Funny Thing about Agendas

So, picture this very well planned out schedule...

conference 2008
conference day 1 - 3 hours of worship and prayer
conference day 2 - session 1 and video

went really well, so they decided to do it again with a couple changes...

conference 2010
conference day 1 - session 1 and video
conference day 2 - 3 hours of prayer and worship

so, here's how that turned out...

video that was supposed to be shown on day 1 delayed by UPS and could not be shown till day 2, so 3 hours of prayer and worship got moved to day 1 instead. Caused a bit of scurrying on our part and a really late night, but all was well and He was glorified.

conclusion...

our agenda had better start with Him or you better be prepared to shift because He will make sure we get on to His agenda, even if it causes some inconvenience in the process.

To Post or Not To Post

Interesting thing going on. Yet another first for me. I am having a difficult time posting anything like I would normally write in my blog posts. So, for the time being if you want to follow what is going on here, follow me on face book or twitter. My twitter posts will come up on the side of my blog. I will posts several entries when I get back into the states. Stay tuned...

Unqualified on Holy Ground

So, being the curious one that I am, I have always been intrigued by the passage in Exodus 3&4 where God and Moses are having a little chat (via burning bush) and God tells Moses to take off his sandals because he is standing on holy ground. I am not sure I would still be standing after being addressed by a burning bush, but if I was, I would certainly obey!

I haven't done a whole bunch of research on this request, but what I do know is that some scholars believe in ancient times, people used to take off their shoes as a sign of reverence, so as not to bring in the "yuck" from the outside world into a sacred space. Some also think it was a sign of submission since many slaves did not wear shoes. What ever the reason, Moses obeyed - knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was in the presence of the living God. He was looking upon holiness and he did not measure up.

So God and Moses have this conversation. God let's Moses know that He has heard the cried of the Israelites, enslaved by the Egyptians and He is ready to make a move. Just one problem, God was asking Moses to do something he felt totally unqualified for - to go before the Pharaoh of Egypt and ask for the release of his people. (You really should read the whole thing - it is great! Exodus 3 & 4)

I am keenly aware of what Moses must have been feeling during this encounter. Every time I stop long enough to put God in His rightful place in my life and myself in mine, I am aware how much I don't measure up. When I lead worship in more "relaxed" settings, I prefer to do so without shoes to remind myself whose presence I am entering. And, like Moses, I am awed by the fact that the Creator of the Universe has chosen me and set me apart for a special purpose, one that I am most certainly unqualified for on my own. Thankfully, He promises to be with me so I don't have to do it in my own power because I would surely fail!

What makes me sad, is that it seems that most people have no real sense of God's holiness or how honored they should be to be able to have a relationship with Him. They check off church on Sunday mornings like something on a To Do List. They come to worship unprepared to be in the presence of the Lord and not expecting much from their time with Him.

Someday, I will ask Moses about his experience with that bush, but until then I am sure of one thing, he would say that he left that place a changed man. How can anyone be in the presence of the Holy God and not be different from when they entered it?

So as you prepare for checking off church tomorrow, think about this - the Holy God is calling out your name and He wants you to come into His presence so He can talk with you. Will you go in humble reverence? Will you stand in awe of Him? Will you be prepared to hear what He has to say? Will you accept the job He has for you, knowing you will not be alone and that He will guide you and give you the strength to do it?

Come - expecting to be changed!

Name Change & Tattoos

I have been talking about getting a tattoo for years. My kids think I never will. I am still undecided, I guess just not sure I want to make that "rest of your life" kind of commitment to art. I don't really know what that says about me, maybe that I am non-committal or a number of other words people could attach to me because of my actions. I am not sure really like that idea very much. Being labeled because of my actions - hummm... But in reality, that happens to all of us every day. People look at us and our actions, sometimes without having all the information and they assign us a word. Most of the time we will never know what those words are and that is probably good, because I imagine I wouldn't be proud to be labeled with some of them!

This morning I was reading one of the blogs I have on my favorites list and came across an amazing story of a writer who is writing a book but not on paper. She is finding volunteers who are "accepted" into her project and get assigned a word (they have no control over what word they get) and then have it tattooed on their bodies, photographed and logged into the "living book." They are from that point on, not known by their name but by the word they were assigned. If you would like to read the blog and see the short film - click here. But promise to come back.

Now, I am not sure I am brave enough to let someone choose a word, seemingly at random, and tattoo it on my body only to be known by that forever. I think if I am going to be known by something, I would rather have a say in it. I guess maybe that is why I am having such a hard time committing to a tattoo. I am afraid I will pick the wrong thing and at some point in the future - it will cease to define me, and yet will linger as a reminder of what I thought I am.

In Isaiah 62, it talks about receiving a new name that is given directly by the Lord. Take a look:

2The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.3 You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married.5 For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.

Oh, that I could have a preview to the name that God has for me. I know he has one. I just pray that it is one I can be proud to carry for eternity because He finds my faithful to Him and the call He has on my life. I would proudly wear that one tattooed on my body! (in a small discreet way of course)

So what about you? What names do people label you with by viewing your actions? What name do you label yourself with? What name will He give to you and will be be able to wear it proudly?

And on a side note - tattoo or no tattoo? :o)

Stand Up and Take It LIke a Man!

I seriously think that Job is my favorite book in the bible. I know, strange choice, but hear me out. Here is this guy who is prosperous on every front of his life. He has money, land and great family. He is looked up to by others in his community. He is an honored man. So much so that Satan begs God to let him mess with Job to see if he is a righteous as everyone thinks he is. Satan's bet is that Job will curse God so he can just die. So, God says "Sure, go ahead. I have faith in my man Job. Do what you will." And off Satan goes to systematically tear apart Job's life one layer at a time. He lost everything (literally!)

Now through all of this, I would say that Job had a very human reaction (understandable in view of what he was facing - I would be right there too.) Actually he had quite the pity party. He didn't curse God. Oh, but he did question him! A LOT! So, here's where it gets good. Around chapter 38, God gets a little sick of the "Oh woe is me" attitude and comes down to have a little chat with Job - from inside a tornado! Hello!! Did you get that part? From inside a tornado!!!!! I think that might have been enough to snap me out of it right there, but God says...

2"Who is this that questions my wisdom
with such ignorant words?
3 Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.

I love that! Brace yourself like a man! We're gonna have a little talk. So, God proceeds to ask Job a series of questions. You really need to read the whole thing, but I will put a few of my favorites here to wet your appetite...

4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
8 "Who kept the sea inside its boundaries
as it burst from the womb,
9 and as I clothed it with clouds
and wrapped it in thick darkness?
10 For I locked it behind barred gates,
limiting its shores.
11 I said, `This far and no farther will you come.
Here your proud waves must stop!'
12 "Have you ever commanded the morning to appear
and caused the dawn to rise in the east?
18 Do you realize the extent of the earth?
Tell me about it if you know!
19 "Where does light come from,
and where does darkness go?
20 Can you take each to its home?
Do you know how to get there?
21 But of course you know all this!
For you were born before it was all created,
and you are so very experienced!

OK - I really must stop. But this kind of amazing question (and definite lack of answering) goes on for 2 chapters. Then, in chapter 40 God says,

2 "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?"

Job replies with the only thing one could reply with after that... "I got nothin to say!" So, God continues his little question session for ANOTHER 2 chapters and finally (I guess he figured Job had finally gotten the point - thick headed human!) he stops. And Job's reply is where I want my attitude to dwell forever, take a look...

2 "I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you.
3 You asked, `Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?'
It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
things far too wonderful for me.
4 You said, `Listen and I will speak!
I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.'
5 I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

"Before I had heard about you, but now I have seen you with my own eyes!" How much of our time is spent just "hearing" about the things of God and rushing past them in our busy day? Have we really seen Him? I mean gotten a real good, up close, "Jobesque" view of Him?

Every time I read these chapters I am impassioned again to really see God for who He is and then live accordingly. I know I am only scratching the surface on that in my life, but I long to do better. I want to SEE HIM and KNOW HIM so well that the over flow of that would drive others to search out and find the same. It is only then that our lives have true meaning.

So today, my challenge to you is to "Stand up and take it like a man!" Read through these last chapters of Job and let God ask you the same questions. I bet you will join me in echoing Job's response at the end of it. I pray that you will see and know the magnitude of the God that created you for a purpose and loves you more than you will ever know!

Worship - On Earth as It is in Heaven...

We (McKinney Fellowship) are getting ready to begin a series called The Apocalypse which is a study of the entire book of Revelation. So, I am waist deep in planning services for that series. What a book to foster creative ideas for services!! I am loving it. (If you are a McFBC'r, just a heads up... You won't want to miss any of the 10 weeks! You never know what you're gonna get.)

Today I am working on the service for Revelation 4 & 5, which is the description of the Throne room in heaven and the worship that goes on there. What a scene that is. The colors, the sounds, the creatures, the worship. AMAZING! Here is an excerpt.


Rev. 4:2-8
2At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:7 the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight.8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!


If you have never read the rest of those 2 chapters, I encourage you to do so. I really never tire of reading them over and over. It gives me such hope for what is to come.

As I was reading and looking for music written from the verses in these chapters it occurred to me afresh that this is not a scene that was made up by John or something that will take place in the future. It is happening right now. 24/7/365 All the time these creatures with wings and eyes all over themselves and the elders with their crowns and the thunder and lightening and sea of glass making all of this envelop those in it... it is happening right now, as you are reading this and will continue to repeat itself after you finish. Over and over and over and over into infinity.

The are songs that we sing in church on occasion that are written from the words found here. Agnus Dei, Revelation Song, Holy Holy Holy, and several more. All of these songs always seem to "just work" when we sing them. People engage, they worship. Why is that? What is it about these songs that enable people to worship more fully than with some other songs? Want my theory? (Sorry if you said "no", it's my blog - you're going to get it anyway.) I believe they work because we are joining with heaven in worship of the Holy God that is already going on, has always gone on and will always go on . For just a moment in time, it is on earth as it is in heaven. What a thought that is. I almost can't wrap my mind around it.

I so long for the day I can be in that place forever. Worshipping with every ounce of all I am . So for now, I settle for getting as close to that as I can as often as I can for as long as I can. How about you? When is the last time you entered in to the throne room and spent so time casting your crowns down and worshipping your maker? Join me - won't you? Click here, close you eyes and just worship!

-

The Power of Social Media

Yesterday a friend to me I have been a "blogging fool" lately. I guess he was correct. It seems that God is re-igniting within me the desire to speak the things he is laying on my heart. I have wondered (and been asked by many) for the last 4 years or so why I have not written any songs. My answer has been that it seemed to me God had put that part of me to sleep for a while. I am not sure why, but I think it has been awakened but not to write songs - I have tried, they are not very good! I think God has awakened it to write this blog and share what He is saying to me using the social media outlets available.

Last night I missed a very powerful experience via the Internet and my heart breaks that I could not be there (funny to even say "be" there since it was taking place virtually.) My friend and mentor, Carlos Whittaker (http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com) held an on line prayer service. I have taken part in one of them before and it is amazing. We spent 3 hours praying for requests that had been sent in via twitter, facebook and tokbox (so we could see Carlos.) I could have prayed another 3 hours I think.

Well last night, he and some others organized a prayer vigil for a little girl named Kate McRae who is suffering from brain cancer. I have been following this blog for the last 6 months and it has deeply affected me. (www.prayforkate.com) Yesterday, Kate and her family received news that her tumor was not gone after months of treatment. I can not imagine the devastation they must feel. But the CHURCH united from across the world to pray for this little girl and her family in a way that will not soon be forgotten. People were asked to stretch out their hands to their computers to cover this hurting family and lift them up to Jesus - the Great Physician. The picture above is a capture of multiple screen shots.

This morning I in my reading plan, I continued through the book of Job. How this family must be able to identify with this book. The difference is that instead of being shunned by people and chastised by friends for the sin that MUST be present for such a thing to happen (like Job), this family is being lifted up by literally millions of people that they do not know. I am sure that what took place last night warmed the heart of God.

So, this morning, in going through my 21 Days of Prayer guide on You Version (youversion.com), I came across this verse that I will commit to memory:
2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

This verse renewed my passion to write about the knowledge of Him. My Jesus. My Savior. The one who heals lives. I want to spread the fragrance of knowing him to everyone who will listen. May it smell sweet and draw others to Him.

I might just hold a online prayer vigil myself. Want to join me? Leave me a comment so I will know who to contact about it!