We are one? more thoughts...

I've just been thinking about the differences between denominations. My friendship with a mixed group (denominationally speaking) of ladies has caused me to think about this quite often. All of us are from a different denomination (myself being the only one that claims no denomination.) While we are knitted together in our hearts with a like faith in Christ and a love for our families, I sometimes feel the pang of our separation in our relationship and understanding of God.

I don't claim to hold the market on understanding or knowledge. I would have to say that I feel very unlearned in many many ways and wish I could (or had the inclination) to jam more into this little wee brain of mine. Sadly I do not.

I think what I do have is a mind open to learn and be challenged on a daily basis in what I believe to be truth. Not to say that my faith in Christ in any way wavers. I tell you it does not. I am very sure that the one way to the Father is through faith in His Son Christ Jesus, without whom there would be no remission of sin. That has to be the foundation of my faith or else the whole building would collapse for He is a sure foundation. What I'm really speaking of is the "smaller" points of our faith.

I don't know it all, I haven't attained it all, and I am continually in pursuit of Him and His truth. I don't want any of the denominational hogwash that gets shoved down so many throats. I want Jesus. I want His Spirit. I believe He will lead and guide me into all Truth.

I am open to Him challenging a long held tradition or belief. Oh, that my fellow brothers and sisters were as open.

I'm sad by the slight yet great differences among the body of believers. I'm sad that so many think they are part of "The" church. Even the names of their church claim it to be so. I'm sad that man has been so blinded by books, and man made religion that they can't even see that they may be wrong. I'm sad that while we claim to be part of one body through our Lord, we are so far from it. We are not one.

I'm sad at some people's small mindedness. They put God in a box and say surely He is "this way" -any other way must be false. (they may reject prophecy, healing, spiritual gifts, or only except them on their terms... just to name a few.) I'm just sad. Sad at our lack of unity as believers.

All creation is groaning for the return of Christ. I join in on their cries.

COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS!



make us one.

With a little love

For quite a few years now, I've been under the conviction that as a Christian it is not my job to bash people over with the do-ey don't-ies of my faith. I have tried to not just preach the gospel, but to instead walk it out. Instead of telling someone about the love of Christ, show them. People (myself included) are much more ready to respond to the message after they are shown a little compassion.

I feel so thankful to have "met" someone who walks out their faith in love. Not everyone would respond to a business email with a personal touch of genuine help and willingess to serve. Thank you, Sarah, if you ever pop over here to read this. Your kindness is the stuff we Christians are supposed to be made of. May God richly bless you!

Experiental Bliss

I am not here to see a phenomenon
I am not here for experiential bliss
I simply come to the feet of the God I love
The one that I adore


Some people have been critics of the Pentecostal or Charismatic movements and brush them off as just experiential, emotional fanaticism. But I grew up in these movements. I know what they are. There have been very few times in my life when I've not been in a church that many would classify as "holy roller." I'm very thankful that I've been fortunate enough to be in on these movements. I wouldn't trade my encounters with God for anything in this world. Having said that though, I'll be the first to admit that simply having outrageous experiences is not what makes me a Christian. I am a follower of Christ because of His great love, mercy, and grace. I am a follower of Christ because I believe that He is the Son of God. I have had quite a few years where I have had little to none of these type of experiences. Yes, we walk a walk of faith. I know, by faith in the Word, that God loves me.

Sometimes in these seasons of drought, just when I think that they must be the way true Christianity is walked out, the Holy Spirit taps me on the shoulder surprises me with His tangible presence. My experiences have indeed changed. I am no longer living from experience to experience to be certain that He loves me. I simply know He does. I don't have to be in a gully washer of a service to feel He's walking with me. I know He's with me by the strength He gives to meet each day. I know He's with me by the way He provides so effortlessly for me. I now experience Him in a different way. That does not make those times of experience less valid. No. Think about it. Isn't wonderful to feel that you are loved, rather than just hearing it or thinking it? Which is better, to read about a loving embrace or to actually experience one?

I stepped out of a level of His presence a few years ago. I was walking in a place with Him that I heard Him speak to me all throughout the day. I was walking in His tangible warm honey-like presence. I had dreams in the day and in the night. I felt His heartbeat. It was wonderful. I was so hungry for Him. When we walk this close to Him though, I think (and this is just my opinion) it rattles hell a little bit. It's almost like everything else around me went ruins. Now, what was important was how I handled it. I really think God allowed it to come, to show me what really still was in my heart. When adversity came, when a temptation came, when an opportunity to live and love as Christ came...I failed. I allowed myself to step right out of His glory and right in to a place of 'flesh.' I fumed, I steamed, I replied back in anger. Then, as if reacting so badly wasn't enough, I allowed myself to feel justified in doing so. Guess what happened? That level of 'anointing' God was allowing my to walk in disappeared. I have not yet been permitted to walk there again. But God knew me so well. He has used these past 3 years as time to teach me. To show me. He's still with me. He still walks with me. He has shown me the content of my heart. He has taught me so many valuable lessons. I do not need His heavy weight of glory to know He is with me. I know He never leaves me, nor forsakes me. What a valuable, valuable lesson I have learned. I am thankful that he allowed me to go on that little flesh binge. I want to be a pure stream, a clean vessel that He can pour through.

BTW, in case you're wondering, I don't consider myself a Pentecostal, Charismatic, BIC, Baptist, or even Methodist. I am simply a follower of Christ and a believer in His Word.

I am not here for the sake of a miracle
I am not here just to see the dead raised
Yes I believe in power supernatural
But that's not why I am saved

I want to fly away to His chambers
I want to be in the presence of the Lord
I am in need of His mercy and favor
Forever more

I give my heart to this one they call Jesus
Seeking out first the very kingdom of God
You are the way and the truth I believe it
You are my Phenomenon
-Rita Springer

Your love is like...

...the ocean.

I'm drowning in your presence.

Getting lost in the gaze of your eyes.

Getting lost in the warmth of your smile.

Drinking at the Well

"He makes me to lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restoreth my soul."

Indeed he does. I just had a very pleasant experience.

Over the past several months I have been listening to a christian internet radio station called The Well. I stumbled upon it a few months ago when my subscription to IHOP needed to be renewed and I neglected to do it. The Well is a pretty good source for a different kind of praise and worship music. Some refer to it as prophetic. I like to think of it as incense on the alter. It's usually more spontaneous in nature and less commercial (think opposite of Michael W. Smith). Whatever you want to call it, it has been a blessing to me. Sometimes, I really dislike what they play. It almost hurts my ears, but that's more about style than content. I can't stand whiny thin voices infused with a rock type sound. It actually hurts my ears and grates my nerves, but I digress.

Today when i tuned in, much to my surprise, they were playing some nice soaking music. I used to make it a habit to tune in every Wednesday at this time for this particular broadcast. As I sat down, thinking I would just play some nice background music and look ahead to the day's school lessons, I was enveloped in the presence of the Almighty. How refreshing. It has been far too long since I rested in His presence. It used to be a lifestyle for me yet lately it has become more of a memory. How soothing to feel His warmth and love wash over me as I sat here and allowed Him to minister to me.

I've been drinking at the Well- a Well of Living Water.

"It was like a ministry for me."

Today my 9yo's girl scout troop went Christmas caroling at a local nursing home. Some of the girls were out of pitch, one got tired and sat down in the middle of a song, the few that played their instruments should have tuned them first, many talked in between songs, but oh, was it precious! I felt so proud of our girls for their willingness to spend a Sunday afternoon with a roomful of elderly people they didn't know. I was proud, that despite the troop leader's lack of musical genius, they were able to make a joyful noise in order to brighten the day. I even was proud of the girls who played their out of tune instruments. When the singing was over, they broke up into groups. One group went to be helpers for craft time, and the other two read Christmas stories. How precious to see the girls helping glue and cut, or read 'Twas the Night and hold up the pictures for all to see.

On the ride home, 9yo said to me, "Mommy, it was like a ministry for me." Oh, how I love this dear child.

My heart is full and smiling.

Burn Us Up

I always loved the story of the 4th man in the fire. Check it out! ( I happen to love this song by Shane&Shane!)




Won't you burn us in the furnace of Your desire?

the thoughts of man

Have you ever thought, "If only I could have..." or "If this could happen.... then..."? I'm positive we all have our moments when we wish things could be different from the way they are currently. Have you ever let that wishing go farther? Daydreaming about something to the point it's on your mind night and day. It's with you when you wake in the morning and every quiet moment you have throughout the day, sometimes even the not so quiet moments. It's the thought that constantly lurks at the back of your mind during conversation. It becomes all consuming. I believe this is a trap laid by the "Father of Lies."
Think about it for a moment. When a thought becomes so invasive it's all you think about, are you keeping your mind stayed on the Lord? Are you keeping His word before your eyes/mind day and night? No. It's impossible. What once was a passing thought has now become your secret obsession. Maybe it's even a noble thought like "How can I better serve my husband or family, or how can I give my family more?"
What then are we to do? This is when I personally begin to pray the word. (maybe not at first, but when the Lord has finally brought it to my attention that my thoughts are out of line.) I pray something like, " Lord, your word says that you give me the desires of my heart. I'm asking you to place the correct desires and thoughts within my heart." It's that simple. I give it over to God. If I didn't can you imagine the implications? All those carefully laid traps of the Enemy would come to fruition. Works of the flesh acted upon. Life thrown all out of kilter. Man's heart is fickle. Our own desires may change daily. I thank God that :

" my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD"
Isaiah 55:8

and if we

"Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart"
Psalm 37:4

amen!

Jason Upton on CBN

One of my favorite artists of all time was on the 700 club yesterday. Somehow I missed it, but found the link on his website. I have listened to Jason Upton's music for several years now. He always is able to put on music and lyric just what my heart is feeling. I have been blessed over and over by his ministry.

Here it is for your viewing pleasure.

The Lord's Day

I have been reading a blog for a while that is very thought provoking. I appreciate this dear lady as she is a homemaker, a follower of Christ, and desires to be the best she can be. Recently she has posted about a new concept (for me anyway) about keeping sabbath. She provided a few links that I read and even bookmarked for further research. I have also decided to do some research of my own. I have been reading and reading as often as time permits. I can honestly say I haven't changed my position on how I keep a day separate unto the Lord, but I have sure enjoyed learning.

I love to learn. I love to explore new ideas. Sometimes I have changed my position on where I stand concerning some things, but that has been the exception, not the rule. I strive to follow the Lord's leading, not the leading of man. If I were to follow man, he would surely lead me down many wrong paths, in circles, and sideways. Even though I have sat in a church pew all of my life ( with the exception of a few years), and I have sat under a lot of teaching, I have not always gone the way of church doctrine. I have chosen instead to use my mind that God blessed me with and read the scriptures and allow God alone to lead me. This has often resulted in my not agreeing with the position of those in authority over me or fellow believers in Christ. I did not stop respecting those persons, but chose to continue to love and honor them as fellow believers and therefore my brother or sister.

I can't say I always did this. When I was a child I thought like a child. I followed my elders' examples and thought the way they thought because it must be right. I have since put away childish things and become a "man." My thinking has matured along with my attitudes and beliefs.

My dd and I had a conversation just the other day in the car. She was asking about denominations and why we have them. I loved having the opportunity to share with her once again that the way of men is folly. Men get so prideful and wrapped up in there own ideas that they insist that everyone else must be wrong. They take a bible verse out of context, both historical and biblical, and draw a line in the sand. They decide it's this way, no other and therefore lose sight of the forest and see only one tree. When that happens arguing ensues and yet another church split takes place. Sad indeed. How are we to show the love of Christ to the world, when we can't show it to one another?

Maybe another day I'll be able to articulate just how I feel about sabbath. Maybe I won't even bother trying. After all it's not about what I think, but rather about what God does.

We are one?

I feel a little sad today as i take a quick preview of some of the blogs I have read lately. Why do people feel they must bash others over the head with religion, not only religion, but their own personal brand? I feel sad that so many have lost the true message of the Gospel. That where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom(2 cor.3:17). It says nothing about condemnation. In fact, the word says "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."(Romans 8:1) And whatever happened to "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."(John 13:35) ?

I think this is what's broken among the Christian movement today. We've forgotten that Jesus came to set at liberty the captives( to sin and the curse of sickness, poverty, and death). He paid it all, in full. If we are truly motivated my love, then yes, we want to see people come to the saving knowledge of Christ. We shouldn't desire to tell them that after they've accepted Christ's perfect sacrificial gift, that if they don't do x,y, and z then they are no longer saved or not serving God. Why are we in such a hurry to see people saved only to tell that they are still going to hell? Let's allow the Holy Spirit to finish the work in each individual. He is faithful and true and will indeed, lead us and guide us into all truth. He who began the perfect work will see it through to its completion. Let love have her perfect work.

I'm not saying we can live any way we want because once saved always saved. I'm not. What I am saying is let's give it all to God and allow him to work in people's lives. If He wants to them to worship on Saturday instead of Sunday, he will lead them. If he wants the women to quit cutting their hair or crank it up under a covering, he will lead them. If He want wants them to quit wearing makeup or start, he'll lead them. He doesn't need someone else to bash them over the head with the message he wants to get across. And if a person does or does not do these things, let us allow God to be God and judge us all accordingly.

Let's remember and do Christ's words "By this all men shall know you are my disciples, that you have love one for another."


And to quote a less important man, " Can't we all just get along?"

Here's the lyrics to one of my favorite songs and a link to the song . (I have no affiliation with the site and haven't viewed anything other than the song.)

http://www.my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/onespirit.html

Jason Upton does his own rendition.

Jason Upton - We Are One In The Spirit Lyrics
We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit
We are one in the Lord

And we pray that all unity
May one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians
By our love, By our love
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians
By our love

We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand
We will walk with each other
We will walk hand in hand
And together we’ll spread the news
That God is in our land

We will work with each other
We will work side by side
We will work with each other
We will work side by side
And we’ll guard each man’s dignity
And save each man’s pride

All praise to the Father
From whom all things come
And all praise to Christ Jesus His only son
And all praise to the Spirit
Who makes us one

Make us one, Lord!

Make us one, Lord!
More Jason Upton Lyrics...