Yes, that title is also the title to a song in a rather popular musical. And yes, it's been running through my head for the last week. And actually, it's made its way to my heart. And wrecked it. Funny how God works sometimes...
For those of you who don't know, "No one mourns the wicked" is a song from the musical Wicked. And for the record. It's a fantastic musical. It's the back-story of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. It will change your perspective on the entire story. And the set and stage production are enough to make my jaw bleed from scraping the ground for so long.
But anyhow.
This song is one of the first sung in the musical. It's an ensemble piece right after the Wicked Witch is killed. Some of the lyrics say "No one mourns the wicked. No one cries 'They won't return!'... Goodness knows the wickeds' lives are lonely..." and so forth. Truth? Yes. Problem? Well, actually I think the problem is the answer to that question. Most would say no. But I think the answer should be a resounding yes. Since when did we get so cold and proud as to celebrate when the wicked die? When their lonely lives come to an abrupt, violent end? When their hearts are so desperately lonely and disappointed by the harsh judgment bestowed on them that they lash out and do the only thing they see fit?
Now just to be clear. I am not, by any means, justifying wicked acts. Sin is sin, and it must be dealt with. What I am saying is that maybe, just maybe, if we would reach out to the wicked in love and mercy, maybe they wouldn't see wickedness as their only means of escape. Ever heard the old adage, "love the sinner, hate the sin"? I think as Christians we've forgotten that. Jesus didn't come to the world to condemn it. He came to save it. Sin will be judged. Each one of us will be held accountable. But instead of celebrating when people like Saddam Hussein or Ted Bundy die, what if we actually heard, and felt, the heart of Jesus and wept over them? And what if we took it a step further and reached out before they got to that point?
Maybe if someone mourned the wicked, the wicked wouldn't be so wicked.
12.19.2012
8.24.2012
To Be Faithful
I'm a senior.
This is my last year as a college student.
My last one.
Sometimes I thought this day would never come. It still sounds weird coming out of my mouth. I only have 9 more months on campus.
That fact has been hitting me hardcore these last couple of weeks. And with it comes the question, "How will I make it count?" Am I living in such a way that people will know I love and serve Jesus - even if I never say a word? What kind of impact have I had on people - and how much of an impact will I have this year? How do I make this count?
I've heard a very interesting thought process on this over the past few years. Many leaders I know and greatly respect have kind of taken possession of the phrase "Leave nothing undone." Their philosophy has been something to this extent: "Do everything you can now, and pour all you are into everything you do; because the last thing you want is to walk away from this campus thinking 'I could have done more.' Leave nothing undone."
And while I agree to an extent on the fact that we do need to give everything we are, I think sometimes we get too wrapped up in making sure we're doing everything we can. But let's take a moment to look at the ultimate model of what our life should look like: the life of Jesus Himself. He did a lot - understatement, actually. He did SO much; healed the sick, raised the dead, discipled the foundation of the church, preached to thousands upon thousands, etc., etc. But the thing is, when you really stop to think about it, Jesus could have done more. He could have reached more people, fed more crowds, healed more sick... He could have. But the thing is, even though He didn't do everything He could do, He did everything He was supposed to do.
See the difference?
My life is not about doing everything I can do. It's about being faithful to do everything I'm supposed to do. I'm not so concerned with looking back at my college career and thinking "Well I could have given more time, money, effort, etc, into (fill in the blank)," as I am concerned with looking back and thinking "I was supposed to do (whatever) and didn't." Because let's be honest. If I give absolutely everything I am into everything around me, just for the sake of "leaving nothing undone," I'm eventually going to spread myself so thin that I'll be rendered useless in every area. And yes, sometimes that means not doing what would seem to be the "ideal" ministry service. Maybe, instead of going to that social event where you would potentially meet 6 new people who would want to join your small group, it means going and studying with that one classmate who's been contemplating suicide - until you stepped in and showed that you cared. Or maybe it means washing dishes or tearing a stage down after a meal or service instead of socializing with everyone. The "best" ministry is not always the most obvious, or the most (seemingly) fruitful. I don't really care how far I reach; I care about reaching in the right direction. A very wise pastor of mine once said "Your reward is not based on your call; it's based on your faithfulness." It doesn't matter what your ministry looks like, or how many things you're pouring into; what matters is giving everything you are into what God's called you to pour into. Anything else is a waste of time and effort.
And just remember, no matter what God's called you to do, He'll take care of the results. All you have to do is be faithful.
This is my last year as a college student.
My last one.
Sometimes I thought this day would never come. It still sounds weird coming out of my mouth. I only have 9 more months on campus.
That fact has been hitting me hardcore these last couple of weeks. And with it comes the question, "How will I make it count?" Am I living in such a way that people will know I love and serve Jesus - even if I never say a word? What kind of impact have I had on people - and how much of an impact will I have this year? How do I make this count?
I've heard a very interesting thought process on this over the past few years. Many leaders I know and greatly respect have kind of taken possession of the phrase "Leave nothing undone." Their philosophy has been something to this extent: "Do everything you can now, and pour all you are into everything you do; because the last thing you want is to walk away from this campus thinking 'I could have done more.' Leave nothing undone."
And while I agree to an extent on the fact that we do need to give everything we are, I think sometimes we get too wrapped up in making sure we're doing everything we can. But let's take a moment to look at the ultimate model of what our life should look like: the life of Jesus Himself. He did a lot - understatement, actually. He did SO much; healed the sick, raised the dead, discipled the foundation of the church, preached to thousands upon thousands, etc., etc. But the thing is, when you really stop to think about it, Jesus could have done more. He could have reached more people, fed more crowds, healed more sick... He could have. But the thing is, even though He didn't do everything He could do, He did everything He was supposed to do.
See the difference?
My life is not about doing everything I can do. It's about being faithful to do everything I'm supposed to do. I'm not so concerned with looking back at my college career and thinking "Well I could have given more time, money, effort, etc, into (fill in the blank)," as I am concerned with looking back and thinking "I was supposed to do (whatever) and didn't." Because let's be honest. If I give absolutely everything I am into everything around me, just for the sake of "leaving nothing undone," I'm eventually going to spread myself so thin that I'll be rendered useless in every area. And yes, sometimes that means not doing what would seem to be the "ideal" ministry service. Maybe, instead of going to that social event where you would potentially meet 6 new people who would want to join your small group, it means going and studying with that one classmate who's been contemplating suicide - until you stepped in and showed that you cared. Or maybe it means washing dishes or tearing a stage down after a meal or service instead of socializing with everyone. The "best" ministry is not always the most obvious, or the most (seemingly) fruitful. I don't really care how far I reach; I care about reaching in the right direction. A very wise pastor of mine once said "Your reward is not based on your call; it's based on your faithfulness." It doesn't matter what your ministry looks like, or how many things you're pouring into; what matters is giving everything you are into what God's called you to pour into. Anything else is a waste of time and effort.
And just remember, no matter what God's called you to do, He'll take care of the results. All you have to do is be faithful.
4.23.2012
Condemnation vs. Restoration
Elijah has become one of my biggest biblical heroes lately. This man's life challenges and inspires me like no other. More than that, who he was resonates deeply within my soul. His story has been teaching me a lot lately, so I want to share a bit of it with you.
If you've never read 1 Kings 18 and 19, go read it. Before you read any further here. Done? Alright. Quite the story, huh? So much can be taken from both chapters, but I want to focus on the latter part. So, to sum it up, basically God works through Elijah to totally destroy the priests of Baal and show Israel who's really on the throne; then within 24 hours Jezebel gets so mad she sends word to Elijah saying she's gonna kill him. Nice lady. Elijah gets scared and runs into the desert, completely hopeless and frustrated.
Story. Of. My Life. God does something absolutely incredible in my life or through me - something tangible, something that leaves me speechless at His utter awesomeness. Then within a day, the enemy attacks and leaves me feeling hopeless and helpless. And what to I do? I run into the desert. I get frustrated and my perspective gets wayyy off base. I throw a pity party. Seriously. Happens All. The. Time.
And every time it does, I have this idea in my head that God's probably looking at me, shaking His head, saying "Really Andrea? Did you not see what I JUST did not even a day ago? Have you forgotten already? Come on, girl. Get your priorities straight. Fix your perspective." That's what I thought when I read Elijah's story the other day, too. In fact, I expected that to be the outcome; never mind the fact that I've ready this story probably a hundred times. But guess what? That's not God's response at all. When Elijah first collapsed under the broom tree in the desert, after telling God he may as well die because his life is worthless, God does the opposite of what Elijah deserved. He sent an angel to bring him food and tell him to rest. For two days food was provided and Elijah rested. Sometimes all we really need is to rest. I get teased about it a lot sometimes, but one thing this semester has taught me is to value my rest. There are times that I skip social events, church events, and yes, even class once in a while, simply because I need the sleep. I know I can function on low amounts of sleep, but everyone around me pays for it. And it's not fair for them to have to put up with my short temper and wild emotions just because I'm tired. It's amazing how often I'll go to bed near tears for whatever reason, and after a decent night's sleep, will wake up with a completely different attitude.
After Elijah had rested, God came and asked him what was going on. Still frustrated, Elijah basically said "Dude, I'm sick of all of this. I'm trying my best to live for You, but it's not worth it anymore. I'm the only one left serving You, and now the queen's after my life too! What the heck did You put me here for?!" And once again, God didn't get on his case and correct him. He simply said "Come outside, because My presence is passing by." Wow. How quick we are to forget that His presence is truly ALL we need. In His presence is fullness of joy, and that joy is our strength. We're made whole in His presence. Our fellowship with Him is restored. We are made righteous by touching His holiness. It just amazes me that God didn't even say "Get your attitude right, and then come into My presence." He just said "Come." I know that it's His presence that makes us right again, but I still struggle with the mentality that I have to clean myself up before I can approach Him. But He simply wants me.
And when Elijah did enter into God's presence, he still found no condemnation. God asked him again what was going on, and Elijah said the exact same thing. Yet instead of correcting Elijah, even now that they were together, God simply restored Elijah's vision and purpose. He told him where to go and what to do - He also showed Elijah that he wasn't alone in serving God. And here too I see a parallel in my own life. When I am in God's presence, my vision is restored. He shows me the plans He has for me, and gently redirects my focus onto what really matters. And very often He'll send people along to encourage me. But there's never condemnation. "There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
Now, does that mean that we shouldn't strive to remember and stand on God's past faithfulness? Of course not. That very practice is foundational to our ability to stand in the hard times. And I'm not saying God never disciplines us. The only way to be made holy is to have what's unholy stripped away. What I am saying is that we need to remember to run to His presence when we're frustrated. And never, ever feel like you should be feeling or thinking differently. God will take care of that, too. And with no condemnation - instead, He'll completely restore your fellowship with Him.
If you've never read 1 Kings 18 and 19, go read it. Before you read any further here. Done? Alright. Quite the story, huh? So much can be taken from both chapters, but I want to focus on the latter part. So, to sum it up, basically God works through Elijah to totally destroy the priests of Baal and show Israel who's really on the throne; then within 24 hours Jezebel gets so mad she sends word to Elijah saying she's gonna kill him. Nice lady. Elijah gets scared and runs into the desert, completely hopeless and frustrated.
Story. Of. My Life. God does something absolutely incredible in my life or through me - something tangible, something that leaves me speechless at His utter awesomeness. Then within a day, the enemy attacks and leaves me feeling hopeless and helpless. And what to I do? I run into the desert. I get frustrated and my perspective gets wayyy off base. I throw a pity party. Seriously. Happens All. The. Time.
And every time it does, I have this idea in my head that God's probably looking at me, shaking His head, saying "Really Andrea? Did you not see what I JUST did not even a day ago? Have you forgotten already? Come on, girl. Get your priorities straight. Fix your perspective." That's what I thought when I read Elijah's story the other day, too. In fact, I expected that to be the outcome; never mind the fact that I've ready this story probably a hundred times. But guess what? That's not God's response at all. When Elijah first collapsed under the broom tree in the desert, after telling God he may as well die because his life is worthless, God does the opposite of what Elijah deserved. He sent an angel to bring him food and tell him to rest. For two days food was provided and Elijah rested. Sometimes all we really need is to rest. I get teased about it a lot sometimes, but one thing this semester has taught me is to value my rest. There are times that I skip social events, church events, and yes, even class once in a while, simply because I need the sleep. I know I can function on low amounts of sleep, but everyone around me pays for it. And it's not fair for them to have to put up with my short temper and wild emotions just because I'm tired. It's amazing how often I'll go to bed near tears for whatever reason, and after a decent night's sleep, will wake up with a completely different attitude.
After Elijah had rested, God came and asked him what was going on. Still frustrated, Elijah basically said "Dude, I'm sick of all of this. I'm trying my best to live for You, but it's not worth it anymore. I'm the only one left serving You, and now the queen's after my life too! What the heck did You put me here for?!" And once again, God didn't get on his case and correct him. He simply said "Come outside, because My presence is passing by." Wow. How quick we are to forget that His presence is truly ALL we need. In His presence is fullness of joy, and that joy is our strength. We're made whole in His presence. Our fellowship with Him is restored. We are made righteous by touching His holiness. It just amazes me that God didn't even say "Get your attitude right, and then come into My presence." He just said "Come." I know that it's His presence that makes us right again, but I still struggle with the mentality that I have to clean myself up before I can approach Him. But He simply wants me.
And when Elijah did enter into God's presence, he still found no condemnation. God asked him again what was going on, and Elijah said the exact same thing. Yet instead of correcting Elijah, even now that they were together, God simply restored Elijah's vision and purpose. He told him where to go and what to do - He also showed Elijah that he wasn't alone in serving God. And here too I see a parallel in my own life. When I am in God's presence, my vision is restored. He shows me the plans He has for me, and gently redirects my focus onto what really matters. And very often He'll send people along to encourage me. But there's never condemnation. "There is therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1)
Now, does that mean that we shouldn't strive to remember and stand on God's past faithfulness? Of course not. That very practice is foundational to our ability to stand in the hard times. And I'm not saying God never disciplines us. The only way to be made holy is to have what's unholy stripped away. What I am saying is that we need to remember to run to His presence when we're frustrated. And never, ever feel like you should be feeling or thinking differently. God will take care of that, too. And with no condemnation - instead, He'll completely restore your fellowship with Him.
4.13.2012
Keep Seeking
I've made it a goal to try to blog at least once a week. The combination of having no extra time to write and yet having so much to say made me think maybe an hour once a week would be a good goal. But as I sit here tonight, no words or profound thoughts are coming. I just want God's presence. I crave it. There are no words that describe the hunger in my soul right now. I am made whole in His presence. My vision is restored. My perspective adjusted. My joy and contentment overflowing.
Yet how often do I actually go to that place - that place where I sit in His presence and don't leave until I am changed? Not nearly enough. All too often I make my quiet time an item on my to-do list - if that. If I'm being totally honest here, there are days that I blow it off and don't even spend five intentional minutes with the One I call my best friend. And when I do that, it shows. My life seems to fall apart at the seams. The smallest things bother me. I get frustrated when my friends let me down after expecting them to give me what only He can. I burn out and blow everything out of proportion.
Like today. By this afternoon, I was upset at a couple of my dearest friends, through no fault of their own. I was searching in them for something they are not responsible for giving me. I was complaining about school, about life, and everything else I could think of. And as I sat on my bed trying to figure out why I was in such a bad mood, I finally stopped long enough to hear God say "Umm, hello. I'm still here waiting. MY presence is what you need - not anything else." So I turned on some worship music and grabbed my Bible. I started at my default place - the Psalms. Seriously. If you ever need a place to let out any emotion or just be reminded to praise God for who He is.... Soo pretty much any time any where, go read the Psalms. Twenty minutes later I was worshiping and letting God fill me again. His presence is what I need. It's all I seek. To sit at His feet and let Him overwhelm me and send me to my knees and leave me speechless is what will change me. What makes me like Him. I can't be made into the image of someone I don't spend any time with.
Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to fill our little cup with water from our own sources that we don't realize God's trying to give us His ocean. If I could leave you with one thought for the day, it would be this: Seek His presence first. And always. It's the only thing that truly satisfies. Let go of your other sources of joy, of vision, of direction. When you're confused or burned out or frustrated, go lock yourself in your room, grab your Bible, put on some worship music if you want, and just seek God. And if you're seeking Him and hearing or feeling or seeing nothing, keep seeking Him. Turn your phone off and put your computer away and don't leave until you've been changed. If you've truly spent time in God's manifest presence, it will show. Always. He honors the heart that truly seeks Him. He shows up. And nothing is ever the same.
"Keep on asking, and it will be given to you. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." ~Matthew 7:7
Yet how often do I actually go to that place - that place where I sit in His presence and don't leave until I am changed? Not nearly enough. All too often I make my quiet time an item on my to-do list - if that. If I'm being totally honest here, there are days that I blow it off and don't even spend five intentional minutes with the One I call my best friend. And when I do that, it shows. My life seems to fall apart at the seams. The smallest things bother me. I get frustrated when my friends let me down after expecting them to give me what only He can. I burn out and blow everything out of proportion.
Like today. By this afternoon, I was upset at a couple of my dearest friends, through no fault of their own. I was searching in them for something they are not responsible for giving me. I was complaining about school, about life, and everything else I could think of. And as I sat on my bed trying to figure out why I was in such a bad mood, I finally stopped long enough to hear God say "Umm, hello. I'm still here waiting. MY presence is what you need - not anything else." So I turned on some worship music and grabbed my Bible. I started at my default place - the Psalms. Seriously. If you ever need a place to let out any emotion or just be reminded to praise God for who He is.... Soo pretty much any time any where, go read the Psalms. Twenty minutes later I was worshiping and letting God fill me again. His presence is what I need. It's all I seek. To sit at His feet and let Him overwhelm me and send me to my knees and leave me speechless is what will change me. What makes me like Him. I can't be made into the image of someone I don't spend any time with.
Sometimes we get so caught up in trying to fill our little cup with water from our own sources that we don't realize God's trying to give us His ocean. If I could leave you with one thought for the day, it would be this: Seek His presence first. And always. It's the only thing that truly satisfies. Let go of your other sources of joy, of vision, of direction. When you're confused or burned out or frustrated, go lock yourself in your room, grab your Bible, put on some worship music if you want, and just seek God. And if you're seeking Him and hearing or feeling or seeing nothing, keep seeking Him. Turn your phone off and put your computer away and don't leave until you've been changed. If you've truly spent time in God's manifest presence, it will show. Always. He honors the heart that truly seeks Him. He shows up. And nothing is ever the same.
"Keep on asking, and it will be given to you. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." ~Matthew 7:7
4.07.2012
If God has a time machine
Have you ever wished you could go back in time and actually be at some event? To see, hear, and feel firsthand the circumstances that took place? I know I have. Probably on a daily basis. I can think of at least a dozen historical events that I would love to see.
I really hope God has a time machine in heaven. Either that, or a video library documenting every single moment of this life. And really, why couldn't He do something like that? He's outside of time, and someday we'll be outside of time. I want to see so many things. The flood, the giving of the Law, Daniel in the lion's den, or Jesus' birth. The look on Columbus' face when he discovered America, or the signing of the Constitution. Even better, when my parents first met, or when my grandpa finally surrendered his life to Jesus.
But there is one moment that I want to see more than anything in the world. I want to see the very instant when the devil realized he had lost - completely and eternally. I wonder if it was as soon as Jesus said "It is finished," or if he didn't get it until Jesus walked up to him and took the keys of death and hell from his hand. What was running through his mind as Jesus dragged him through the pits of hell, making a public display of his utter ruin? What did the demons think while they took in the confident smile and fierce eyes of the One who held their leader captive? How great the song of victory must have been as it came from the saints while Jesus finally freed them and led them safely to His Father's arms. I can only imagine the tears that must have fallen from the Father's eyes as He and His Son saw the atonement and reconciliation between God and man finally made whole.
If God has a time machine, I want to see the moment that changed the course of eternity.
"I AM the First and the Last. I AM the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore! And I hold the keys to death and hell." (Revelation 1:18)
I really hope God has a time machine in heaven. Either that, or a video library documenting every single moment of this life. And really, why couldn't He do something like that? He's outside of time, and someday we'll be outside of time. I want to see so many things. The flood, the giving of the Law, Daniel in the lion's den, or Jesus' birth. The look on Columbus' face when he discovered America, or the signing of the Constitution. Even better, when my parents first met, or when my grandpa finally surrendered his life to Jesus.
But there is one moment that I want to see more than anything in the world. I want to see the very instant when the devil realized he had lost - completely and eternally. I wonder if it was as soon as Jesus said "It is finished," or if he didn't get it until Jesus walked up to him and took the keys of death and hell from his hand. What was running through his mind as Jesus dragged him through the pits of hell, making a public display of his utter ruin? What did the demons think while they took in the confident smile and fierce eyes of the One who held their leader captive? How great the song of victory must have been as it came from the saints while Jesus finally freed them and led them safely to His Father's arms. I can only imagine the tears that must have fallen from the Father's eyes as He and His Son saw the atonement and reconciliation between God and man finally made whole.
If God has a time machine, I want to see the moment that changed the course of eternity.
"I AM the First and the Last. I AM the Living One; I was dead, and behold, I AM alive forevermore! And I hold the keys to death and hell." (Revelation 1:18)
4.01.2012
Jump
Waiting.
Wondering. Falling. Flying.
Praying. Hoping. Trusting.
Waiting.
Will I fall? Will I hit something? Will someone catch me? Or will I learn to fly?
These and a thousand more thoughts run through my head while I sit here. Waiting.
His voice whispered "Jump."
I stepped back. Fearful. Not yet, Lord. I can't.
"Jump."
I crept forward. Looked over the edge. Can I see the ground? Is someone there?
Utter darkness. I can't see where I'll land.
If I'll land.
"Trust Me." But Lord, I can't see where I'm going. What if I can't fly?
"Trust Me. Just jump."
I turn around and look at the road that brought me here. To this place. This ledge. This dead end - unless I jump.
A multitude of successes and failures. A crooked, broken path. The places where He carried me. The places where I carried someone else. The dark places. The valleys. The smaller leaps.
And suddenly, I know.
This was His intention.
The road didn't break.
He removed it.
Because I'm ready.
He brought me here. In His time. He made me strong. Ready.
Ready to jump.
Not knowing what will happen.
Not caring.
I might fall. But He'll catch me.
I might fly. And He'll guide me.
But this is where I belong.
Letting go. Jumping. Leaving the results in His hands.
I turn back around. Look at the ledge. The darkness.
Knowing. Smiling.
And I jump.
Wondering. Falling. Flying.
Praying. Hoping. Trusting.
Waiting.
Will I fall? Will I hit something? Will someone catch me? Or will I learn to fly?
These and a thousand more thoughts run through my head while I sit here. Waiting.
His voice whispered "Jump."
I stepped back. Fearful. Not yet, Lord. I can't.
"Jump."
I crept forward. Looked over the edge. Can I see the ground? Is someone there?
Utter darkness. I can't see where I'll land.
If I'll land.
"Trust Me." But Lord, I can't see where I'm going. What if I can't fly?
"Trust Me. Just jump."
I turn around and look at the road that brought me here. To this place. This ledge. This dead end - unless I jump.
A multitude of successes and failures. A crooked, broken path. The places where He carried me. The places where I carried someone else. The dark places. The valleys. The smaller leaps.
And suddenly, I know.
This was His intention.
The road didn't break.
He removed it.
Because I'm ready.
He brought me here. In His time. He made me strong. Ready.
Ready to jump.
Not knowing what will happen.
Not caring.
I might fall. But He'll catch me.
I might fly. And He'll guide me.
But this is where I belong.
Letting go. Jumping. Leaving the results in His hands.
I turn back around. Look at the ledge. The darkness.
Knowing. Smiling.
And I jump.
11.09.2011
One Generation
These last few weeks I have been hearing more and more people speak of the state our nation is in, and their opinion on the solution. They are mostly friends of mine, though some are just random things I find on the internet. All of them are from a Christian perspective, believing that the only way anything will ever be fixed is if this nation turns back to God and repents of its ways. While I definitely agree on that particular point, I am heartbroken at their thought process, which is basically something along the lines of "It's going to take thousands of families raising up generation after generation of families who walk in the fear of the Lord to ever see visible changes in the culture." It's been said in different ways in different contexts, but that's the gist of it.
How utterly heart wrenching. To be so completely blind to the raw power of the Holy Spirit that you are convinced it will take generations upon generations to change the heart of a culture.
Let me share something with you.
Jesus changed the world.
He was one person.
He lived for 33 years.
He changed the world.
In less time than is required to be considered a generation, the entire known world was radically changed.
Because One.
Knew.
The power.
And He imparted it to us.
Don't even try to tell me "Well obviously Jesus could do it; He's God!" True. However. When He came to earth He gave up His divine nature and became fully man. He had to function in communication with His Father the same way we do. Because otherwise it would have been cheating. He couldn't have kept part of His divinity and then told us to live the same way without it.
But He was empowered by the Holy Spirit. He knew His identity, and He knew His purpose: the Son of God, born to bring Heaven to earth. (Matthew 6:10)
He gave us the same mission. Our mandate is simple: Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons (Matthew 10:8). Not of ourselves, but through the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us.
It's actually really easy. Be obedient, trust God, and miracles happen. Period. If you don't trust God to invade the impossible now, how can you say you believe He will after thousands of generations? "Well, God will be more free to move after hundreds of thousands of believers have been raised up." Mmm…. I disagree. Numbers have nothing to do with the moving of God to change the hearts of people. The Spirit may be more openly welcome in those instances, but this generation has a desperate hunger for a radical encounter with the living God, and we say "Well you'll have to just raise your kids to serve God so they can raise their kids….. Until God moves in the culture" No. Not on my watch. I refuse to put the responsibility of bringing people into an encounter with the power of God on the generations to come. It happens now. Freedom happens now. Healing happens now. Chains are broken now.
And don't tell me the miraculous power of God was only for Jesus, or only for the early church. God is the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER. He doesn't change His methods. Radical encounter with the raw power of God is still His modus operandi. I am living proof of that. I can tell story after story of how God has healed me, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And not only me, but those around me.
When I was fourteen, I tore a ligament in my wrist. But instead of having to go through eight weeks of a cast above my elbow and months of PT, God healed it, and to this day I've had no problems.
My freshman year of college I had a really bad flare-up of bursitis in my shoulder, which I'd dealt with throughout high school because of sports. It usually happened 2-3 times a year, but that time it had gotten so bad I couldn't even carry my backpack across campus because it hurt so much. Once again, God intervened and it hasn't hurt since.
And this summer, it got even better. My entire life I've been lactose intolerant; therefore, no milk, no ice cream, limited cheese and yogurt, etc. Two of my friends prayed for me one night this summer and since then I've eaten….. Ohh, a lottt of ice cream, and had plenty of milk. With no issues. And believe me, even the month before I had tried to eat some to see if I had just outgrown it. Nope. BAD choice. I got sooo sick.
Last January one of my small group girls' grandpa got radically healed of esophageal cancer.
In July my little brother got healed from chronic headaches.
I could go on. In three months we saw multiple healings from cancer that was expected to take lives. Chronic back problems, asthma, four people in one month got healed of lactose intolerance. This last month has been crazy-full of God stories. And on and on it goes.
My. God. Heals.
When I came to college, I was broken, insecure, and alone. God broke through the walls I put up and healed things in my past I'd never dealt with before; He brought me into a family that showed me love like I'd never seen; and He has shown me how to walk in confidence of who I am as a daughter of the KING.
In less than six months God has radically transformed my brothers and they have become world changers. One of them is preaching at the largest, most God-centered, and anointed youth group in Fargo tonight.
Bible studies are happening on the high school campuses in Fargo/Moorhead. Healings are a regular occurrence downtown and at the skate parks. Walk across NDSU and you'll see crutches being thrown in the garbage because they're not needed anymore. I can't even study in the Union in the evenings anymore because the whole place is filled with Bible studies. No exaggeration. Seriously. It's almost frustrating, but the reason is way too amazing for me to complain. And worship nights happen almost every night.
This city is getting rocked.
And it doesn't stop here.
It takes one person.
One person being so passionately filled with the Holy Spirit that they will not stop seeking a move of God until they get it. The thing you need to remember is that the supernatural realm is God's natural realm. And that's the realm we are commanded to operate in. We trust God so much that we can jump head-first into a situation where we will fall flat on our faces unless God shows up. Give Him that kind of faith, and I promise you, He will show up.
One person.
One person to be Jesus to one other person. To refuse to stand by and be the "average" Christian who goes to church and reads their Bible and sticks to their little comfort zone of "Christian" friends. To bring one other person into an encounter with the living God. To be the channel God uses to change one life.
And then that person takes it to the next.
Repeat.
See a pattern?
It doesn't take long for a fire to spread.
Just one person willing to burn.
Other cities in North Dakota are catching fire. It's spreading. Northern Cali is getting rocked. An entire culture is being transformed because we have a generation of people who are so hungry for a move of God that they refuse to wait any longer.
In less than a generation, the early church moved throughout the known world and proclaimed the name of Christ. They brought healing, deliverance, freedom, and salvation. They ROCKED their cities.
We have more people. And the same Power.
What's our excuse?
10.21.2011
And this is called procrastination...
Okay, so actually I'm not procrastinating anything. For once in my life, I don't have a ton of homework to do tonight. But I'm too brain dead to actually put thought into a post, so here's a lil fun-fact quiz for ya.
80 Things You Didn't Know About Me Until You Read This:
80 Things You Didn't Know About Me Until You Read This:
1. What Color Is Your Toothbrush?
White and blue
2. Name One Person That Made You Smile Today?
2. Name One Person That Made You Smile Today?
Ashley
3. What Were You Doing At 8 AM This Morning?
Sitting in class. Praying we wouldn't get yelled at again. And that I would stay awake. :)
4. What Were You Doing 45 Minutes Ago?
Getting a back massage from mi madre ;)
5. What Is Your Favorite Candy ?
Yuck.
Yuck.
6. Disappeared, Idk what happened....
7. What Is The Last Thing You Said Aloud?
"That's from Narnia!" (soundtrack started playing on my computer, and I couldn't figure out where it was coming from...)
8. What Is The Best Ice Cream Flavor?
Half baked!
9. What Was The Last Thing You Had To Drink?
Water
10. What Is The Longest You Have Gone Without Sleeping?
12. Have You Bought Any New Clothing Items This Week?
Nope
13. The Last Sporting Event You Watched?
TV or live? Live, Bison volleyball game about a month ago. TV? Oh gosh, probably the first quarter or so of the Super Bowl, like 3 years ago. Blech.
14. What Is Your Favorite Flavor Of Popcorn?
CARAMEL!
15. Who Is The Last Person You Sent A Message To On FaceBook?
My sister :)
16. Ever Go Camping?
Of course.
17. Take vitamins daily?
When I remember...
18. Do You Go To Church Every Sunday?
Yup!
19. Do You Have A Tan?
Yes
20. Do You Like Chinese Food Over Pizza?
Depends on the day.
21. Do You Drink Your Soda With A Straw?
No
22. Who Are You Currently Talking To On AIM?
Nobody...
23. What Are You Doing Tomorrow?
Are you really asking that? The only thing I ever do - homework! (Okay lie, I do have other things to do..... like..... ummm......)
24. Where Is Your Dad?
25. Look To Your Left, What Do You See?
A bookshelf. Full of textbooks and papers. Telling me to quite wasting time.
26. What Color Is Your Watch?
Blue.
27. What Do You Think Of When You Hear Australia?
Someday I will be there.
28. What Is Your Birthstone?
Don't remember?
29. Do You Go In At A Fast Food Place Or Just Hit The Drive Thru?
30. What Is Your Favorite Number?
7
31. Who's The Last Person You Talked To On The Phone?
Best friend :)
32. Any Plans Today?
Finish homework. Go to bed. Story of my life.
33. Health Freak?
I try to eat healthy stuff, but no def not a health freak.
34. Biggest Annoyance In Your Life Right Now?
Classmates. Nuff said.
35. Last Song Listened To?
"We Have Overcome" by Elevation Worship. Never heard of them? Check. Them. Out.
36. Can You Say The Alphabet Backwards?
Yeah... One of the many random and useless talents and facts about me...
37. Do You Have A Maid Service Clean Your House?
Pfft, right.
38. Favorite Pair Of Shoes/Boots You Wear All The Time?
Black Champion slip-ons mi madre got me for Christmas last year. Which are currently at the shoe repair store b/c one started ripping (inducing the shedding of many tears by me until I found out it was fixable). I can't wait to have them back.
39. Are You Jealous Of Anyone?
Not really.
40. Is Anyone Jealous Of You?
I wouldn't know
41. Do You Love Anyone?
Of course.
Of course.
42. Do Any Of Your Friends Have Children?
Yep...... wow that makes me feel old.
43. What Do You Usually Do During The Day?
School. And homework. Oh, and school. And more homework. (Okay just for the record, I do actually do other things throughout the day, such as spending lots of time with Jesus. But school is kinda my life at the moment. So Jesus comes with me.)
44. Do You Hate Anyone That You Know Right Now?
Noooo...
45. Do You Use The Word “Hello” Daily?
I doubt it
46. Would You Rather Be Alone?
If I'm on people-overload.
47. Do You Like Cats?
NO - and I'm allergic to them anyway
48. Have You Ever Been To Six Flags?
I wish
49.Where Did You Get Your Worst Scar From?
Appendectomy when I was 9. Before they started doing them laproscopically, so I have a nice 4-inch gash.
50. Hair Color?
Brown
51. Last CD Played?
"Be Lifted High" by Bethel. Again, AnOiNtEd worship.
52. Last Bubble Bath?
53. Last Time You Cried?
This afternoon.
54. Last Meal?
Parentals took me out :)
55. Text Or Call?
Depends. Quick question, text me. Close friend, CALL me - I wanna hear your voice!
56. Favorite Animal?
Lion
57. Girlie Girl Or Tomboy?
Both. Depends on the day. But more tomboy than girlie girl. Usually. Sometimes.
58. Have You Ever Lost Someone?
Who hasn't?
Who hasn't?
59. Have You Ever Slept Until 1 PM?
I can't even sleep past 8:30am anymore! (But maybe when I was sick)
60. Have You Ever Been Drunk And Threw Up?
Umm. No.
61. List Six People You Can Tell Pretty Much Anything To:
No. If you're one of them, trust me, you know it. :)
62. List Three Favorite Colors/Shades.
Blue, green, black.
63. Have You Ever Laughed Until You Cried?
Heck yeah.
64. Went Behind Your Parents Backs?
Shhh
65. Where'd this one go to.....?
66. Gay Marriage?
No.
67. Lowering The Drinking Age?
Shouldn't be such a huge controversy. If a kid's gonna drink, they're gonna drink. I'm not. Ever. Therefore. Doesn't apply.
Shouldn't be such a huge controversy. If a kid's gonna drink, they're gonna drink. I'm not. Ever. Therefore. Doesn't apply.
68. And again with the disappearing numbers!?!
69. Who is the best hugger that you know of?
Irena. Or Carlina. Or Emily. Orrr.... yeah I can't decide. My friends rock. :)
70. Do You Believe In Love At First Sight?
I suppose so
71. Is There Something You Want To Tell Someone?
Oh there's a lot I would love to tell a number of people
72. Are You A Flirt?
Wow, way to cross boundaries. No.
73. Are You Easy To Read?
To my best friend. Otherwise, no way.
74. How Many Kids Do You Want To Have?
A lot? 5 or 6 at least. If I have a family.
75. Do You Want To Change Your Name?
No
76. Last Time You Saw Your Father?
Coupla hours ago?
77. What Time Did You Wake Up Today?
Wake up? Or get out of bed? Wake up, probs around 5. Out of bed, 6. In the morning. Which is significantly later than most other days.
78. What Were You Doing At Midnight Last Night?
Attempting to sleep. (Favorite pastime at night - now if only I could turn it into actually sleeping)
79. What Is Your Favorite Thing In Your Room?
80. Where Is Your Best Friend Right Now?
In bed, I hope. She needed to sleep tonight.
Annddd there you have it! Random facts about Andrea :) Other questions? Comments? (Hmm... maybe I retract that last question...)
In bed, I hope. She needed to sleep tonight.
Annddd there you have it! Random facts about Andrea :) Other questions? Comments? (Hmm... maybe I retract that last question...)
10.05.2011
Arms Wide Open
"What does Love look like?"
Is the question I've been pondering
"What does Love look like?"
"What does Love look like?"
Is the question I've been asking of You
I once believed that love was romance
Just a chance
I even thought that love was for the lucky
And the beautiful
I once believed that love was momentary bliss
But Love is more than this
All You ever wanted was my attention
All You ever wanted was love from me
All You ever wanted was my affections
To sit here at Your feet
Then tell me
"What does Love look like?"
Is the question I've been pondering
"What does Love look like?"
If all of life comes down to love
Then tell me
"What does Love look like?"
Is the question I've been pondering
"What does Love look like?"
Then I sat down
A little frustrated and confused
If all of life comes down to love
Then Love has to be more than sentiment
More than selfishness and selfish gain
Then I saw Him there, hanging on a tree
Looking at me
I saw Him there, hanging on a tree
Looking at me
He was looking at me
Looking at Him
Staring through me
I could not escape those beautiful eyes
Then I began to weep and weep
He had arms wide open
A heart exposed
Arms wide open
He was bleeding
Bleeding
Love's definition
Love's definition was looking at me
Looking at Him
Hanging on a tree
I began to weep and weep
This is how I know what Love is
This is how I know what Love is
And as I sat there
Weeping
Crying
Those beautiful eyes
Full of desire
And love
And He said to me
"You shall love Me
You shall love Me"
With arms wide open
A heart exposed
Arms wide open
Bleeding
Sometimes bleeding
He said
"You shall love Me
You shall love Me"
Is the question I've been pondering
"What does Love look like?"
"What does Love look like?"
Is the question I've been asking of You
I once believed that love was romance
Just a chance
I even thought that love was for the lucky
And the beautiful
I once believed that love was momentary bliss
But Love is more than this
All You ever wanted was my attention
All You ever wanted was love from me
All You ever wanted was my affections
To sit here at Your feet
Then tell me
"What does Love look like?"
Is the question I've been pondering
"What does Love look like?"
If all of life comes down to love
Then tell me
"What does Love look like?"
Is the question I've been pondering
"What does Love look like?"
Then I sat down
A little frustrated and confused
If all of life comes down to love
Then Love has to be more than sentiment
More than selfishness and selfish gain
Then I saw Him there, hanging on a tree
Looking at me
I saw Him there, hanging on a tree
Looking at me
He was looking at me
Looking at Him
Staring through me
I could not escape those beautiful eyes
Then I began to weep and weep
He had arms wide open
A heart exposed
Arms wide open
He was bleeding
Bleeding
Love's definition
Love's definition was looking at me
Looking at Him
Hanging on a tree
I began to weep and weep
This is how I know what Love is
This is how I know what Love is
And as I sat there
Weeping
Crying
Those beautiful eyes
Full of desire
And love
And He said to me
"You shall love Me
You shall love Me"
With arms wide open
A heart exposed
Arms wide open
Bleeding
Sometimes bleeding
He said
"You shall love Me
You shall love Me"
7.07.2011
Life... As A Rollercoaster
I have recently come to the conclusion that life is similar to one long rollercoaster. Sometimes you find yourself pulling yourself up a mountain. It’s hard, and there are times when you feel you can’t go any further. That’s when you stop and realize that all you have to do is cry out to your Father, who is always there to pull you the rest of the way. “For it is the Lord who will fight your battles for you.” And once you give the control over to Him, you realize how much easier life is. There are times when, instead of pulling you up, He will simply give you the strength for you to do so. In these instances, you are faced with a choice. You can decide that it’s too hard, you’re not equipped, or not qualified enough to do it; so you stop pulling, stop climbing, and go into “neutral” mode. But you are never stationary, because if you quit pulling yourself up, gravity will automatically begin to pull you back down, and you end up worse off than when you started. Or you can choose to believe that God will give you enough strength, mercy, and grace to summit the mountain. I won’t say it’s easy or that it’s not painful, but in the end, you will find yourself victorious and stronger for it.
Sometimes you can find yourself flying down the other side of the mountain, twisting and turning and flipping upside down at breakneck speeds. It can be fun. I, for one, happen to love rollercoasters. The feel of the wind whipping past your face; the adrenaline rush, the way your car (and subsequently your body) go flying through the air at speeds and angles it probably shouldn’t be allowed to do. Life can be like this. Sometimes God’s grace and favor are so obviously upon your life that all you can do is throw your head back and say “Wow is life good!” The adventures He takes you on are sometimes so amazing that you wonder how you could ever not love this life He’s called you to live. The joy overflows from your heart, and His love poured out on you touches you to your core and reaches those around you. You watch God work through you – and often in spite of you – and are filled with wonder at how even the smallest details are not lost on Him.
But sometimes those drops aren’t so fun. Sometimes you are plunged into a long, dark tunnel, where there are drops and twists that leave you breathless and aching, because you didn’t have time to prepare for them. You can’t see your way around, and you sometimes are reduced to throwing your hands in the air and screaming “What’s next?!”
However, at the end of the day, God is still the Master Designer of your life – or, for the sake of this post, your rollercoaster. Nothing will ever come your way that just slipped by God. Though the enemy does everything he can to throw things at us to make us doubt our Maker, God still has the last say. He will never allow any drops or twists or loops in our lives that would cause us to go careening off course and destroy us. Unless we willfully decide to bail out on God, we are perfectly safe on His course for our lives.
And there’s a really cool thing that happens at the end of a drop. Because of the speed and force with which you have been traveling, it pushes you up the next hill. When we choose to trust God and grow stronger through the trials, it is a springboard into the next season of our lives, and we can hit the ground running.
This has been so clear in my life lately. This past month has been an adventure in and of itself. There have been days that are so incredibly amazing and full of God’s presence that I am left speechless and awed by His greatness. And there have been days where I feel like my heart has been wrenched out and torn to pieces.
Life is full of ups and downs. Good times come and go. So do the bad. Yet this one thing remains: God’s love never fails.
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