At the Feet of Jesus

I must write and tell you what the Lord has done. This past month has been a month of ministry to and from the Lord. I am humbled in His Sight and in His Presence. 

A few weeks ago my aunt invited me to an intercessory prayer meeting. It takes place on Monday nights. It is a group of believers who gather from different churches to come together in the name of the Lord. The Lord is ministered to through songs, praises and prayers. It is a beautiful move of the Holy Spirit as folks come together to pray for one another. We pray for the local and state governments, the nation and for Israel. As the Spirit moves upon a person's heart other prayers are offered. I have always loved prayer and deep sea diving in regards to the things of the Lord.

As I have attended the Lord has been working within me, healing so many place in my spirit and in my heart. It has been humbling as the Lord pours out the fragrance of His love upon me.

Last night at the meeting, as I was praying, I began to think about the feet of Jesus. Three women from the bible came to mind that were found at the feet of Jesus. They were the adulteress who was to be stoned, the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her tears, and Mary, the sister to Martha.

All three women were found at His feet for different reasons. The adulteress, at His feet, found forgiveness. The woman who washed His feet with her tears and dried His feet with her hair offered unashamed worship. Mary broke tradition and offered seeming neglect of her duties so that she may not neglect her Lord.

Each woman had a different story but all were found at the same place...at the feet of Jesus. Forgiveness, worship with complete abandon, unbroken attention to His words. Wow. As those images and thoughts filled my mind I found myself longing to only be found at the feet of Jesus. The understanding of what that meant deepened for me greatly that night.

We really cannot let anything or anyone keep us from the feet of Jesus. I don't want to break fellowship with my Lord. His work, His message, His love, His mission...all are too important to be anywhere else.

I was broken and hurting from many years of many things that even I cannot give reference to. The memories of most have faded but somewhere along the way, the daggers of hurt and wounds inflicted remained. Jesus has been loving me through that this past month. I can truly say with sincerity that I do not want any of my yesterdays to hinder my tomorrows and my right nows. I lay it all down at the feet of Jesus.

I have returned refreshed and renewed. My burdens are being lifted as His love fills me. His call upon my life has been renewed by His grace and precious favor. I love you all. I look forward to sharing more with you about what the Lord is doing in my life.

How much of the Lord do you want? I pray that you, too, be found at the feet of Jesus.  

Returning to Our First Love and Becoming the Church Again

Revelation 2:4-5 (Jesus speaking)

"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place-unless you repent."

These words were written to the Church of Ephesus during John’s vision. When I read them a few nights ago during my devotion time the words seemed to resonate with me. I know that my love for the church, at least organized church, has grown very cold. I can remember when I was very zealous for the Lord and a time when I trusted the church body enough to bring others with me. That trust has been broken so many times by various organized institutions that now I am just tired. I am tired of trying to know how to fit in, how to integrate, how to converse, how to bond…simply tired. Should gathering together to learn about and worship the Creator and our Savior be so hard?

I love the Lord and I truly love His people, lost or saved. What I struggle to love is the gathering ritual that rarely ever extends beyond the doors of the church once you leave. I ponder the question almost daily as to why it has become this way. Maybe it is because church used to be an extension of connections and bonds already made or easily forged in years gone by. You weren’t trying to bond in only an hour or two once a week. Communities were smaller, with most folks growing up together in one place their whole life, attending the same church.

Now we have transplants, people who move into the area who no longer share a lifetime’s knowledge of their neighbors. They don’t have the memories, the same stories or the same friends. I have been a transplant several times over. I have seen the goodness in so many that I have gathered with over the years. I saw the evidence of Christ in their life and heard it in their words. I acknowledge that most of what I am writing about could be deemed as an innocent oversight by those who have long been settled in one place.

This is not about blame but about my trying to understand church today. I certainly don’t want interaction that is brought on by a sense of duty or obligation. What I seek is perhaps a thing of the past. When I sit and ponder it I feel mournful. My spirit mourns for the zeal and the innocent love I once had. I yearn for depth in my interactions. I like deep talks about the things of God and other philosophical things. I like to listen to other people’s stories and learn about their life.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

This scripture is often given in regards to the power of numbers in faith and prayer. A threefold cord is not three strands of rope dangling separately from one another. Those strands are woven together and that is what makes the cord stronger and able to withstand more.

Likewise, three people with no real connection may offer slightly better resistance to an enemy, but three people whose lives are woven together in interaction, shared faith and shared lives are going to be stronger than those with no connections. Those people woven together are going to be more acquainted with each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They will know best how to defend one another against the enemy and they will care more about each other and take their task of praying for one another more seriously because they know each other and have developed that bond.

Slow down. Take time to have your life intertwined with others, so that you may draw strength from a strongly braided cord of fellowship and love. Don't allow your disappointments with others to keep you from your first love of Jesus. We can become the Church once again. We can break the ritual of gathering and, instead, fellowship one with another. Let us gather around our tables, call, write and pray for one another. Live on purpose. Fellowship on purpose.

When we gather at church, that should be an extension of what already exists the rest of the week. It is through that we may truly worship the Father in spirit and in truth. No longer will our minds be distracted and our hearts be drawn away from our First Love.

I want to return to my first love and am seeking the Lord daily. I am letting go of the hurt and disappointment so that my eyes may be on Jesus and my spiritual ears attentive to what His Spirit would say. I don’t want my focus to be on all this, but I must acknowledge it in order to move forward from it. I pray that you may move forward from it as well.

Does Anyone See Me?

Does anyone see me? I cannot look you in the eye because I live in the darkness of the shadows on the ground. My eyes cannot lift from their downward stare. Does anyone hear me? I cannot listen to you because the voices that rage inside me deafen me to your whisper. They tell me I am worthless, stupid and no good. I am cold and cannot feel the warmth of your embrace. The walls that are built around me are made of steel. You cannot get in and I cannot get out. I am trapped and I am lonely. I feel nothing, yet I hate. I hate you. I hate myself. I rage at you in anger and answer you in silence. You don't want to know me. What do you know about my pain? I am ugly. I have done many wrong things. I have hurt others and I have hurt myself. I am without hope.

I want to die. 

I'm going to kill myself. 

I have a gun.

As I put it to my temple hot tears stream down my face. A flood of mixed emotion overwhelms me. Loneliness, anger, hurt, fear and sadness all wash over me. Memories rush in of my miserable life, the people that have betrayed me, people I have hurt, those who forgot about me or never saw me at all, everyone who confirmed in me that I was no good. I won't even leave a note. Why bother? No one will even know I'm gone. I never mattered anyway. I close my eyes and begin to squeeze the trigger.

At that exact moment something happened. In my darkness I heard someone call my name. It was faint but distinct. I then heard four words repeated over and over. At first they were spoken softly but increased in volume with each turn spoken. "I want to live. I want to live. I want to live. I want to live. I want to live." Louder and louder until those very words were being screamed over and over. I realized it was I who was screaming as tears once again assaulted me. I wept bitterly and longingly. I wept with shame and remorse. I wept for the lost innocence of the child I once was. I wept for my misspent youth. I wept for the loneliness that consumed me and for alienating everyone and everything that I ever cared for. I heaved great gulping sobs as my misery was poured out. As the tears poured I heard my name spoken again by the same distinct voice. I felt a wave of peace overpower me and it seemed like a healing balm was being poured over me. This balm touched every piece of my bruised, broken, torn heart and crushed spirit. Slowly my sobs subsided and I sat basking in this flow of peace, warmth.....and love. I had never felt this kind of love before. It was all consuming and seemed to know me through and through and loved me anyway.

A third time I heard my name spoken. This time I looked upward. He said His name was Jesus and told me that He loved me. He shared with me God's word and how He died on a cross so long ago in order to make a way for me to have a relationship with God the Father. He explained that if I would believe in Him I would be saved. I would be restored to God and have a place in heaven. I was in awe.

Once again tears filled my eyes, but this time it was for the joy, peace and love that I had just been given so freely. I knelt down and I accepted this gift offered to me by Jesus. I asked Him to come into my heart and to live and reign in my life. I asked Him to forgive me for all the wrong I had done, for all the hate I had shown, toward myself and toward others. He answered my prayer. That night I was saved twice. Jesus saved me from myself and then saved me from the curse of sin. Thank you, Jesus, for loving me so much.

Because I Cannot Go with You

Sometimes words are not enough to comfort the soul of someone you love. Sometimes the only one who can really hear what you are trying to say is Jesus. Despite the valiant efforts of ones who love you so much, despite wanting to offer you comfort that will ease your pain, despite all this sometimes you are alone. Not alone as in lonely but rather a necessary aloneness...an aloneness that alienates you from everyone while drawing you closer to Jesus. At the very core of your being where the most tender part of your heart resides and is also most fragile and pained, it is necessary to go there. However, you cannot go there with anyone on this earth. You can only make this journey with Jesus. Just as you reach the core of your deepest pain, fear and regret Jesus may stop and wait for you. Perhaps it is needed for you to go some of the journey completely alone, pick up your heart and feel it. Hold it in your hands, feel the tremors and embrace its sobs. Look at it, note the tears in its delicate flesh, and caress the bruises of wounds inflicted. Do not despise what you see. Rather, weep for the callous part where anger has tried to reside and weep for it may have felt forgotten. Does it feel cold? It is weak and seems to be barely beating. Jesus beckons you, "Bring your heart to Me.” Carry it to Him. Do not hope He can heal it, believe that He can. Then once you believe do not settle for believing He can heal it, know that He can. Become so persuaded in Him that it is not a matter of if or when but it simply is. Jesus is. Jesus really loves you. Jesus really loves you. Jesus really loves you. Do you love yourself? Hold out your arms, open your hands and let Jesus have your heart. Trust Him.


Isaiah 53:4-6 
Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken,Smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Matthew 11:28-30 (Jesus speaking)

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Call out Jesus. Give Him your heart that you may be made new. Allow Him to minister to your deepest hurts, sorrow, hardness and pain. 

Romans 10:8-13

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Press in and Press on with Jesus

The story in Mark 5:21-42 truly speaks of two people who pressed in and pressed on. 

21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 

22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 

23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”

24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jesus met Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, an important man by title. Jairus' daughter is sick to the point of death and he implores Jesus to heal her. Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed them and pressed in all around Him.

Now enters  an unnamed woman, without title or possibly any standing in the community. She had a health issue that had plagued her for twelve years. She was broke and still not well. However, when she heard Jesus was in town she sought him out. She did not call out to him. She did not approach him. She had heard enough about him that an introduction was not necessary. Words were not necessary. 

She was part of that crowd that thronged Him on His way to Jairus' house. Despite being part of the crowd she was different from the others. She was on a mission. She knew that if she could just get close enough to touch the hem of His garment she would be made well. So, with determination and possibly her last bit of strength, she pressed in and pressed in and pressed in. She kept pressing in until she touched Him. Perhaps it was just a fingerip that grazed the hem of His garment. Whatever the touch, it was enough that Jesus stopped and asked, "Who touched My clothes?" 

His disciples, despite seeing all His wondrous works and sitting under His teachings daily, were puzzled. They answer Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”  But Jesus knew that faith had drawn power from Him. Ignoring His disciples' question, He looked and saw the woman. She fell at His feet trembling and told Him her story, the truth of why she touched Him. With love and compassion He answered her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

Alas! The need that Jairus had  was distracted by the woman who touched Jesus. Now his daughter was dead. Take notice of the next thing Jesus did. He thinned the crowd down to Peter, James and John and continued to the house of the ruler. Jesus was not interested in  being a showman. His only concern was to meet the need. He only took those with whom He had a relationship with. Next, Jesus makes an incredible statement. 

39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 

He then thins another crowd and puts the naysayers out. It is important to surround yourself only with people of faith. Dismiss the naysayers in your life, especially when you are asking the Lord to meet a need you may have. If you allow God, He will remove the scorners and mockers from your life.

40A And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.

Jesus only kept the father, mother, Peter, James and John with Him. The parents represented the ones with the need. Jairus sought Jesus for his need, therefore it is safe to say that he believed in Jesus and what He could do. Peter, James and John were part of His inner circle.

  41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.

In this story, it is not stated that Jairus objected to Jesus meeting the needs of the unnamed woman. He was not shown as anxious, impatient, jealous nor demanding, despite his status versus the status of the woman. Fear was never a factor, and when the chance for fear came, Jesus immediately dealt with it in Jairus. He told Jairus, "Do not be afraid." Don't believe the report of man when you are walking with the Son of God. Once again, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, especially when trusting Him to minister to our needs. 

This story in Mark is so beautiful. It shows that Jesus is no respecter of persons, male or female, status or none. He ministered to both. Jesus was not moved by the reports of the servants that spoke of death. He was not deterred nor anxious.

If we allow ourselves to be ruled by what we see or hear and by delays or setbacks, then we are not allowing Jesus complete control. We are not truly trusting in Him to the point of death. 

Are you part of the crowd following after Jesus or are you like the woman...in the crowd, but not of the crowd...pressing in. Does your faith allow you to reach Jesus and to hear Him say, "Your faith has made you well."?

Jairus could have told Jesus to go back upon hearing that his daughter was dead. He could have blamed the unnamed woman for robbing him of the chance to have his daughter healed.  He chose to believe. What do you choose?

When it seems your needs are being delayed or that the Master is distracted, remember His words to Jairus, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 

When you press in like the woman and press on like Jairus, it is then you will hear the Master speak and see Him work. 

Child Rape...Two Words We Like to Keep in the Dark

It is so easy to read the words of a story about something that happened somewhere else, to someone else, in some other town or country...anywhere but here. We digest the news desensitized to the real impact of what is going on all around us. We see the news portrayed in our favorite crime shows, giving us a fictional account of a very real issue. There are so many issues that plague humanity; poverty, lack of clean water, lack of medical needs, degradation of women and children, child soldiers, forced labor and human trafficking, just to name a few.

Child Rape. It's so much easier to call it human trafficking. Both often mean the same, but human trafficking almost sounds glossy compared to child rape. With the word trafficking we can keep our minds from being too specific, but what image is conjured in your mind by the phrase child rape?

Tonight as I sit here I contemplate this world around me. I stumbled upon a story about a doctor in Ghana who performed illegal abortions. While his patients lay on the table he proceeeds to rape them, one by one. That story takes me to the dark thoughts in my mind. It takes me to the imagined images of children who are being raped daily, multiple times a day. They are sold into the lifestyle of having to be someone's perverse pleasure. Don't misunderstand. I DO NOT want to think about what I know to be true as one of the darkest plagues to cover this earth. But, let me ask you, does my not thinking about it cause it to stop for even one child?

It may not be that my thinking about it can save one...or can it? If all I do is think, then, no, I have accomplished nothing. However, if I apply action to what I see, imagine, learn about and know....then we begin to see results. I do not have any formal training to combat child rape. I may not be trained in search and rescue, but I can pray. I can be informed. I can donate money to those who are trained. I can become trained. I can make people uncomfortable by pointing out that children are being raped everyday and every night. I can shine light into the darkness by talking about it, writing about it.

While we sleep, they are working. They are terrorized and terrified. They have no voice, no one to champion their cause. They are soundbytes in the media, a casual occurrence that happens anywhere but here.

They are disposable, like so many other toys and gadgets have become. Once they become damaged beyond use they are replaced. Does it bother you that as you are reading this a child is being raped? Does it make you angry? Sad? Frustrated? Does it cause you to FEEL anything??

Yes, it makes me feel all that and more. May I never stop feeling and may I start DOING more. You can start by praying. If you don't pray, then give some money to those who need support to continue to rescue and rehabilitate these children. Even if you do pray, give money if you can. If you don't pray and cannot give, then TALK about it. WRITE about it. TWEET IT. FACEBOOK IT. Keep dragging it into the LIGHT. Make PHONE CALLS to legislators to encourage them to require laws regarding human trafficking, child rape and forced labor. Host an event in your community that expounds on these issues. Help to educate others.

Exodus Cry is holding an Abolition Summit in August in Missouri. Why not go and get educated? Meet some of the people doing the hard yards. If not Exodus Cry then pick an event somewhere. Watch some documentaries on the issues. They are not always easy to watch, but they are necessary in order to understand.

You can click this link for other links related to the issue. It also includes information on the abolition summit.
Human Trafficking and Human Rights Resources

The point is.....DO SOMETHING. FEEL SOMETHING. Lives depend on what you choose to do. Your voice and your action MATTER.

Human Trafficking and Human Rights Resources

Although I am not yet on the frontlines of helping to fight the epidemic against humanity known as human trafficking, I do care deeply. I seek to become more educated, aware and pro-active in how my life can affect the lives of those who do not have a voice nor a choice. The following is a small list of organizations that are fighting tirelessly to help bring freedom to the oppressed. Please add your organization in the comments and any other resources you have to help those of us that wish to join the fight.

If you have any information related to trainings or conferences that are coming, PLEASE  add a link to those events.

**UPDATE** I have begun adding organizations that contribute to humanitarian issues, in addition to human trafficking.

I.C.E.

Three Avocados

LOVE 146

The Polaris Project

ECPAT USA

Hookers for Jesus

Rescue and Restore

International Justice Mission

Not For Sale

END IT Movement

Fair Trade USA

Free the Slaves

The A21 Campaign

Exodus Cry

Exodus Cry 2014 Abolition Summit

Nefarious Documentary

Spiritual Tumbleweeds

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
You look like a monkey,
And smell like one too.

Do you remember learning that little rhyme as children? I recently said it to my daughter, who is seven. She was not amused and got her feelings hurt. Never mind that she does not look like a monkey nor does she smell like one. Even the truth of knowing that did not seem to help her feel better. Of course, after a few minutes she went off to play and it all seemed to be forgotten. I wonder if it was forgotten and, if not, does the thought of it still make her sad.

Now, imagine if you could converse with a monkey and you said this poem to it. The monkey gets hurt and goes home to his father. Then imagine this is the exchange later between that monkey and it's father:

Monkey: Dad! My friend just made a poem about me. They said I looked like a money and smell like one too.
Dad: Well, are you a monkey?
Monkey: Yes.
Dad: Do you smell like a monkey?
Monkey: Yes
Dad: Then what is the problem? You have always been a monkey. You were created to be a monkey. It only stands to reason that you would also smell like a monkey.
Monkey: Oh! Okay. Thanks, Dad!


This morning I have been talking to the Lord, trying to clear the clutter from my mind. Some tears were shed as I cried out to the Lord in repentance for being who He created me to be. You may wonder what do I mean? Sometimes our best friends can have the best intentions. Sometimes we do the same. We offer advice and perspective that sometimes has labels attached to it. Sometimes these labels attach themselves to us. That was the case for me.

A few weeks ago one of my friends observed that I was like a tumbleweed. It was noted that tumbleweeds grow no roots. The meaning of that was in reference to my hesitation to be seated in one church and become a rooted member of that church. In a different conversation the observation was made that few Christians have 'staying power' in the church today. I have pondered these statements off and on for the past few weeks. I have even looked up what others had to say about spiritual tumbleweeds. Unfortunately, the information I found was very lacking in postive meaning.

In regards to staying power I would say that I view that phrase differently. For me, staying power is in relation to our relationship with Jesus. Through every circumstance, good or bad, do we stay in our faith, committed to Him and His word? Do we stay in faith in our prayers that have yet to be answered? Do we stay in faith believing against an unbelieving world? Does staying power relate to staying in a church simply for the sake of staying?

As far as being a spiritual tumbleweed, I have pondered that often. Is everyone made to be seated in one church and one church only? Are we to minister only to those within immediate arms reach? For me, I say no. I have not blown in and out of churches willy nilly. One of my favorite churches, when in my early twenties, split. Many times we have moved. Geography has played a role. I have children that I would like to raise in church, but not just any church. I want to be seated where the Lord says to sit, and if the Lord says to go, then I want to be obedient to that as well.

Here are a few descriptions about tumbleweeds listed by another blogger. All his words are in italics and quotation marks. I will post a link to his blog at the end.

-"When growing, a tumbleweed is firmly planted in the soil. But at the end of its growth season, it breaks loose, never to be planted again." His point with this one is that, "tumbleweed believers have not allowed their ROOTS to sink deep into the doctrines of truth."

In the life a of a tumbleweed it has reached the end of its growth season when it breaks loose. Often in churches, when a believer has reached a certain spiritual maturity the Lord often calls him or her out from whence they were grown. They are broken off to be sent to a new destination.

-"Tumbleweed believers spread their unwanted seeds at RANDOM. One of the reasons farmers hate tumbleweeds is because each tumbleweed has about 250,000 seeds. Imagine that. As a tumbleweed blows across the land, it scatters a quarter of a million seeds that potentially become tumbleweeds. And their seeds can grow in a wide range of temperatures. So all year long, farmers have to put up with this nuisance."

He likens the farmer to the church. I liken the farmer to the world. We, as tumbleweeds, are spreading seeds of the gospel of Christ. The world hates us and sees these seeds as a nuisance. They seem random, except when you liken the wind to the Holy Spirit being what determines the course of the tumbleweed and its seeds.

-"Tumbleweed believers blown by the wind are helpless to decide their own ROUTE. Tumbleweed believers can’t decide their own route. They’re in and out. This way, then that way."

The blogger references tumbleweed believers as those that are double-minded, tossed to and fro on the waves of an ocean.
Again, I liken the wind to the Holy Spirit. When we are completely at rest in the will of God, does it matter to where we are blown?

-"Tumbleweed believers begin to ROAM when confronted by a little pressure. Over the years I have seen people who refuse to deal with their sin. In fact, a lot of pastors are afraid to talk about sin from their pulpits. Why? Because people will pack up their marbles and leave. So pastors won’t talk about sin. My friend, pastors need to speak about backsliding and the devastating consequences of sin. Because these things will destroy you. But those who don’t want to hear the truth will get offended. And off they go like a tumbleweed."

I wholeheartedly agree with the author when he says pastors need to not be afraid to speak the truth. I do not agree that refusal to deal with your sin makes you a tumbleweed. He already stated that tumbleweeds reach the end of their growth season before they break away and become tumbleweeds. A believer unwilling to deal with his sin is not mature or nearly finished growing. Hence, he cannot be a tumbleweed, but rather, a child still requiring milk rather than the meat of God's word.

It has been a blessing to me to have fellowshipped in different churches throughout the years. I have been to Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Non-denominational, Pentecostal, Assemblies of God and Apostolic churches. The ones I have enjoyed the most are the ones where the Spirit of God is allowed to be present. That is not ruled by a denomination but by a willingness of the congregation to let the Lord lead and to follow His lead. Those are the moments when souls get saved, lives get changed, bodies get healed and brokenness is restored. Ahh, the sweet Presence of the Lord.

So, am I a spiritual tumbleweed? Yes, yes I am. I have never wanted to stay in one location forever simply because there were so many places the Lord could take me. If I root myself in one spot, then how would I be able to quickly be obedient to the Lord's call? I am not saying that I can never be a pemanent part of a church body, but really that is not what tops my list. I am happy to become a member when the Lord tells me I must. I am not opposed to growing roots, but again, unless the Lord plants me then it would only be in an effort to appease man. I admire those whom the Lord has called to one place and one place only. That works for them because they were created that way.

So, like the little monkey, I will be content to follow the advice of my Father. I will be content to be who He created me to be.

The world may hate me
for the seeds I sow
and the church
may not understand
the wind with which I blow
Nevertheless, I must go
Where my Father sends me.

To the North, South,
East and West,
I trust my Lord
that He knows best.
In His Presence
I find rest
Forever,
His tumbleweed.


Link to blog mentioned: Tumbleweed Believers by Steve Hill

Do You Belong to the First Church of the Zax?

Do you remember the Dr. Seuss story , 'The Zax'? This is how it reads:




(pictures from: Dr. Seuss Wiki)
(story from: Sanctuary and Serenity)

The Zax – Dr. Seuss

The day before today,
One day, making tracks
In the prairie of Prax,
Came a North-Going Zax
And a South-Going Zax.
And it happened that both of them came to a place
Where they bumped. There they stood.
Foot to foot. Face to face.


“Look here, now!” the North-Going Zax said, “I say!
You are blocking my path. You are right in my way.
I’m a North-Going Zax and I always go north.
Get out of my way, now, and let me go forth!”
“Who’s in whose way?” snapped the South-Going Zax.
“I always go south, making south-going tracks.
So you’re in MY way! And I ask you to move
And let me go south in my south-going groove.”
Then the North-Going Zax puffed his chest up with pride.
“I never,” he said, “take a step to one side.
And I’ll prove to you that I won’t change my ways
If I have to keep standing here fifty-nine days!”
“And I’ll prove to YOU,” yelled the South-Going Zax,
“That I can stand here in the prairie of Prax
For fifty-nine years! For I live by a rule
That I learned as a boy back in South-Going School.
Never budge! That’s my rule. Never budge in the least!
Not an inch to the west! Not an inch to the east!
I’ll stay here, not budging! I can and I will
If it makes you and me and the whole world stand still!”


Well…
Of course the world didn’t stand still. The world grew.
In a couple of years, the new highway came through
And they built it right over those two stubborn Zax
And left them there, standing un-budged in their tracks.

~~~~~~~

As I thought about this childhood story, I could not help but relate it to the church and Christians today. Sometimes this is how we approach God, unwilling to budge, determined to stay the course that WE planned, even if the whole world has to stand still. Of course, the world keeps on spinning, progress keeps on progressing and we keep on standing in one place, unwilling to move. As for God? Well, He is God and His direction, even though it may be the opposite of ours, is always worth the side-step or the complete one-eighty.

Oftentimes, this is how Christians approach each other. Eventually, along their spiritual journey they BUMP into another going the opposite direction, both unwavering and unwilling to side-step so that the journey may continue.

There we stand,
face-to-face,
nose-to-nose,
scowl upon scowl,
toes upon toes,
each wishing the other to move
or to even disappear,
neither giving an inch,
perhaps out of fear?

Ahh, but when we stop and look around,
and see that the world passed us by,
perhaps it is then,
we can let out a sigh,
and look to the East,
and look to the West,
discovering that yielding is
perhaps for the best.

With a humble heart
and contrite state of mind,
We take a deep breath
as we step out of our line.

With surprise we both notice,
that the earth did not end,
and even greater than that,
we made a new friend.

Though we may set our mind on one direction, never let us falter to follow after God's direction. When we choose God's way, we will never cease to be amazed and His provision is always more than enough.

Genesis 13:14-17 reads:

And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

Abandon the life of a Zax and put on the life of Christ. Follow God so that your territory may be enlarged. Many blessings to you all.