Radical Has to be The New Normal

There are people all around us who are struggling, hurting physically, emotionally, and spiritually starving for answers, and we don't need to look farther than across the street, in the grocery line, a school hallway, or cubicle at work to find them.

AnnVoskamp, author of the life-changing book, One Thousand Gifts, reminds us of all we've been given as one being born in America in her blog, A Holy Experience. For those of us who've seen such disparity in other parts of our world it's often difficult to understand why a good and holy God allows it.

Having been to Africa and seen the poorest of the poor humbles a person, and seeing such suffering in unspeakable conditions wrenches the heart, yet I was consistently astounded by the visible hope and joy in Jesus these beautiful children and women exhibited each day. Hope and joy in nothing but Jesus, and in that, having everything.

Author and activist, Shane Claiborne, said it well when he wrote:

Over and over, when I ask God how all these injustices are allowed to exist in the world, I feel His Spirit whisper to me, 'You tell me why we allow this to happen. You are my body, my hands, my feet.

God entrusted us, His church, to do His work here on earth - to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world filled with empty, and He commands us in Matthew 28:16-20 to go out and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them in His name.

Reading Ann Voskamp's words written while sharing Jesus in Africa's slums reminded me of what we're to be about during our very short time on this earth:

You've got to use the life you've been given to give others life.  If your life isn't about giving relief - you don't get real life.

("What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"  Mark 8:36 (NIV))

You have got to use your position inside the gate for those outside the gate - or you're in the position of loosing everything.  There are a thousand ways to be the living dead.  If you have food in your fridge, any clothes in your closet, any small roof , rented or owned, over your head, you are richer than 75% of the rest of the world.
We are the Esthers living inside the palace. If you have anything saved in the bank, any bills in your wallet, any spare change in a jar, you are one of the top 8% wealthiest people in the world. We are the Esthers living inside the gate.  If you can read these words right now, you have a gift 3 billion people right now don't, if your stomach isn't twisted in hunger pangs, you have a gift that 1 billion people right now don't, if you know Christ, you have a gift that untold millions right now don't. WE ARE THE ONES LIVING INSIDE THE GATE.  It's like you can hear the cry of the red soil of Africa's pulsing right here with the heart of God: YOU HAVE GOT TO USE YOUR POSITION INSIDE THE GATE
FOR THOSE OUTSIDE THE GATE - OR YOU"RE IN THE POSITION OF LOOSING EVERYTHING -OF LOOSING YOUR SOUL.
You are where you are for such a time as this - not to gain anything - but to risk everything.  You are where you are for such a time as this- not to make an impression - but to make a difference.

You could have been the one outside the gate. You could have been the one with the Lord's resistance Army slitting your child's throat in the middle of the night, you could have been the one born into a slum, rapes without hope, you could have been the one born into AIDS, into starvation, into l;ives of wild Christ-less desperation.  The reason you are inside the gate for such a time as this - is to risk your life for those outside the gate.  If I perish, I perish.  

Radical has to be the Christian's new normal, that radical isn't radical but the regular to the disciple of Christ, and what if we're all fooling ourselves with the American Dream instead of waking up to the Christian Reality and His Kingdom Come?

God forgive.

God forgive all the lukewarm blood.

Lately, God has been impressing upon my heart and mind what I'm to be about in the right here and now time of my life.  Our time here is so very short - a dash.

I don't want to waste the dash I've been given.  I want to live a life that pleases God in every stage of existence - to be used for His purpose.

People all around us are hurting, struggling, starving physically and spiritually in a decaying world.

God asks, "Where is my church?"

Please God, convict our hearts to be about doing the desires of yours, wherever and whatever that looks like in such a time as this.


______________________________________________________
my life ETERNITY ....ETERNITY ....ETERNITY ....ETERNITY .... ETERNITY .... ETERNITY...

What will you do with your dash?

MOM 2 MOM: Can You Hear It?

Life will always have its share of puddles!  And there isn't a mom in this world who hasn't had to dodge them, plow through them, and often come out muddied from battle.  YOU ARE NOT ALONE! God is working for you and sends his mightiest angels to fight on your behalf - no matter how small or how big the war.  He will always be your solid ground in a world filled with potholes.

This morning God impressed upon my heart to share words of encouragement with several precious moms I have the privilege of mentoring - one whose daughter is the receiver of hurtful words and actions by a girl who has learned to manipulate and deceive.  Know the mother, know the child. Her behavior has been learned by example, and God will deal with it! Because his justice is just.  He has a way of getting our attention!

Another mom is trusting in God's strength to be courageous in dealing with verbal abuse and mental instability from the former father of her children; while a third mom seeks boldness and God's intervention in standing firm during times of verbal attacks and vindictive behavior by extended family members.

Constant prayer is penetrating through the darkness giving each mom heavenly insight and wisdom that is helping in very visible ways. God continues to bring people along their path who are doing good on their behalf and are on the battle lines with them.  

If we refuse to tire of doing what is good and what is right, if we remain steadfast and obedient to God, he deals with the words and actions of others.  He hears your battle cries and renews your strength! And as an added bonus, he's promises to never give us more than we can handle without bringing in reinforcements!

Jesus tells us his yoke is light and he is waiting for each of us to release our conflicts to him -  he's up all night anyway!

Surround yourself with people who dwell is what is good, and forget the bad - those who make you laugh and who refuse to let the world zap their joy, even when life turns sour.
My grandma used to say,"Hang out with the cherry tomatoes, and be in prayer for the radishes!" 

I was given an amazing song cd by one of my moms yesterday, and as I listened to it this morning, one sung by Kim Walker Smith pierced my heart! Honestly some of the most beautiful and worshipful lyrics I've heard!  Powerful!!

So I copied the song link below and hope those reading these words will listen...(early morning before the kids are up, or late at night after they're asleep ... or when you're alone in the bathtub! Are moms ever alone?!) 

Spirit Break Out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj3XD4WVJzM 

Can you hear it mom?  The sound of heaven touching earth?  God's Spirit breaking out and heaven raining down! He's there in the puddles! He is with you now, with you always, and never forsakes you...          

Be strong and courageous ( through battle)  Do not be afraid; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Blessed to be on this journey with you!  Never lose heart mom ...you're in good company!