There Must Be More

Sorry that I have not been writing in this as much as I would like to. I sometimes find it difficult to find good topics to write about. Anyway, I went to chapel at NCCS today. So many memories came back, good and not quite as good ones. I still have a longing in my heart to see a change at New Covenant. It still seems as though they are stuck in the same things. I just know that God wants so much more for for them, why settle? Last year I gave a talk entitled "There Must Be More" and I know that God is wanting to do more and pour out his spirit in a way they have never experienced, he is just waiting for surrender and some of the walls and chains to be broken. I also am experiencing what I was just talking about in my own life, the whole idea that there must be more than what I am experiencing right now, and there is. So if there is so much more why do I continue to sit back instead of pursueing it. I believe that believers should be operating on such a deeper level and intimacy with God. We should be laying our hands on the sick and watching them recover, praying and seeing the results, etc. So why aren't we? Honestly, I personally believe it is because of a lack of surrender. How many times do we continuosly hold onto things that God is telling us to let go of. If we just boldly did what God told us to do, without complaining and with a good attitude, think of the impact that would have. Complete Surrender!!! I believe God wants and will use us if we will only let go of the things he is telling us to let go of.

Another thing I had been thinking about was the whole concept of dating and/or courting. I remember Pastor Dave saying a while back that he thinks courting is full of rules, and he doesn't like or agree with the book "I kissed dating goodbye". I was so relieved to hear that. All my life, (mostly at New Covenant) I have been taught that dating was bad and that God didn't like it, courting was always shown to be the best. But in courting everyone always said you hang out in groups and can't go places by yourselves, etc. How in the world are you supposed to get to know a person if you can't hang out with them one on one? My belief is you shouldn't date unless you think there is a possibility that you could marry the person, not just go from girl to girl, boy to boy. Also talk to God and see if you have peace about dating the person. Also I think each couple should talk about standards and what they will and will not do. Obviously don't allow yourself to be put in a compromising situation, but that doesn't mean you can't go get coffee together or go bowling. Anyway, my whole percpective on dating has changed, I now don't think its "evil", however, I am not just going to go out and date a bunch of guys. I hope that the next time I date someone it is the person I will end up marrying. I plan to wait until God brings that certain someone in my life.

Kingdom of God and Politics

This semester I have been attending a government internship class, which actually is pretty cool. Different speakers come and talk to us about their positions and how they feel about certain issues. Last week, however, was definitely one of the best. We had the new mayor of Lansing come in, Virg Bernero, and his speech was definitely interesting. All I can say is I hope none of my friends who live in Lansing voted for him. Now I know politics is full of people who lie and it can be very deceitful, but this guy flat out told us he lied all the time. He said its important to say you have "a plan" even if you don't have one because it makes you look good. He also completely bashed Bush, for no good reason. He said he didn't like his face or the way he talked. Oh he also said he is waiting for Bush's plan about the war in Iraq. Not only that but he even critized all republicans in general. At the beginning he said he was bi-partisan, but it was quite obvious later on that it was a lie. He asked us how we could even call ourselves Republicans because we make absolutely no sense. Now I admit not everything the Republicans do makes sense or is right, however, the democrats make even less sense on more issues. At the end he told one of his assistants that we deserved the "truth" and thats why he told us all of that. I was so mad when I left. Anyway, I think I needed to vent...I might as well add though that the democrats in my class didn't like him either, one of them called him a weasal, and that he dodges questions. One person in my class asked what he is going to do to help lower college tution and all, and his reply was that young people don't care about politics and don't vote, so why should they be helped. Whats up with that?? Anyway, I digress.....

About the Kingdom of God and how it relates to politics is quite interesting. Do you ever get sick of hearing the same messages only in different words, and when you finally do hear something new its refreshing and so amazing? Well I heard a message like that yesterday. Miles Munroe is a preacher from the Bahamas and he was on Benny Hinns program and what he shared was amazing, it makes complete sense yet I've never heard it preached before. It was about how the Kingdom of God is not a democracy or a republic. It is ruled by a King (Jesus).
So in a democracy you vote, when there is a king, you don't. The king's word becomes law, you don't question it, you just obey. In the church we sometimes vote on what we want, it becomes religious, we treat the kingdom of God like a democracy. Oh my gosh there is so much that I can't even remember and write it all, but it was amazing and I don't know if I'm even making sense here. He also talked about ambassadors, and how that is a political term and not a religious term. God called us to be his ambassadors. When you are an ambassador you represent an entire country, hence the reason we are ambassadors, we represent the Kingdom of God. When you become an ambassador the government takes care of everything for you, your food, childs tuition, bills, cars, ect. They don't want you to be worried about anything else, they just want you to well represent your country. That why Jesus said don't worry about what you shall eat, drink, or wear....God provides all of it for us, so that we can focus on representing him on the earth. Anway, there was so much more, and I hope I made sense, I couldn't possibly describe it how he did, but he will be on all week if any of you have time to watch it. I highly recommend it, I think I might read his book....Oh my reading list is getting way to long, so many good books so little time...

More about Captivating

I said I would be writing more about what I have been learning about this book, so here it is:

There is so much to say about this book, and I could not possibly talk about all the things I have learned. Another thing the authors were talking about was the fact that every girl/women wants to be a part of an adventure. She wants her part in the adventure to be irreplacable. She doesn't just want to be the helper or the servant, which God also created her to help and serve but that is not all she is designed to do. Obviously no one likes the feeling that somehow they can be replaced, that is what jealousy is, the feeling that you can somehow be replaced. One of the most important things to a girl is to know that she is loved unconditionally and will never be replaced, to have that sense of security and trust is vital. One of the things God has been teaching me in my own life is that he loves me unconditionally and there is nothing I could say or do to make Him love me more or less. That is so freeing, because then I am not trying to perform or act like something I am not. Because of that I can love him more and feel free to be myself knowing that he won't reject me. And because I know I am precious in the eyes of God and He will never reject me, I have more freedom to be myself around others.

If we were to have a real revelation of the love of Christ, I believe it would completely change us. Change how we perceive God, change how we think of ourselves, and change what we think about others.

Not all of the things I talked about were from the book, but it was things that I have been thinking about sense reading the book.

Christian or Disciple?

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately on what it means to be a Christian, and I've been thinking if I even like that term. I'm beginning to realize that to say you are a Christian in todays culture really doesn't always mean a whole lot. Pretty much everyones a "christian". But what does it really mean to be one? I was watching the Ramp the other day, which for you who haven't heard me talk about it is a great youth group in Alambama, and Karen Wheaton was talking about this exact same thing. She said the word Christian is mentioned only 3 times in the Bible and the word disciple is mention over a hundred times. A disciple is someone who is willing to lay down there absolute all and follow Christ, no matter what the cost. She was also talking about people in China who follow Christ and the criteria for being a pastor there is you have to have been in prison at least once, and in Pakistan if you are caught worshipping you lose your right arm, but they say, "thats ok I still have one more to raise!". I don't know about you but that amazes me. I want to love Christ like that. Here in America we have it so easy, we take so many things for granted. Actually Christians are sometimes the hardest to be around. I work at Celebration and whenever we have Christian movies come out the Christians that come to see those are worse that the people that come to see the nasty R rated movies...ITS PATHETIC! It makes me so upset. Pastor Dave was talking about last night how if you are going to use the name of Jesus make sure that you are kind and compassionate. That is definitely the opposite of what many Christians are today. (Which by the way church was AWESOME last night!)

I just want to make sure that I am continually surrendering my all to God. I've realized how apathetic and mediocre I had been in my in my relationship with God. I mean he is the Creator of the entire Universe and sometimes we just push Him aside. I no longer want to live a mediocre life....I want to surrender everything I have no matter what the cost, I want to continue to go deeper into the heart of God everyday. Many times we say we want to know God, but do we really? Even the painful sides? If we want to know if as the Comforter something is going to have to happen in our lives when we need comforting. If we want to know him as the Healer than something has to happen in our lives where we need healing emotionally or physically. Now I'm not saying that God makes us sick or whatever, but I am saying that sometimes he allows things to happen in our lives so that He can display his glory. Damon Thompson who is another person that speaks at the ramp, said that "God didn't just go to the cross to take your place, he went to the cross to show you how to die." Being a Christian isn't always going to be easy but its going to be well worth the cost.

Romanced

I have been really trying to think of good topics to write about in my blog, but it normally takes a long time before I come up with a good one.

Anyway, I thought I would write about some of the things I have been learning in the book, Capitivating. So far my favorite part in the book has been the chapter on romance. They (John and Stasi Eldredge) talk about how God wants to romance us, and He shows his love for us in so many different ways.They also talk about how God wants to pour out his love on us, he wants to romance us. They said, "God delights in revealing himself to those who will seek him with all their hearts. He is an extravagant, abundant Lover, and he loves to reveal his heart to us again and again."

I have never really thought of God as a Lover. I have always thought of Him as a Father or a friend, which he also is, but to know that God can even satisfy the longing in my heart to be pursued, fought for, loved, romanced, is amazing. Another part in the book which I am going to quote is kinda long, but I love it...They said,

"Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart. God's version of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion....He knows what takes your breath away, knows what makes your heart beat faster."

I will most likely be writing so much more about this book, but I just wanted to share a little bit about what I have been learning from this amazing book.

Importance of Friendships and Praise

Alright, I really don't even know why I even write in this thing because it seems like no one reads it besides my brother, but I'm scared to write certain things in here just in case some people do read it.

Anyway, as you already know I started an internship a couple weeks ago and it is amazing, I have been able to attend so many meetings and write articles for a newsletter and meet different people...I love it!!!!

Different subject....but have any of you just get tired of hearing the same old things, like wishing that you could once again just have deep and meaningful conversation with a close friend. I just sometimes get so tired of the pointless meaningless talk with people that I would consider to be "aquaintances". Its so hard to find true friends nowadays. Now I know it takes a while to cultivate a good relationship with someone but I haven't really found any people lately that I would think I could have a good relationship with, (besides sara)....(nick, and aaron are also my close friends but they all live quite a ways away). Not that I am at all taking them for granted, they are amazing people, and everytime I hang out with them I actually walk away feeling like I have learned something. I also know that I can always be myself around them, so thank you for your friendship, you guys are awesome and I thank God for placing you in my life.

Another change of subject....God has been teaching me lately the importance of praise and just spending time with Him. Its amazing how I could just be having a horrible day but just start praising him for things and its like he just lifts the burdens right off of your shoulders...its amazing! The power of praise is amazing. Another thing that God has been teaching me is about how sometimes I just go to Him when I need something. Like I go to Him when times are hard, he fills me with joy and peace and then I go on for a couple days just living off that one experience. God wants so much more than that, he wants are relationship. I think another thing that adds to that in my life which I wrote in one of my earlier posts is the false idea that God is always mad at me for the things I've done, so it seems like I can't go to him...I know this is a lie.

Running in Place......

Do you ever feel like your running in place? I mean spiritually....I just always get so mad at myself, I tell God that I'm sorry and say that I'll continue to turn to Him but then I always mess up again....It gets sooooo annoying. And then after I do mess up I feel like I can't go to God because He's mad at me, I know this isn't true but it just seems so real. It feels like I have to be perfect all the time to get God to be pleased with me, and I know that isn't true either. I just wish I could get a revelation of His unconditional love for me. I feel like that one part in the Bible where Paul says something like, the things that I want to do I don't do, and things I don't want to do I do.