Father has been speaking to my heart lately. I am learning that I need to speak His truth in compassionate, passionate boldness.
Lately there have been many friends in my life who are dealing with very difficult issues in their lives. Many of these issues are due to their not abiding by their convictions and listening to feelings and emotions. We cannot be guided by our emotions. When we give up what we know to be right, we are eventually faced with more hurt, hardships, and possibly deep depression.
Father has passionately grabbed hold of my heart telling me that people need to hear bold truth. I have always been one to "dance around issues"...especially when dealing with friends. I don't like confrontation. It is much easier simply to listen to what a friend shares of what they are dealing with...be the "sympathetic ear" while not giving much in the way of feedback. Anyone can be there for those needing an listening ear. A true friend...Christian friend...will listen, pray and speak.
Jesus does not want us to give our own "human" answers or advice. A person can get that anywhere and they do because it is easier to talk to people, even strangers, and not have to be accountable. Friends share things in sugar-coated ways at times. That is why we as the Christian friend need to be continually in prayer ("Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Eph. 6:18). We need to pray before we respond to that person who needs truthful, bold love...while we are responding (if writing pray during, if speaking pray as you listen to them)...and after we speak with them.
Telling the truth in bold love is difficult. We must remember to have the compassion of Christ...not simply saying what we think....His passion...our heart truly wants the best for the person we are talking with...and His boldness...He told people what they needed to hear.
We are imperfect people and we all fail at sometime in our life. Keeping an attitude of prayer will help us in our own situations and then we can boldly love those who need the wisdom that comes only in Christ Jesus...as we continue to keep on-going communication with Him.
I pray that Jesus will grab your heart to truly hear those around you and be the Jesus-Friend they need.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Resurrection Band Love Comes Down LIVE
Rez Band began in the early 70's. They live in JPUSA (Jesus People USA) community, Chicago, IL. They may look a little rough but have hearts of gold for Jesus!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
News Map
The News Map has been added at the side of this blog. All you have to do is "hover" over an area with your mouse and click on which place you'd like to read about in the news. At times the article may not be in English. I am not sure why but I thought it was a pretty cool gadget to add.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Vacation
I will be gone with my family to a state park this week. It should be a time of good relaxation. I cannot believe summer is coming to a close so soon. I am thankful for all the time that God allows me to enjoy with my boys while they are home during the summer.
I pray you have a wonderful week and are growing in Jesus.
God bless and keep you strong!
I pray you have a wonderful week and are growing in Jesus.
God bless and keep you strong!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Lean on Me..and Push Against That Rock!
I can't remember the entire song...I only remember a part of it..."when you come to the place that I am all you have, then you'll find I'm all you need." I think it is an older song sung by a gospel singer, Robbie Heiner...the title is, "Just Lean on Me" I believe. I smile as I write this as I remember my dad coming home from a conference where he purchased that cassette for me. It really wasn't my style to be listening to, but it was from my loving Dad.
I listened to it once in a while.How true it is. We all go through so many changes....so many ups and downs in our lives. We sometimes feel so alone...believing that we are the only person in the world ever to feel this way. I believe we go through these desert times in order to realize how much we truly need to lean on Jesus. Learning that He is truly our only Best Friend...the One who will always be there for us. Jesus is the one in whom we develop our confidence. He truly is the One we can rely on at any time.
Sometimes we need to be still...listen to only Him. Sometimes He allows us to struggle through our desert times hoping that we understand that He is our shoulder to lean on ...our shoulder to cry on...He is our strength.
I am reminded of a story I read long ago. It is lengthy but I am going to post it:
Pushing Against the Rock
By: Author Unknown
There was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day.
For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind such as; "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it? etc."
Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough." And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of Prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord."Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard.Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock.
BUT YOUR CALLING WAS TO BE OBEDIENT, TO PUSH AND TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN MY WISDOM. This you have done. I, my friend, I will now move the rock."
Sometimes, I think that while we feel all alone in "pushing against the rock" and that no one understands our "burden"...those are actually the highlights in our life as they are the times that we also realize that God is our strength and Best Friend.
I listened to it once in a while.How true it is. We all go through so many changes....so many ups and downs in our lives. We sometimes feel so alone...believing that we are the only person in the world ever to feel this way. I believe we go through these desert times in order to realize how much we truly need to lean on Jesus. Learning that He is truly our only Best Friend...the One who will always be there for us. Jesus is the one in whom we develop our confidence. He truly is the One we can rely on at any time.
Sometimes we need to be still...listen to only Him. Sometimes He allows us to struggle through our desert times hoping that we understand that He is our shoulder to lean on ...our shoulder to cry on...He is our strength.
I am reminded of a story I read long ago. It is lengthy but I am going to post it:
Pushing Against the Rock
By: Author Unknown
There was a man who was asleep one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had a work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day.
For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain. Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture placing thoughts into the man's mind such as; "You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it? etc."
Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure.These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man even more. "Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum of effort and that will be good enough." And that he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of Prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord."Lord" he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock a half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?"
To this the Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when long ago I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard.Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock.
BUT YOUR CALLING WAS TO BE OBEDIENT, TO PUSH AND TO EXERCISE YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN MY WISDOM. This you have done. I, my friend, I will now move the rock."
Sometimes, I think that while we feel all alone in "pushing against the rock" and that no one understands our "burden"...those are actually the highlights in our life as they are the times that we also realize that God is our strength and Best Friend.
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