18 October 2008
Soul Force
Today I was confronted with 'two' different SoulForce Equality Ride stories.
Confrontation one was from last year, I was told that a college in the mid-south had had the team arrested for trespassing. Being in rural poduncky it took a couple days for them to be released. I heard that members of the school visited them in prison, and such.
Selah (stop and consider) ...I keep a link on my bookmark bar for AtoZ South... whom I had/have never met or heard of prior to hearing he was 'coming out' as a gay christian. My heart is so burdened for this young man. I pray we are able to spend a lot of time together in the future. I pray for him and Jesus; that they would spend a lot of time together.
I read on his blog about a stop this year further south (he's now with SoulForce), and six of his team members were arrested a few days ago. His comment was wondering if his co-riders would be visited in prison by anyone from the school, especially since they had been denied access to a chapel service and shelter from the rain by the campus.
I did not find out the answer to this question.
I just know that my heart is more deeply burdened by these deceived brothers, for I truly believe that is what they are (AtoZ, RB and others).
AtoZ, if you ever read this. I am a born-again, blood-bought believer in Jesus Christ whom you'd likely label evangelical and possibly even a believer in the fundamentals of the faith. I love you with the love of the Lord. I pray His hand of protection upon you and that as you seek His Face and His Will you'll be open to hear the Truth (it sets us free).
Blessings! through my tears,
ChaplainChas.
Labels: Azariah, confrontation, deception, Equality, God's love, homosexuality, Love, SoulForce
07 August 2008
Breathe Underwater
At a conference recently I decided I was a 'charismatic w/a seatbelt.'* I was raised Baptist, and went to the C&MA home school (I now participate in worship at Calvary Chapel). One of the Pastor's wives asked me why not take off the seatbelt?
You see, I have believed the gifts of the Spirit are alive and well. I believe God is real and ever present. I believe God can, and does act supernaturally today. So when I had a burning bush experience it was incredible. During some singing I was compelled to remove my shoes. I had no choice. God was there, and the ground was holy because of it. Inside I was sprawled out prostrate before Him in complete abandon and worship; AND He was receiving it.
I had told Heidi I would have moved into the aisle and actually laid down if I didn't think it would have drawn attention to myself and off of Christ. This was my response when she asked me about removing the seatbelt. I think God was good with my decision. He would have accepted worship from the floor, too. I think my heart was right for both options.
I read a book recently that was not the most enthralling, and parts of it were poorly written. I don't know but what I even disagree with some points theologically (none of which have to do w/Jesus or Salvation or the 'big' issues). Oh, it's called A Man Called Blessed by Bill Bright and Ted Dekker.
Anyhow. I'm learning to breathe underwater. I'm learning to walk of the cliff. I'm learning to fall. I'm learning about the ocean that is God's love. I'm learning to breathe there, underwater.
Having my foot securely planted on the earth (reality?, security?, ...) with the other over the edge, overlooking the unknown is still relatively safe. It's allowing the gravity of God's calling Spirit to pull me off the safe place resting in Him that He won't let me go and plummeting for moments, minutes, hours or days of supposed free-fall that get me. I'm learning to believe. I'm learning to breathe.
Plummeting off a cliff into the ocean seems safer than onto land, but God's big enough for both. Stepping off a cliff, free-falling, and landing in the Ocean of His Love is definitely a different experience. Sometimes it's taking off your shoes because the ground upon which you stand is Holy. Sometimes it falling prostrate, or kneeling publicly in worship. Sometimes it's something else.
The funny part is that even though I feel like I'm free-falling off a cliff, as led by the Holy Spirit, I'm already in the Ocean of God's love. I just need to learn to breathe it in. I need to learn to breathe it out. I need to believe. I need the faith of a little child. I'm learning to breathe underwater. I believe God loves me. I believe He's at the top of the cliff and at the bottom and there in the fall. I belieeeeeeeeeeeve!
...Wow, ChaplainChas., that sounds interesting enough, but how does that fit into 'real life?'
Well, in the past 24 hours I've taken a leap of faith and was let down by a great friend. He didn't follow through on a couple of commitments and I got hurt. Instead of following my old patterns and becoming devastated and viewing myself as the problem, as unlovable, as a wuss, I have allowed the Holy Spirit to remind me that this is just another cliff. I love my friend and I know He loves me. I'm going to make it. I believe that Jesus will use this in my life. I don't need to be depressed or despondent or... I may feel like I'm alone, or underwater, but it's the Ocean of God's love! I am breathing deeply. I am NOT alone!
Sigh. That's enough for now. I've got some dancing to do!
See if God doesn't teach you to jump off the cliff into the ocean, and show you how to breathe underwater...
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
*I actually got that term from Marc Driscoll, who I don't know a whole lot about.
You see, I have believed the gifts of the Spirit are alive and well. I believe God is real and ever present. I believe God can, and does act supernaturally today. So when I had a burning bush experience it was incredible. During some singing I was compelled to remove my shoes. I had no choice. God was there, and the ground was holy because of it. Inside I was sprawled out prostrate before Him in complete abandon and worship; AND He was receiving it.
I had told Heidi I would have moved into the aisle and actually laid down if I didn't think it would have drawn attention to myself and off of Christ. This was my response when she asked me about removing the seatbelt. I think God was good with my decision. He would have accepted worship from the floor, too. I think my heart was right for both options.
I read a book recently that was not the most enthralling, and parts of it were poorly written. I don't know but what I even disagree with some points theologically (none of which have to do w/Jesus or Salvation or the 'big' issues). Oh, it's called A Man Called Blessed by Bill Bright and Ted Dekker.
Anyhow. I'm learning to breathe underwater. I'm learning to walk of the cliff. I'm learning to fall. I'm learning about the ocean that is God's love. I'm learning to breathe there, underwater.
Having my foot securely planted on the earth (reality?, security?, ...) with the other over the edge, overlooking the unknown is still relatively safe. It's allowing the gravity of God's calling Spirit to pull me off the safe place resting in Him that He won't let me go and plummeting for moments, minutes, hours or days of supposed free-fall that get me. I'm learning to believe. I'm learning to breathe.
Plummeting off a cliff into the ocean seems safer than onto land, but God's big enough for both. Stepping off a cliff, free-falling, and landing in the Ocean of His Love is definitely a different experience. Sometimes it's taking off your shoes because the ground upon which you stand is Holy. Sometimes it falling prostrate, or kneeling publicly in worship. Sometimes it's something else.
The funny part is that even though I feel like I'm free-falling off a cliff, as led by the Holy Spirit, I'm already in the Ocean of God's love. I just need to learn to breathe it in. I need to learn to breathe it out. I need to believe. I need the faith of a little child. I'm learning to breathe underwater. I believe God loves me. I believe He's at the top of the cliff and at the bottom and there in the fall. I belieeeeeeeeeeeve!
...Wow, ChaplainChas., that sounds interesting enough, but how does that fit into 'real life?'
Well, in the past 24 hours I've taken a leap of faith and was let down by a great friend. He didn't follow through on a couple of commitments and I got hurt. Instead of following my old patterns and becoming devastated and viewing myself as the problem, as unlovable, as a wuss, I have allowed the Holy Spirit to remind me that this is just another cliff. I love my friend and I know He loves me. I'm going to make it. I believe that Jesus will use this in my life. I don't need to be depressed or despondent or... I may feel like I'm alone, or underwater, but it's the Ocean of God's love! I am breathing deeply. I am NOT alone!
Sigh. That's enough for now. I've got some dancing to do!
See if God doesn't teach you to jump off the cliff into the ocean, and show you how to breathe underwater...
Blessings!
ChaplainChas.
*I actually got that term from Marc Driscoll, who I don't know a whole lot about.
Labels: alone, blessed, breathe deeply, breathe underwater, charismatic, cliff, Conference, Dekker, free fall, friend, God's love, hurt, learn to breathe, Love, ocean, seatbelt
15 March 2008
Sigh
This evening as I type, I rest in the arms of the One who knows best, and cares far more about both me and my friends than I ever can.
I had to do something painful last night. I do not glory in it, but I must needs set up a memorial stone to remember that it was done, and so this is it. A few weeks ago, my friend hurt me. I was angry enough that if we'd spoken shortly thereafter I'd have told him where to go. The anger turned to frustration which turned to bitterness. It began to affect me deeply.
I was reminded that in Ephesians we are told to not even let the sun set while we are angry, and I had disobeyed. I had a festering sore which was beginning to ooze onto others. I was in sin, and my friend was none the wiser.
I loved my friend. I love my friend. He is my friend and I want whatever God wants for him. I want God's best for him; therefore, I decided I needed to be honest with him, and pray that the possibility of a little pain would not turn him against me, but turn him toward God, to do His divine surgery on/in my friends heart.
Last night I told my friend he hurt me. I needed him and he was not there. Lonliness is not a fun ocean to dwell near.
His response was better than expected, but mostly expected none-the-less.
God is faithful. He will bind us together to better serve each other in the future. BUT, should he choose to allow seperation, I am willing, so long as it's in my friends best interest. God is love, and in Him there is no darkness at all... faithful are the wounds of a friend.
Today, I miss my friend, but I am at peace with God. May He continue to reign in both our hearts to will and to do according to His good pleasure.
With good sorrow,
ChaplainChas
I had to do something painful last night. I do not glory in it, but I must needs set up a memorial stone to remember that it was done, and so this is it. A few weeks ago, my friend hurt me. I was angry enough that if we'd spoken shortly thereafter I'd have told him where to go. The anger turned to frustration which turned to bitterness. It began to affect me deeply.
I was reminded that in Ephesians we are told to not even let the sun set while we are angry, and I had disobeyed. I had a festering sore which was beginning to ooze onto others. I was in sin, and my friend was none the wiser.
I loved my friend. I love my friend. He is my friend and I want whatever God wants for him. I want God's best for him; therefore, I decided I needed to be honest with him, and pray that the possibility of a little pain would not turn him against me, but turn him toward God, to do His divine surgery on/in my friends heart.
Last night I told my friend he hurt me. I needed him and he was not there. Lonliness is not a fun ocean to dwell near.
His response was better than expected, but mostly expected none-the-less.
God is faithful. He will bind us together to better serve each other in the future. BUT, should he choose to allow seperation, I am willing, so long as it's in my friends best interest. God is love, and in Him there is no darkness at all... faithful are the wounds of a friend.
Today, I miss my friend, but I am at peace with God. May He continue to reign in both our hearts to will and to do according to His good pleasure.
With good sorrow,
ChaplainChas
Labels: Anger, Faithfullness, Love, Pain, Sadness, Sigh, Sorrow
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