You know, I've stayed in Redding for two out of three summers while I was at Simpson University. They were fun and exciting, but neither compares to this summer. Being free from campus, having my own car, community, extravaganzas, close friends, trips to the lake, stars, late-evening strolls, tons of awesome girls to hang out with, a new job, etc. I can't even put words to the rest of the awesomeness that has become this summer.
This has definitely been the best summer in Redding... by far.
While we were at the lake last night, Melissa Hart 2 asked me if I was glad I chose to stay in Redding after graduation. My answer... a big fat "YES!!!" It has been awesome to see God's provision in my life since choosing to stay, confirming in me that this is definitely where God wants me at this moment in my life. He is stirring things up inside me, deepening my relationships with friends, telling me He loves me, and calling things out of me. I'm glad I stayed, because these things might not have happened had I chose to live underneath my parent's roof. Thank You Jesus!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
The Impossible
I have always been interested in seeing God heal people because I have heard the stories, but have only seen a few, including one guy with a broken leg be completely healed to the point where he took of his cast and jumped up and down on it for 10 minutes without any pain. Why don’t I see them more often? Should the sight of healing be normal every-day life? When I pray for healing, how come I don’t always see it happen?
Last night, Dan Lance (a pastor from a local church) was speaking about Jesus’ every day life of seeing people healed and commanding demons to come out of people and announcing the coming of the Kingdom of God (Luke 4). This is amazing, because in Luke 9 and 10, Jesus sends out disciples with power and authority to heal the sick, to drive out demons, and to proclaim the Kingdom. This means us. You. Me. We have the power and authority to do these things.
Dan talked about how Jesus is the spokesperson for heaven who is here on earth that is seeing things that do not belong in God’s Kingdom (sickness, pain, suffering, demons, etc.) and rebukes them to leave. God has given us the Holy Spirit and the power and authority to do the same things. Jesus himself said those who have faith in Him would do the same things as He, but also that we would see greater things happen (John 14:12). However, in order to see these greater things, I need to be praying for the sick. Laying my hands on them. Being faithful in small things the Holy Spirit prompts me to do. Stepping out in faith. Walking in power and authority. Then I will see people healed.
It is God’s heart for all people to be healed, restored, regenerated, renewed. This is where the impossible comes in. During the response and worship time, Nate called out those who were desiring the see the impossible happen. Those who wanted to ask God for faith to believe Him for the impossible. That’s me. I am going to be working with kids who have PTSD, ADHD, mental retardation, anger, depression, anxiety, among many other things. I am believing God for the impossible for these kids. These kids are not the only place I want to see the impossible happen. I want to see it happen in myself, my roommates, my family, my friends, my apartment complex, my city, my state, my nation, and this world.
I feel God is giving me a new passion for His Kingdom.
Lord, may Your Kingdom come here upon the earth as in Heaven. May You give me faith to believe You for the impossible. May I be faithful in the small things so that I may be trusted with more. You are so loving and gracious. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this! Amen.
Last night, Dan Lance (a pastor from a local church) was speaking about Jesus’ every day life of seeing people healed and commanding demons to come out of people and announcing the coming of the Kingdom of God (Luke 4). This is amazing, because in Luke 9 and 10, Jesus sends out disciples with power and authority to heal the sick, to drive out demons, and to proclaim the Kingdom. This means us. You. Me. We have the power and authority to do these things.
Dan talked about how Jesus is the spokesperson for heaven who is here on earth that is seeing things that do not belong in God’s Kingdom (sickness, pain, suffering, demons, etc.) and rebukes them to leave. God has given us the Holy Spirit and the power and authority to do the same things. Jesus himself said those who have faith in Him would do the same things as He, but also that we would see greater things happen (John 14:12). However, in order to see these greater things, I need to be praying for the sick. Laying my hands on them. Being faithful in small things the Holy Spirit prompts me to do. Stepping out in faith. Walking in power and authority. Then I will see people healed.
It is God’s heart for all people to be healed, restored, regenerated, renewed. This is where the impossible comes in. During the response and worship time, Nate called out those who were desiring the see the impossible happen. Those who wanted to ask God for faith to believe Him for the impossible. That’s me. I am going to be working with kids who have PTSD, ADHD, mental retardation, anger, depression, anxiety, among many other things. I am believing God for the impossible for these kids. These kids are not the only place I want to see the impossible happen. I want to see it happen in myself, my roommates, my family, my friends, my apartment complex, my city, my state, my nation, and this world.
I feel God is giving me a new passion for His Kingdom.
Lord, may Your Kingdom come here upon the earth as in Heaven. May You give me faith to believe You for the impossible. May I be faithful in the small things so that I may be trusted with more. You are so loving and gracious. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this! Amen.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Stand Up
So I had been struggling lately. Most people probably wouldn't know it because I don't seem any different. I have been searching for some sort of joy lately. Something had been missing. I was comparing myself to others who are always so joyful. My mom told me a few months ago, "James, you sure don't smile as much as you used to." Maybe that was because I was ruined by the shame and sin in my life and I hated who I was.
As many people know, I recently got a job with Victor Youth Services as a Residential Counselor in a group home. I had a job-shadow shift last Wednesday and I was sick, tired, and joyless. I couldn't muster much of a smile on my face. I met with the house's supervisor, and I think that through him, God woke me up. Phil, the supervisor, confronted me about how the day went, saying that I needed to look at myself and find some way to improve. He noticed that I couldn't smile, that I was having a hard time. It was tough to sit through, and it intimidated me. I now realize that God was speaking to me through him. Begging me to run to Him for help.
Over and over lately, I've been hearing this message that God loves me. His Love is here. His Love is now. It took me till yesterday to press into God about this situation and how ruined I had felt for a while. I had been trying to be faithful in my relationship with God, but I wasn't listening to what God wanted for me. So yesterday, as I was sitting there in fear of my next job-shadow later that day at the same house, I was crying out to God. I was asking him for help. Asking Him to release joy on my life. His perfect love casts out all fears. I ended up laying down, my face buried in the carpet of my apartment living room, with my palms upwards as if to receive something. My heart was positioned toward Him. "Stand Up!" I questioned this word in my heart, and then did just that as I realized God was telling me to stand up. As I stood up, I waited for God to tell me something else. But that was all I needed to hear apparently as I stood there awkwardly in the middle of the room silent. God loves me. As I was laying there in desperation, embarrassed and ashamed, God took pride in his child and told me to stand up. He gave me dignity and showed me He was listening with those simple words.
A few minutes later, as I was thinking about the word Joy, God directed me to John 15. His Word is alive and new each day. Jesus loves me as much as the Father loves Him. He loves me. He told me this so that His JOY would be in me, and so that it would be COMPLETE! Suddenly, the realization was now more focused on God's love for me. Boy does he love me. That brings joy to my heart. Fear is gone. My face lit up. I know this isn't going to be a short process, but God loves me and is continually shaping me into the man I am to be. He is calling me to stand up and accept His love and joy. His joy is my strength. He is my light. I am standing up as His Child, as His son, as His beloved. His joy is in me, and is being made complete.
As many people know, I recently got a job with Victor Youth Services as a Residential Counselor in a group home. I had a job-shadow shift last Wednesday and I was sick, tired, and joyless. I couldn't muster much of a smile on my face. I met with the house's supervisor, and I think that through him, God woke me up. Phil, the supervisor, confronted me about how the day went, saying that I needed to look at myself and find some way to improve. He noticed that I couldn't smile, that I was having a hard time. It was tough to sit through, and it intimidated me. I now realize that God was speaking to me through him. Begging me to run to Him for help.
Over and over lately, I've been hearing this message that God loves me. His Love is here. His Love is now. It took me till yesterday to press into God about this situation and how ruined I had felt for a while. I had been trying to be faithful in my relationship with God, but I wasn't listening to what God wanted for me. So yesterday, as I was sitting there in fear of my next job-shadow later that day at the same house, I was crying out to God. I was asking him for help. Asking Him to release joy on my life. His perfect love casts out all fears. I ended up laying down, my face buried in the carpet of my apartment living room, with my palms upwards as if to receive something. My heart was positioned toward Him. "Stand Up!" I questioned this word in my heart, and then did just that as I realized God was telling me to stand up. As I stood up, I waited for God to tell me something else. But that was all I needed to hear apparently as I stood there awkwardly in the middle of the room silent. God loves me. As I was laying there in desperation, embarrassed and ashamed, God took pride in his child and told me to stand up. He gave me dignity and showed me He was listening with those simple words.
A few minutes later, as I was thinking about the word Joy, God directed me to John 15. His Word is alive and new each day. Jesus loves me as much as the Father loves Him. He loves me. He told me this so that His JOY would be in me, and so that it would be COMPLETE! Suddenly, the realization was now more focused on God's love for me. Boy does he love me. That brings joy to my heart. Fear is gone. My face lit up. I know this isn't going to be a short process, but God loves me and is continually shaping me into the man I am to be. He is calling me to stand up and accept His love and joy. His joy is my strength. He is my light. I am standing up as His Child, as His son, as His beloved. His joy is in me, and is being made complete.
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