Lets Start With….

From Let’s Start with Jesus by Dennis F Kinlaw :                      

“With this new understanding of the nature of God comes a new concept of love as well – a love determined by the nature of the subject who loves rather than by the nature of the object loved.”

“Plato gives a revealing picture of Socrates in The Symposium. Socrates reports to his friends how a wise woman explained to him that love is not something the greatest of the gods can experience. She said that to love means to desire; and desire is an indication of need. We love another because the other meets a need in our own experience. We know that the great gods are perfect and have no needs. Therefore, how can the gods love? The assumption behind Plato’s whole discussion is the conviction that the lover seeks in the beloved the fulfillment of the lover’s own needs. Socrates could not conceive of love that was primarily concerned with what the lover could do for the loved rather than what the lover could acquire from the loved. To Socrates love is self-oriented and concerned with how the other can satisfy the needs of the lover.”

“The unique picture of love Jesus presents was the exact opposite of the picture that the wise men of his world understood. Jesus embodies the Old Testament revelation of God’s hesed, or “steadfast love,” seen in God’s faithful love of Israel throughout the Old Testament. This love of God is a love relationship in which the lover loves not for what can be acquired, but for what can be given to meet the needs of the beloved. In fact, giving is the lover’s greatest joy.”

“Jesus’ paradigm is of one who loves to give whether the recipient responds or not.”

It’s a breath of fresh air to remember that I am loved perfectly because God is… God. He is the author of perfection. He isn’t fickle or self-serving. He won’t abuse or shame those who turn to Him. He doesn’t love like we do. He never has and never will.  We  must never measure His love against anyone we know on the earth. He is infinitely wise and is well acquainted with us.

*Lord, we need you to love you. Help us, today!*

one of the best wedding invitations!

it may not be quick or to the point, but at least those who are the +1 guest may actually learn about the couple of the wedding their significant other is forcing them to attend. enjoy.

the bathroom, singing, and sara groves.

For me, the worst part of sitting in a cube and in meetings all day is the fact that I can’t sing. 8hrs a day and the only break of silence or helicopter mumbo jumbo comes when I obviously go to lunch, but more so when I go to the bathroom.

*qualifier – this doesn’t segway into something awkward, I promise – end of qualifier*

I usually go to the one that is typically vacant on the other side of the building. Whether I actually need to go or not, ill go. The acoustics are just right… seriously! I think ill record my first song in this bathroom.

No, no i probably won’t.

Still, I think it would be a fabulous location. Is it sad that “the bathroom” is my only vice for escape? Possibly… Nevertheless, I’ve had some good times with Jesus while pacing the dusty cracked tile floor. Its even better when someone walks in and I’m in the midst of singing or praying. Talk about awkward.

How do you recover from these situations? You don’t. You just hope they don’t work anywhere near your department.

My saving grace as of late has been Sara Groves’ new album “Fireflies and Songs”

I’ve been pumping in mass quantities at a time and I really just wish I could hook it up to an IV and let the good times roll. (what?)

This album is brilliant on many levels.

She inspires the wanna-be singer/songwriter and musician within me. Story telling is a gift and I’m not too sure I actually posses it, but I’m extremely grateful for those that do. Especially raw and vulnerable writers like Groves, it seems that “art frames the ordinary” in her music. She takes you to her world and sings a journal of her journey in God, life lessons, and feelings backed with raw emotion of how she reacts to it all. Her words take on shape and form when soundtracked by melodies and imagination. Music is another world and I’m a fan of Sara’s musical world (plus we have the same name). I dare say it’s my favorite of her works thus far.

It hits the spot and it hits it in the best way possible.

All that to say… I’m grateful for Sara Groves and I’m grateful for the bathroom getaway.

-S

not a project.

On my way to work today, The Lord decided to remind me of these seven words… and they have never rung more true in my ears than today.

“You are not a project to Me” (I tend to forget this).

In life, we all find these projects somewhere, and usually it is most potent with friends and family. How can we fix it? Can’t they just LISTEN and understand? Where can we find the steps to see tangible growth from the issues, now!?

Many of us have become so consumed with these “projects” that we begin to measure our own relationship with God in the same way. Expectations, standards, silly equations and formulas with our precise rhetoric are formed into a template that subconsciously becomes the distorted lens we look through of how God deals with each of us.

Scary thought huh?

Yet, it happens all too often and I think when we sit down and take the
time to really think about the way God deals with us, we would all agree that there’s no conclusion you come to, only more questioning. We look at the way He leads and think, “what’s the catch? There’s no way He can be this kind to someone so weak”.God and
His promises all of a sudden become as valid to us as a used car salesman’s
persuasive plea. And in that moment, I bet the Lord so desperately wants to scream, “I’m not like man and you can’t compare
the two of us. I don’t treat you as your sins deserve or repay you in
full for every wrong you make. I’m not like man; we’re not even on the
same scale!” (Ps.103:10)

The challenge is to think rightly about God, it’s a daily journey and battle. It’s a battle that will in fact, continue to rage until the return of the man Jesus.

He deals with us differently; far different than we deal with each other. It’s the road of sanctification led by a man that leads and guides us with perfect wisdom and understanding. He purges us and He does it with love, and his standards are with COMPLETE understanding of where each of us are, RIGHT NOW.

We are His bride – His sheep – the apple of His eye. The one’s He crowns
with loving-kindness and tender mercies. The ones He was bruised,
beaten, became a curse and died for.

We’re not a project; we are the very object of His affection.

-S

*thank you adam and allyster for your editing skills*

friday night.

Its Friday. the work week has ended. the deadlines have ceased, at least for the next 2 days… the chaos, the phone calls, the emails, the things you occupy your time with just to feel normal and less robot like during the 40+ hour work week all somehow seem like ages ago.

Its Friday night and im in a local coffee shop listening to IHOPs Webstream and the most simple of songs is being sung. Good ol’ Kevin Prosch’ Oh Come Let Us Adore Him.

With eyes closed my heart and mind seem to be able to only handle and process these 6 words and nothing more.

The only looming thought my mind can conjure is “where is my aim?”

At the end of the day, when the dust has settled what remains?

If you knew me, youd know that im the person during the week that is counting down the hours (with dread) that I have till I need to go to sleep-wake up-and do this “life” thing all over again.

I think it’s a problem.

Possibly?

The only value ive noticed that comes from this “fascination” with time it is that it makes me VERY jealous for my time, jealous for my time alone, being productive, or doing utterly nothing (rest).

Today I’m worn out with the business. Im wearing myself out with the things i choose to busy myself with.

What is my aim? Do the things I choose to give myself and my time to actually provoke my heart to love jesus and people, or does it just numb the pain of routine?

I need to be a better steward of my time.

Yes waiter, I’ll have an order of Heart Evaluation with a side of Grace.

Thanks.

language.

I don’t want language. I want reality. I understand the desire to speak and pray confidently, clearly, and effectively, but I don’t want just form and great structure of words intertwined with scriptures combined with vocal inflations. I want a true heart reality behind what it is I’m saying and why I’m even saying it. There’s nothing worse then talking when you having nothing to say at all.

alive on the outside, but dead on the inside is suddenly coming to mind…

Jesus, let us pray because you desire us to tarry with you and we long to be where you are, but let us have revelation of the words we’re even declaring. I want to be alive on the inside. I want to move from declarations that are pleasing to the ear and fluidly articulated to my words coming from a place of genuine experience and encounter with the Word, the Life, the Man Jesus.

103.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul;

And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,

And forget not all His benefits:

3 Who forgives all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases,

4 Who redeems your life from destruction,

Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies.

-Psalm 103

Today, my inner man doesn’t want to agree with this Psalm… but that doesn’t change the reality and validity His word. It’s still the same whether I agree, whether it makes sense, or whether I can feel His affection for me. After having forgiven my wicked nature and sin, becoming a curse on my behalf, taking the pain and anguish that was meant for me and redeeming my life from what I truly deserve… He STILL… even after it all.. He still desires and wants to crown me with loving-kindness and tender mercy. Offering it to me freely, never questioning the merit of my existence.

The reality is that He’s unmeasurably good whether I believe it or not and the aim of my life is to come into agreement with this eternal reality. Now the sad reality for us, is that when your heart is not in agreement with Him, its not alive.

no bueno.

My Boyfriends Back…

.. and you’re gonna dun na na na (whatever the words are)!!!                                                *que the ridiculous song*

Ok ok ok… My boyfriend is definitely not back, BUT my sisters ARE!!

That’s right folks, they just got in today from the oh so Holy Land of Israel and I can not wait to see them… As im writing this, there is a lovely lull at work and I’m dying to get home to see them… and shower… (don’t judge me)

Can’t wait to hear all the stories, see the 2.3 billion pictures, and mostly hear what on earth transpired in their hearts since they’ve been away.

I know in my life there was a defining moment I had in Israel that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the man Jesus had just marked my heart and life for the place of intercession, forever.

There’s something magical about Israel… I humbly refer to it as a Prophetic Disneyworld on crack. OK, Here me out before you go all “heretic” on me, because truly, this place is unlike any other.

It’s real! It exists! Things make sense! Everything you’ve read about or heard about actually takes on life. The little Sunday school stories begin to take on shape with form and color. This place is real and Gods desire for Israel and the Jew is more real today then it was 2000 years ago when Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us (particuarly this very place when he was on the earth. wow) …

If you haven’t gone, make your plans NOW. Your heart, your mind, and your soul will NEVER ever be the same!

Sisters how I have missed you! Mostly Rachel because she’s been there for three months, but Liv has been there for a month as well so my “missing” is for her too!!

if….

If I could sanctify any musician and stick them on a prayer room set, whom would I pick?? 

Worship w/ the Word:

1. James Taylor

2. Robert Plant and Allison Krauss

3. Norah Jones

4. Boys II Men

5. Whitney Houston

Intercession:

1. U2  (OH, Bono, if only you would be honest.  Recruiting mankind to save itself is like looking for nursery workers on the sex offender list…what would happen if you sang the Gospel?  What a dream…)

2. Lauryn Hill

3. Mutemath

4. Coldplay

5. Kings of Leon

 

Am i right or am i right?

adoption…

A Journey i hope to go on someday. A process i hope to go through in the future.

Loving the unloved and outcast of society. This is a group the Lord has pointed out to “take care of the Orphan and the Widow (James 1:27)”. This inst a figurative statement, this is reality at its finest..

A few wonderful Blogs i wanna highlight that will encourage your heart and make you aware of what the Lord is doing for men and women that respond to his call to take care of the orphan and widow!!

Randy Boehlender 

as well as

http://momentswithlove.blogspot.com/

http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/