Reading and re-reading Next Christians by Gabe Lyons, there's a list of characteristics of a "restorer". One characteristic is that restorers create.
Yesterday, Megan and I banked on the weather forecast from Monday and planned a crazy adventure for Saturday.
In the morning, we ran in the Freedom 5k. It's a fundraiser race started by some of our friends. All funds go to organizations that fight human trafficking. Apostle friends in action, starting programs and building systems that rescue people into the family.
Then, we drove to a beautiful mountain. In the car, Megan reminded me of a quote she created this spring: "What if God isn't calling us to better behavior, but to bigger belief?" We wrestled again with this idea, confident that it came from our Creator. Wow. What does it look like to live a life of bigger belief? We talked about our brokenness, the humbling process, the ways that God draws us deeper into Himself. And then we made it to the mountain!
With four other friends (two of whom I'll be traveling to Barahona and Port-Au-Prince with in November) we quickly scaled Mt. Storm King. I wish I would have brought my camera. The view brings praise to the real Creator. Green forests. Towering waterfalls. A deep, glacier-carved blue lake. Peaks pointing to Heaven. The Strait of Juan de Fuca lapping onto Vancouver Island. Perfection.
Creating fellowship, the six of us had dinner at a local-owned diner in Port Angeles. Talking about smart phones, marrow donation, and God's goodness we created some memories, too. Grateful to never do the mission alone.
Today, I was reminded of the deep blessings God pours into my life. Bagel date with one friend. Bible study launch with some student friends. Sweet hours of painting. Time (actual time!) to tend to my yard and garden. Dinner with a dear friend. Chocolate almond raspberry brownies for three sets of dessert guests. Father, thank you for the good life.
Our pastor shared a message from 1 Corinthians 13 & 14 today. A beautiful, direct interpretation about how to use our Spirit-given gifts to build up the Church and bring God glory. Today was one of those days. One of those days where God let me see the Church in action. We genuinely are people becoming the Church. People called to bigger belief.
Oh Father, bring tomorrow! So excited for another week of following a Good Shepherd. Directing my own flock to follow the Father. Speaking Truth in love, without desiring personal affirmation or approval. Praying for Heaven to pour into Earth and God be glorified. Yearning for a revival that leaves our community healed and commissioned. Yes!
"Fear not little flock, for it is the Father's Good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." -Jesus
Sunday, September 25, 2011
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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