Lexical Light

Don't Miss the Chance to Let God Mess with You Today

Where and how does God get a hold of you? For me, it's the YMCA. Usually during my writing time after a quick trip on the elliptical. He uses music and writing. Today He used On Fire by Swtichfoot to remind me of His presence.

I had never heard the song before. (Stuff ends up on my iPod by association.)  These are the lyrics that grabbed me initially: 

you're on fire when He's near you

you're on fire when He speaks

you're on fire at His mysteries

The "on fire" they are speaking of isn't the usual "on fire for Jesus" phrase. Not that there's anything wrong with that.Neither is it the fire you'd find in a Justin Bieber/Miley Cyrus duet. It's the fire of the God's Holy Spirit messing with you're innermost being. (So glad it's Communion at church tonight so I can go Dance with My Father.)

More lyrics from the song:

When everything inside me looks like everything I hate

You are the hope I have for change, (completely ties in with yesterday's time.) 

So, I'll ask you again. Where and how does God get a hold of you? It may not be anything like what I just describe. It doesn't have to be. God know what we need and what will get our attention.

 

i am not, but I know I AM

Just finished  i am not, but i know I AM by Louie Giglio. Short book. Quick read. Good stuff.  My dear book friend loaned it to me overnight, though she's not quite done with it, to help me with something I'm writing.

My take away from it:  my life is about being a part of God's story. It's not about me being the star of my story.  Also, God's really, really big.  I'm really, really small. Big Him loves small me.

Simple, yet worth mulling over and making sure it sinks in. 

Just One More Thing

Okay, actually 3. I didn't say that was my aboslute last "Go to another blog" post, did I?   2 of these warrant a "must read" recommendation and 1 is a "may want to read."

Thunder6 wrote Resolve. Here's a quote:  "My heart aches for the losses in London, but those horrible losses have only strengthened my resolve to help cut out this cancer."

On "Who's Your Baghdaddy?" John speaks of one part  of change in Iraq.

Finally, for U2 fans. Both Jared and Joe mentioned Bono and faith. Jared provides quotes where Bono gave a straight up explanation of salvation and debunked the "Jesus was a good teacher" line.  Is Bono a model Christian? Nope. Am I? Nope. 

Hearing Other Voices for 30 Days

This morning I read that Brian Bailey started a new category called Other Voices   First up is Evan Ervin  who challenges us to beware of tunnel vision.

Then this afternoon I saw a blurb on my yahoo home page about a Christian who will live in a large Muslim community for 30 Days.

Making connections....

Jesus in the Mosque

How do you proclaim the truth of Christ in a country that's 99% Muslim? Come with Keith Smith, an African missionary, as he shares Jesus in the Mosque.

I mentioned this in an earlier post, but wanted to highlight it as yet another powerful example of going outside of your world via a blog.

It's Good to be Here

^{Psalm 96  (NAS)
5}For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
   But the LORD made the heavens.  (See the Hubble post.)
⁶Splendor and majesty are before Him,
    Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 
⁷Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
   Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 
⁸Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name;
  Bring an offering and come into His courts.

I served in the "Jungle" with the 5-7 year olds this morning, so I didn't hear the message in "big church". In the Jungle we learned that it is right for children to obey their parents. (Amen.)

After 1st service, the kids & I went to praise and worship during 2nd service. (Strong handsome husband played in the band.)  I don't like missing praise and worship.

This is what I brought home:

It's good be in church. There's nothing like being with other Christians in the house of God praising Him. That's what I'll take with me this week, the  encouragement of being  in God's presence.  Thankfully, I don't have to be in church for that. 

This Wednesday is Communion.  We celebrate that once a month with an all praise and worship service.

Hubble Helps Us Consider the Heavens

     

Psalm 8:1 (NAS)
O Lord, our Lord,
How majestic is Your name in all the earth,
Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

Take a look at the latest pictures from the Hubble telescope.   Amazing.