Be safe. How many of us heard that from our parents? I bet all of us did. The first time I went driving after I got my drivers license comes to mind... as I took the keys, running out the door in excitement my parents prepared me... "leave the radio off, check your blind spots, don't speed, and be safe." Yeah ok, those are good instructions and words of warning/wisdom. But sometimes the devil uses our comfortability of being safe and our fear of what might happen to keep us from going to those God calls us to help. I'll admit when I see someone that needs help I look at them and say "if I were a guy..." "if I didn't have loans..." "if I were in a more public place..." "they may have a gun" "they could be selling drugs." What is your if? How many do you have? While many times our ifs are quite ridiculous, sometimes they are legitimate fears. Weeeelll, legitimate for those who do not know the savior we know. What if Jesus had fears. I mean he KNEW what was going to happen to him. If anyone has the right to fear, it was him. He knew that he was going to be taken by the guards, whipped, and crucified. If I knew that was going to happen... I would avoid going out. I would batten down the hatches and avoid anyone at ALL cost. But Jesus knew that he had come to fulfill the scriptures, he also knew that after the suffering he would be reunited with his Father and inherit his place in the kingdom at the right hand of The Majesty. (Hebrews 1)
We also love security. Nearly all Americans have a savings account. If someone is living paycheck to paycheck that is basically saying they are poor. In order to be "middle class" you need to have enough money to pay for the basics, (food, clothing, shelter, school supplies) as well as a car, cell phone, a vacation, and a college fund for your kids. IN AMERICA WE ARE HOARDERS. All of us, ok 99% of us, and I am definitely in the majority. I won't go into what I mean exactly, but read this blog from Katie (who wrote Kisses from Katie, which has been a huge encouragement in my life) I think her personal experiences speak to our spirits as to the true NEED and poverty that exist around the world. If you read a few more of her blogs you will continue to see how we sit here in america and think we are living in poverty if we don't have cable, a cell phone, and a car. There are people in America that live in poverty, but we look at what they have done wrong. And in many cases they have done things wrong. Instead of passing judgment maybe we need to go to them... here in America, and around the world as the hands and feet of Jesus. Sometimes this is just providing resources, and at other times its about offering of our time, time that none of us have, or our abilities, or our will on the life we have sacrificed back to him.
These things are uncomfortable. But we need to become comfortable with being uncomfortable while trusting in the provision and will of the God that wants to give to us above anything we could ask or imagine. But just as Jesus did we have to be ready and willing for it to be outside of our plans. For it to be uncomfortable. For it to be painful. But it will show us just how much we are loved because he will always provide what we need according to HIS will.
What if we all dared to believe that God could use us to part the sea, or slay the giant, or heal the sick, or even defeat hell. I believe we would all be amazed at what God will do with our faith that He really is that big and he is capable even through us. This video is the inspiration for this blog: Youtube "Christine Caine One Conference" The link can also be found at the bottom under "links". (God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise 1 Corinthians 1:27)
Featured Post
To the Team
This post will be updated weekly with prayer request. To those of you that have fought on the front lines in prayer for myself, my ministry ...
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
If His grace is an ocean oh I am sinking
“And He is jealous from me, loves
like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His
wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware
of these afflictions
Eclipsed by glory and I realize
just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are
for me
And oh, how He loves us, oh
Oh, how He loves us, how He loves
us all
And He is jealous from me, loves
like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of His
wind and mercy
When all of a sudden I am unaware
of these afflictions
Eclipsed by glory and I realize just
how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are
for me
Oh, how He loves, yeah, He loves us
Oh, how He loves us, oh, how He
loves us
Oh, how He loves
And we are His portion and He is
our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in
His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we're all
sinking
And heaven meets earth like an
unforeseen kiss
And my heart turns violently inside
of my chest
I don't have time to maintain these
regrets
When I think about the way
Oh, how He loves us, oh
Oh, how He loves us, how He loves
all
How He loves
I failed. I fell, and I didn't want to get up. This time I had
made a promise to Him that I really thought I could maintain. But I FAILED! It
was the worst feeling in my entire life, honestly I was sick to my stomach and
hated myself for letting it happen, heck for making it happen. And for a week
or two I just was too ashamed to even ask for forgiveness, I
didn't deserve it this time, this time it felt different, so I just
tried to stay out of His way. I prayed for the people, organizations, and
causes that still deserved His time and attention, but not for me. I
didn't enter into His presence, I couldn't, there just is no way He could still
accept me.
I feel like we all get to this point. We all let the Devil wear
the mask of Jesus. We assume that Christ's limitations in his love for us
is equal to our limitations in our love for others. It isn't. God
sent his son to cover the sin that you just committed, that when you go to
Him and repent, He acts as if it never happened. Yes there will be consequences
and a few scars, but He still loves you, and He can redeem anything! I mean
ANYTHING! You are perfectly broken, perfectly scarred, perfectly imperfect for
the perfect, all covering blood and love of our Savior, Father, and Lord.
The song “How He Loves Us” was put in my heart a long time ago.
The first time was August 25, I don't really know why, but at the end of my
quite time that day I wrote in big letters "HE LOVES. OH HOW HE
LOVES." The NEXT DAY we were getting ready to have a Hurricane and my mom
sent me this text as I was recovering from a concussion and unable to do
ANYTHING.
"When you are in the winds
of the hurricane today look at the David Crowder song "oh how he loves
us" and think he is bending you and covering you with his mercy. I so love
you, but nothing like he does. That should encourage you cause you
tangibly experience how much I love you. May your body continue to heal
as you are made to stop."
When I went to do my devo that
night I realized that I had written those lyrics just the night before, and
found it odd that a song I have not heard for so long would pop up in
two separate occasions. Since then it has come up at three other key
points in my life, as a song of healing and hope for what so often seems like a
bleak future.
My favorite part is...
And we are His
portion and He is our prize
Drawn to
redemption by the GRACE in His eyes
If His grace is an
ocean, we're all sinking
And heaven
meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart
turns violently inside of my chest
I don't have
time to maintain these regrets
When I think
about the way
HE LOVES
US!!!
When our worship band played
this, I was sitting there in my chair, too ashamed to stand and crying. I felt
Him say to me "I have things too big to allow you to sit there and REGRET
what has happened. REPENT and get on with it." See my problem lies
in the third sentence in this post... "I had made a promise to Him that I
really thought I could maintain." Neither you nor I will ever overtake a
sin. That is why we need Him first; He comes and loves us while we are dirty
and sloppy just as our parents loved us when we were born. It is not a pretty
sight, but because it is theirs they love the ugly alien covered in nasty
fluids. WE ARE HIS! We can never forget that, I can never forget that. He wants
to hold you NOW, He knows that you can never clean yourself, so He sent His Son
to clean you and the Holy Spirit to teach you how to stay clean. It is hard, I
get it, I fail, and you will too! Good news is... this world, and your life is
not about who you are or what you do, but rather who God is and what He has
done, is doing and will do! We just get an awesome opportunity to get in on the
action and adventure as He gives us an abundant life. Don't be ashamed of the
mess you are in, be grateful for grace, love, and the one that will come
and clean it up as you repent.
Watch this video as the man who wrote the song explains his story and heart behind the song, and remember God is made perfect in our weaknesses.
http://vimeo.com/10868953
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Its all part of His plan
Over the Past 3 months God has opened up all the
right doors for us to start a ministry on the Nova campus. I still can not
comprehend how I am involved in this the way I am. I mean my calling is kids,
or so I thought. I spent the first two and half years of college ready for the
next phase of my life and planning my life for when I would either have my own
children or for when I started an orphanage. I mean yes everyone on campus that
I knew was aware that I was a Christian that was more “Christian” than most, (after sharing my convictions and morals people would always say “your REALLY
Christian.” Funny concept… I was unaware that there were degrees of
Christianity.) but I was not at college to win souls into the Kingdom. I was
here to get my degree so I could do what he called me to do. Thing is that was
MY decision not His. So I am going to take you back a little bit because I
think it is just beyond AMAZING how God puts everything into place in order to
speak to us in order that we my receive the BLESSING of being used by him. So
this one starts back at my birth technically, but we will pick it up in 9th
grade or so. My brother, Kyle was in college, and for years he had been my role
model. Everything he said was just a little more important to me than anything
anyone else said. One day we got on the topic of California and he brought up a
pastor by the name of Francis Chan, and we went on to have many conversations
about this pastor. Naturally I started to listen to Pod cast by him later on.
His messages were awesome, so rawly God. They challenged me to recognize and
change the things in my life that God was pointing out as rotten fruit.
Ok so now we are almost caught up. About a year
ago I started to hear an advertisement for the ONE Conference. It was going to
be here in Miami, and FRANCIS CHAN WAS GOING TO BE THERE! I would be able to
hear him live, and I was beyond excited. So I bought the ticket and with two
precious friends we went. While Francis, the other speakers, and worship were
INCREDIBLE, two things just really touched me beyond compare. First was the hosting
pastors’ (Pastor Pedro) amazing PASSION for the people that were around him
everyday. Whether he was at his church, in line, at home, in another state, or
another country I could just see his genuine LOVE and deep NEED for those
people to join him as a child of our AMAZING God. It was truly contagious. The
other thing was how God spoke to me… first in opening my eyes to see just a
glimpse of His passion for the people we are each surrounded by. Second was he
just placed this verse
“well done, good and faithful servant! You have been
faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and
share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23)
on my heart. He reminded me
that He is always looking to see what I am doing here, what I am doing now. I
feel called to work in another country with special needs orphans, but first
God brought me far from home to see what I would do with what he entrusted me
with here. He called me here to be a missionary. He tells us to be in this
world, but not of it. While the world sees me as just an athlete and student,
God knows that really I am a missionary. On a daily, hour by hour, moment by
moment basis have to decide if He or they determine my identity. In the weeks
following the conference when I was wrapping my mind around the impact of this
conference I felt God tell me to ask two things of my pastor, (Pastor Billy)
which has had the biggest impact on my life since coming to Florida. First was
to seek a someone to disciple me (which was very odd to me), and the second was
to offer to help in anyway to start a Calvary NOVA on the NSU campus (the
senior pastor (Pastor Bob) had mentioned it in a vision sermon he gave.) I have
attended two churches in my life, both are on the list of 50 biggest churches. I
understand how busy the pastors are, and so I resisted sending the email for
about two months because I though my questions were just too petty for the
Pastor to deal with. But finally God got what he wanted and I sent it, complete
with the subject line “No big deal.” I honestly don’t even know if Billy remembers
reading the email, but because of that Diana, (his assistant at the time) an amazing child of God and faithful servant is now discipling me. She has
challenged and encouraged me through some pretty amazing changes God has wanted
to make in my life.
Ok so now we are up to date, well at least to
where this story looks like it starts. My friend Julie and I went on a outreach trip
to the Keys with the Eikon ministry of Calvary. Pastor Billy, Diana, and John (Billy’s
Ministry Assistant) were all there. At this point I knew Diana pretty well, and
also knew John from the Sports nights, but had never actually met Billy. So we
sat down at a table in the shade and Billy walks over and ask if anyone is
sitting next to us, and there wasn’t so he sat down. You are thinking so what,
and that is a fair question. But God knew it was a little bigger and eternal
than a seat in the shade. During that dinner we started talking about how all
three of us really wanted to start a CalvaryNOVA, but just didn’t know if it
was Gad’s plan right now. So we started praying fervently. That night in our
room we spent 30 minutes praying for the campus ministries and the possibility
of starting a CalvaryNOVA. Well a lot of prayer, several emails, and a few
meeting later we decided to make it an official club. But God didn’t stop
there, he continues to bless our patience and reliance. The dean of student
affairs agreed to be our advisor. Diana, my discipler, is now working with the
women in all of the on campus ministires of Calvary, and God fostered our
relationship before there was even plans to start CalvaryNOVA. Now today
Elizabeth, one of the people that has been helping us start this thing got
baptized by a guy that is starting a college ministry at the Plantation campus
of Calvary, which is much closer to nova than the main campus. I don’t know how
God is going to use this, I don’t even want to speculate, but I have stopped
thinking that God has coincidences. God has plans, plans that never fail, and
plans that are in place to prosper and grow each of us.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
Right now we are praying for the following
things…
-direction (individually
and as a group)
-leadership (specifically a
president for the club)
-John, Diana, Billy (the
amazing servants that God has called to work with young adults)
-professors (we need more
professors that profess Jesus)
-students (move the one’s
that are Christians into action, and soften the hearts of the ones that do not
yet know and understand the Love of God)
-Our boldness on this
campus (we can’t wait any longer to capture the hearts of those on this campus.
We need boldness to live different and to courageously declare his name to all)
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
Psalm 33:20-22
As you read this I ask that you pray with us, it
is greatly needed now and all the way through this process. Our hearts are to
reach those that are impossible to reach. The only way their hearts are going
to respond is if the Father softens them.
We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion.”
Hebrews 3:14-15
Friday, October 12, 2012
Live Foolishly
Hey everyone. This is just my blog to share my feelings. When I write in my journal, it is like I am talking to God, but sometimes I want to talk to someone. The first thing that inspired me to start this blog was reading Kisses from Katie (highly suggest reading this book, but you WILL cry) and just all the different things I have felt God tell me that I think may help someone else or myself in the future. My dream is to start an Orphanage, that is all the details I know right now. But I hope that as I embark on my Journey to impact and change this world for the purpose of sharing the love of Christ that this blog will capture how God is molding and changing me.
"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians: 26-31
World changers come in many different types. Some are evangelist, world missionaries, and pastors. Others are intercessors, local missionaries, listeners, givers, and just in general lovers (you can be many of these). But don't decide that you are one because that is where you are comfortable. Continually look to make sure you are on the same trail as God. And remember he even knows what lies ahead on paths that had not been made yet.
Some say "your crazy," as us crazies embark on the next phase of life doing something that they would never dare do. Well you are crazy, your odd to hear and obey God. To trust that he will provide even when it all seems so unlikely around you. But guess what, I think they would have called Jesus, even God the Father crazy with a capitol C.
Just imagine for a minute... God is at school, church, the grocery school, or his best friends. They ask "Hey what have you been up to lately?" He replies "Coming up with a plan to allow my only son to be brutally beaten and killed in order to save you and the rest of the world." Now does what he called you to do seem so crazy? If they tell you it is not safe let me assure you that in obedience to God you are much safer physically, economically, and definitely spiritually. Remember Jonah? Yeah keep running from what you know God is calling you to do, God will eventually win. If he has prepared a work for you, what everyone else says really doesn't effect what he does (that is reassuring in itself:).) Now this doesn't mean that you and everyone you love will be healthy and safe nor does it mean you will be rich, but it does mean that in all circumstances he will provide for you in the way which he knows is best for you. I am currently reading a book called No Greater Love (another book about orphans) and this is an excerpt from it that I though was just so perfect to describe where we should seek to be with our Lord, Lover, Savior, and Provider.
"Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians: 26-31
World changers come in many different types. Some are evangelist, world missionaries, and pastors. Others are intercessors, local missionaries, listeners, givers, and just in general lovers (you can be many of these). But don't decide that you are one because that is where you are comfortable. Continually look to make sure you are on the same trail as God. And remember he even knows what lies ahead on paths that had not been made yet.
Some say "your crazy," as us crazies embark on the next phase of life doing something that they would never dare do. Well you are crazy, your odd to hear and obey God. To trust that he will provide even when it all seems so unlikely around you. But guess what, I think they would have called Jesus, even God the Father crazy with a capitol C.
Just imagine for a minute... God is at school, church, the grocery school, or his best friends. They ask "Hey what have you been up to lately?" He replies "Coming up with a plan to allow my only son to be brutally beaten and killed in order to save you and the rest of the world." Now does what he called you to do seem so crazy? If they tell you it is not safe let me assure you that in obedience to God you are much safer physically, economically, and definitely spiritually. Remember Jonah? Yeah keep running from what you know God is calling you to do, God will eventually win. If he has prepared a work for you, what everyone else says really doesn't effect what he does (that is reassuring in itself:).) Now this doesn't mean that you and everyone you love will be healthy and safe nor does it mean you will be rich, but it does mean that in all circumstances he will provide for you in the way which he knows is best for you. I am currently reading a book called No Greater Love (another book about orphans) and this is an excerpt from it that I though was just so perfect to describe where we should seek to be with our Lord, Lover, Savior, and Provider.
"This was the deepest darkest place we'd ever been together and yet, strangely,
at the same time it was one of the most beautiful places we had ever been.
We were at that sacred place of human weakness, where we recognized
that our abilities were not enough. We had no choice but to trust God."
Levi Benkert, No Greater Love. Pg 52
So do it. Do not be afraid to go out there and Live Foolishly. Live without a safety net. Live daring to trust that God will provide. This does not mean to be lazy, to sit there and expect God to move. He waits patiently for us to run into his arms. We have to go to him in prayer and in action. God does not move, his plan is to be constant and to send us out to mobilize his word and his LOVE! As Jesus left he asked Peter three times if he loved him, Peter replied "yes" and Jesus just said "feed my sheep." Thats it, take care of those who Jesus came to lead. If you do that and persistently seek the Lord through Prayer and the Word you will be in the will of the Lord, and you will be given heavenly blessings (which does not always look like earthly blessing).
Here is the video where the name of this blog came from. Just a bunch of foolish people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXvBI5fdFaA
Live Foolishly,
Rachel Woodson
Here is the video where the name of this blog came from. Just a bunch of foolish people.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXvBI5fdFaA
Live Foolishly,
Rachel Woodson
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