Everyday, I'm getting emails from groups like the A.F.A and other watchdog groups. Such and such a bill is going through and I need to contact my congressman immediately and voice my opinion.... After a while, I just stop. I thoroughly believe in being active in every sphere of life, but I also believe in praying for those in authority.
I think the next couple of years is a great chance for God to arise and His enemies be scattered. I want to see laws changed to protect the unborn and help the country. But if you get to someone's heart, that's better than legislating. You can only do soo much before you just have soo many rules that someone is bound to snap. What's going on in their heart that makes them want to do what they do?
When investing, its not a good idea to put all your money in one place, but rather, spread it out. It's called diversifying an investment. The Kingdom of God isn't like that. You put your trust in the Lord and stay close to Him and His heart and your 'investment' (life) can't be anywhere safer. You continue to read the Bible and continue to pray (seek God) and your life is taken care of. It may not seem be taken care of like you want it to be, but God's got you.
Let us continue to seek God for change that we can believe in.
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Living and Learning
I don't know about you, reader, but I'm always learning and growing. I'm always looking for how I can grow and mature in my life and my walk with Jesus. I used to play soccer. I haven't played in a league for years. I played right full back or half back. I would usually never cross the mid-line of the field. It wasn't my job really to be up there. If I was up there, it was for a very brief time. If and when the opposite team came into my area, it was my job to get the ball and get it up field and then for the offense to take it and advance it and hopefully score.
One of my main things I do for church is prayer/intercession. Granted, to a certain degree, everyone is to be doing that. But then there are some individuals who are more cut out for it. Just like we're all to do the evangelist, but there are some who that is what they do. They're always hitting the streets and talking to people about Jesus. Now, I CAN do that, I have no problem talking to a complete stranger about life and I frequently get the opportunity to speak with people about stuff. I mentioned to one of my friends who is more socially ept about sometimes how I'd like to get more involved with different evangelistic outreaches at times.
But you know how some people are just more socially capable and some aren't? I'm one that isn't. Some people walk into a room and they're like the center of attention. And then there is me. I'm more support for people like that. That same friend who I mentioned above once said to me the following: "Shawn, don't give up your gift of intercession. It's an important thing. Some are like me and they're ground troops. Others are like you and they're air support. You'll see things in the future and need to radio down to me to warn me. And trust me, it's helpful."
That really spoke to me. The body of Christ is a big body. And there are tons of different gifts and parts in it. There are those who are more loud and then those who are soft-spoken. I once had a roommate that he just had one of those deep booming voices. But he was a gentle giant at the same time and very teachable. But he loved to open air, and he had the lung capacity for it! I've done it once, and I can do it, although not necessarily my forte.
I know for the church, I want to see giftings and callings released and for people to really utilize what they have.
One of the tricks to being prayer support is learning to do it in public in a non scary type of way. When I go with a team, I'm content with being there and praying, but just looking like I'm just going on with life as usual. You may think that's a little deceitful. But if you would've asked me, I would've told you I was praying. I was just doing it covertly.
I remember one time when I was on an outreach team to the local university, UNCC, they had a "coming out day". They had a public forum for those who were admitting they were homosexual to come and publicly say they were. So as a team, we went down and sat and listened to them. After wards, a couple of us got to speak with the organizers of the event. They were astounded at the turnout for the event. It was at this time that we told them that at least half the folks there weren't in support of it, but we just wanted to hear what they had to say.
It's stuff like this that makes go and the world spin. As well as making for a great story to tell.
One of my main things I do for church is prayer/intercession. Granted, to a certain degree, everyone is to be doing that. But then there are some individuals who are more cut out for it. Just like we're all to do the evangelist, but there are some who that is what they do. They're always hitting the streets and talking to people about Jesus. Now, I CAN do that, I have no problem talking to a complete stranger about life and I frequently get the opportunity to speak with people about stuff. I mentioned to one of my friends who is more socially ept about sometimes how I'd like to get more involved with different evangelistic outreaches at times.
But you know how some people are just more socially capable and some aren't? I'm one that isn't. Some people walk into a room and they're like the center of attention. And then there is me. I'm more support for people like that. That same friend who I mentioned above once said to me the following: "Shawn, don't give up your gift of intercession. It's an important thing. Some are like me and they're ground troops. Others are like you and they're air support. You'll see things in the future and need to radio down to me to warn me. And trust me, it's helpful."
That really spoke to me. The body of Christ is a big body. And there are tons of different gifts and parts in it. There are those who are more loud and then those who are soft-spoken. I once had a roommate that he just had one of those deep booming voices. But he was a gentle giant at the same time and very teachable. But he loved to open air, and he had the lung capacity for it! I've done it once, and I can do it, although not necessarily my forte.
I know for the church, I want to see giftings and callings released and for people to really utilize what they have.
One of the tricks to being prayer support is learning to do it in public in a non scary type of way. When I go with a team, I'm content with being there and praying, but just looking like I'm just going on with life as usual. You may think that's a little deceitful. But if you would've asked me, I would've told you I was praying. I was just doing it covertly.
I remember one time when I was on an outreach team to the local university, UNCC, they had a "coming out day". They had a public forum for those who were admitting they were homosexual to come and publicly say they were. So as a team, we went down and sat and listened to them. After wards, a couple of us got to speak with the organizers of the event. They were astounded at the turnout for the event. It was at this time that we told them that at least half the folks there weren't in support of it, but we just wanted to hear what they had to say.
It's stuff like this that makes go and the world spin. As well as making for a great story to tell.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
I guess life happens...
Whether you want it to or not....
I don't even really know what to say in this thing. I'm doing good but yet at the same time have all this crap going on. Lately i've come to realize that setting rules and guidelines can be good, but sometimes they just seem really over protective and unnecessary. I mean, i'm all for have a set of rules to live by.. but sometimes i'm like "ok, this is just really to constrictive...." i mean, i wasn't even thinking about that particular thing until you said something to me about it. just where is your mind at that you always think of the negative and immoral?
My heart is for youth... big time. just last night i was at a prayer meeting where it was run by the youth. which is totally awesome! and they encouraged me like nothing else. i joined in praying w/ them and just kinda hung around. but i get to talking to a lot of parents and they're telling me about their kids. and sometimes i think "do you actually ever take a minute and listen to what your kids are saying? or do u just immediately shoot them down or correct them?" i gotta tell you that at times when talking w/ people, i let words fly. people are cussing up and down like crazy and i just sometimes sit there and laugh. i want them to hash it out w/ God. yeah, there are times where i bring correction and speak into their life... but at times, i just sit there and listen.
but sometime ago at church, a lady asked me to join her in praying for her daughter. her daughter wasn't doing the best spiritually and like any good mother, she was concerned. so of course i took a minute and prayed w/ her.
all this to say that at times, life happens. like or not, people say things and people get hurt and offended. welcome to life.
at work, while on the phones, saying certain things are taboo. so i have to learn to be more diplomatic about things. which i don't like. i would rather be blunt and be like "no, i know this product sucks." but i can't... Logitech wouldn't like it. sometimes big business can take it and just... so, hows the weather?
but at all times, i just remember that God is God and He is good. Jesus loves me and thats good, because sometimes i think He's about the only one that does... lol.
does life ever happen for you?
I don't even really know what to say in this thing. I'm doing good but yet at the same time have all this crap going on. Lately i've come to realize that setting rules and guidelines can be good, but sometimes they just seem really over protective and unnecessary. I mean, i'm all for have a set of rules to live by.. but sometimes i'm like "ok, this is just really to constrictive...." i mean, i wasn't even thinking about that particular thing until you said something to me about it. just where is your mind at that you always think of the negative and immoral?
My heart is for youth... big time. just last night i was at a prayer meeting where it was run by the youth. which is totally awesome! and they encouraged me like nothing else. i joined in praying w/ them and just kinda hung around. but i get to talking to a lot of parents and they're telling me about their kids. and sometimes i think "do you actually ever take a minute and listen to what your kids are saying? or do u just immediately shoot them down or correct them?" i gotta tell you that at times when talking w/ people, i let words fly. people are cussing up and down like crazy and i just sometimes sit there and laugh. i want them to hash it out w/ God. yeah, there are times where i bring correction and speak into their life... but at times, i just sit there and listen.
but sometime ago at church, a lady asked me to join her in praying for her daughter. her daughter wasn't doing the best spiritually and like any good mother, she was concerned. so of course i took a minute and prayed w/ her.
all this to say that at times, life happens. like or not, people say things and people get hurt and offended. welcome to life.
at work, while on the phones, saying certain things are taboo. so i have to learn to be more diplomatic about things. which i don't like. i would rather be blunt and be like "no, i know this product sucks." but i can't... Logitech wouldn't like it. sometimes big business can take it and just... so, hows the weather?
but at all times, i just remember that God is God and He is good. Jesus loves me and thats good, because sometimes i think He's about the only one that does... lol.
does life ever happen for you?
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