don’t know the scripture reference)

  • Go out into the world…uncorrupted – a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society.
  • Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.
  • May my life bring glory to God.  I want to be fresh air!!!
  • Church – end of service…read lambs among wolves…the windows being shot out of my old car.

The weekend of 1.19-20.2007 – Kay Arthur Conference at Thomas Road Baptist Church “Whatever He Says, Do It!”  My friend Grayson and her mom, Judy and I attended this conference, which was so full of good stuff.  This is just a few of my notes from it…

  • Guard Your Glory! Don’t exchange your Glory for idols.
  • Glory = honor, true unchanging essence of God
  • Whatever He says – DO IT!!! -> is bringing God glory
  • God, help me guard my glory.
  • John 17 -> Glorify God on earth, accomplish the work HE gives you to do.
  • Guard your Christlikeness!
  • Numbers 14:21 – may it begin now – with us guarding our glory

I don’t remember everything that was going on at this time, but these were the messages I was hearing from the Lord.  I started crying from almost the moment I walked through the door of that conference.  For the Lord was doing a real work in me….preparing me for something.  In addition, we studied the story of Jesus turning the water into wine in John 2 (paying close attention to vs. 4-5).

John 2 (NLT) (click to read the whole scripture)

4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”

5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Throughout the end of 2006 and early 2007, I do remember saying to Him….What do you want from me?  I’m not ready.  Not me!  It’s not my time!  (vs 4)  But it was clear that I was at this conference to hear “Do whatever he tells you.” (vs 5)  It was time to take a risk and do whatever He tells me to do…in spite of what others may think.

Within a week, Marcellous was in the hospital and KK was living with me!  Who woulda thought?

Be Still.

Posted: Friday, March 5, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: 2k10, 2k7, Louis and Me! | Tags: , , , , , , | Comments Off on Be Still.

Psalm 46:

10.  “Be still, and know that I am God;  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

By the end of the summer….God had told me…not in an audible voice….but in a peaceful kind of way, that He was going to provide the other 1/2 of my pair in December of that year.  I sensed it…I felt it in my spirit.  I was shocked when Marc confirmed it soon after.  He came to me….explaining that he really felt that I was going to meet someone in 4th quarter.  Can you believe it?!?!  We couldn’t!!  We could both be right!!!  We both heard the same thing just differently…because December is in 4th quarter!!!

Now, some of you might be thinking…I don’t understand.  You heard from God?  Did you hear Him speak?  What does that mean exactly??? God communicates in many ways.  One secret to hearing Him…is being silent every now and then.  Kinda hard to hear Him when there is a lot of distractions and noise around.  The Lord often speaks to me through Scriptures.  When I am reading…like back in Luke 10:1-7, the Word becomes alive.  That is why it sometimes is referred to as The Living Word.  You can read scripture over and over….and think you have learned a ton…everything.  Then…days/months/years later you read it again…and something else jumps off the page…like lambs among wolves.  Other times, He uses other people to share with you.  There are many many ways to hear from the Lord.  (You might also remember the stories about Saul/Paul, the burning bush, donkey, etc. as well!)

When you do hear, I’d encourage you to write it down.  Journal.  I must admit…that’s the only way I remember this story like I do…because I keep a journal.  Habakkuk 2:1-2

A couple of  scriptures you might want to read, but there’s a whole lot more!  1 Kings 19:9b-20,  Acts 2:1-4, 17

There have been many times that I needed an answer at a major fork in the road (like moving to StLouis or not) or even something more simple.  or I just needed some reassurance and some peace. I got still and heard from Him who has all the answers.

So…tell me….what is your favorite scripture regarding hearing from God? or tell me about a time when you clearly heard from the Lord.  I’m tired of doing all the talking! 🙂  It’s your turn now!  Feel free to comment!

If you want to talk about this more….don’t hesitate to contact me!  Would love to chat about it with you.  Or…go to your Pastor if you have one…and explore more.

Peace!