Living life with steps of faith

I have to admit, I've been distracted from the ministry God has called me to do over the past year because I've been distracted by finances: mine and the ministry's. Feels good - there I confessed it. I've been trying to solve our financial "problems" by the world's and humanly placed standards instead of trusting that God would supply for our every need just like He promised. So, I'm switching gears, which is only possible with both the mercy and grace of God and I'm going to live by His standards of patient waiting, trust and hope, knowing that He will provide for everything in the appropriate time. Here I am God, teach me to once again let go and really trust with faith at least the size of a mustard seed. Amen. "By the meakness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you -- I, Paul, who am 'timid' when face to face with you, but 'bold' when away! I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be towa...

I wonder how one's understanding of Christianity varies across socio-economic categories?

(Excerpt taken from my personal journal after reflecting upon my boyfriend's and my relationship.) In so many ways this male-female relationship and God's use of it as an allegory is helpful and makes me rethink my relationship with God. First, I wonder about this concept of one flesh, sameness of skin (don't worry my moral values have not changed), and wonder how it relates to the Trinity and our connection with God. When we are made a new creation by being born again do we get to experience this same type of oneness with God? With God, can and do we experience that same strong spiritual-tied-to-physical connection that a child has with his biological mother and a mother has with her child? The whole idea of the flesh, our carnal self, seems to have new meaning. I had never considered the physical in its matter existence to be spiritual, but then again all things are held together by Jesus. Another thought related to friendship and the romantic relationship of a man and...

Today I made a list of every major event that happened in my life between December 2003 and December 2004 and there were a lot of them. I also listed the names of lives grieved because of death. I then continued and began to list major events between December 2004 and December 2005 and God revealed an amazing revelation to me and a great reminder that I needed to restore my hope and my faith in His goodness. Life Happens! And so I wrote this declaration, of which I now publish online for the world to see and for me to be held accountable to this one truth that God is good . Comments in parentheses have been added to bring clarity to this declaration. "I now accept that life just happens. I believe that God didn't bring me (or the ministry I work with) people just to take them away, but (rather) He brought them instead to bless us during their time with us! (whether that be in their life or in their involvement with a specific organization.) Thank you Jesus for revealing thi...

This morning I've been working on the lesson plans for our church's youth ministry. The topic is "What does it mean to be great?" The fascinating thing is how much Scripture tells us about what it means to be great and offers a different perspective of life, leadership, and perhaps even leisure? The obvious Scriptures do come to mind - the story of Zebedee's sons wanting to be honored, Jesus washing the disciples' feet and sharing that He came not to be served - but to serve, Jesus reprimending Peter and instructing him to have a right perspective of life, and of course the 2nd Greatest Commandment to love one another. But then there are the other stories and illustrations that capture our attention and explain in even greater detail what it means to be a leader as Christ was a leader, how to have a right perspective, and what leadership attributes/attitudes to avoid. There is the list of woes and corrections in Matthew 23 (practice what you preach, don...

Okay, I've always dreamed of being a transformational speaker, but now I think I've added another dream job to my list. (or perhaps I'm just on a momentary soap box.) Wouldn't it be great, if I secretly became a multi-millionaire or billionaire and then volunteered my time with various non-profit groups for a significant amount of time (maybe 1 or 2 years.) Then after getting to see the insdie scoop of the non-profit, I'd make a decision if I wanted to give it several hundred thousand dollars or however much would be significant to start a fund that would generate enough interest to help the non-profit survive. A month or two prior to making this annoymous donation, I would quit volunteering and move on to another non-profit to serve and perhaps later financially support.

I found this article online( http://criswell.wordpress.com/files/2006/03/3,2%20APastoralPerspectiveontheEmergentChurch%5BDriscoll%5D.PDF ) that briefly outlines the beginning of the naming of the emerging movement. I found it helpful in recognizing the different theological positions and ideologies within the movement. I also found it interesting that the author recognized that the changes that have now been labeled have been in existance for some time. But one must also recognize the power of giving something a name, which allows it a much more powerful identity. A name allows people to come together in a unified direction. When I first heard about the emergent church it was through an article read at a para-church youth ministry regional meeting. As I read the description of the church it reminded me of the church that I grew up in. "Where the Bible speaks, we speak, where the Bible is silent, we're silent." I remember and still observe debates about what our denominat...