Tonight I sit here pondering how dreams and everyday life can peacefully coexist. Is it even possible? I am just not sure. It seems that somehow, at some point, most if not all of my dreams of what "could be" have gotten shoved aside for the reality of what "is". I am not quite sure when or how this happened. I certainly didn't mean for it to, and yet I find myself here, longing for what I feel has been placed in my heart only to be put on a shelf and partially (sometimes mostly) forgotten.
Most of the time I am so wrapped up in the every day life, I easliy forget. The dreams just sort of seem to slip out the back door while I am busy with what ever seems to be the "urgent" at the moment. Every once in awhile though, something will bring them to the surface of my mind again. A book, a person, a song, random stuff usually...
What to do with these dreams once they surface is the big question of the hour. I guess I am wrestling with when or if I am ever really supposed to make them move from dream to "urgent" status. I guess if these dreams were really put in my heart for the right reason by the right "Person" (yes, God!) then He will be faithful, just like He always is, to give the gentle nudge or shove when the time comes. I just have to make sure I am still enough to be paying attention.
So, I ask Him once again - What am I here for? What have You made me uniquely equipped to do? What dreams am I to pursue and when? Lord, I am listening. I am trying to be patient. Use me when and how ever you wish to bring You glory! And I challenge you who find your way to reading this to ask the same. What are YOU here for? What has He made YOU uniquely equipped to do? What dreams has He placed in YOU to pursue and when? Are you listening? Shhhhh... He is faithful to speak!
Be still and know!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Well Done
Well, today we said goodbye to a dear friend. We celebrated her life and her witness for Christ. It was quite the production. 1 hour and 45 minutes of memories, tears, laughter, worship and the Word of God. I think she would be pleased! As I was singing in her honor, I found myself a little jealous that she was able to worship at a depth that we will never know here on earth. But I'm sure gonna try!
We remembered her life and as I was listening, I new she heard the words "well done, good and faithful servant" from her Father. She lived what she believed throughout her life and her death. What an example of a life well lived. She is an example for us all. If you would like to read more of her legacy, check out jtrcheckel.blogspot.com
We will miss you terribly, my friend - but you will not be forgotten.
We remembered her life and as I was listening, I new she heard the words "well done, good and faithful servant" from her Father. She lived what she believed throughout her life and her death. What an example of a life well lived. She is an example for us all. If you would like to read more of her legacy, check out jtrcheckel.blogspot.com
We will miss you terribly, my friend - but you will not be forgotten.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Life is short
Well, today, as with many days recently, I am reminded of how short life really is. It can be full one day and gone the next. One never knows when we will draw our final breath. So, knowing this, should it not motivate us to live like every day could be our last one? I know what you are thinking - that sounds so cliche! And you are right - it does. But it is also true.
I have come face to face with a dear friend's mortality, and thus am forced to look at my own. It makes me wonder if I am truly living each day as I should, as God is calling me to. What did I blow today? What did I miss today? What opportunities did I seize today? Did I love as deeply today as I could have? Did I laugh as much as I should have? Did I let the little things get to me and squeeze out the important ones? And then, after asking these questions and not being satisfied with the answers - what will I do with tomorrow?
My friend , you see, is going to meet Jesus soon. She will know and experience worship like we can not possibly fathom here on Earth. But while she is here, she is creating a legacy of faith that inspires so many. She inspires and challenges us to live like today could be our last. I believe that very soon, she will hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Then she will dance on the streets of gold, knowing the true meaning of worship.
Oh, how I long for that day. But until then, while I am here, I know that God has a plan laid out for me each and every day. I pray that I am diligent in seeking out that plan and living my life to the fullest for His glory, making His name famous and pointing people to Him, challenging them to do the same!
I have come face to face with a dear friend's mortality, and thus am forced to look at my own. It makes me wonder if I am truly living each day as I should, as God is calling me to. What did I blow today? What did I miss today? What opportunities did I seize today? Did I love as deeply today as I could have? Did I laugh as much as I should have? Did I let the little things get to me and squeeze out the important ones? And then, after asking these questions and not being satisfied with the answers - what will I do with tomorrow?
My friend , you see, is going to meet Jesus soon. She will know and experience worship like we can not possibly fathom here on Earth. But while she is here, she is creating a legacy of faith that inspires so many. She inspires and challenges us to live like today could be our last. I believe that very soon, she will hear the words "Well done, good and faithful servant!" Then she will dance on the streets of gold, knowing the true meaning of worship.
Oh, how I long for that day. But until then, while I am here, I know that God has a plan laid out for me each and every day. I pray that I am diligent in seeking out that plan and living my life to the fullest for His glory, making His name famous and pointing people to Him, challenging them to do the same!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Focus
Focus
To direct toward a particular point or purpose.
What is your focus? if you are like me, most days ou have way to many things in your line of sight to focus on any one. But aren't we called to keep our focus on Christ? Why is it that when what He offers is so immesurably more than what the world offers, we still choose to focus on the world? And then, like Peter, we start to sink...
Well I am hereby giving you the task of holding me accountable for my focus being on Christ and the things that He is focused on. I want my vision to be a clear, distinct image of Him. I want to concentrate my attention and energy on the work that He has laid out before me. I am newly determined to see Him and what He has laid out for me and RUN towards it with all the passion that is within me.
Feel like joining me in this little adventure? It promises to be long and hard. There will be pitfalls and distractions along the way, but how cool will it be to keep my eyes on Him and be able to "walk on water"?
iha
To direct toward a particular point or purpose.
To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.
To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear, distinct image.
To concentrate attention or energy.
What is your focus? if you are like me, most days ou have way to many things in your line of sight to focus on any one. But aren't we called to keep our focus on Christ? Why is it that when what He offers is so immesurably more than what the world offers, we still choose to focus on the world? And then, like Peter, we start to sink...
Well I am hereby giving you the task of holding me accountable for my focus being on Christ and the things that He is focused on. I want my vision to be a clear, distinct image of Him. I want to concentrate my attention and energy on the work that He has laid out before me. I am newly determined to see Him and what He has laid out for me and RUN towards it with all the passion that is within me.
Feel like joining me in this little adventure? It promises to be long and hard. There will be pitfalls and distractions along the way, but how cool will it be to keep my eyes on Him and be able to "walk on water"?
iha
Sunday, September 28, 2008
In it but not of it...
As you can see, i am not doing very well with keeping up with this blog thing. I am hoping to get better. Disciplined - even. Any way... today I have been thinking about God calling us to be in the world, but not of the world and what that looks like?
The best example I can think of is Jesus, so we'll start (and finish) there. He was in it - but not of it. He used examples people could understand to show them his father and point them to his kingdom. He met them where they were at, connected with them using the familiar. So, how do we, as believers keep up with what is going on in the world so when we speak to people in the world we are relevant and sound intelligent, but not become so wrapped up in it that we can be said to be "of the world"? I think Jesus would say that his connection with his father allowed him to be able to do this. He stole time away with his father on a regular basis - away from the "world". He talked with him and kept the relationship strong. So I think that is the key for us as well. Keeping our relationship strong with our heavenly father will allow us to be in the world but not of it. To be a good witness to those he places in our path. It will be difficult, even distasteful at times, but we are called to follow this example. The bible doesn't give us the opportunity to pick and choose what pieces of it we want to follow.
I'm up for the challenge - are you?
The best example I can think of is Jesus, so we'll start (and finish) there. He was in it - but not of it. He used examples people could understand to show them his father and point them to his kingdom. He met them where they were at, connected with them using the familiar. So, how do we, as believers keep up with what is going on in the world so when we speak to people in the world we are relevant and sound intelligent, but not become so wrapped up in it that we can be said to be "of the world"? I think Jesus would say that his connection with his father allowed him to be able to do this. He stole time away with his father on a regular basis - away from the "world". He talked with him and kept the relationship strong. So I think that is the key for us as well. Keeping our relationship strong with our heavenly father will allow us to be in the world but not of it. To be a good witness to those he places in our path. It will be difficult, even distasteful at times, but we are called to follow this example. The bible doesn't give us the opportunity to pick and choose what pieces of it we want to follow.
I'm up for the challenge - are you?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Revolutionary
Revolutionary–adjective
| 1. | of, pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of a revolution, or a sudden, complete, or marked change: a revolutionary junta. |
| 2. | radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc.: a revolutionary discovery. |
| 3. | of or pertaining to the American Revolution or to the period contemporaneous with it in U.S. history: Revolutionary heroes; Revolutionary weapons. |
| 4. | a revolutionist. |
When you hear the word "revolutionary" what do you think of? War? Innovation? Difference? I guess I think of all of those things, and even in the context of my walk with Christ they seem to apply. I am at war with the things that would compete for my affections from the One I desire most to give them to. I am at war with the enemy who wants nothing more than to win the battle we engage in each and every day. I strive to be innovative in my thinking so as to draw others to the One who created me this way. I long to be different, set apart from the world and the ones who embrace it. To be radical, to push the limit, to be looked at as a warrior for the cause of Jesus Christ, to be a Revolutionist!
Some days are better than others when I measure myself on this invisible revolutionary scale I have in my mind. What I feel God has called me to be, made me to be, longs for me to be. But I hear Him reminding me that as a warrior, He has outfitted me for battle if I will just put on my armor and pick up my sword. I hear Him compelling me to be still and listen long enough for Him to reveal His infinate innovative ways to draw people to His side. I hear Him once again telling me that I need to be true to the person He has made me to be and not be afraid to be different, challenging me - almost toe to toe sometimes, to step up!
I am a revolutionary! I will not appologize for it and I will not water it down just because it may make you uncomfortable in your little "christian bubble". Is God calling you to be one? Can you hear Him? Will you answer the call?
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