Oh so excited…:)
I’m not even gonna put up video or anything…this one’s gonna be a surprise. Haha
We got our No More team together last night to start learning this thing and I am just really excited about it. so much good stuff in it! and a really really cool, encouraging message.
We read from Steven Furtick’s blog about thinking INSIDE the box…? He brings up the idea that while we should be dreaming and should always be growing – we cant forget that we are called to be doing something RIGHT NOW, in THIS moment…and God has already given us everything we need to do it.
Cool thought, huh?
What are we being called to do right now with what we have right now?
He says “our biggest limitation is God’s greatest opportunity”.
Then we had some prayer time – and I will just say quick that our team is learning to pray together :) we’ve been beginning our meetings with prayer since we started – but the last few weeks, when we open up time to pray there’s not the “awkward-they’re not going to do anything until someone prays so someone should…” silence. :) instead – we have really good time talking to God and idk if they have noticed or not but it absolutely changes things! when a group of people sincerely come into His presence and just invite Him in – it’s a whole different feeling than just doing things for Him. Especially things that can be challenging. So I’m excited to see Him moving and just helping us to grow as a team toward Him…its good stuff. :)
And then we split up…angels/characters in one room. Demons in another. Some learned dance, some drama. This drama’s a lot about timing. And its cool how us, as leaders, are learning from past dramas – how to efficiently learn things and learn it well the fastest way possible. And how to teach it, how to direct it…we’re not perfect…haha…but we’re learning. And they did SO SO SO well last night!!! we got the whole first half learned, and ran through it all together a few times…just really cool. And its fun too, to work with the team when they are really enthused about a project.
I was reading in Matthew 22 last night – (sidenote…loving all the parables in Matthew. So interesting) but I read the parable about the king who has this huge feast/party and tells his servants to go out and invite people – but no one wants to come. so the king tells his servants to invite anyone they see to come. and I just thought – why wouldn’t you go to the party?????? Its there…its free…I guess you have to “give up your time”-? But it’s a party! Not torture.
But the king is inviting US – gesturing, yelling our names, opening the door wide, saying “come! come join the party! Don’t just stand there, come here!”
He’s offering opportunities to use His gifts, to feel and share His love, to experience His power!!!
Are we going to just stare blankly at him?
I hope not! Lets run through that door, and accept whatever gift He wants to give us and watch so excitedly while we open it and find out what it is…
Because it’s perfect for us. we were designed for it.
So lets USE it
And have fun with it! :)
Whether its dance, paint, music, serving food, loving on people, work, construction – whatever it might be…just use it.
We have a few more practices coming up and I’m just really excited (have I said that yet?) to see the end result!!! :)
-ALIVE
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
No More
Tuesday night erika and i met up at church with the A's to work on "No More" (upcoming drama/dance/epic-ness that will be performed for MegaWednesday on March 9th).
we spent about 2 1/2 hrs timing the drama parts and working on choreography for the first half of the dance.
we're about halfway done - but it shouldn't take too much longer to finish.
and it looks so cool! :)
i will ask for prayer...we have a lot of work to do, and as of this moment right now - sarah and i are both sick...:/ so we just need to pray against this sickness and any other sickness that is going to try to hinder what we're working on!
but i am in love with this song right now...its called No More by beckah shae and its a war cry. and i love it. basically if we were to wake up one morning and realize that we are armed with a double-edged sword ready to be used at any given moment that will overcome anything that comes against us - even a massive army... and then realize that our enemy is just a slithery little liar that - while standing on God's power - we could just stomp on. but instead of just giving us a shoe - He's given us a sword that could take out anything that will come against us...
so we can stop listening to all those lies satan is whispering in our ears, look him right in the eye and say "get out my way, cuz i'm about to bring some glory..."
come to MegaWednesday on March 9th and claim some victory!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
a little perspective
still reading through Matthew and something grabbed my attention the other day that i want to share - from Matthew 16.
its a verse that i have read a million times, love it. but this time i saw it differently.
in v. 21 it says that Jesus started to show his disciples that he would suffer and he would die and then rise again.
and Peter pulls Him aside and basically says - "Jesus, no - may God not allow this to happen to you!" nice, right? just a disciple looking out for his leader...
but Jesus turns and looks right at him and says "Get behind me, Satan. You are a hindrance to me."
?
can you imagine Peter's face at this moment? it seems so harsh. what did Peter do wrong?
but then Jesus goes on to say "For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
He didn't necessarily do anything wrong. but in that moment he wasn't focused on God's will. He wasnt trying to see what God was trying to do - he was only focused on what he saw.
and Jesus' response to that was to tell satan to back off.
why? because according to this passage - ignoring God's plan and not seeking to see through His eyes is directly from satan. thats why Jesus doesnt say "Peter, you are doing what satan wants" or "Peter be careful to see what God wants to do - not what you want"
He talks directly to the source.
clearly this is something that is close to God's heart - as He wastes no time in getting to the root of the problem.
and i started to think about all the times that i have not sought God's will - but just focused on what i wanted for my life in a particular moment. or the times that i know God was trying to tell me something - something He wanted me to do that was out of my comfort zone or something that i didnt want to hear for fear it wouldnt fit with my plans......
so many times - not doing anything wrong...but definitely not trying to see God's plans for what they were, even if they might be hard or painful.
Peter just didnt want to hear about his Leader, his Messiah having to suffer and die - totally understandable. but by closing his ears off to the whole truth and not placing his faith in God's plan - he allowed satan to place a stumbling block in his path. sometimes God reveals some hard things to us - not to scare us or overwhelm us, but to prepare us and to reveal His glory to us. all that is required of us is to be open and listen.
so i guess my challenge from this passage would be to strive to be completely open to whatever God is trying to show you...no matter what it is or uncomfortable it may seem. because its His plan, regardless of whether or not it makes sense, and taking our eyes off of that plan and asking for our own agenda causes Jesus to look at us and say "Get behind me, Satan".
and i dont want that for any of us...
when we do that we put ourselves before Him.
and then He can't do anything with us.
lets not ignore any part of what He's trying to show us...and lets not be a hindrance to God's plan, but be a vessel in carrying it out!
Friday, February 18, 2011
another thursday night
this post is going to be mostly pictures. just a look at what we've been working on! :)
this one was inspired by a verse in Hosea
"your love is like the morning dew that goes early away...but I desire steadfast love"
break free from our chains!
a glimpse of the Fear Dance :)
jump from the Yesterday, Today, Forever dance...:)
just so excited! :)
such a fun, gifted team. love it and love spending every thursday with them. we had some very productive time last night - using everyone's gifts...:) we had a team of ppl with drama ideas brainstorming and a team of dancers/choreographers brainstorming and came up with some really cool ideas!!! we're planning for MegaWednesday and praying that it all comes together - cuz if it does...its gonna be epic. so everyone will have to come and bring all their friends to see it! ;)
-ALIVEWednesday, February 16, 2011
the power of WORDS
i was just noticing some pictures that the YWAM base i lived at for a few months put up...and i kind of love this :)
they did a wall mural in the city of Puerto Madryn, Argentina on the power of words.
in case you don't speak spanish - it says "your words can hurt or heal".
they did a wall mural in the city of Puerto Madryn, Argentina on the power of words.
in case you don't speak spanish - it says "your words can hurt or heal".
Proverbs 12:17-19
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
powerful verses...the words that come out of our mouths - WILL hurt or they WILL heal. its not whether or not they'll have an effect...we dont have control over that.
so we need to be aware of what is coming out of our mouths...
use our words to encourage, build up, love, heal - bring TRUTH into this world!
:)
-ALIVE
just being creative...
I haven’t taken a second to blog about ALIVE meeting last Thursday so I’m just going to update you all quick…
Thursday was kind of our last night to chill for a little while…(deadlines are approaching quickly!!!) so we broke out all the art supplies, picked out some verses, opened up the dungeon and the “studio” (our new room ;) ) and just let them go.
Well – we started out with a little reminder to be in the Word, get back to just knowing Jesus and get to a place where we are committed to Him.
And then had a really cool prayer time...:) we just opened it up for whoever to pray if they wanted and it was just really good…the most amazing times I have spent in ministry are the times when I am with a team who can really come together in prayer and just follow the Lord’s call together – so my prayer is this team can grow in that. that we can just come before Him and TALK to Him, LISTEN to Him, and really have a passion to FOLLOW Him.
But the night was really fun. :) a couple new faces were there, so that was fun! I kind of love figuring out what people’s gifts are and helping them figure it out…it’s a cool way to see God working, when He reveals that.
We all arted (most inspired by verses we put on the table) for awhile, using everything from finger-paint to charcoal to sharpies (thanks to erika ;) ). Really cool. I know you’re thinking – are there pictures??? And the answer is no. haha…I brought the camera and everything – and I was way too distracted.
After arting for awhile, some of the group moved to the studio and worked on Fear Dance.
So fun to watch. Especially cuz the first time Austin showed us part of it, everyone just stared and immediately laughed and said – yeah right. (it’s a little more difficult…haha)
But now some of them have learned it! and it looks good! so fun.
So I watched that for a little while.
It was a good night. I just really love being surrounded by creativity in so many forms. Its just like God is breathing life into me (and hopefully all of us) through it… good stuff.
Things we are praying for…
- SPACE that is all our own! ;) (not one specifically…that is up to God…but we need it)
- Wall of mirrors…(would be HUGE in learning new things and we found a way to do it…we just need a wall for them and the rest of the money!)
- Upcoming “things” aka dramas/dances/etc…for inspiration and that they will be put together and learned really really well
- New project (we have ideas………..praying for the time, energy, money, people, and opportunity to put it together!)
- (this one is more where my heart is…but hey, might as well pray over it – right? ;) ) but MISSIONS. Not in the super near future – but my heart is so in taking this stuff into the world and just reaching out and loving on people. God’s preparing and building this team for that…not sure how or when or where yet – but it will come…;)
-ALIVE
Thursday was kind of our last night to chill for a little while…(deadlines are approaching quickly!!!) so we broke out all the art supplies, picked out some verses, opened up the dungeon and the “studio” (our new room ;) ) and just let them go.
Well – we started out with a little reminder to be in the Word, get back to just knowing Jesus and get to a place where we are committed to Him.
And then had a really cool prayer time...:) we just opened it up for whoever to pray if they wanted and it was just really good…the most amazing times I have spent in ministry are the times when I am with a team who can really come together in prayer and just follow the Lord’s call together – so my prayer is this team can grow in that. that we can just come before Him and TALK to Him, LISTEN to Him, and really have a passion to FOLLOW Him.
But the night was really fun. :) a couple new faces were there, so that was fun! I kind of love figuring out what people’s gifts are and helping them figure it out…it’s a cool way to see God working, when He reveals that.
We all arted (most inspired by verses we put on the table) for awhile, using everything from finger-paint to charcoal to sharpies (thanks to erika ;) ). Really cool. I know you’re thinking – are there pictures??? And the answer is no. haha…I brought the camera and everything – and I was way too distracted.
After arting for awhile, some of the group moved to the studio and worked on Fear Dance.
So fun to watch. Especially cuz the first time Austin showed us part of it, everyone just stared and immediately laughed and said – yeah right. (it’s a little more difficult…haha)
But now some of them have learned it! and it looks good! so fun.
So I watched that for a little while.
It was a good night. I just really love being surrounded by creativity in so many forms. Its just like God is breathing life into me (and hopefully all of us) through it… good stuff.
Things we are praying for…
- SPACE that is all our own! ;) (not one specifically…that is up to God…but we need it)
- Wall of mirrors…(would be HUGE in learning new things and we found a way to do it…we just need a wall for them and the rest of the money!)
- Upcoming “things” aka dramas/dances/etc…for inspiration and that they will be put together and learned really really well
- New project (we have ideas………..praying for the time, energy, money, people, and opportunity to put it together!)
- (this one is more where my heart is…but hey, might as well pray over it – right? ;) ) but MISSIONS. Not in the super near future – but my heart is so in taking this stuff into the world and just reaching out and loving on people. God’s preparing and building this team for that…not sure how or when or where yet – but it will come…;)
-ALIVE
Monday, February 14, 2011
I have not come to bring peace...
"I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."
-Matthew 10:34
i have heard this verse many times - but reading this this time, i felt Jesus' warning in it...
and i felt Him saying
"i love you, and i will always care for you. you see the tiny sparrows? i see them, every one - and how much more valuable are you to me than they are??? but hear me, please hear me - dont get comfortable...i didnt come to earth to make your life perfect and easy so you could just sit back and relax until you get to heaven - i came to give you a way to fight. i see your struggle, i see what satan is doing and i came so that you could have freedom to stand on - should you choose it. I give you a sword, a way to fight- but in order to win, following Me has to be more important than everything else. no exceptions."
so don't take His gift of life for granted.
lets not just say "thanks for loving me, i will see you in Heaven!" and just let life happen.
thank Him, acknowledge Him, and then choose Him.
choose to follow Him, decide that He is the most important - and then pick up that sword and stand on the truth - the truth that He died for you so that you might live.
God is just breaking my heart for people who don't know that they can fight! or that fight in vain because its on their own power. they are exhausting themselves, they are dying - no its not comfortable to step out of our comfort zones, its not fun to risk being rejected...
but i'm willing to bet it wasnt fun to hang on a cross and be convicted as a criminal - not asking first if people would accept Him after it was all said and done.
it didnt matter. He did all He could so that we might live.
He didnt come to earth so that we could accept Him and then do what we wanted for the rest of our lives - He came to bring a sword. a sword for His followers to pick up, by the power of the Holy Spirit to fight through the darkness so that people might catch even a glimpse of light through it all.
how else will they know?
one of the pastors at Edinbrook said this "we are ONLY still here because there are still people who need Him."
this world offers hopelessness.
Jesus offers a sword.
Lets pick it up ask Him what to do with it...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
back to the basics...Part 1
I think that this will be Part 1 of a few cuz I am reading through the New Testament to get back to the basics -back to the raw, pure and (in the words of Mark Batterson) primal place in my faith where God is all that matters. Where we don’t get caught up in practicalities or rationalizations – its just God.
And its been a week…I’m on chapter 8 of matthew…and He’s already (and I don’t use this word lightly) revolutionizing how I see Jesus and my faith in Him.
Its amazing.
I guess in reading it with a purpose of trying to get back to the basics – I read it as if I am one of the disciples sitting on that mountain, having left everything behind - trusting that this man in front of me is the Messiah that I have been so desperately waiting for…and He’s telling me how it is. and its like I am literally just wanting to hear every word and am just amazed at what He is saying…and knowing my life needs to change radically if this is all true…
Don’t think of yourself as great – blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are persecuted. Stay focused on eternity. YOU are the salt and light to the world. ??? All this darkness you’ve been surrounded by? You want it lit up? Well that’s you. you filled with Jesus. Don’t just not kill people – but don’t even hate them. Don’t just not commit adultery – but don’t even look on someone with lust. Give me a straight answer – don’t go back and forth. Love your ENEMIES.
And that’s just the beginning!!!
This was the very beginning. The first things the disciples learned from Him.
I like that Jesus warns them right away – focus on eternity. Because if you don’t…this is about to get harder than you’ll be able to handle. And then He says – if you’re going to follow me, follow me. but choose now and stick with it.
This IS the very basic foundation of being His follower.
LOVE Him! Believe He is God. Follow Him no matter what. keep your eyes on eternity. Love people! Do these things…and the rest will come. you WILL be changed. How can you not if you really believe all this is true?!?
Like I said – I am only on chapter 8 but my eyes are just being opened wider than I ever thought possible. And from this primal level – everything besides God all of a sudden seems so small. All the “stuff”. The fear of speaking out about Him or of taking huge steps of faith, the stress, the annoyances, the anger, the “impossible stuff”…God just outshines it ALL!
Because our focus was always meant to be on eternity. We were supposed to be looking at everything from this perspective. Its when we try to stand on all these other things and control what we see of God that our perspectives get all skewed.
so don’t get caught up in the “stuff”.
so lets go back to the basics and sort through what is straight from God and what we've just sort of adopted along the way.
Let go of what we think and just take in some straight-up Jesus. :)
And like I said-mostly likely to be continued…
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
-Matthew 5:6
-ALIVE
And its been a week…I’m on chapter 8 of matthew…and He’s already (and I don’t use this word lightly) revolutionizing how I see Jesus and my faith in Him.
Its amazing.
I guess in reading it with a purpose of trying to get back to the basics – I read it as if I am one of the disciples sitting on that mountain, having left everything behind - trusting that this man in front of me is the Messiah that I have been so desperately waiting for…and He’s telling me how it is. and its like I am literally just wanting to hear every word and am just amazed at what He is saying…and knowing my life needs to change radically if this is all true…
Don’t think of yourself as great – blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who are persecuted. Stay focused on eternity. YOU are the salt and light to the world. ??? All this darkness you’ve been surrounded by? You want it lit up? Well that’s you. you filled with Jesus. Don’t just not kill people – but don’t even hate them. Don’t just not commit adultery – but don’t even look on someone with lust. Give me a straight answer – don’t go back and forth. Love your ENEMIES.
And that’s just the beginning!!!
This was the very beginning. The first things the disciples learned from Him.
I like that Jesus warns them right away – focus on eternity. Because if you don’t…this is about to get harder than you’ll be able to handle. And then He says – if you’re going to follow me, follow me. but choose now and stick with it.
This IS the very basic foundation of being His follower.
LOVE Him! Believe He is God. Follow Him no matter what. keep your eyes on eternity. Love people! Do these things…and the rest will come. you WILL be changed. How can you not if you really believe all this is true?!?
Like I said – I am only on chapter 8 but my eyes are just being opened wider than I ever thought possible. And from this primal level – everything besides God all of a sudden seems so small. All the “stuff”. The fear of speaking out about Him or of taking huge steps of faith, the stress, the annoyances, the anger, the “impossible stuff”…God just outshines it ALL!
Because our focus was always meant to be on eternity. We were supposed to be looking at everything from this perspective. Its when we try to stand on all these other things and control what we see of God that our perspectives get all skewed.
so don’t get caught up in the “stuff”.
so lets go back to the basics and sort through what is straight from God and what we've just sort of adopted along the way.
Let go of what we think and just take in some straight-up Jesus. :)
And like I said-mostly likely to be continued…
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
-Matthew 5:6
-ALIVE
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Matthew 5
something God has been asking of me quite passionately these past few weeks through so many different ways - is to get back to the basics of what it means to follow Jesus.
Last wednesday we watched a video from Francis Chan's Crazy Love series and he asked "if you were on a deserted island and all you had was your bible to learn from - how would your faith and your relationship with God look different?"
and as soon as he said it - i felt God telling me to do that. to go and really read through the new testament...looking at the church - at the first followers of Jesus and His ministry as it was just getting started. and to see what the foundations of it were, what was important - and i will be honest. i have never read the bible all the way through - i dont even know if i have ever read the new testament all the way through.
but i am now...and God is having me read it as if i am meeting Jesus for the first time. and i will say that there is something so cool and so intimate about reading Jesus' actual words spoken directly to me (and to you!). i just read Matthew 5 - and at the beginning of the chapter it says "so Jesus withdrew to a hill and as the disciples sat down he began teaching them..." and he starts teaching them for the first time - and it goes on onto this almost seemingly random list of things from anger to divorce to humility...but i was thinking about it and what would it have been like to sit down with Jesus and just wait to hear the truth? to find out what was important to Him, what it was all about, why they were following Him???
and one of the things that stuck out was from a section (in my esv bible) labeled Oaths (v.33-37). and basically Jesus says "dont give a bunch of words and explanations and swear on all these things - give a yes or a no and then commit to it."
and at first i thought - why is that even in there? be humble, think of yourself as the least, dont divorce your spouse - oh and by the way, when you make promises - dont swear on all these things. just give a yes or no.
haha...but then i was thinking - what if when Jesus called the disciples to follow Him they all said - "oh Jesus, yes, and i swear on my mothers life and on all the fish in the sea and on all the money i have that i WILL follow you!"
it sounds really nice, right? well in the verse Jesus says "But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black." v. 34-36
Heaven is His throne, earth is His footstool and Jerusalem is His city...not to mention everything you "own" - also belongs to Him.
so i just feel like He's saying - how do you swear on all these things? who's to say you will have any of these things tomorrow? is that how permanent your oath is too?
and when He asks us to follow Him - all He wants is a yes, here we go.
and then commit to it!
its like He's saying - i dont care how many things you have to swear by...i am asking you to follow me. and all i want is to hear you say yes or no...and mean it.
how many times in the bible does He say that He can't stand double-minded people, or lukewarm people? people who are "undecided" are tossed around just like the waves! (james 1:6)
He doesnt want that for us. He wants us to stand strong on His promises, to be ready to follow Him into anything at any given moment...
but He has a mission to accomplish...and its happening NOW.
and there is no time to waste.
not enough time to give satan any of it by going back and forth.
so decide - give Him a yes or a no. and live it- no looking back.
v. 36 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
so choose.
and choose God.
-ALIVE
Last wednesday we watched a video from Francis Chan's Crazy Love series and he asked "if you were on a deserted island and all you had was your bible to learn from - how would your faith and your relationship with God look different?"
and as soon as he said it - i felt God telling me to do that. to go and really read through the new testament...looking at the church - at the first followers of Jesus and His ministry as it was just getting started. and to see what the foundations of it were, what was important - and i will be honest. i have never read the bible all the way through - i dont even know if i have ever read the new testament all the way through.
but i am now...and God is having me read it as if i am meeting Jesus for the first time. and i will say that there is something so cool and so intimate about reading Jesus' actual words spoken directly to me (and to you!). i just read Matthew 5 - and at the beginning of the chapter it says "so Jesus withdrew to a hill and as the disciples sat down he began teaching them..." and he starts teaching them for the first time - and it goes on onto this almost seemingly random list of things from anger to divorce to humility...but i was thinking about it and what would it have been like to sit down with Jesus and just wait to hear the truth? to find out what was important to Him, what it was all about, why they were following Him???
and one of the things that stuck out was from a section (in my esv bible) labeled Oaths (v.33-37). and basically Jesus says "dont give a bunch of words and explanations and swear on all these things - give a yes or a no and then commit to it."
and at first i thought - why is that even in there? be humble, think of yourself as the least, dont divorce your spouse - oh and by the way, when you make promises - dont swear on all these things. just give a yes or no.
haha...but then i was thinking - what if when Jesus called the disciples to follow Him they all said - "oh Jesus, yes, and i swear on my mothers life and on all the fish in the sea and on all the money i have that i WILL follow you!"
it sounds really nice, right? well in the verse Jesus says "But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black." v. 34-36
Heaven is His throne, earth is His footstool and Jerusalem is His city...not to mention everything you "own" - also belongs to Him.
so i just feel like He's saying - how do you swear on all these things? who's to say you will have any of these things tomorrow? is that how permanent your oath is too?
and when He asks us to follow Him - all He wants is a yes, here we go.
and then commit to it!
its like He's saying - i dont care how many things you have to swear by...i am asking you to follow me. and all i want is to hear you say yes or no...and mean it.
how many times in the bible does He say that He can't stand double-minded people, or lukewarm people? people who are "undecided" are tossed around just like the waves! (james 1:6)
He doesnt want that for us. He wants us to stand strong on His promises, to be ready to follow Him into anything at any given moment...
but He has a mission to accomplish...and its happening NOW.
and there is no time to waste.
not enough time to give satan any of it by going back and forth.
so decide - give Him a yes or a no. and live it- no looking back.
v. 36 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
so choose.
and choose God.
-ALIVE
Monday, February 7, 2011
getting to know our creator
Happy Monday friends :) (it might be a LITTLE happier if the steelers had won last night…but I’ll get over it…;) )
This has been a crazy week!!!
As a team (well at least the leaders haha) its felt like we’ve been going nonstop for awhile now with a lot of performances and events and its been so great – but also so great to just take a little break on Thursday night. we just had some dancing happening, some arting, some chillin…just general creativeness happening. Love.
I also read the group a section from Primal by Mark Batterson (so so good…) on creativity. He talks about how God is a creator, the greatest creator. And because we were made in His image and we are to get to know Him more and more all the time – we should be tapping into our imagination, and our awe and creativity as a way to love Him more.
And not just doing the same thing over and over again just because we know how to do it and feel comfortable with it – but learning NEW ways to be creative. Always learning, always experiencing MORE of His heart and His creation.
And I love that.
And I don’t know if its just because I am “a creative type” ;) but I absolutely feel closer to God when I am creating…like I am able to experience something that is purely and truly God. Its so cool and so powerful.
Love it.
So I absolutely encourage anyone and everyone reading this to take some time and do something creative today…something to use your imagination a little…
Maybe read a psalm and just pay attention to the imagery the words paint – and just really picture what the psalmist is feeling. Or write about it. or draw it. or think about the person writing it. but God has given us so much more than just the ability to read and understand things. He’s given us a whole other supernatural aspect to our lives…so don’t settle for what you see and understand!
Mark Batterson talks about how being creative is not just art. So don’t get caught on that. its imagining, building, inventing, appreciating, being in awe, feeling, and so so so much more.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you into it…:)
But I will say it is fun to just splatter some paint on some paper while great worship music is playing and just see what comes out of it…;)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is UNSEEN, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18
-ALIVE
This has been a crazy week!!!
As a team (well at least the leaders haha) its felt like we’ve been going nonstop for awhile now with a lot of performances and events and its been so great – but also so great to just take a little break on Thursday night. we just had some dancing happening, some arting, some chillin…just general creativeness happening. Love.
I also read the group a section from Primal by Mark Batterson (so so good…) on creativity. He talks about how God is a creator, the greatest creator. And because we were made in His image and we are to get to know Him more and more all the time – we should be tapping into our imagination, and our awe and creativity as a way to love Him more.
And not just doing the same thing over and over again just because we know how to do it and feel comfortable with it – but learning NEW ways to be creative. Always learning, always experiencing MORE of His heart and His creation.
And I love that.
And I don’t know if its just because I am “a creative type” ;) but I absolutely feel closer to God when I am creating…like I am able to experience something that is purely and truly God. Its so cool and so powerful.
Love it.
So I absolutely encourage anyone and everyone reading this to take some time and do something creative today…something to use your imagination a little…
Maybe read a psalm and just pay attention to the imagery the words paint – and just really picture what the psalmist is feeling. Or write about it. or draw it. or think about the person writing it. but God has given us so much more than just the ability to read and understand things. He’s given us a whole other supernatural aspect to our lives…so don’t settle for what you see and understand!
Mark Batterson talks about how being creative is not just art. So don’t get caught on that. its imagining, building, inventing, appreciating, being in awe, feeling, and so so so much more.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you into it…:)
But I will say it is fun to just splatter some paint on some paper while great worship music is playing and just see what comes out of it…;)
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is UNSEEN, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:18
-ALIVE
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
why aren't you doing anything?
so Chains drama was for Friday night.
Saturday morning Josh talked about having a relationship with Jesus. an active relationship - where we make a choice to listen to Him and know Him and trust Him with our lives.
God gave me an idea for a drama - just in reading some different things, i just had this picture of God coming to the earth and seeing how we live with our ideas that if we just dont offend anyone and let people believe what they want, not rocking the boat at all...it will all be easier.
and it might be easier - but God didnt call us to easy.
we just let people believe that they'll be fine, that they're good enough.
i know i am guilty of that - its their choice right? i dont want to offend anyone - especially not people i have to see a lot...
but at the same time knowing what God wants of me.
I will mention that this drama (due to a series of unfortunate and unforeseen events) actually got into the hands of Austin and Isaac approximately…um…Saturday morning…:/ (they did have it before...but first real practice time) was after breakfast…about an hour before the session. And I remember saying to some ppl at the breakfast table – “we prb wont do it. if it gets done, it’ll be a total God thing”…and somehow – He did it! haha…about an hour later they were up front performing the drama. the lines got switched around a little but they totally pulled it off and God was glorified!!! (although Isaac did say this stressful career was too much and therefore this was his retirement…and we will let him think that for now…;) ).
But God totally did His thing.
so the drama looks at a college guy chillin in his dorm room playing video games when Jesus walks in.
he treats Him like a buddy...welcoming Him in but not really paying any attention to Him.
and Jesus tries to get Him to pay attention to what is going on around him. tries to get Him to care about His friends - to care that they're hurting and struggling.
but he doesnt want to push his beliefs on them.
He tries to get him to care about others - but he doesn't want to offend.
He tries to get him to be honest - which he does...but then brushes off his sins, saying that its not as bad as He thinks. that maybe its just not as bad as the Bible makes it sound.
and as the guy brushes Him off over and over again - finally at the end he gets a phone call, and his world get uprooted a little.
the guy hangs up the phone, then realizes that Jesus had to have known-
and then demands to know why He isn't doing anything about it...
and its just a picture of how we push God away - over and over. asking Him to stay out of our business. to not bother us and to just let us do what we want...
but then when things go wrong we demand do know what He could have possibly been thinking that He would let us down.
there was a quote from a Max Lucado book i read - and he said "spend a lifetime telling God to leave you alone...and He will."
its a tough picture...but its so important to make sure we make an effort to listen to God's voice and to obey Him and follow Him...even when its uncomfortable. we are His and only He can see the big picture.
we just need to trust that He knows what He's doing.
and fall in love with Him.
:)
-ALIVE
Saturday morning Josh talked about having a relationship with Jesus. an active relationship - where we make a choice to listen to Him and know Him and trust Him with our lives.
God gave me an idea for a drama - just in reading some different things, i just had this picture of God coming to the earth and seeing how we live with our ideas that if we just dont offend anyone and let people believe what they want, not rocking the boat at all...it will all be easier.
and it might be easier - but God didnt call us to easy.
we just let people believe that they'll be fine, that they're good enough.
i know i am guilty of that - its their choice right? i dont want to offend anyone - especially not people i have to see a lot...
but at the same time knowing what God wants of me.
I will mention that this drama (due to a series of unfortunate and unforeseen events) actually got into the hands of Austin and Isaac approximately…um…Saturday morning…:/ (they did have it before...but first real practice time) was after breakfast…about an hour before the session. And I remember saying to some ppl at the breakfast table – “we prb wont do it. if it gets done, it’ll be a total God thing”…and somehow – He did it! haha…about an hour later they were up front performing the drama. the lines got switched around a little but they totally pulled it off and God was glorified!!! (although Isaac did say this stressful career was too much and therefore this was his retirement…and we will let him think that for now…;) ).
But God totally did His thing.
so the drama looks at a college guy chillin in his dorm room playing video games when Jesus walks in.
he treats Him like a buddy...welcoming Him in but not really paying any attention to Him.
and Jesus tries to get Him to pay attention to what is going on around him. tries to get Him to care about His friends - to care that they're hurting and struggling.
but he doesnt want to push his beliefs on them.
He tries to get him to care about others - but he doesn't want to offend.
He tries to get him to be honest - which he does...but then brushes off his sins, saying that its not as bad as He thinks. that maybe its just not as bad as the Bible makes it sound.
and as the guy brushes Him off over and over again - finally at the end he gets a phone call, and his world get uprooted a little.
the guy hangs up the phone, then realizes that Jesus had to have known-
and then demands to know why He isn't doing anything about it...
and its just a picture of how we push God away - over and over. asking Him to stay out of our business. to not bother us and to just let us do what we want...
but then when things go wrong we demand do know what He could have possibly been thinking that He would let us down.
there was a quote from a Max Lucado book i read - and he said "spend a lifetime telling God to leave you alone...and He will."
its a tough picture...but its so important to make sure we make an effort to listen to God's voice and to obey Him and follow Him...even when its uncomfortable. we are His and only He can see the big picture.
we just need to trust that He knows what He's doing.
and fall in love with Him.
:)
-ALIVE
Chains
ok, i am finally taking a second to blog a bit more about the incredible weekend we had at Trout Lake/Timber Ridge Camp.
we were asked, as ALIVE, to put together a few "creative elements" for the different sessions.
so in between {em-pou-er}, St. Joe's, and Give Me Your Eyes for Edinbrook - we worked on stuff for that. haha...i could lie and tell you it was super easy and not at all stressful...but i wont. it was absolute craziness...but God put it together!!! and i am beginning to think that we will never have any REAL time to prepare for things...God is just helping us to rely on Him for it all!
one of the things we worked on was taking a section from our first Project - the drama we did to the song Slow Fade by Casting Crowns. its a picture of how taking little steps away from God, making little compromises all add up faster than they think they will and all of a sudden everything is crumbling...in the drama the main character starts out saying no - but ends up giving in more and more. and as she gives in - chains are added to her shoulders. until she falls and all of a sudden she is surrounded by people holding her down and making sure the chains stay on her.
and we tried something different...
we had them do that part of the drama, and then end it - on a sad note...
and then Mark got up and gave his message on the chains we hold so tightly to and let weigh us down - whether its chains of selfishness or laziness or complacency or whatever...we just let them weigh us down. but God wants to take them away! He wants to break them so badly and let us live free...we just need to get rid of the chains.
and then after he was done, sam herrlin (bless her heart...she was willing to step up and learn this dance on SUCH short notice, and just let God use her...such a blessing) went up, wrapped up in chains and danced to a cut version of the song Lift Up Your Face by Third Day. amazing. just SUCH a cool visual of holding so tightly to our chains - but God tells us to look up at Him and trust Him to take care of us. and then we let go...and we're free! the chains just fall off...and as much as i dont love the sound of chains normally - there is something so powerful about hearing those chains just fall to the ground.
freedom.
if you want to see a version of the chains dance - you can go to the dance category to the right and the video is called "Freedom".
let go of the chains...you were never meant to live with all that weight. God wants you to be free - once and for all. so be free! get rid of those chains...
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