Discouragement

   Discouragement. We all experience it. But when we have a relationship with Jesus, the King of Kings He knows exactly how to encourage us. For me, God always sings a song to me. Either as I sleep a song plays over and over, or when I wake up a song comes to me, or in prayer one bubbles us and the lyrics always blow my mind because they hit perfectly.
     Well last night my hubs dreamed my eyes were candles and he kept trying to light them but my tears kept turning them off. I prayed about his dream and "Light in Your eyes"  by LeAnn Rimes began playing in my spirit. Seriously, only GOD knows our hearts and ALWAYS has the perfect words. There is so much comfort knowing God sees me and knows me like no one else. He's such a great father, an amazing King and I will worship Him all my days. 

High School Roles

       I've spend years in church and what I've learned is that the role you had in High School will probably be the same social group you will be drawn to in life, including church. You may not believe me but ask those you consider friends in church. I bet they were in the same group you were in while in High School or reflect your same experience.
        Were you popular? I bet your buddies in church were too. Ask! All the popular people still have the same personality and are still drawn to each other, and acting just as preppy as ever. I'm not saying they are mean, I'm just saying it's the same. The same thing goes with everyone else. This is why there is such a cast system in church. This is why I was drawn to psychology and sociology. I see things differently. I notice things like this. I'm not being judgmental in my blogs. I shed light on these things in hopes that unity will prevail.
         Many times we don't know why we don't click with someone or why we are drawn to others. I'm speaking for myself as well. I was not "popular". I've always had a unique group of friends. I hung out with a little bit of everyone, but never really clicked with the "popular" people. I found myself not clicking with certain people at church and didn't know why. But then I realized who they were. They were the "popular" kids. The personality is still the same. When I realized what it was I was able to change and try and stretch myself for the sake of unity. It's not that anything was wrong with them or me. We just didn't click. We could both mature and grow in areas to help unity.
           Maybe you are "popular" and don't know why you don't click with someone. Well I'm telling you, it's probably because they fall into a different group which is most easily seen in high school where the cast system is more accepted, easily seen and less taboo. You see, in High School the group you fall into is more obviously because jocks have jackets, band people carry their instruments to and from school, cheerleaders wear their outfits and so forth, gothic kids wear black, rockers have the chains and spikes etc. Who we were was more clearly seen outwardly. As we get older most of us all begin looking the same for the most part, but our hearts, our personalities are still in those groups.
          I remember this one lady snubbed me at church. It was odd. I was like "okay?  You work with me!" She was nice but as I got to know her I realized she was a "popular girl". She's a grown women and yet still carries that with her. I could say hi to her but she was not going to address me first. She was drawn to the fashion forward, yuppy and those who were just as desperate to keep and maintain popularity. All her friends in church, her group, were all the popular kids in school too. Interesting, right? My tone in this blog is not one of judgment but fascination, so please don't read me wrong.
         There are these unseen social groups we fall into that stop us from truly embracing and loving each other the way we could if we recognized them. Who we were in high school is usually the social group we will fall into as an adult. As a church, though, we should work at ripping those walls down so we can all love each other better. That means dropping our prejudices and allowing people to be who they are and loving them anyway. The only one who knows our heart is God and ourselves. Lets take an honest look and ask what part we can play to promote unity.
         For me I had/have to stop the knee jerk/eye roll reaction I have to a preppy personality. I'm being honest. Many times we do  this to people without realizing it because we've done it so long. The hardest part is being honest with ourselves, after that it's easy. I know you just like me want to love people well. We only need to see what's hindering us and move it out of the way. :-)

Leaving Church?

     Before reading this please read the blog I posted before this one. It's a link to an article from Charisma.
       Now since you've read the article lets move forward to my blog and thoughts. I love this article. It's my hubs and my heart. The Lord asked us to start a bible study in our home for this reason. So many loving people who are discouraged about church (building) but still want fellowship - a safe place to share life with other believers.
       It's easy to demonize those who leave church but it's not an accurate view of those who leave. Many are God fearing and loyally in love with Jesus. Plus, demonizing them and calling them names is only going to push those who left farther away, proving in their minds/hearts why their leaving to begin with. 
     A few people commented on this article on Facebook saying those who left must not know Jesus or they must be focusing on the perfection of the pastor and not on Jesus and etc. But I don't think this is the case. Many I've talked to are discouraged about the people in church. They can't connect or break through. The New Testament is full of wisdom on how to get along and grow a thriving community of faith but you hardly hear pastors teaching on it. The apostles were no stranger to this. Much of the New Testament we read about them teaching people how to get along. It seems in today's church the normal people are leaving because of the misbehavior and unbalanced behavior of those within that never get corrected because everyone else is suppose to get over it. But the apostles did not have this attitude. So why do some of today's apostles exhibit this "toughen up" solution?
       Anywhere you have a group of people there will be issues because we are all different, but the key is allowing people to be open and honest so peace can be made. All to often people leave because they didn't feel safe enough to express their hurt either because of a lack of intimacy or a "get over it attitude" by those in the church. Unresolved issues cause people to pack up. Maybe the church is more focused on numbers and fame then on really touching people's lives and getting their hands dirty? If we are to help people and promote and thriving church fellowship our hands will have to get dirty sometimes.
        The bible says if we put in the work we will reap the benefits of a thriving community within our churches. But anytime someone mentions something that's tripping up the ultimate goal of unity they are told to toughen up, get over it and then they are isolated... so they leave. It's almost as if having a fake image of unity is more accepted then truly working toward the real thing. 
        People go to church for fellowship, family and connection and when they are lonely they won't stay. Church goers will say, "You have to go to church, you need accountability and relationship etc" but those who left are like, " I never got any of that at church just more rejection. What are you talking about?" You're either in or your out. Those who are in don't understand why those who are out feel the way they do and vise versa. The experience is quite different depending if your in or out. For this reason we can't be judgmental about people's experiences because each can be true at the same time.
       Sadly all to often if you are out and end up leaving you are then called rebellious. Rebellious is a word used to control those who don't fit our agenda. Many are tired of the social games, cliques, agendas.. and they simply want Jesus. How is this rebellious? I believe these small home churches the article mentions are God sent. I call them safe houses. They gather those who have been scattered and help heal their wounds.
       Another issues that's causing people to leave is charismatic abuse. I've heard so many heart breaking stories, experienced some and witnessed some. It's really turned us off from many charismatic places, which is unfortunate. I am spirit filled, but someone of the forcefulness of the charismatic movement has traumatized many including myself. That's why I believe my hubs and I would provide a safe place for fellowship within our home because we know what it's like on the other end.
    It's not surprising that within the comments the article received on Facebook how the attitude many face within the church surfaced. We express hurt and open our hearts about what's pushing us away and some still comment with flip quick remarks like, "Here's a simple solution: follow Christ.." Most people in church know to follow Christ and to look at Jesus. To say this simply proves that some don't want to be bothered. They are satisfied and don't want anyone messing up their perfect experience. The truth is as the article mentions this is a huge issue and many are leaving the church (building). Obviously, the flip remarks and the "just get over it attitude" is not a solution. Another poster said about those leaving church, "Perhaps, it is because the people in question are not truly Christian."  and a lady responded, "Not necessarily true. I have left church but not God. The churches I have attended are either dead and irrelevant, or too crazy charasmatic. Real bible teaching is practically non-existent. Fellowship...what fellowship! I've attended church (several different ones) for over 10 years and have no one in any of those churches I am in contact with. Cliques and groups rule. Not interested." I'd have to agree with the ladies response. How are we going to again demonize those who leave by saying they are not Christians? Instead we should look in the mirror and ask why are they leaving? Switching churches is hard, it's not fun. If people are leaving there are reasons. It would be wise to listen to those reasons, pray about them and see if God would have a solution or better way for us next time.
    Several people who commented got it right, in my opinion. They said, "Are they really leaving the Church? Or are they leaving traditional religion, manipulating organizations in search of a deeper truer relationship with God. Some are being called into "New wineskins." and " I think the heart of the article is not that people are leaving "church" but many are 'becomeing the Church" more in small simple fellowships then in big buildings... more like the original "Church"...
      I don't want anyone who reads this to think I'm against church (building) because that's not true. Even in our Bible studies I'll always encourage people to find a church or be faithful at the churches they are in. There are lots of great churches out there but no perfect church. Remember churches are hospitals for the hurting and everyone is welcome, therefore you will not always have the experience you hope for all the time. The key is having leadership that addresses issues, builds bridges and creates an atmosphere were hurt is safe to expose and be healed. The question is not if you will get hurt it's when. And when you do does your church promote healing,forgiveness and unity? Or does it sweep it under the rug, tell you to toughen up, and act careless to things hindering fellowship?

Why Are So Many Christians Quitting Church?

Why Are So Many Christians Quitting Church?

I've misssed you!

    Hey friends! I've missed blogging. So much has been going on this past few weeks. My hubs and I bought a house! Between moving, living at my parents while refinishing wood floors and painting, then settling into our house, painting some more, unpacking, fixing the fence so our Basset Hound wont escape, decorating and more, I've been super busy. Through it all I was still inspired to write several blogs, but it's been hard to focus and finish them. I took notes on my phone so I hope to post some inspiration soon. I even started a few but saved them as a "draft". I haven't even had time to sit down and truly focus on my editor's edits on my 3rd book (2nd in the Notes for the Goats series). I can't wait to touch it up and publish it...finally. :-) Love and miss y'all.
     

Who you are

Eyes of Man

"What God considers His chosen is rarely if ever adequate in the eyes of man."

       Have you ever been picked by God to do something, be somewhere, be apart of a team etc and yet those surrounding the very place God's called you make it clear you're not adequate - you're not enough and you're not wanted. People don't have to come out and say, "I don't like you" for you to know you're unwanted. Their lack of consideration, sharpness, hard exterior make it clear.

      When God chooses to use someone, He's not thinking about what man thinks about. When we want to fill a spot of some sort (job, friendship etc) we often think of earthly things like looks. Does the person look the part? We also think about personality. Does this person click with me? When God looks at filling a spot He sees deep into a person's heart. It's the heart that qualifies. 

        We often miss out on knowing special people that could truly bless us and us them because our qualifications are way off and eternally meaningless. Choosing our pick over God's pick will throw everything off because the person's heart does not line up with what God's trying to sow or counter act. The Lord uses people to bless and He may see something we don't. He knows what we need in our lives, our families lives or companies to insure we continue flourishing on  the right path. But we often want what's comfortable and normal, but it's those very things God tries to cleanse us of.

       Our automatic reaction when seeing someone that does not belong is to criticize. We begin to wonder who made a mistake and allowed this person in our circle? If it's a job maybe the person who gave the recommendation made a mistake. If it's a friendship maybe we made the mistake. Either way we begin trying to figure how this "mistake" got here, and even how to get rid of them.

       I've learned over the years that it's very hard to cross over into different circles and areas where you stick out like a sore thumb. It's difficult because there are a number of unseen road blocks, hurdles, and  social check points. If you haven't been groomed correctly there is no way to continue when one of these blockages occur. It's for this reason when someone odd or out of place shows up in my life I try to find the purpose behind their presence. There has to be a reason. They obviously didn't get here by themselves.I try to keep an open mind, but most importantly an open heart.

Who would have guessed?

“Saul among the prophets! Who would have guessed?!” 

-1 Samuel 10 THE MESSAGE

  

       Who would have guessed? When the Spirit of God comes upon someone things change!Those who previously knew you will be shocked. No one expected YOU of all people to be lifted to such a place of honor and used powerfully by God.
       "When Saul and his party got to Gibeah, there were the prophets, right in front of them! Before he knew it, the Spirit of God came on Saul and he was prophesying right along with them. When those who had previously known Saul saw him prophesying with the prophets, they were totally surprised. “What’s going on here? What’s come over the son of Kish? How on earth did Saul get to be a prophet?” One man spoke up and said, “Who started this? Where did these people ever come from?” - 1 Samuel 10:10-12 THE MESSAGE 
      It's so tempting to be a doubter when something good happens for someone who hasn't lived in a way we think is deserving of honor and promotion. I love the part where those who knew Saul say, "How on earth did Saul get to be a prophet?" (haha) Isn't that the truth! We say that out loud with our friends or in our minds when we see someone lifted up that we judge as less than. But that's what happens with God. People don't get it, but God does what He wants.

 Insert your name, "How on earth did _____ get to be a ____?" 

      Be filled with hope! People may say the same about you one day, "How on earth...?" or "Who would of guessed!"  when God uses you in an unexpected way. I believe God loves shocking us with His choices. It shakes up our religious minds and rips apart the boxes we've made for Him and man. We have a habit of categorizing people and filing them stereotypically, so when God does something unexpected with them we're like, "Wait! What? Whoa!!!" I've been guilty of saying, "Who? Him? Are you sure?" When we learn to embrace God's ways (which are higher than ours), we can truly be excited when unexpected people are used in unexpected ways.  
        You see, when God breaks our rules, and smashes our boxes and uses people no one thought could be used it should fill us with hope that the same is possible for us!

Who would have guessed!!! :-) 

He's the finisher

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

      This verse really encouraged me today. I'm so thankful we are not the ones "finishing" the work started in us. I think sometimes we forget it's God who began it, and it's God who will finish it. We wont always have good days, or even good seasons. It's those times when we really need to know who the worker is in our lives. If we believe it is ourselves we may be left feeling depressed, hopeless and regretful, but when we know God is the one who began the good work within us, and He will finish it, we are left feeling hopeful. It takes the pressure off. Our job is to delight in the Lord, to enjoy Him, spend time with Him and remain in Him. 

        He's the beginner and finisher.

Happy 1yr Anniversary

"Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority..." - Mark 6:7 NIV  

     Wowzers! It's our 1 year anniversary today! I can't believe we've been married a whole year already, where did the time go? I'm the luckiest girl in the whole world. God blessed me beyond measure when He allowed my best friend and I to get married.
     So many changes have already taken place and some still around the corner (like our first house). Marriage is so special when the one you marry is actually your friend. We are able to be silly, childish and have fun with each other. We have so much in common as friends usually do. It keeps us connected in may ways. I feel one with my husband. He is mine and I am his, connected at the hip. We catch ourselves calling each other at the same time, thinking the same thoughts and feeling what the other is feeling. I can imagine how much our connection will grow as the years continue. (It helps that we were friends for 9-10 yrs before we got married ;-) lol )
       As I shared before in another post we've been house hunting. We actually found a house and should be getting the keys any day now. We are excited to start our 2nd year of marriage in a house.
      
       

A Steady Rain

       I believe God is gentle with people, like a nice steady rain - at least He's always been faithful gentle with me.  Sometimes we are more like fire hoses toward people, painfully blasting them & spraying them down. We actually end up injuring and traumatizing people with the very things that are meant to bring healing. Then we wonder why people cower and crawl away. All the while we conveniently don't see  the red blotches we gave them from the painful water pressure we applied.
        I've seen many gifted prophetic people do this. They may be old in age but they are still young in their gift. The very gift given to bring hope and healing ends up causing the hurting to bleed more. They use their gift to spiritually strip people naked but never offer new clothes, a blanket or even a towel for them to cover up. And we wonder why they leave our church, our ministry, our friendship etc. No one wants to remain naked. They pack their bags and move on to a place that feels more safe.
       The "fire hose" approach is not just used in ministry, but we can get into a habit of using it in our families because we are comfortable. It's easy to get harsh, allowing our rough edges to remain. I remember my hubs and I got in a little disagreement and I got an attitude about it. The Lord spoke to my heart and said, "Do I treat you that way?" and I was quickly humbled. Not only does God NOT treat me that way. He also does not treat others that way.
        Does God blast us? Is He impatient? Rude? Unkind? Exposing? Causing us shame, fear or humiliation? No way! He is gentle with us!  If the God of the universe does not brutally spray us down with a fire hose, why do we feel justified in dishing that out to others? We should be a gentle, steady rain - refreshing and healing. It should sooth all it touches, not leave welts. :-)
        As the years go by and I continue to grow in my relationship with God, I'm seeing more and more how gentle and kind He is towards me. It makes me want to give the same away to others.  We can be firm yet gentle, solid yet gentle, sold out yet gentle. Being gentle does not mean you are wishy washy, two faced or weak. It means we apply everything with love and leave lots of room for grace and mercy, knowing that everyone is on a journey becoming more like Jesus. It's a process.
           The world is harsh enough. Lets be a safe place - a soft and steady rain.

Gifts are free

Gifts are free but maturity is expensive. - Bill Johnson

     Have truer words been spoken? Maturity is expensive because it costs us something. It costs us our impulses, need to be right, fighting dirty, standing up for ourselves, going first and being the center of attention. Maturity asks us to do what's right when no one is watching. It asks us to take the high road and take a few undeserved hits without throwing a fit. Maturity tells us we may not get credit for everything we put forth, but we are to act mature anyway. Others may get the applause for our work. Someone else may get the position we were up next for. We may feel gypped and overlooked, but we are maturing. It's expensive. 

      The maturity test always seem harder to pass when we are stressed. I know in my personal life I'm going through a lot this season. So many changes! I'm a few weeks away from my 1 year anniversary with my hubs, we were house hunting, now packing, dealing with lenders, trying to line up the end of our lease date and moving date to new house, looking for appliances (since we have none) and more. There is a lot on my mind this month which is making it much easier to fly off the handle bars over little things that never used to trip me up. Have you been there? But through the clutter and blessings of this season I know I'm building character. I'm maturing. I'm pumping iron. I'm growing. 

      Most of us have come across a gifted person without maturity. Their gift is more like a machine gun or axe, instead of an instrument for healing and blessing. They usually inflict pain and more trauma onto people than restoration and direction. Their gift is more of a blessing to themselves than to others. This happens by taking the easy road, the road of least resistance.
        When I'm faced with a situation that stirs me up and I have the opportunity to act out or walk in maturity I sometimes have to remind myself, "Are my gifts baby toys? Or are my gifts powerful tools that have the ability to do great things in and through people because of the Holy Spirit?" Every injustice, every obstacle we face gives us a chance to grow in maturity or to regress. The choice is always ours. Sometimes I must admit, throwing a fit would feel so much better - very self indulgent. But taking the higher road, though self sacrificing, always pays off more in the end. Keeping the end in mind will help keep us from acting hastily with selfish passions.
       I find joy in knowing every time I practice self restraint, bite my tongue and love when I'm being hated on, that I'm growing into the mature person God wants me to be. And just like a seed takes time to grow, eventually I will see the fruit of the good choices I've made, and so will you. 

Worship Wednesday

Glory will cover the earth by Justin Rizzo

Dog Ranch for People too :-)

      Throughout my life there has only been a few things I've been passion about like,  Jesus, animals, art, writing, healing homosexuality,helping homeless people, dreams, and few others here and there. Thankfully God has allowed me to walk in one of my passions as an author. I've published 2, soon to be 3 books (and many more in the works). I'm grateful that the Holy Spirit deposits books in me.       
        Besides being an author/writer I'd like to open a "Dog Ranch" tag line "His eye is on the sparrow, so I know He watches me". This ranch would combine several things I love - helping hurting people, the country and animals (dogs). We'd provide housing for hurting people (homeless people maybe, or drug addicts, sex addicts etc) and rehabilitate them. These people would work on the ranch taking care of the homeless dogs that we rescue from shelters (before they are euthanized). Animals have a way of healing people and bringing joy in ways other things can't, that's why they are taken to hospitals, nursing homes and schools. Allowing the hurting people to care for the dogs would allow both human and dog to heal deep within their hearts.
       The ranch would provide Christian counseling, church services and activities, discipleship programs and more for those staying there. The possibilities are endless. We could even grow pumpkins and Christmas trees to raise money each season (another activity they can learn and take part in). We will also have adoption events to adopt out the dogs they have helped train and nurture back to health. They can study and learn about dogs and lead obedience classes for the new owners as well. This will allow them to walk in leadership roles and have more responsibilities. As they transition out of our ranch and into the real world they can also adopt a dog they've grown close to throughout their healing process. It would be neat if the dog they bonded with could stay in their cabin with them as a buddy (just depends on living environment). Our ranch will help them find jobs and find a stable safe home. We will also have people who will check in on them throughout the years to make sure everything is going smoothly and provide additional counseling. We'd have to hire people that LOVE people and LOVE animals.
     Honestly I have no idea how this vision will come to pass, but I wanted to blog it because it's been in me for so long. I wanted to officially write it down. When I picture the ranch in my head. I see a hunter green barn and white trim, but that's cosmetic and God may have something else in mind. I see lots of open land, I see open areas for  the dogs to run, also cabins where our residence will live, and counseling center and a sanctuary where we can have Christian bands come and speakers to minister to those living there. I also see a farming area where we grow seasonal things to sell.
       Taking care of dogs in a shelter type setting takes lots of work. So we would pay our residence a small amount to teach them how to handle money, with an assigned "mentor" to hold their hand during beginning stages. The money they earn while working (cleaning, walking, training, etc)  will be saved up for when they transition out of our facility (for a used car or emergency funds when living on their own). This way they don't fall back into their old cycle of lack and defeat.
       Lord willing this vision will come to pass. My hubs and I love people and love dogs. God can do anything. I pray He sends us a dream and shows us if, when and how. As for now I'm glad to have this finally posted somewhere. :-)

God is general, Jesus brings clarity!

"Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" - Exodus 15:11 NIV

      Who is your god? The word "god" can refer to different things, depending on who you speak with, but the name of Jesus brings clarity. I'm always weary when I hear people say, "I believe in God." and then Christians quickly embrace it as if  the person is saying they are a Christian. The word god can be thrown out numerous times, but when the name of Jesus is used, a line is drawn in the sand. 

      For example, I was watching Katy Perry's movie. I heard she was a "christian" and that the movie was really good. But when I watched, all I saw was a girl who rejected the God of her parents and made her own god (Her parents were powerful traveling pentecostal ministers when she was growing up). When she spoke about her relationship with god in the movie she never mentioned Jesus. I've personally never heard her mention faith in Jesus in any of her interviews. This is very telling. Also, her songs are sexual in nature (asking boys to show her their "peacock" and stop acting like a female dog), and she mixes biblical truths with weird lyrics about aliens which she says she believes in. 

       What people choose to sing about is very revealing, we shouldn't take it lightly - they are telling us about themselves. "Oh, but Amber she is a Christian! She believes in God." She may believe in a god, but what god? She's walking in deception and leading many astray with her mixed views of God, sex and aliens. Don't get me wrong, she is talented, but we should continue praying that she finds her way along the path of truth. The God of the Bible can meet her where she is.

       At the moment, she comes across as confused with arrested emotional development, which may be her parent's fault. Instead of helping her cultivate a real relationship with God it seems they tried controlling her as a child. But now she's free to think for herself she is testing out many waters and experimenting with many ways of life. We can't mistaken the spotlight on her as a sign of maturity or  approval to follow her in anyway. Her falling away has caused her whole family to backslide. The same thing happened to Jessica Simpson's father who was a pastor, and has now been arrested for a DUI. When we support singers like this we are supporting the downfall that's actually ruined their families and their spiritual heritage. Anyways, I've strayed from the main point of my post, which is the name of Jesus and the lack of it being mentioned.

        The name of Jesus is powerful and if someone is not using it when describing or announcing their faith it's not on accident. A red flag should go up, and we should realize we are not on the same page when speaking about God. The Bible says no one can say, "Jesus is Lord" without the Holy Spirit. So it's important to listen when people are describing their faith, no matter who they are. God is general, Jesus brings clarity.

We are the church

 

     When the act of going to church hinders us from being the church we have problem. In this blog I'd like to address something I've been seeing more of in some circles, and less of in others. Some Christians understand they are the church, and they're building bridges, networking and creating an atmosphere of love that touches more people than a single building could.  

        On the other hand there are still some Christians who have it all wrong this area. They view the church they attend as a team, their team, and they have a "cult" attitude about it. If someone does not go to the building they attend, then they wont associate with them, even if they used to associate with them. 

      Where we attend Sunday is a building where,  WE - the church - the people of God meet. We are the church, the church is not the building. This is why the "cult" attitude makes no sense. 

       I've unfortunately had to switch churches several times in my lifetime.  It's not an easy experience, especially when those you've grown to love have a "cult" mindset and not a "church family" mindset. A cult mindset says, "If you don't go to my church then I wont respond to you anymore. I wont help you, I wont be friends with you. Don't call, smile, facebook or email me because I will ignore you". That's what cults do. You're either in or you're out. That's not how WE the church should be.

       A Christian with a true church mindset, who understands we are the church says, "You may go to another building, but we are still family in Christ. You are my brother/sister in the Lord. You may fellowship in another part of town, but we are still connected. We can still fellowship together." These Christians understand that Christ in us makes us the church and not the buildings we attend on Sunday.

    Christians who understand this are doing wonderful things. They are reaping the rewards of bridge building across city, state, country lines. Christians who don't understand this are sadly still adding to the problem by building walls instead of bridges, isolating instead of including, writing off instead of embracing. Those people will be shocked when they get to heaven and see that their "church" does not have a reserved section and they are mixed together with everyone.

         We will not see a red team, blue team, green team, yellow team and white team in Heaven. We are the team! United or divided that is our choice here on earth, but in heaven unity is the only way.We are the church, we are one team, one family, one people of God that just happen to fellowship at different buildings.

Worship Wednesday

Put Your heart in me by Misty Edwards 

Divided Loyalty

 " ... But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do." - James 1:5-8 NLT 

    Is loyalty important to you? Whether you're dealing with a team sport, business group, friendships or even family situations, a lack of loyalty can be viewed as major betrayal. As humans, most of us want some degree of loyalty from those we do life with. Where does this come from?
    I believe God desires loyalty from us as well. He desires an undivided heart from us, fully committed to Him. When we live in compromise we are flirting with the opposite team. Is this loyalty to God? Our heart is divided. How must God feel when we carelessly live this way?  
      When we accept the doctor's word over God, is our faith in Him alone? When we trust in medicines, counselors, our friends, jobs, ourselves etc. instead of God, where is our faith? Miracles happen when we dive in head first and say, "God you're it! You are all I have! My faith is in you alone." Refusing to look left or right, knowing every good thing comes from above, not the works of our hands. 
    I love reading about past revivalists - mighty men of God who were used to start waves of miracles. I also love reading about past pastors and their day to day triumphs, struggles and thoughts on the Bible. It's fascinating how many of the things they wrestling with or notice in the church are still true today. One book I'm reading (slowly) is, "Divine Healing" by Andrew Murray (1828-1917). Andrew mentions in his book how he believes many miss out on divine healing because the growing availability of medicine. It's easier for people to trust in it, rather than God. Which brings me to my point. There are so many things to put our faith in!  God is often looked at as a last resort instead of a first. If this was true in Andrew Murray's day, how much more so now? 
   I believe divided loyalty is one of the main reasons for unanswered prayers. Instead of God being our all in all, He's merely another option on a long list we are wishing upon.  
     As we  journey through this Christian life, we make choices daily that show God where our loyalties belong. Just as we'd want those we love and team up with to be fully committed to us, I believe God desires the same from us. I want my choices to show God that all my loyalty belongs to Him, not because He's a mean task master, but because He loves me and my heart flows with gratitude. This gratitude causes me to want to obey and live undivided in every way for my King. 

Worship Wednesday

As the Deer by Matt Gilman 

Worship Wednesday

Shine by David Fitzgerald