I ran across this video the other day, and it's message gripped me, reminding me of the call that has been on my life since I was born. I have seen much suffering firsthand here in Macedonia, and have also tasted of the real cost of choosing to be the hands and feet of Christ. Now God is calling me to once again count the cost and make the choice to spend the rest of my life giving everything to be the representation of His heart here on earth. Watch and consider what part God has called you to play.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Pondering the Power of Femininity
I ran across this quote a while ago someone had mentioned from Stu Weber's book, "Four Pillars of a Man's Heart".
"The influence of applied femininity is, by any measure, incredibly determinative. In every culture, in every age, the power is awesome. And dangerous. As with any significant reservoir of power it may be used for good or ill. It's impact may be constructive or destructive. Like a mighty river, it is a force that may turn the turbines and generate power that will light up a community, a home and a whole man's life. But, undisciplined and unchecked, it may devastate, demoralize and utterly destroy.
Some women have no clue how much actual power they hold, and these are the women who destroy their husbands by default. Other women, keenly aware of their power make a conscious decision to become high controllers. But still other women, keenly aware of the power God has vested in their femininity, make a deliberate choice to use that power only for good. "
It makes me think of the verse from Proverbs, "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."
I stop and think of the power God has chosen to give me and I realize with it came a responsibility. It is as if I had been given a sword, which I am responsible to a learn to use effectively. If I treat the sword carelessly, and don't apply myself to learning how to master the skill of wielding this weapon, then one of two things could happen. I could end up hurting someone with it because I don't know it's proper use. Or, when the moment comes that the sword becomes necessary in battle and I discover I missed my earlier chance to learn it's use, then I could end up losing the opportunity to gain victory.
I personally believe that God gave me a destiny to win every battle that is placed in front of me, to be the wise woman who builds
up my house, not the foolish one who tears it down. I believe he purposed< for me to know how to use the power he has given me so that it will bring life everywhere that I go. And so, I am applying myself to learn how to wield the weapon he has given me.
It's not just me he has purposed this for, but for every woman out there who will take him up on the offer. What kind of woman will you be?
"The influence of applied femininity is, by any measure, incredibly determinative. In every culture, in every age, the power is awesome. And dangerous. As with any significant reservoir of power it may be used for good or ill. It's impact may be constructive or destructive. Like a mighty river, it is a force that may turn the turbines and generate power that will light up a community, a home and a whole man's life. But, undisciplined and unchecked, it may devastate, demoralize and utterly destroy.
Some women have no clue how much actual power they hold, and these are the women who destroy their husbands by default. Other women, keenly aware of their power make a conscious decision to become high controllers. But still other women, keenly aware of the power God has vested in their femininity, make a deliberate choice to use that power only for good. "
It makes me think of the verse from Proverbs, "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down."
I stop and think of the power God has chosen to give me and I realize with it came a responsibility. It is as if I had been given a sword, which I am responsible to a learn to use effectively. If I treat the sword carelessly, and don't apply myself to learning how to master the skill of wielding this weapon, then one of two things could happen. I could end up hurting someone with it because I don't know it's proper use. Or, when the moment comes that the sword becomes necessary in battle and I discover I missed my earlier chance to learn it's use, then I could end up losing the opportunity to gain victory.
I personally believe that God gave me a destiny to win every battle that is placed in front of me, to be the wise woman who builds
up my house, not the foolish one who tears it down. I believe he purposed< for me to know how to use the power he has given me so that it will bring life everywhere that I go. And so, I am applying myself to learn how to wield the weapon he has given me. It's not just me he has purposed this for, but for every woman out there who will take him up on the offer. What kind of woman will you be?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
A Look at the Bigger Picture
This past Thursday found me in Veles once again. I was sitting in the taxi with three of the women from the church here, my dear friends, my sisters. 
We were winding our way up the narrow, brick covered streets on the side of the mountain, so typical of Balkan towns. In a sudden flash I was taken out of that moment and in my mind saw a picture of a larger expanse of time, reaching back into the past, stretching into the future.
Looking back in time I saw the years of war, the devastation, the suffering, all the places satan has wrought havoc. Walking these streets, sitting in these homes, talking to my friends, I can see the affects of it in their daily lives. The broken relationships, the economic disaster, the suffering that war brings.
Then I saw the hand of our loving Father, how through it all He never left. He has been pursuing all this time, planning for how He will bring healing, planning to draw His children to Himself. I saw how He invaded the lives of the people who are now my brothers and sisters here. He chased them with His love, overtook them, and now they are His.
And then I saw how I got placed right in the middle of this whole story, something I consider to be a great honor and privilege. I get to share what Jesus has done in my life, and watch Him do the same for them. I help show the way to plug into Jesus as their source of life. I pour into them out of what God has poured into me, I tell them about who they are. We push each other to build a stronger relationship with our Heavenly Father so we can walk more fully in the inheritance that has been given to us.
Looking at the bigger picture I see how little by little the transformation has been coming. From a place of slavery, they have begun to find their position as daughter's of the king, princesses. This has led to a realization of the authority they possess, which has caused them to begin changing the circumstances they are in as they start to exercise that authority. Fear has collided with perfect love and thus turned to faith. Provision and healing came as fruit. The pain of past hurts has been met with redemption.
God is gently putting his finger on areas of bondage, bringing freedom. Sorrow and discouragement has been replaced with hope and joy. The expressions on their faces are different now than they were a year ago. They are beginning to stand up and take the position that they were given, to be leaders who affect the lives of the people around them in a way that brings life. Together we have faced cancer, financial difficulties, relational problems, lyme disease, and many other major life issues. And all of these things have had to bow to the name of Jesus. Darkness has met the light, and the darkness has had no choice but to flee. And I am confident this is just the beginning. I begin to realize there is no limit to what can be accomplished when I believe God to do the impossible.
I looked forward and I saw where this will all lead. These women will be, and already are, wives of the leaders of the growing church in this country. What they learn and start living now, they will go and spread to everyone who they meet. And thus I saw it spreading throughout the whole country of Macedonia, throughout the rest of the Balkan region and into the whole world. In the end,
I saw the kingdom of God advancing like an unquenchable fire, restoring the brokenness of generations of devastation, bringing new life and hope. I saw Jesus riding forth like a warrior dressed for battle, not content to see his bride continue living in bondage, and there is no stopping Him. And so I prepare my heart to receive more of His love, and to continue being a part of what He is doing. Nothing compares to the beauty of it.
We were winding our way up the narrow, brick covered streets on the side of the mountain, so typical of Balkan towns. In a sudden flash I was taken out of that moment and in my mind saw a picture of a larger expanse of time, reaching back into the past, stretching into the future.
Looking back in time I saw the years of war, the devastation, the suffering, all the places satan has wrought havoc. Walking these streets, sitting in these homes, talking to my friends, I can see the affects of it in their daily lives. The broken relationships, the economic disaster, the suffering that war brings.
Then I saw the hand of our loving Father, how through it all He never left. He has been pursuing all this time, planning for how He will bring healing, planning to draw His children to Himself. I saw how He invaded the lives of the people who are now my brothers and sisters here. He chased them with His love, overtook them, and now they are His.
And then I saw how I got placed right in the middle of this whole story, something I consider to be a great honor and privilege. I get to share what Jesus has done in my life, and watch Him do the same for them. I help show the way to plug into Jesus as their source of life. I pour into them out of what God has poured into me, I tell them about who they are. We push each other to build a stronger relationship with our Heavenly Father so we can walk more fully in the inheritance that has been given to us.
Looking at the bigger picture I see how little by little the transformation has been coming. From a place of slavery, they have begun to find their position as daughter's of the king, princesses. This has led to a realization of the authority they possess, which has caused them to begin changing the circumstances they are in as they start to exercise that authority. Fear has collided with perfect love and thus turned to faith. Provision and healing came as fruit. The pain of past hurts has been met with redemption.
God is gently putting his finger on areas of bondage, bringing freedom. Sorrow and discouragement has been replaced with hope and joy. The expressions on their faces are different now than they were a year ago. They are beginning to stand up and take the position that they were given, to be leaders who affect the lives of the people around them in a way that brings life. Together we have faced cancer, financial difficulties, relational problems, lyme disease, and many other major life issues. And all of these things have had to bow to the name of Jesus. Darkness has met the light, and the darkness has had no choice but to flee. And I am confident this is just the beginning. I begin to realize there is no limit to what can be accomplished when I believe God to do the impossible. I looked forward and I saw where this will all lead. These women will be, and already are, wives of the leaders of the growing church in this country. What they learn and start living now, they will go and spread to everyone who they meet. And thus I saw it spreading throughout the whole country of Macedonia, throughout the rest of the Balkan region and into the whole world. In the end,
I saw the kingdom of God advancing like an unquenchable fire, restoring the brokenness of generations of devastation, bringing new life and hope. I saw Jesus riding forth like a warrior dressed for battle, not content to see his bride continue living in bondage, and there is no stopping Him. And so I prepare my heart to receive more of His love, and to continue being a part of what He is doing. Nothing compares to the beauty of it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)