23 1 / 2012

EVERYTHING IS URGENT!!!!

There are moments when I feel so close to God I’m certain I can feel His breath on me, and there are other moments when I am so wrapped up in myself I feel like God is far away from me. There is an ongoing joke between one of my girlfriends and myself, “EVERYTHING IS URGENT!!!!!” That’s it. That’s the joke. You see, I spent years and still get caught up in panic mode, and suddenly everything is urgent. I am rushing from one thing to the next, making my self anxious over things I cannot control and things that realistically I have no business stressing myself out over. Can  you understand that? I’m sure some of you can. I have learned that 5 minutes with God can make the difference between a peaceful day and a day in which I feel so much anxiety I cannot complete the simplest tasks without having a nervous breakdown.

The one thing that makes a difference is remembering God doesn’t move, we do.

GOD DOESN’T MOVE FROM US. WE MOVE FROM HIM.

GOD DOESN’T MOVE FROM US. WE MOVE FROM HIM.

GOD DOESN’T MOVE FROM US. WE MOVE FROM HIM.

Yes, the above was intentionally stated 3 times. When you feel like God is far away, just remember, He’s there. He hasn’t moved away from you. All you need to do is take a step back, BE STILL and know that He is God. He will meet you where you are and He will love you out of your panic, anxiety, whatever the emotion or state you are in, He will love you back into His peace.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
– Ephesians 2:13 (NIV)

Today’s commentary by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
According to the Bible, those who have faith in Jesus Christ are as close to God as they will ever get. Closeness to the Father is not based upon a feeling, but upon the finished work of the cross. Do you feel far away from God today? If you profess trust in the power of Jesus resurrection, God has given you everything you need. So receive God’s provision in Christ, move past your feelings, and walk near to God today.

12 1 / 2012

A Prayer for When You Just Don’t Care

By working on a university campus, I come across many types of people throughout my week. One common attribute to younger people now a days is the apathy that has engulfed people. It especially breaks my heart when I come across someone who professes to be a Christian and to have faith, but do not care about things that do not directly affect them.

Guess what people, if you’re a Christians, than the things that break God’s heart ought to break yours as well. It is not possible to love God with all your being if you cannot love His children. Do not see someone hurting and ignore it, do not turn away when you see an injustice done to God’s children, you cannot fix everything, you alone cannot put an end to the starvation, mistreatment of women and children, you alone cannot end homelessness or feed everyone who goes hungry, but when you open your heart and allow God to completely fill you, you alone can answer His calling for you. You can be the vessel for change and a catalyst for something heavenly.


A Prayer for When You Just Don’t Care
Once again, Lord Jesus Christ, I face the power of acedia [sloth].
Against the torrent of oblivion, I plead the blood of Jesus.
When the day stretches out before me and I am tempted to despair, encourage my soul through rhythms of prayer and work.
When I imagine my life would be easier if only I were somewhere else, help me not to flee but to trust your grace in this place.
When I lack attentive care for my neighbor, remind me how you laid down your life for me when I was still an enemy.
Deliver me from acedia, that I might greet that of you in every person and know the place where I am standing to be holy ground.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
-Common Prayer Pocket Edition: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, by Shane Claiborne & Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

05 1 / 2012

"Perhaps you had a dream, but you got sidelined pursuing it. Perhaps your dream absorbed all your energy, all your resources, and all your passion, but it didn’t work and now the dream is dead and you don’t know what to do next. I understand. I’ve […]"

05 1 / 2012

Hide Me

Has any one ever felt like they have successfully disappeared from the world? If you have, please let me know how you managed it. I do not have the ninja skills required to perform the perfect vanishing act. I have however, experienced and fine tuned my hiding skills. Recently, different hurts and personal feelings of loss and that overbearing feeling of defeat have interfered with my ministry focus. I ultimately fell into the age old trap of allowing personal hurt to defeat my spirit to serve. Ministry is a fragile thing, and there are times, when we are so misguided as to think it is better to pull away from respective areas of service, rather to work past personal issues and make room for healing. I also felt that the lack of communication from fellow leaders meant that they truly didn’t care about me in any capacity other than what I contributed one night of the week. I have realized that just cause people don’t say anything, this doesn’t mean the absence of a leader isn’t noticed. I made the mistake of withdrawing even further, rather than putting my pride away and telling someone I was hurting. This often has the same effect on you as bottling away your emotions until everything inside you explodes and all your hurt, anger, disappointment and pain have exploded all over the people that love you the most.

So, whats the lesson to be learned here?

Deal with the hurt. Do not let pain consume you and definitely DO NOT allow the enemy to control your success in ministry because you are too afraid to face your pain. Pain is part of ministry. People will hurt you, and you will hurt people, the most important thing to remember is you are not alone, and if you feel like you are, then you have already let your emotions take control. Take comfort in the Lord, and put your pride aside. Reach out to someone and be honest about your emotions.

14 12 / 2011

churchjanitor:

The funny thing you notice about the Bible is the more that you read it, the people in the Book are incredibly normal. Sure, you hear in Sunday school about the great things that happened to these men and women because of their faith, but when you look closer you discover how much they are like…

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14 12 / 2011

typographicverses:

 You go before me and follow me, You place Your hand of blessing on my head - Psalm 139:5 - Designed by Tony D’Amico (@tonyvdamico)

typographicverses:

 You go before me and follow me, You place Your hand of blessing on my head - Psalm 139:5 - Designed by Tony D’Amico (@tonyvdamico)

(via smarthopewell)

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14 12 / 2011

devotional - what is joy?

This entry is a copy of a devotional I get emailed to me daily. These online devotionals are easy to read and usually very short. I use these in addition to my daily readings, especially on busy days when I just need a little refueling in between meetings or during a lunch break. If you don’t already subscribe to one, I recommend you do. Little encouragements are very helpful in keeping your sanity during a busy day! =)

Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.
– 1 Chronicles 16:27 (NIV)

Today’s commentary
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

One of the things that will mark God’s dwelling place is joy. This is more than happiness. Joy is a sense of satisfaction that causes us to be overflowing with life. A joyful person is a satisfied person. That is one reason why God tells us not to try to get life from the things of the world, for joy only resides in Him. As the saying goes: happiness is based upon happenings, but joy is based upon Jesus.

13 12 / 2011

peace

Through my journey I am continuously encountering new levels and colors of peace. I am in awe of how this little word can translate into such a large emotion. Although I am at peace myself, I feel as though there is someone out there who needs a small reminder that peace is there, all you need do is ask. Whisper it to the Lord and let Him fill you with His peace. Pray these verses and claim them for yourself today. His promises are for you and they cannot be broken.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”

This is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me that I don’t have to be God. I don’t have to control everything, I don’t even have to worry about everything. All I have to do is remember to be still, and I know that He is God!

Claim your peace today my friend.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.



John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid

13 12 / 2011

tumblrbot asked: WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT ON YOUR PLANET?

The Louvre Museum