Exalted Vs. Humbled

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke14:7-11

so this is my confession: i don't especially get into the Gospel books. when the disciples were complaining to Jesus about always speaking in parables... i'm standing right there with them. see matthew 13 for Jesus's responds... insert knife in the heart, then twist!

so i'm trying to be proactive in reading the gospels. it's a challenge... partly cuz i stink at literature, poetry and abstract thinking. but grammar rocks! anyways...

this passage about taking a lesser seat so the host may offer you a better seat... what else can this relate to? how about asking for a raise? should we not ask for a raise, but instead wait for our boss to offer one? or how about backseat middle? (that's my favorite seat in the car!) does that have the same meaning? (i'm really trying to think outside of the box - it's hurting my brain.)

Jesus,
forgive me for being so ignorant. too often your parables seem like nice stories, but i struggle to relate them to my life. i begging You to teach me to think more like You. help me to understand - to hear and see and understand. i want to learn more about You - why You said what You said, and did what You did.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Shottie *Karen & Paul *Derrick

Peace

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.
Nahum 1:15

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

Peace: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. that definition comes from the webster.com website. i truly wonder if that is the kind of peace Jesus was talking about when He mentioned that He was leaving us with peace? or i wonder of this is what was meant by the good news be proclaimed? and i wonder if i know that type of peace? do i truly experience this peace to which Jesus was talking about? i want to know/experience/possess this peace Jesus gives.

Jesus,
too often i chase unworthy thots around my mind. these thots are nonsense, useless, and often unbeneficial. lead me to this peace which You claim to provide. teach me to not allow my heart to be troubled and to not be afraid. i love You, Jesus.
In Jesus's Name ~ amen.
*Sam *Pam *Marissa

Immanuel

The Lord is with me; He is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
Ps. 118:7

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him "Immanuel" —which means, "God with us."
Matt. 1:23

i'm only beginning to get how amazing/spectacular it is that God is with me. He is my Immanuel. the Creator of the world, the Word became flesh, the Judge of all mankind, is with me. He chooses to remain with me, to befriend me, to help me and guide me and console me. i've know this all along, but for some reason this understanding is rocking my world.

this verse in psalm about God being my helper and thru Him, i may look in triumph over my enemies. i've learn thru the years that the word 'enemy' doesn't only mean people who are against me. it also means spiritual forces against me. debt. negative attitudes. selfishness. pride. unforgiveness. and the reality that thru Christ alone am i able to triumph against these is absolutely mind boggling.

i've been thinking about my debt alot lately. trying to find ways to get out from under it's burden. wishing i was free of it, so could be pursuing a life in Zimbabwe. but i'm brought to the reality that this is where God wants me. His discipline can be hard to take, but i know that He is with me. He won't leave me or forsake me. He knows my struggle, my desires, my hopes and dreams. He is my helper, able to get me out of this mess. and so i rest in Him, trusting that he hears my cries for freedom. but i still pray that He will give me the courage to remain where He would have me. Thy will be done.

Jesus,
forgive me for complaining about how terrible i have it. i need to have a attitude adjustment. i see now that You are my helper. You've not abandoned me or forsaken me. You are with me, and that is more important than what i want. so i place my trust in You, surrendering my wants and desires for Your will. Jesus, open my heart to praise You for where i am, what i have, and who You are creating me to be. soften me, cleanse me, purify me so that all i am is all You are. i love You. may You give me the courage to be where You would have me.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Lacey *Jason *Steven

Hiding

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Ps. 119:11

this morning i awoke with this verse on my heart. and thruout the day this verse has popped into my thots. perhaps it's cuz i've been slacking on my time in the Word. perhaps it's cuz i have not been faithful in memorizing verses lately. perhaps i'm speculating. i really don't know. in any case, it has lead me here to blog about it.

so Shottie, Denise and i went camping last weekend. i had a blast. it was great to get away from the hustle of life and relax, hang out with friends and learn a thing or two along the way. i'm grateful that denise didn't hate all of it, cuz that would have made me sad; also, i'm grateful for shottie's willingness to share her camping experience with us. shottie's mountain pies ROCK!

so back to hiding God's word... thruout the weekend we didn't speak too much about Jesus, or our devotion to Christ, or what God is doing in our lives, etc. but i know that thru the experience God moved in each of us differently.

for me, it began on the way to setting up the tent. not sure how we got on the subject, but it came up about how we as Christians often fail to nurture baby Christians. we give them an invite to accept Christ, but then we fail to follow thru with them in their journey. and on saturday morning i began reading The Lost Art of Disciple Making. the book is about nurturing others to grow in their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ. so far i am only about 20 pages into the book, but i can tell it is going to challenge me to be more open to make a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus,
thanks for saving me. my heart is changed because You love me. Thanks for the beautiful weather, the great friends and the experience of spending time outdoors. i give You my heart; lead me to whom You would have me disciple. let Your word be hidden in my heart that i may not sin against You. i want to be faithful in the little things. i want to obey You.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen
*Shottie *Shelby *Leah

Brokenness

"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."
Isaiah 58:9b-12

where to begin...???
first off, my heart breaks for the people affected by hurricane katrina. i wish there was some way i could get down and help those hurting, broken people. i wish i could take in a family who has lost everything - giving them a home filled with love and compassion. tomorrow i'm planning on going to atlanta to serve food to 'refugees'. (that word sounds so terrible...'displaced people')

in my head i have some projects i would like to build or construct. i would like to run away for a few days - go camping or shopping or something outside of being 'trapped in my home'. but each of these things all cost money. but they all seem quite selfish compared to 'spending myself on behalf of the hungry or satisfying the needs of the oppressed' to which i'm called. on friday i read this chapter in isaiah and it has JUMPED into my head and heart. i can't help but think how selfish i am...what a wretch i am. how can i be worried about the cost of gas, when there are so many dying because of lack of food and medicine?

Father,
i've prayed to have my heart broken by the things which break Your heart...and You have granted my request. i'm broken, saddened, hurting with those who are suffering. here's my offering - myself - use it for Your glory. may my hands serve You thru a heart full of praise.

and for the those affected by this terrible storm, i cry out to You for mercy. move Your children to spend on behalf of these hurting people. loosen the chains of oppression that Your light might shine forth. Holy Spirit, come and open the door for Your Truth to be heard and accepted with open hearts. let Your name be praised - let the revival begin in America. Come, Jesus, to Your people and let Your holiness be known among this country.
in Christ Name and thru the Power that Raised Jesus from the Dead ~ Amen

*City of Refuge Ministry *Tom & Steven *Mayor Ray Nagin