Quick note about Fair Trade and Social Justice

So as a part of this continuing unfolding in the journey, the Father has been showing me different ways to 'love our neighbor'. Over the last few years, the Lord has prompted us to slow spending and consumerism in order to give more and made us aware of opportunities to buy fair trade stuff such as chocolate, coffee, vanilla, clothes, among other things. But recently, the Lord took me to a couple of scriptures that really nailed me:


By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:16-17)



Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. (James 5:1-6)


I believe under the New Covenant, all is His. This to me means that the notion of 10% is actually Old Testament living under the Law, and we are to give EVERYTHING. So, if I see need, which is evident around the world everyday, and I do nothing, is the love of God really in me? This isn't something I must do out of drudgery - the Lord loves a cheerful giver - but if I'm reluctant to let go, where must my heart be? Jesus said you cannot serve 2 masters...which brings me to the next set of verses from James. This is where I believe we are in America today in the church, You have heaped up treasure in the last days. It's preached from the pulpit! From human wisdom for ways to save x months and build a nest egg for retirement and blah, blah, blah - its all a "spiritual" way to excuse control and box out the need for faith in the Father. The other perversion is this whole prosperity gospel notion. How can you preach that message to those in the 3rd world? Many of these ones are the very people whom received our fraudulent wages of the laborers who mowed your fields. Sound familiar? They may not be mowing our fields, but people around the world are picking our crops, making our clothes, manufacturing our electronics, and so on and so on. All around the world, Wal-Mart, Target, and on down the list of American retailers force the hand of suppliers to drive down labor costs in order to produce low-quality crap for consumers to fatten themselves on. All at the expense of slave labor. I'm not against capitalism, but I am when fallen man gains at others' expense. If the love of the Father is truly in us, shouldn't our hearts break for our fellow man who works ridiculous hours under inhumane conditions, all to provide us with luxuries such as coffee and chocolate? And then for our hearts to be so calloused that we opt to support these companies because the price of the non-fair trade product is a buck or two cheaper!?! What is the condition of our hearts? Ugh...such things, I believe, grieve the heart of the Father!

The Lie of "Likemindedness"

As part of this growing measure of freedom, I see more and more flesh that has been inhibiting me from truly loving my Father and loving my neighbor. The latest thing is in the area of fellowship. For years, my persuit of "community" and "fellowship" involved finding a church filled with some likeminded people and sharing in that agreement. What I didn't realize, was the driving force behind that was really a need to be validated in what I was doing. Even though that desire to be with likeminded people in certain spiritual areas wasn't bad in and of itself, the folly was where I realized I was needing to be validated in that by something other than Father. Ugh! What were we to do?

I've been contemplating lately about the people who have crossed my path in the journey and how for some we're still together, for others we've just drifted apart after a season, others left in offense, others yet I was offended with and fled.

Doctrine and Relationships: Part II

I heard a cartoon recently that basically went something like this:

Frame #1: A man turns to his friend and says, "I'm going to get closer to God." His friend says, "How are you going to do that?"
Frame #2: The man grabs a ladder and stands it up.
Frame #3: The man climbs the ladder as someone else is holding the ladder. A crowd begins to assemble and asking, "What is this man doing?" His friend says, "He's trying to get closer to God!"
Frame #4: Someone from the crowd asks the man holding the ladder, "Who are you?" He answers simply, "God."

I know I have been guilty of this. There was this drive to "do something for God" when He is simply desiring to be in relationship with Him. He began showing me some of my heart.

"If you love me, you will obey what I command. Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:15, 21 NIV)

I believe I've had a true relationship with the Father throughout what I believe to be my salvation. I muddied the waters a bit with striving, religion, and other junk, but there was true relationship. And throughout my walk, I have drawn conclusions from my experiences with Him and from the Word. I would call that "theology" or "doctrine." My doctrine was derived from relationship, not as a means to arriving at relationship. But for some reason, I found myself trying to teach that doctrine as if it would help people arrive at relationship, then getting frustrated when others weren't having the same results. It recently hit me (yeah, stupid me!), that maybe what Jesus was saying "your love for me is evident by you obeying what I command", not "if you obey me, you'll do these things and it proves you love me." I believed the former for myself, but applied the latter to others. Wow! What a pharisee I had become!!!

But as I pondered this, Father was showing me what was behind this. If I receive a revelation, derive doctrine from it and teach it to others, I could captivate an audience, probably build a following, and look pretty darn good, holy and righteous in the process. And in that process, I'd be putting my yoke of religious duty around His people...and it is better for me to have a millstone around my neck at that point. Ouch! That's building something...but I think He made it clear - He builds the house!

I was talking to someone recently who was talking about organizational structure and how Jesus had this sort of structure to His ministry. He had the 3 beloved disciples, then the other 9, then the 70 he sent out, then the multitudes that followed Him. First problem is, from the time of the miracles with the bread, to the day of pentecost, what happened to the multitudes? I'm thinking they were following Jesus the man because of 'the show', what was in it for them, or their comfort, and not true relationship. Could I be on to something? What was my motivation? Another problem in the same vain is, Jesus spent much of his time telling these people to engage the Father. John 14:7 says, "Had you known me, you would know my Father." He was pointing people to the Father and to have relationship with Him. How much am I doing that? Most of what I wanted was "Follow me as I follow Christ." Yuck!

And I arrive here at this place as a close friend deals with the emotions of being told "he's not walking with the Father because he's not part of 'this new thing' God is doing." Huh? I think I've been guilty of that a time, or two, too. The funny thing is, I think God has been trying to do 'this new thing' for 2000 years, but we keep getting in the way. It isn't anything new. If it were, and I'm a part of it, I must be somebody or something special. It isn't about homechurch/cell groups/home groups/organic growth/blah/blah/blah, how long we worship, or how long we pray, or who is prophesying, or any of that stuff - not that stuff is all bad in and of itself. God doesn't seem to be about form. He shows up where He wants to, we just need to yield to that. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you...I think I'm finally learning to rest in that!

Doctrine and Relationship: Part I

I'm enjoying a season of new found freedom in the love of the Father. The simple truth of the commands "Loving God" and "Loving my neighbor" has taken on new meaning, and in doing so, revelation has come - what is true relationship, and why do I keep trying to build something?

"Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1a)

So what does it mean to allow the Lord to build His house? I used to get really into this sort of thing - what does the last-day church look like? where does the 5-fold ministry fit into that? where are the signs and wonders? what is His plan for my life? All this analyzing, striving, and anxiety over what to do and how to get there. Why was I so focused on the form? It has been some time that I've come to the understanding of the form not being all that important. I used to lead the parade of banner wavers for home church, but that seemed to be just religion in the home...I was disillusioned...so what was I to do?

Now I'm understanding this a little better. I am to live in a life lived loved by my Father, and seize opportunities that He gives to love "my neighbor." What a concept! I've slowed down life enough to see His presence in engaging with people I wouldn't have chosen left to myself. Places I would never expect, either - Lowe's, the beach, the lake, in my cube at work, etc. And it took no force or manipulation, no need to drive the conversation one way or another...all this, and it didn't happen in a church building, during a meeting, or at a 'home group.' Could this be how He's building His church? Taking a group of nobodies with no agenda and allowing Him to arrange appointments, meetings, encounters, etc. for when and what we need? I always thought I needed to find a group of "likeminded people" so we could "fellowship" on things we agreed on...hmm...maybe I was struggling with a complex of wanting to be accepted...hmm...

The most freeing part of this journey for me now is this - Jesus said when you pray, pray like this, "give us this day our daily bread." I was always looking to the future, and today was only relevant in how it applied to how I was getting to my destination. The destination was basically how I was to build a ministry for Him. So with my attention focused so much on "my destiny and purpose", I was missing out on the today...the people He had right in front of me who He wanted to use to touch me, and He wanted me to sew into. This wasn't about me ministering down to people and gaining a following, as though I was an authority on something...that's not very humbling...He didn't want me to arrive at that place, and by His grace I don't think I'm there. But now I don't need to worry about the future. Jesus said today has enough worry of its own. If by His grace He reveals something down the road, my flesh wants to fill the gaps and arrive at the destination without Him...so now I find myself at rest, living out each day with Him. What a freedom!

More on this later...

The Danger of Defining Form

I've heard a lot of discussions regarding 'church' and what constitutes 'church' as of late. I've heard about "new moves" that are coming, that are happening now, and how God is going to build the church.

I found this along the journey on the internet:
http://www.lifestream.org/bodylife.php?blid=32

I'm finding that whether in the church, doing homechurch, attending cell groups, etc., it is a matter of the heart. Are we loving the Father? Are we loving our neighbor? I used to be a banner waver for home church/fellowships, only to realize I was just advocating "bringing the religion home." Yuck! "Church" is where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name.

I also found this:
http://lifestream.org/blog/2008/02/29/live-in-love-a-message-from-the-sudan/

It definitely gives some perspective. Why do I waste all this energy and time? Who am I to know the form of God and His church!?! Who can fathom Him and His ways? Don't I only see in part?

"Divine Nobodies" and True Social Justice

The Lord has brought me through a season of 'unlearning' a bit from what I learned and reasoned throughout my walk "in the church". Seeing for my own life, I must return to simply "loving the Father" and "do the things Jesus did." Caring for the widow and the orphan, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked...these things are important to the Father.

I recently finished reading "Divine Nobodies" by Jim Palmer. As I was reading this book, a part really nailed me. I could try to blather on about his words, but I thought it would be best to just quote Jim's words...Jim is detailing a rescue mission in a South Asian country...young girls are kidnapped and then prostituted. He is posing as a customer so they can find where these brothels are to rescue these girls. Be warned, it covers a brutal topic, but its time we get our heads out of the sand!

"From Nashville, we covered 8,792 miles to get there, and soon after arriving I was plunged into an evil I hoped existed only in nightmares. I would have long since conveniently buried this experience beneath a mountain of rationalizations if I hadn't looked deep into the vacant eyes of a twelve-year-old sex slave and vowed never to forget. Her expression cannot be purged from memory, and sometimes my mind plays tricks by imposing her face on some little girl I see walking in the mall or playing in the park. Returning to my past world of ignorance would relieve my grief, but it's impossible to go back.

There are some details about my rude awakening in South Asia that I cannot tell you, including our specific locations. I traveled with a small band of highly trained professionals from International Justice Mission, which covertly deploys operatives around the globe to rescue victims of horrific human rights crimes, usually involving children. I saw Batman Begins, but I didn't realize there are actually people who risk their lives under cover of night, swooping in amid the horror to save innocent lives from the clutches of evil. These people are real heroes, and I met them in the dark alleys of one of the largest red-light districts in the world.

Until then, my most courageous endeavor was scooping up a half-dead mouse our cat dragged up on the back deck, terrifying Pam and Jessica [his wife and daughter]. A vaguely humorous scuffle ensued as things momentarily got ugly, but eventually the mission was accomplished. (Have you ever tried battling a mouse with a dustpan?) Not to say my Christian practices failed to embolden me. Hey, I can pass out church coffee mugs to strangers and do door-to-door neighborhood 'surveys' with the best of them. I wasn't quite prepared, however, for these IJM guys answering the WWJD [what would Jesus do] question by endangering their lives to free people most of the world wouldn't miss (in a nice kind of way, of course).

My job was to tag along, do exactly as I was told, and witness this heartbreaking tragedy with my own eyes. Arriving on an oppresively humid night, I taxied down into the red-light district with a guy I'll call Ron. I was briefed on the drive that we would work undercover, posing as customers looking for action to identify brothels forcing young girls into prostitution. Peeing in my pants became a distinct possibility, and that little form I'd signed about 'going at my own risk' began taking on meaning I'd never imagined. I am a terrible liar and actor; how was I supposed to play a pervert looking to have sex with little girls?

Less than two minutes after our feet hit the pavement, a pimp approached and offered a tour of the prime spots in exchange for ten bucks. (Westerners get first-rate treatment because exchange rates exponentially increase their spending potential.) Ron did all the talking, plunging us into a sea of nightlife. An abrupt turn down a grungy narrow alley finally brought us to what looked like an abandoned old building. We entered by climbing a steep stairway that dumped us out on a small landing outside a door that lacked an external knob. After a distinctive knock, the door opened into a dimly lit and glitzy lounge complete with plush 1970s-style carpeting on the floor and walls. Escorted to a comfy wraparound sofa, we sat next to real 'customers' (mostly Americans), who could have easily passed for my dentist or the guy who coaches my daughter's soccer team. No one spoke. We just sat there staring at this elevated makeshift catwalk directly in front of us. Anger began seething within me, and I felt I could actually kill somebody without regret. After what seemed an eternity, the lights went off and the catwalk brightened. Soft music began playing as the back door swung open, and a line of scantily dressed little girls made up with mascara and high heels wobbled out to present themselves. I was reeling inside.

Images often associated with 'escort services' and 'men's clubs' where glamorous sexy goddesses summon John Doe to a night of orgasmic bliss are far from the aberration that was playing out just two feet in front of me. These ten- to fifteen-year-old-girls looked pathetic and terrified as they were chided by the brothel owner to look energetic and maintain eye contact with customers who were making their rape selection. The younger they were, the more you paid. The littlest girls didn't come out. You had to specifically ask for them and show you had that kind of cash. Suddenly I was meeting the gaze of one little girl in a long black wig. Quickly glancing away, I noticed she continued staring right at me--or was it right through me? I wished for a cape and one of those superhero rescue gizmos to snatch her out of harm's way.

Those obscure headlines at the bottom of page D14 were now part of my world. Not wanting to remember or have anything to do with it doesn't work. The reality just won't go away or wash off. I've tried rationalizing, telling myself there are too many for me to make a difference, and it's those people and their governments who are to blame, and only they can fix it. I can't be responsible for people on the other side of the world and wouldn't know what to do in the first place. Besides, I have problems to address where I live (but I really don't). Certainly God's justice will eventually straighten all this out and everyone will get their just deserts. I tried all that mumbo jumbo and more.

But there I was, face-to-face with this horrified little girl staring at me, her shoulders so slight they couldn't keep the straps of her lingerie up. Despite all my sensible reasoning, it didn't add up to a very good answer to the WWJD question. Something from the well of my being cried out, 'Do something!' It would be worth the effort, the reward far exceeding the cost. IJM had supplied the opportunity for me to be part of meeting the most obvious need of girls like this, the need to be set free. Posing as customers, we acted unimpressed with each lineup of girls shown us in order to be taken to several spots. This enabled us to document the particular brothels using minors, information that would later be used to organize a brothel raid and rescue operation. IJM was banking on my greatest contribution being made once I returned back home by raising awareness of the horrific plight of children forced into prostitution.

During the cab ride back, Ron detailed the terrifying trap that captured these girls. Lured to the city by the promise of earning money as domestic household servants, they are taken captive, transported by night to a brothel, and sold to the highest bidder. Locked in a room the size of a closet, they are told they will be providing sex to customers on demand. When the first customer comes, the child resists and fights back. The brother owner beats her into submission with iron rods and electrical cords. She finally consents and begins providing sex six days a week, with up to ten customers daily. She is rationed one meal a day and not allowed to leave the brothel. When touring their 'bedrooms' (four to six girls crammed together per dingy room) I almost lost it emotionally upon discovering that the same little girls forced to give sex still sleep with stuffed teddy bears and rabbits.

My worldview was turned upside down in the length of time it took to walk past the line of little girls waiting outside a clinic to receive treatment for AIDS and every sexually transmitted disease imaginable. I couldn't get back on the plane to Nashville quick enough.

I've done my share of globe-hopping, traveling to parts of the world most wouldn't be too interested to vacation in. One has a lot of time to kill on those long international flights, especially if you're like me and can't sleep well on planes. Flying home from South Asia, my books were stuffed in the bottom of my duffel bag, lost somewhere in the abyss of the overhead compartment. I decided I didn't want to risk waking up the kid next to me, who had finally stopped crying and gone to sleep. I had read every newspaper, was not interested in purchasing a thingamabob from the Sky Mall magazine, and had already seen Father of the Bride twice. So I sat and I thought...

Have you ever stopped to wonder, Where was God today? Yes, I know God is 'omnipresent,' but I mean specifically, where was God today? Where did he go? What did he see? How did he feel? I began imagining God present at that miraculous moment a precious life was born into the world, the joy and marvel of the newborn bearing God's image and uniquely fashioned by his hands. Taking in the beauty of a brilliant blazing sun slowly descending behind endless ocean waves, I have felt the company of the Creator amid the splendor of his handiwork. Jogging a woodland trail one autumn morning I passed an aged couple leisurely strolling in conversation hand in hand. God must have been there smiling as these soul mates shared a ripe and tender love, a gift from God, who is himself named Love. These simple but magnificent miracles inspire love and adoration for God deep within and draw me to him.

Somewhere over the Atlantic, forty thousand feet about the earth, these nice thoughts about God gave way to disturbing images I wish I could forget from my trip. Now the question, where was God today? tortured me. Today a ten-year-old girl is being strapped down tight to a bed and brutally and repeatedly raped. God is present. Today an eight-year-old emaciated boy is covered with a cardboard box and left to die. Slowly he slips into unconsciousness. God is present. Today a young mom of three wails in bed as her skeletal body writhes with the unrelenting agony of AIDS. God is present. Still, I grew angry. Why was God pushing these horrors in my face? I was emotionally spent and wanted to go home to myworld. God could have that world; that was his deal; he's God; I didn't live in that world.

Or did I?

Sitting in 13D, I uncovered something unsettling about myself. I don't really want a 'relationship' with God. Here's what I want. I want to share with God all I feel, all I need, all that grieves me, all that makes me happy, the puzzling things, the fun things, and the hard things, but I would prefer that God keep his stuff to himself. I don't want to hear about his pain and share in his grief. I don't mind listening to God as long as I'm receiving solutions, answers, and advice. Maybe what I really want is a divine vending machine: pop in my prayer, press the button for my need, and I'm good to go. A professional live-in massage therapist and a Starbucks within walking distance would be nice too.

Any relationship involves two people, you and the other. It seems that in a 'relationship' with God, we would desire to listen to the Other to learn what the Other is really like. But how is this possible without going through the adventure of each day with the Other? Can we personally and intimately know someone without sharing experiences, and doing things together--little things as well as big things, and taking the risks of love together? Wouldn't we want to learn how to love those whom the Other loves, to see them through his eyes? We would want to rest and celebrate together, to share beautiful things, to laugh together. But wouldn't we also want to enter into the pain and grief the Other feels when pain, injustice, and cruelty are inflicted upon those he loves? In every abusive home where a child cries in fear and pain, and in every city street where a homeless person shivers under newspapers on the pavement, the living Christ is there. Whether it's across town or on the other side of the globe, suffering people surround us. Maybe 'carrying Jesus' cross' is our free choice to become compassionately involved with him in the pain of others and be partners with God in bringing healing and transformation.

Just a small glimpse into God's world was enough for me. It's staggering to consider the intensity of anger and anguish I felt witnessing just a few injustices compared to what God must feel being personally and fully present to countless such heinous horrors 24/7. You'd have to be comatose not to feel God's hurt and anger ooze from the pages of Scripture over the oppression of the weak and vulnerable. Even after all my sophisticated exegesis of the Old Testament prophets and words of Jesus, I can't seem to get away from the fact that the main message of God to his people about injustice is to get off our rear ends and do something! This goes way deeper than feeling guilty about doing more; I'm trying to figure our how I got to the place where the things that break the heart of God are so marginal to mine.

I'm starting to wonder if I can even have a 'relationship' with God this way, and I'm left with the question of how much I really want to know God. There's no having it both ways. Whether I like it or not, the God who dances over the breathtaking sunrise weeps over each victim of brutality.

Any relationship runs the risk of drifting apart over time. Take boy meets girl. In the hunting phase (or 'dating' phase), guys become mysteriously and happily engaged in virtually everything the woman has interest in, including endless browsing at Pier 1 and watching Brad Pitt movies. We become brainwashed in love. College football, working out, and playing golf are easily sacrificed on the altar of love. They get married, and five years later, she's at the mall with a friend, and he's at home TiVo-ing the big game and watching Terminator 5 while running on the treadmill. They have grown apart due to their separate interests. When I started off with Jesus, I wanted to know everything about him. I would have gone anywhere and done anything at any cost. As the years rolled on, somehow I became less interested in him and more interested in me. More specifically, what he could do for me. Rather than a relationship, my Christianity morphed into some sort of divine self-help philosophy, problem-solving plan, and life-improvement strategy.

The day before leaving we traveled far outside the city where I met a sixteen-year-old girl named Varsha. After four years of being locked away and languishing in a brothel, one night a first-time paying customer behind closed doors strangely wanted something other than sex. Instead, this IJM operative asked the frightened little girl to trust him. She provided enough information for him to begin organizing a brothel raid. Several months later, under the cover of darkness, a twenty-four-passenger van slowly crept down the alley behind her brothel. Without warning, a surge of armed men kicked open the front door and seized the house in a fracas of commotion. The back door was swiftly secured, and Varsha and a line of other girls were rushed out amid gunfire into the waiting van. While the van squealed off into the night, the brothel owner and customers were subdued, cuffed, and hauled away. Mission accomplished.

These IJM guys have a slightly different picture of Jesus than most of us do, convinced that if he were bodily present, his boot would have been the first kicking in the door. Most churches try to soften up and tame these kinds; you know, make them more compassionate and caring. Maybe the kingdom of God needs a few more who are willing to kick some tail and take names if necessary. Sure, we need to pray for victims of injustice, but has anyone thought of, well, like, rescuing them? My afterlife view of justice is real convenient since neither I not my daughter is the one being beaten senseless with electrical cords.

I had a few moments alone with Varsha on a bench in the outdoor courtyard of the recovery ranch where she now lives. We sat and talked. I learned that being saved from the brothel was just the first step on her long and difficult road to freedom. It was going to take a lifetime to recover from the physical, emotional, and spiritual damage she had experienced. She knows one thing: this Jesus must be worth knowing if his followers risk their lives to rescue nobodies like her. Reaching into a brown paper bag, she bashfully pulled out a braided leather necklace and presented it to me. She made it herself. Part of the healing process had been her discovering a talent for making jewelry and dresses, which she sold at the market.

It was time for her to go; she had an appointment at the AIDS clinic in the city and an afternoon counseling session. I felt awkward and didn't know what to say. Wanting to hug her, I had become timid myself. Time was ticking, and so I clumsily asked, 'Do you mind if I give you a hug good-bye?' As we embraced, I closed my eyes. This was a holy moment. In my arms was a precious and priceless daughter of God. One million new girls every year around the world are forced into child prositution. Can someone like me or you really make any difference in such a massive sea of hurting people? It may not seem like much, but in moments like this, the ability to impact one life means a lot. God knows this one by name, and now she is free.

Sometimes what happens in our world is absolute evil, unimaginable chaos, and a stunning reversal of God's intent for creation. When my heart is broken open by suffering, especially suffering caused by human selfishness and cruelty, I meet a more complex God than I would prefer. Sometimes he is an uncomforting God who does not provide easy, consoling answers to my pleading question, Why? At other times he is a discomforting God, and his grief is simultaneously a cry for justice that enters creation like a mighty storm, rousing God's people from their sleep. While we wait in the darkness and ask God, 'Why did you let this happen?' God hurls the question back to us: "Wake up, people, to what is happening. Why do you let this happen in the world I gave you?'

Whenever people are victims of injustice, God desires intervention. Some people in our world suffer from lack of food, water, shelter, or medical care. I'm beginning to see there's a whole other category of suffering in the world, namely, oppression. It's a crime of opportunity when powerful people exploit the weak and vulnerable by taking what they have or forcing them to do what they otherwise wouldn't. This grieves and angers God, and we reflect his image in us when we refuse to tolerate it. This God is both powerful and vulnerable in ways that are consistent with relationship and with life. He cares deeply about the well-being of every person in every community. He is passionate about wholeness and peace. He also hardwired humanity with free will. With that will, people commit injustice and believers ignore it. To live faithfully in relationship with God requires facing the whole truth of our world, looking honestly at our part in it, and being true to our identity as sons and daughters of God in the midst of it. This discomforting God forces us to face reality and mobilizes us to do something about it.

Whether it's across the ocean or across town, it's never been about the number of people I can help relative to the size of the need. It's about relationship. With God. With one another. This one young girl in the middle of nowhere matters to him, and as we embrace, I feel she's starting to matter to me. We say our good-byes; she goes her way, and I go mine. Almost nine thousand miles is a long way to travel, but I think the distance between God and me is shrinking."

So I'm torn in two. My flesh rises up as I look around the church and think, "Do we really want to know the Father, or do we want the vending machine god and feel good about ourselves." That is nothing more than idol worship. I'm tired of hearing this same old stuff, but nothing changes. Relationship is a 2-way street. Do we want to know what grieves the heart of God? How can we continue living a life of ignorance or worse, calousness? There are 145-160 Million orphans in the world. Do we care? 30,000 children will die today of starvation and preventable diseases. Do we care? Our clothes are made in sweat shops overseas by young children. Do we care? We eat chocolate and coffee at the expense of slave labor. Do we care? And at what expense? For our luxuries? The Lord is unraveling me. This is on our watch...I don't seem to have the same grace as Jim here. I know my words seem harsh and judgemental...maybe they are...maybe they need to be...or maybe I'm just letting my flesh and self-righteousness ooze all over the screen...so I'll stop...

So with my eyes back on me, the Father has been peeling away layers of stupidity in my life and walk...I seemed to have muddied the waters along the way and He's taking me back to being a simpleton....showing me what is of Him, what was sort of Him that I judged and tossed out or took pride in and wore as a merit badge, and stuff that isn't of Him at all that I claim to be...to be honest, I feel like I'm unlearning at least some of my charismatic/prophetic "theology". We speak of a "Coming Kingdom", and I used to believe God was going to do "a new thing" or "the next big wave." I think I wasted a good bit of time "interceding" for this next big thing. The Kingdom has been here and He's been trying to reveal it in the earth with nobodies willing to humble themselves...it's already here, within us, we jut need to yield...and maybe, just maybe I'm starting to get it....maybe.

Provision and Cluelessness

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8,9)

Most of the time I do not share strictly personal testimony, but I feel it could bless someone out there. This, coupled with 'greater faith' and 'no expectations', has been a prevailing message from the Lord to our family for the past 9-12 months.

Recently I was driving home from work when I saw a groundhog on the side of the road, munching on mulberries on the shoulder. I didn't think much of it, but I heard the Lord say to me, "Did you see that groundhog?" I replied back, "Sure - that was kind of neat." He said, "He doesn't concern himself with where his next meal will come. He doesn't store up for himself...but he isn't as picky about how his next meal will come." Bam! I was humbled. How many times do I miss His provision in my life because it doesn't come how I expect it or want it to come? That groundhog was content to sit on the side of the road eating mulberries, when wouldn't it be safer to eat in the woods? And mulberries...meh.

Fast-forward 2 months or so. We are 4 days without hot water. We have a 3 year old, high dollar, tankless water heater (remember this - it is important to the story!) that has gotten 1 year of use in our brand new, 1 year old home. Why does this happen to me? Do normal people have brand new things breaking all the time? I could go on and on, but as a repair-man came and left us with nothing but a quote for $3500 to replace it and "I'm certain it's not covered under warranty", and it was Friday evening on a holiday weekend, I wasn't getting any parts and the 'seconds shop' I found a water heater at for $50 was closed...man, was I bummed...more like livid!

God starts shaking out His plan, and stupid me finally catches on. Ugh! I received news yesterday that it is indeed covered under warranty, although I have to install it (no labor charge!). Problem is, we won't get replacement parts for at least a week because of the holiday. But, here is where it gets fun. I am now a proud owner of a nearly new, FREE water heater from my father-in-law. I installed it this evening. See, the funny thing is, I have this 'grand plan' that I feel is of the Lord for doing solar water and thermosiphoning for hot water in our home to get free (or nearly free) hot water and cut ties with our dependence on propane. The funny thing is, as part of this plan, I needed a water heater tank. God provided...just not how I wanted or expected. Do I understand? No. Was it easy? No. Will I ever catch on before the end? Who knows...but I'm eating my mulberries and liking them...

More with Expectations from 5/21/10

The Lord gave me a vision of these plants on this rock and mushrooms in a surrounding area, and this bright white sun rose up and lit up the land. The mushrooms withered as they were exposed to the light. Some of the greent plants on the rock withered as well, while others continued to thrive. I could see the roots of the green plants on the rocks, like a cross-section. Those plants that had deep roots continued to grow - their roots were like weed roots - like dandelions. I immediately felt like this was the Lord showing that He is about to expose some things in the church in the city of Hagerstown. I also believe it relates to our expectations - will we be steadfast in faith when what we expected doesn't turn out? To those with shorter roots will fall away. Those planted deeply will stay, not be easily swayed, and prosper.

Healthy Expectations

The Lord seems to be building on several themes throughout these Friday night watches, and what the Spirit is speaking throughout the week. This week the Lord bringing some things together.

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace." (Jeremiah 29:4-7)

For many, it feels as though they live in Babylon, carried away in captivity. To look at political climates, condition of the church, school systems, government, etc., can be pretty bleak. We must be praying for our cities. A harvest is being made ready. If we pray for the peace of our cities, we will reap what we sew.

Likewise, Hebrews 11 makes Abraham an example of one who "desires a better, that is, a heavenly country." His perspective was from a heavenly mindset - focused on "the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." That's where we need to be.

"You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you." Deuteronomy 8:5,10

This part still remains a bit elusive for me. How in our western culture, enjoying the blessings from God and "have eaten and are full", how do we still operate in faith? Seems like a delicate balance.

Now for the meat. Over the last few weeks, the Lord has impressed heavily the word in Revelation 3 which says "strengthen that which remains" and to be "watchful." I believe the Lord is testing those in the body to bring us to the end of ourselves with expectation, and to see how heavily we will rely on Him.

I know personally, and in talking with a few close friends, the Lord seems to be squashing our expectations. Every time I seem to have a bit of hope for something or someone, those expectations are being smashed. I believe this is of the Lord - it is a testing to see if in spite of circumstances, of things unfolding completely different than we expect, or things we've hoped for fall apart, will we continue to trust in Him. This is the test. To those who overcome, they are promoted.

Looking at
Judges 7, we see the account of Gideon trimming down the army. It is interesting to me that the first thing he does to trim the army is to remove those with fear. I've heard it said "Fear is faith for things you don't want." So true. If our faith is greater for the things we fear, then that's a hinderance. We must operate in faith as an overcomer. The next thing is how those who drink. For those who drank in a position of watchfulness, they were kept.

To those who totally lean on Him in faith, they will be fit for service in the army outlined in Joel 2. I truly believe that is what the Lord is preparing in these days. God is showing us the cost of being a true disciple. Will we stand in the gap for our cities? Will we fix our eyes on Jesus? Will we embrace chastening? We must weigh our options. We are being given a choice right now - will we enlist for service?

Sojourners of Faith

I felt the Lord taking me through Hebrews 10-12 to highlight some important things in our walk with Him. The Lord is calling use to a higher place of faith and trust in Him.

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Without faith, it is impossible to please God! In our western culture, faith is stifled by our persuit of the "American Dream" of 'independence' and 'freedom.' Actually, what our 'freedom' really is, is the freedom to persue control over our own lives and choices - to exist in a controlled environment - safe job, nice home, good food, modern conveniences, reliable transportation, etc., leaving very little need for faith. Faith can be very inconvenient with all that waiting...

"and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven.
Now the just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.
But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:34b, 38-39)

By faith, we are to advance the Kingdom. Jesus said to gain life, we must lose ours first. To those who "joyfully accepted the plundering of [their] goods," they didn't have one foot in the world and one foot in the Kingdom - they were sold out! Where are we truly putting our hope and faith? The Lord continually shows me where my heart is...and I most definitely have not arrived. Just this week, I had a chunk of money I thought was coming in that was taken away. "But that's not just!" The Lord quickly showed me the offense in my heart, the lack of joy, and revealed where my trust was...it can't be in this job, that client, this check, etc. - but in the Lord!

Verses 9, 13, 16, and 38 describe the "all-stars of faith" as those who were sojourners, strangers, foreigners and aliens in the land. Our faith will make us look weird - at least it should. Faith is the "evidence of things not seen" (v1), so to the natural man it will seem peculiar.

"They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth." (Hebrews 11:38)

Wanderers...doesn't sound like fun. Nor does it sound "inclusive" or "culturally relevant." We need to break the lie of "looking like world" and start looking like we're 'not of this world'.

"By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them." (Hebrews 11:24-28)

Entitlement is a killer in our western culture, and in the church. Moses chose to suffer affliction - forsaking the riches of this world, opting for greater riches in Christ. He was entitled to a 'better life' - but he chose Christ. He feared the invisible more than the visible. We must do the same.

"And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise" (Hebrews 11:39)

They "did not receive the promise." We must become eternally minded - we will not receive all that is promised to us in this life - if Heaven is our home, this life is but a vapor, passing away quickly. We may sew what others will reap - we're not entitled - it's His works and not our own!

"For he (Abraham) waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." (Hebrews 11:10,16)

Heaven was home. God was not ashamed to be called "God" by Abraham. Does the same hold true for us? Wow...this was quite hard for me to swallow. I want to be counted as one who "God is not ashamed to be called their God." Building on the previous post, I feel like the Lord is saying strengthen that which remains, that which is worth remaining - and that which is dying and not worth living - let it die. I think much of our "affliction" is kicking against the goads...

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebews 12:1-2,7)

It is time to have greater focus. The day of His return is closer than ever! Endurance builds peaceable fruit!

Strengthen What Remains

"I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you." (Revelation 3:1b-3)

What needs to be strengthened? What remains but is ready to die? We felt like the Lord was exhorting us to strengthen the little that remains that needs to be redeemed. I believe that is for us personally in our lives, but also for our brethren - what are we doing to be effective for the Kingdom? We do a lot of "stuff" to stay busy, but what is truly about our Father's business? I believe part of this is prayer - strengthen prayer and watchfulness in our lives and in our churches - it feels like it is about to die. It is something for all of us to evaluate continually in our lives.

Moving the Mountains

I felt like the Lord gave me revelation through the scripture about 'moving the mountains' which would be encouraging to all those who are standing and praying for His bride.

And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.” (John 2:14-17)

I wrote about this account, using Mark 11, in another post entitled Changes in the Church. Much of the church today has this similar issue - we are buying our peace (doves) by throwing money in an offering plate or purchasing books or chasing conferences, rather than going to the Source - our Father. I'm not saying these things are bad, but when they eclipse our devotion to or our recognition of the source, this is a problem. The Spririt will guide us into all truth - He will do it, not man. But I don't want to get off track here - I want to look at this passage in context - why the withered fig tree beforehand? What does moving mountains have to do with figs? What does overthrowing the tables have to do with all of this?

And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve. (Mark 11:11)

This was curious to me - He went in looking (watchfulness), but the hour was late and left. To me, Jesus himself went in to survey the scene - to see the state of the then present reality of the temple. This is where we are today - many of us see the state of the church and see all of its dysfunction, missteps, misgivings, and pitfalls. We've surveyed the seen, but now what? The dry bones know they're dry. We must not fall into judgement and grumbling, but what can we do?

Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it. (Mark 11:12-14)

What what does the fig tree have to do with all of this? He cursed the fig tree along the way, and it was out of season....why?

"Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." (2 Timothy 4:2)

He's looking for fruit, in and out of season. Whether the church is in right order or not, we must be in right order with Him individually, both in and out of season. It isn't the church's fault we're not moving in all that we are called to. The other aspect of this is this instruction doesn't sound very glorious nor fun, but this is our charge - with longsuffering!

Then we see Jesus going into the temple and taking action, overthrowing the tables. He quoted Isaiah 56, but I want to give that passage some context here.

“ Also the sons of the foreigner
Who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him,
And to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants—
Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath,
And holds fast My covenant—
Even them I will bring to My holy mountain,
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
Will be accepted on My altar;
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:6,7)

His house shall be called a "house of prayer" - this speaks of the house for today because he speaks of the "foreigners" - that is us as gentiles who are grafted in. These ones He will "bring to My holy mountain." The temple in that day did not resemble a house of prayer, nor did it look like a holy people.

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:20-26)

Jesus entered the temple to partake of fruit and found none. To the people who inhabitted the mountain, He spoke to the mountain and said for it to be rooted up - He overturned the tables and chased the money changers away! The temple was defiled - He identified the root and spoke to the mountain. We, too, must uphold a standard of His holiness, but without standing in judgement and falling into spiritual pride, believing we are "holier" than that of those still left in the church. We've been given grace, we must show grace. We must forgive and be longsuffering - this is why I believe Jesus followed the teaching on standing in faith with a word about forgiveness of others. For fear of extending this into the length of a book, I'll finish with this: we need our brothers, we need to invest in discipleship, and not leave others behind...we need each other in order to fulfill the callings and purpose on our lives - even Jesus submitted to the ministry of John the Baptist.

We must stand on His word, He is returning for a pure and spotless bride. He is looking to us to stand in faith, and move the mountains!

Prevailing Prayer

http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=2428&forum=34

I thought I'd pass this along - I was really blessed by the account of the power of prevailing prayer, and their desire to gather the 2's and 3's...

Stand!

As part of our Friday Night Watch on 4/23, I felt the Lord give me a series of scriptures. As I looked them up, they all had a prevailing theme - stand! Each also had a secondary theme, which I will get into later...

The story of Mary in Luke 1:26-38 shows the angel of the Lord coming to visit Mary and making a promise to her - she would birth the Messiah. We're familiar with the story - quite crazy and extreme...unbelievable even. Her response, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Let it be to me according to your word - this needs to be our response! The Lord has made some promises to all of us with regards to our own personal lives, our children, our communities, our cities, etc. We must stand on these words!

"Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.' Be sober, be vigilant (watchful); because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5: 6, 8-11)

First off, let me note here the importance of humility. This is the Lord's work, and not our own - so as we take a stand, we stand on His Words - they are His works and not our own. The devil "walks about like a roaring lion" - he tries to bully and scare us into doubt and unbelief. After we have suffered, we are strengthened and established - we can stand. We tend to avoid suffering and try to "stand" for something we can wrap our natural minds around - something easier to grasp...but that's not what the Lord is after. Peter says to be vigilant and sober minded, other translations say to be alert or watchful. Why?

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!"(James 5:7-8)

This was especially meaningful for us as the Lord has been reiterating how the watch is like plowing. When a farmer plants seed in the ground, he does so expecting a harvest. If he plants tomato seeds, he expects to reap a harvest of tomatoes. But he also should expect to have to wait patiently - for the season of the harvest. He may also have to water, for there maybe a dry season or drought to endure. There also may be many weeds popping up trying to choke out the plants and prevent fruit. It is much the same way with us. The devil claims a drought and things will look bleak, maybe even wither or look dead, or maybe doubt will creep in thinking you didn't plant those seeds at all, maybe you're just not a good gardener, etc., etc. - we must wage war against these things and take these thoughts captive. We must continue to work the soil, till the ground, water, weed and prune our "spiritual gardens".

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. " (Ephesians 6:11-13)

We must recognize who and what we are warring against. We are not wrestling against flesh and blood - not people - but rather the spirit behind them at work. I find it interesting here in verse 13, "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand " - after having "done all" - stand. Keep standing! This is the faith the Father is looking for throughout the earth!!!

"So Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:22-25)

Here we see again - "does not doubt!" This is so important - to stand on these things and not waver. But here we see the secondary theme behind all of these scriptures, which intrigues me - And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. Stand praying, seek forgiveness...

Each of the scriptures above had something to do with our relationships being in right order as we "stand". Jesus said when we're to stand praying, forgive. Peter said to walk in humility, but also stand in the faith, knowing our brotherhood endure these same kinds of trials - we're not alone, and we're not better than anyone else. Also, we see the humility of the younger to the elder - why? Chances are, the elder has lived through it - learn from it! We don't endure "super-trials" because we're these 'spiritual giants', better than every other believer. We need to submit to one another and learn from one another. James exhorts us not to grumble, while Paul wrote about the battle being spiritual and not flesh and blood. It seems so easy to fall into the snare of thinking more highly of ourselves then we ought, and grumbling about our brothers and sisters...if we are going to stand in faith, we need to stand together, expecting our adversary to come and subtly draw us into judgement, pride, grumbling, or isolation. Stand!

Warfare in Hagerstown

I saw a vision Friday night as I was approaching the city. I saw two men, clothed in white/off-white robes with hoods, rising out of the land. The material was of a course material, looking like burlap, but white in color. The men were very old, having gray hair and long gray beards. They rose up from the outside of the city. They seemed to have great power. As they rose, lightning shot out of their hands, striking the ground in the city. Smoke billowed around them. I heard a voice say, "The north and south will rise again - brother against brother, mother against son, household against household, but the son/sun (?) will rise from the west."

At this point I have no insight or understanding to its meaning...please comment with any sort of leading!

The Orchard

In the Spirit, was taken by a man who performed the husbandry of the trees in this orchard. It was at night, just about the turn of the season from winter to spring. He took me through the trees and as we went along, he showed me the condition of the trees and which ones needed attention. Some of the trees were long overdue for some pruning. Others were uprooted because of storms through the winter, still others were diseased and needing to be cut down. There were also trees that didn't seem to belong in the orchard - dogwoods, maples, and others. There was something about the dogwood tree - I commented on the dogwood, and the man said that it needed to be cut down. Although it was pretty, it had no place in the orchard since it produced no fruit. The master was after the fruit. Many of the trees seemed crowded and overgrown. Unkept fruit trees are a scary site. These trees were no different. The man continued to lead me through the orchard, taking me to the very back. Up on a slight hill stood six trees in three rows of two. They were well pruned and well spaced. I could see that in the daylight, these trees received ample sunlight on all sides. I was fixated on these trees. I asked about why these trees were here. The man replied, "These trees are more fruitful, these 6, than all the other trees in the orchard combined." At that, the vision waned.

A few days later, I was driving along side an orchard. The trees had been recently pruned. I heard the Lord say, "They don't look like much, do they?" The trees were cut back to just a few main branches. The Lord was showing me we are to become "nobodies" - much like Jesus, not doing anything to draw attention to ourselves, just do the will of the Lord.

The Lord continued over the next few weeks, showing me about the mess in the orchard symbolizing much of the church - a lot of "stuff" that wasn't amounting to much fruit. He also showed me the six trees were significant, representing relationships within the body that we each need in order to push us along in our walk and our purpose - we won't achieve these purposes without identifying and surrounding ourselves with these "6 trees".

The Lord also prompted me during prayer to "name the branches". He was saying to identify ministries I am to focus on, and not let any distraction come in to steer me away from His purposes, being faithful in the "little things."

I share this because, although it had immense personal meaning to me, I believe it is a message for the body.