Molly & Lilly

Saw a glimpse of God's heart tonight as mom and her four month old daughter smiled, swayed, twirled and danced together while listening to His music filling the air...

Just Another Way to Make a Difference...

God Is Not A White Man ~ Michael Gungor Band lyrics

God is not a man, God is not a white man
God is not a man sitting on a cloud
God cannot be bought, God will not be boxed in
God will not be owned by religion

God is love, God is love
And He loves everyone

God is not a man, God is not an old man
God does not belong to Republicans

God is not a flag, not even American
God does not depend on a government
God is good, God is good, and He loves everyone

Atheists and charlatans, Communists and lesbians
And even ol’ Pat Roberston, Oh God He loves us all
Catholic or protestant, Terrorist or president
Everybody, everybody
Love, love, love, love

Honor, A Blog by Gungor

Honor

I heard a sermon this last weekend about honor, and it has stuck with me more than a usual sermon would. This preacher was talking about honoring people and how honoring those in authority over us, even when they are wrong or annoying or whatever else, is really honoring God.
This is a difficult thing for me because one of my favorite things in life is sticking it to the man. When that ignorant and power hungry flight attendant tells me that I’m not allowed to bring my guitar on the plane as thought this is the first flight that I’ve ever taken with a guitar, I take great joy in smiling, saying “ok, thanks” and then marching the guitar straight into the plane, and watching it fit perfectly into that overhead bin. When that weird conservative church person says that we probably shouldn’t sing a song with “lesbian” in it (God is not a white man), I enjoy making sure that if there is one song on our set list that night, God is not a White Man is on it.
This might sound just bad and rebellious, especially if you are a nice and honoring person… But there is a good side at to standing up against the powers and/or the oppressors as well at times. After all, what great human leader, including Jesus himself, did not make a stand against the powers that be and the status quo at some point? Jesus didn’t just always go with the flow, or they wouldn’t have killed him… People like Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, Nelson Mandela..etc These people didn’t do the amazing things they did without having something in them that was unafraid of bucking the system and doing what was right. But, of course there’s quite a difference between something like standing up for something like the oppression of the poor and something like wearing jeans on the platform on Sunday morning… There’s a difference between not bowing your knee to Nebuchadnezzar and sticking it to the TSA agent who tells you to move to the longer, slower line.
I want to learn how to tell the difference between righteous protest and immature rebellion. I want to learn how to honor people well without turning into a doormat or a coward.
What do you think? How do you distinguish the important issues worth protesting from the silly ones that you should just go with the flow with when they both feel unjust and make you angry? For the time being, I’ll probably get in the longer line if they ask me to, but I’m still bringing my freaking guitar on the plane no matter what that crazy flight attendant says.

No Excuses

So often we go through life with such a narrow focus that kingdom opportunities are missed. Once in a while it's good to be shaken from our sheltered slumber and awakened to the dire needs of our fellow man; here where we live or other places around the world. This week ABC World News recapped on several humanitarian stories covered this past year and shared how many compassionate viewers got involved to make a difference in the lives of numerous struggling individuals. CNN just introduced their top ten "Hero's" (submitted and voted on by viewers) for 2011 and provided their "Hero of the Year" substantial finances to support her passion to help others. As I listened to the stories of struggles, tragedies, and triumph, I asked myself why I'd never known about the plight of so many people in need. Why did I allow myself to be so isolated and uncaring? A changed life should be about what we are commanded to do ~ "See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God." (Micah 6:8 CEV) Once something hits hard at your heart (a prompting by the Holy Spirit), start right then and make a change for eternity. If you let time pass, it won't take long to convince yourself not to do anything. Let's not make excuses but become examples for others to follow and see Jesus! Do something now!

For or Against

Defining ourselves by what we are against rather than what we are for is a seductive and often destructive practice. - from Becoming Fire

Appetites

I was listening to a talk by Andy Stanley a while back. He was talking about appetites. He gave the following truths about appetites. I think he was dead on with his observations.

1. God created them and sin distorted them.

2. Appetites are never fully and finally satisfied.

3. Appetites always whisper now, and not later.

Worship with a Hummingbird!

I’m patiently waiting and then I hear it. The sound of its wings beating so fast it takes my breath away. We are eye-to-eye checking each other out to make sure it’s safe. It’s close enough to my hand that, although it isn’t touching me, I can feel its wings. As I watch it drink of the red, sweet liquid, I’m awestruck by the nectar dripping off its beak and the close proximity. And then the moment is a memory. As it flies away, I whisper, “Come back! You’re safe with me.” Isn’t it just like God to remind me of that! I worship and delight in Him for his sweet gift of a hummingbird!

Being vs. Doing

"The true expression of Christian character is not in good-doing, but in God-likeness. If the Spirit of God has transformed you within, you will exhibit divine characteristics in your life, not just good human characteristics. God's life in us expresses itself as God's life, not as human life trying to be godly. The secret of a Christian's life is that the supernatural becomes natural in him as a result of the grace of God, and the experience of this becomes evident in the practical, everyday details of life."

-from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

Facts of Fiction

"Child Killer Shirley heard voices of defeat. Suddenly he felt himself growing stronger. He turned toward the Third Heaven angel that was opposing him and spit death into his eyes. Blinded, the angel continued swinging his weapon, but the child killer laughed and stole away. He could always count on the soft ones -- they were always judging by their feelings. No feeling, no prayer -- he looked at the blinded angel still flailing with his blade -- no prayer, no power. The light was dimming around him, so he turned his good eye to see the soft one. She didn't know the power of her negative words -- power that was strengthening the attack against her mother. He nodded at her. He loved the unknowing allies -- the doubting people -- best." -- from Riding through Shadows by Sharon Foster

I just finished this fiction book that has fiercely reminded me of crucially important truths: we live each moment in a spiritual battle, the tongue holds the power of life and death, the importance of praying without ceasing and never forgetting that "the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."