Some years back, my daughter Karen decided she really wanted a dog. Like REALLY wanted a dog, so she started praying and scanning the want ads. Russ wasn’t quite so sure as his experience with pet dogs hadn’t always been the best. Eventually Karen found a promising ad, so we all hopped in the car to visit a family wanting to give away their dog because of a new baby.
Maisie wasn’t much to look at when we met her. She was covered with dirt from living in a dusty backyard. But the first moment she looked at us with those infinitely deep brown eyes filled with affection and acceptance, we knew she was ours. Even Russ was amazed, she liked him! After we brought her home and cleaned her up, we discovered a beautiful sable and white silky soft fur coat, funky “yoda” ears and soft, fluffy white paws. And those eyes that never stopped smiling.
Unconditional Love Feels Like Something
From then on, everyone who met Maisie encountered a dog that communicated, head to toe, that she loved them and was happy to see them. Even the mailman! We had a neighbor who had never liked dogs yet found her irresistible, and was constantly sneaking her food, much to our chagrin. When people came for ministry, particularly during a tender moment, Maisie would snuggle up as close as she could to provide comfort. Her presence oozed “I want to be with you, feel with you and breathe your air!”.
Learning to Receive
The day eventually came when Maisie’s health was failing so much we had to make the heart-wrenching decision to let her go. I had never known how painful it could be to lose a pet. She had taught me so much, and ministered to my heart a level of unconditional love I did not recognize fully until it was time to say good-bye. I weep even today as I’m thinking of her; how easy it was to feel safe and completely myself with her, hugging her and feeling her delight in being so close. I am amazed that God would use a family pet in such a way to help my heart heal; I appreciate now, as never before, how legitimately important a pet can be to a person.
Needing to Learn is Normal
Like many of you, I didn’t experience this kind of love growing up. My parents hadn’t either. The practical needs of my physical body were addressed, but rarely did I feel enjoyed or valued at home. I tried to keep myself scarce and out of the way so I wouldn’t cause any problems. It has been a process over decades to learn that someone might actually enjoy my presence and look forward to seeing me. It started with marrying into the Fochler clan, where I began to let down my guard and be seen and known. Russ and his sisters have helped me learn how to engage in true fellowship, communicating with and not just talking over one another. And I am ever grateful for how much they have taught me about love.
We are on this Journey Together
Like my beloved Maisie, I am learning to enjoy and value each one who comes my way, no longer feeling so threatened by misunderstandings and differing perspectives. Receiving God’s tender love, with yielded heart, then allowing His river to pour through me to others is vulnerable and unpredictable yet so much more fulfilling than the relative safety of emotional isolation. This love of Jesus Christ is much bigger and ever-available than we can comprehend; and it’s ours for the asking. Don’t give up on yourself; we’ve all had a lot to learn on this journey. Our God’s great joy is in helping us learn the profound power of genuine love while we are still living on earth; He is the best teacher and most faithful friend we could ever ask for!
With much love and appreciation for you;
Susan
Friday, May 30, 2014
Friday, May 23, 2014
Love Looks Like Something by Brent Lokker
One of the amazing privileges I’ve had is to go out with other believers to the streets of San Francisco late at night to bring a warm meal and a kind word of God’s love and acceptance to the homeless who are huddled in doorways or along back alleys. One particularly impactful experience for me occurred on my very first venture out. Feeling somewhat unsure of ourselves, our group approached several homeless men who were sheltered in the entryway of a store long after closing time, the smell of urine lingering. The men were jovial with us, clinging to their alcoholic beverages of choice concealed in crinkled-up brown paper bags. We handed out prepared meals to the grateful men. While pouring out a cup of hot coffee to an outstretched trembling hand, I was suddenly drawn to the side, where another of their group was lying flat on the ground, intoxicated beyond the ability to sit up or stand with his friends.
I approached him, knelt down to be close to his face, and asked, “Do you want something to eat?” His closed eyes flickered open for a moment, attempting to focus on the face of this unfamiliar voice that was addressing him. Without uttering a word, his eyes closed again and he retreated to his inebriated, semi-conscious state. Undeterred and filled with an inexpressible compassion for this young man, I leaned in closer and said in a soft and warm tone, “You have a Father in heaven who loves you with all His heart.”
I wondered if my words were registering with this man in his present condition, but I continued. “God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s with you all the time and He is always for you.” Still no response or acknowledgement of my affirming words. Yet somehow I knew that my voice of hope was not falling on deaf ears. “He’s so proud to call you His son,” I told him. In that instant a tear welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheek. He opened his eyes again, this time with more clarity, and looked directly into my eyes with an expression of shame mixed with hope.
I could almost hear his thoughts pleading, Could this possibly be true?
Peering into his precious soul through the gateway of his eyes, I reiterated the truth of the Father’s acceptance and approval. He never actually spoke a word to me, but his eyes communicated his sincere gratitude, and there was a glimmer of hope that had not been present before. I prayed a blessing of peace over his heart before our team continued on in our journey to encounter others who needed food for their stomachs and hope for their souls. I will probably never know on this side of heaven what impact those words of the Father’s love and acceptance had on that young man, but I know they weren’t wasted.
Love is never wasted, because love always wins!
Our Papa of love says:
I approached him, knelt down to be close to his face, and asked, “Do you want something to eat?” His closed eyes flickered open for a moment, attempting to focus on the face of this unfamiliar voice that was addressing him. Without uttering a word, his eyes closed again and he retreated to his inebriated, semi-conscious state. Undeterred and filled with an inexpressible compassion for this young man, I leaned in closer and said in a soft and warm tone, “You have a Father in heaven who loves you with all His heart.”
I wondered if my words were registering with this man in his present condition, but I continued. “God hasn’t forgotten you. He’s with you all the time and He is always for you.” Still no response or acknowledgement of my affirming words. Yet somehow I knew that my voice of hope was not falling on deaf ears. “He’s so proud to call you His son,” I told him. In that instant a tear welled up in his eyes and rolled down his cheek. He opened his eyes again, this time with more clarity, and looked directly into my eyes with an expression of shame mixed with hope.
I could almost hear his thoughts pleading, Could this possibly be true?
Peering into his precious soul through the gateway of his eyes, I reiterated the truth of the Father’s acceptance and approval. He never actually spoke a word to me, but his eyes communicated his sincere gratitude, and there was a glimmer of hope that had not been present before. I prayed a blessing of peace over his heart before our team continued on in our journey to encounter others who needed food for their stomachs and hope for their souls. I will probably never know on this side of heaven what impact those words of the Father’s love and acceptance had on that young man, but I know they weren’t wasted.
Love is never wasted, because love always wins!
Our Papa of love says:
Rain and snow fall from the sky. But they don’t return without watering the earth that produces seeds to plant and grain to eat.That’s how it is with my words. They don’t return to me without doing everything I send them to do. (Isaiah 55:10–11 CEV)
Every person on the planet is hungry for love. Who can you love today?
This is an excerpt from Brent Lokker's book, Daddy, You Love Me: Living in the Approval of Your Heavenly Father(www.DaddyYouLoveMe.com)
Every person on the planet is hungry for love. Who can you love today?
This is an excerpt from Brent Lokker's book, Daddy, You Love Me: Living in the Approval of Your Heavenly Father(www.DaddyYouLoveMe.com)
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Born to be Loved! By Brent Lokker
Last weekend I had the extreme joy of performing my nephew’s wedding in Idaho. While there, I was able to go golfing with my brothers. On one particular hole, I was feeling the wind in my face and simultaneously feeling a great love for myself and I said out loud to no one in particular,
“I love me when I love me!”
It was a carefree, joy-filled moment that I instantly began to ponder. It’s almost as if the Lord was saying, “I don’t want you to miss the significance of this moment. Capture this more and more because I want you to live in this reality.”
We all know that we are supposed to love ourselves and love others (Jesus did say, “Love your neighbor as yourself” in Mark 12:31), but when we actually do feel love for our own selves, something changes. We’re able to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the life we have instead of being saddled with discouragement.
Clearly the million dollar question here is, “How can I have this kind of love for myself?”
To get the answer, look no further than to Jesus (now that makes sense!) who said,
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
“As I have loved you…”
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves once and for all that you are worthy of being loved! Jesus says to you, “I choose to love you because you’re altogether loveable! I’m the one who decides your worth because I made you. And I say you are worth being loved. It’s settled forever. I love you!”
You might be thinking, “But I feel like I’m failing in life—I have so far to go.”
Yes, it’s true that you have a journey ahead of you still, but look behind you and see how far you’ve already come!
It’s one thing to intellectually agree with what I am saying, but it’s an entirely different matter to put it into action. I urge you—no, I challenge you—to go look in a mirror right now, staring directly into your own eyes, and tell yourself, “I love you!”
Now try it again like you mean it—with more feeling and being gentle and kind to yourself.
How did that feel? For most people, it almost feels wrong. That’s a clue we aren’t used to loving ourselves and we're still doubting our worth the way Jesus sees us. Agree with His assessment that you are loveable and look in the mirror one more time.
“I love you!”
By the way, don’t be afraid that this will lead to being prideful. Think about it—people who are arrogant and conceited actually don’t love themselves enough and so they have a need to tear others down to try and make themselves feel better. People who genuinely love themselves because they experience the love of the Father are humble—they know where the love is coming from!
Now here’s the amazing part: when you actually love yourself, others around you will feel loved as well because it’s oozing right out of you! Really! Classmates, co-workers and, yes, even family members will want to be around you more as you love yourself more.
I am declaring over you today a heightened awareness of the Father's love that is cascading over you at every moment! You were born to be loved and you are designed to freely give what you have freely received!
“I love me when I love me!”
It was a carefree, joy-filled moment that I instantly began to ponder. It’s almost as if the Lord was saying, “I don’t want you to miss the significance of this moment. Capture this more and more because I want you to live in this reality.”
We all know that we are supposed to love ourselves and love others (Jesus did say, “Love your neighbor as yourself” in Mark 12:31), but when we actually do feel love for our own selves, something changes. We’re able to enjoy ourselves and enjoy the life we have instead of being saddled with discouragement.
Clearly the million dollar question here is, “How can I have this kind of love for myself?”
To get the answer, look no further than to Jesus (now that makes sense!) who said,
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
“As I have loved you…”
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves once and for all that you are worthy of being loved! Jesus says to you, “I choose to love you because you’re altogether loveable! I’m the one who decides your worth because I made you. And I say you are worth being loved. It’s settled forever. I love you!”
You might be thinking, “But I feel like I’m failing in life—I have so far to go.”
Yes, it’s true that you have a journey ahead of you still, but look behind you and see how far you’ve already come!
It’s one thing to intellectually agree with what I am saying, but it’s an entirely different matter to put it into action. I urge you—no, I challenge you—to go look in a mirror right now, staring directly into your own eyes, and tell yourself, “I love you!”
Now try it again like you mean it—with more feeling and being gentle and kind to yourself.
How did that feel? For most people, it almost feels wrong. That’s a clue we aren’t used to loving ourselves and we're still doubting our worth the way Jesus sees us. Agree with His assessment that you are loveable and look in the mirror one more time.
“I love you!”
By the way, don’t be afraid that this will lead to being prideful. Think about it—people who are arrogant and conceited actually don’t love themselves enough and so they have a need to tear others down to try and make themselves feel better. People who genuinely love themselves because they experience the love of the Father are humble—they know where the love is coming from!
Now here’s the amazing part: when you actually love yourself, others around you will feel loved as well because it’s oozing right out of you! Really! Classmates, co-workers and, yes, even family members will want to be around you more as you love yourself more.
I am declaring over you today a heightened awareness of the Father's love that is cascading over you at every moment! You were born to be loved and you are designed to freely give what you have freely received!
Friday, May 2, 2014
In the Midst of Uncertainties It's Time to Soar! by By Misha Quezada Blazing Fire Intern
It's been a crazy month. The days seem to fly by faster and faster as the days turn into weeks, which quickly transforms into months. My life is starting to feel like a whirlwind and I'm fighting hard from being swept up in it. I've been using different healthier coping techniques to stay grounded, and I definitely notice the difference as the usual cycle was skipped over, and I've continued to mostly remain leveled. I feel the beating of my heart as I write this. The thoughts try to swirl but I take in a deep breath and let it out. It's amazing how much a moment can make a difference, how one thought released can change it all. I reflect on this past year, and I don't know how I ended up here. How did I come to this moment? I see regrets and triumphs, warnings and success. This isn't where I expected to be, but I feel a sense of relief.
I'm not always good with change. Time is ticking behind every door as I wait to see if it will all explode. Seasons have come and gone, but ahead all I see is twists and turns, each filled with new life and hope, but cautions of misstep. I can't fight for life to remain the same anymore. I realize that I need the change and that power comes in movement. It's weird to be in a state of knowing, but to feel fear creeping in. I don't know what to expect if I move forward. Do I risk letting it all go and turning the corner? There's so much promise in the future, the chance of goals and dreams becoming a reality, but I'm afraid that it could all lead to disappointment. What if I fall backward, no longer able to catch myself? What if I'm not ready to fly?
There's something special in knowing you’re loved. It's what people live for, hope for, die for. I want to love people well. I want to look someone in the eyes, but speak to their spirit the tenderness of love. It breaks my heart to see people who have never felt accepted, never been told they are beautiful. I want to be the one to set them free, but I keep finding it all to be a trap. How do you let someone see reality without being pulled into their world? How do you let people go who want to pull you in instead of stepping out into the light? What if they choose to remain behind the looking glass?
Love is all around. I find it in the peaceful breeze, in the delight of the sun’s rays, in the smile of another's face, the laugh of a baby, the warmth of a hug. The precious moments you have to grasp onto and cherish when all else seems to disappear. There's peace out there if you're just willing to lift your gaze and see the promise that lies ahead. To realize that it's you who holds onto the chains, and that they can't overcome you without your permission. It's about realizing when to let go and to trust the one who sees the truth in it all to take care of the rest.
Our past doesn't have to haunt us. It can become a foothold, a building block of how far you've come and the stepping stone for which you leap from. It's time for new heights. It's time to soar.
I'm not always good with change. Time is ticking behind every door as I wait to see if it will all explode. Seasons have come and gone, but ahead all I see is twists and turns, each filled with new life and hope, but cautions of misstep. I can't fight for life to remain the same anymore. I realize that I need the change and that power comes in movement. It's weird to be in a state of knowing, but to feel fear creeping in. I don't know what to expect if I move forward. Do I risk letting it all go and turning the corner? There's so much promise in the future, the chance of goals and dreams becoming a reality, but I'm afraid that it could all lead to disappointment. What if I fall backward, no longer able to catch myself? What if I'm not ready to fly?
There's something special in knowing you’re loved. It's what people live for, hope for, die for. I want to love people well. I want to look someone in the eyes, but speak to their spirit the tenderness of love. It breaks my heart to see people who have never felt accepted, never been told they are beautiful. I want to be the one to set them free, but I keep finding it all to be a trap. How do you let someone see reality without being pulled into their world? How do you let people go who want to pull you in instead of stepping out into the light? What if they choose to remain behind the looking glass?
Love is all around. I find it in the peaceful breeze, in the delight of the sun’s rays, in the smile of another's face, the laugh of a baby, the warmth of a hug. The precious moments you have to grasp onto and cherish when all else seems to disappear. There's peace out there if you're just willing to lift your gaze and see the promise that lies ahead. To realize that it's you who holds onto the chains, and that they can't overcome you without your permission. It's about realizing when to let go and to trust the one who sees the truth in it all to take care of the rest.
Our past doesn't have to haunt us. It can become a foothold, a building block of how far you've come and the stepping stone for which you leap from. It's time for new heights. It's time to soar.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Present With Jesus by Katherine Sinnon
I’m sitting in seat 12A on a flight headed to Denver for a long weekend business trip with thoughts going "mach 5" in my head like a bad newsreel that’s on loop. I really hate busyness, honestly. I cry out to God on the plane apologizing for being so busy and get into my usual daily rant of how I want to quit my job, sell my house, sit in a cave somewhere (usually Redding is my default, or sometimes Southeast Asia if I really wanna go “Walter Mitty” on Him) and be with Jesus.
But this morning was a little different. I cried to God and told Him that I was tired and wished I could just be still. I felt far away from Him because I had not “done” anything to get in His presence. In the middle of my crying, this “thing” comes over me. And this sweeet small voice says, “You don’t have to go there. What if I was with you in everything you did? What if you count everything you do as being with Me, because I’m with you… always?" (Matt 28:20)
And then, everything…stopped. No more noise. No more filmstrips of the week’s happenings. And I was brought back to the supernatural grace of God to just be real. I realized in this one instance when I was on the plane, that God doesn’t just all of a sudden change His love or turn it off when I’m not scheduling “formal” quiet times or when I’m on “work mode”.
But then again, neither do I.
I love God. He knows that. If anything, in one quick hour on a plane, not at a 2-day conference, not a 30-day fast (which are both good things, by the way), I realized that my relationship with God has not changed, from His perspective anyways. All the sayings about “if you feel far away from God, it’s because someone moved and it’s not God,” always made me feel guilty but today I realized – I didn’t move. I’m not in sin. I just needed a new way of thinking about His location, and mine. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Ps 145:18). I am seated with Christ in Heavenly Realms (Eph 2:6). He’s inside of me (Col 1:27).
Because He’s in my heart – He feels the effects of busyness and feeling overworked first, before I do. I just got a revelation that every day I can know He is present – not just when I’m at church but when I am busy too. Most of my prayers the past month have been, “I just want to be with you.” When, in reality, I was.
What if I could enjoy His presence at work? What if I could enjoy His presence wherever? Whenever?
I would love to spend 3 hours daily with the Lord before going to work. That doesn’t always happen. I still want that. But what if I realized that He was with me, and I was with Him, all hours of the day, as much as when I was up all night doing reports or trying to meet deadlines? What if my connectedness with Jesus is based onHis omnipresence (not just in my physical or chronological location, but in my emotional and psychological state) and His love? What if I actually believed what His Word says about Hisfeelings towards me, versus how I feel about it?
In no time, I felt close to God again, and the feelings of guilt were gone. I have been way too hard on myself, which has kept me from entering His presence. I can easily just say, “Thank you,” and receive the gift of grace God has given me to work, play, or to be still, in His presence. His grace removes the barriers of our own hearts so that we can run into His presence without shame or hesitation.
The captain’s just told us that it’s snowing in Denver; and this California girl didn’t dress for the party. Looks like I’ll be going with Jesus to the store to buy a new jacket.
(Katherine is a long-time part of the Blazing Fire family, and even more importantly, Abba-Papa-Yahweh's daughter!)
But this morning was a little different. I cried to God and told Him that I was tired and wished I could just be still. I felt far away from Him because I had not “done” anything to get in His presence. In the middle of my crying, this “thing” comes over me. And this sweeet small voice says, “You don’t have to go there. What if I was with you in everything you did? What if you count everything you do as being with Me, because I’m with you… always?" (Matt 28:20)
And then, everything…stopped. No more noise. No more filmstrips of the week’s happenings. And I was brought back to the supernatural grace of God to just be real. I realized in this one instance when I was on the plane, that God doesn’t just all of a sudden change His love or turn it off when I’m not scheduling “formal” quiet times or when I’m on “work mode”.
But then again, neither do I.
I love God. He knows that. If anything, in one quick hour on a plane, not at a 2-day conference, not a 30-day fast (which are both good things, by the way), I realized that my relationship with God has not changed, from His perspective anyways. All the sayings about “if you feel far away from God, it’s because someone moved and it’s not God,” always made me feel guilty but today I realized – I didn’t move. I’m not in sin. I just needed a new way of thinking about His location, and mine. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth (Ps 145:18). I am seated with Christ in Heavenly Realms (Eph 2:6). He’s inside of me (Col 1:27).
Because He’s in my heart – He feels the effects of busyness and feeling overworked first, before I do. I just got a revelation that every day I can know He is present – not just when I’m at church but when I am busy too. Most of my prayers the past month have been, “I just want to be with you.” When, in reality, I was.
What if I could enjoy His presence at work? What if I could enjoy His presence wherever? Whenever?
I would love to spend 3 hours daily with the Lord before going to work. That doesn’t always happen. I still want that. But what if I realized that He was with me, and I was with Him, all hours of the day, as much as when I was up all night doing reports or trying to meet deadlines? What if my connectedness with Jesus is based onHis omnipresence (not just in my physical or chronological location, but in my emotional and psychological state) and His love? What if I actually believed what His Word says about Hisfeelings towards me, versus how I feel about it?
In no time, I felt close to God again, and the feelings of guilt were gone. I have been way too hard on myself, which has kept me from entering His presence. I can easily just say, “Thank you,” and receive the gift of grace God has given me to work, play, or to be still, in His presence. His grace removes the barriers of our own hearts so that we can run into His presence without shame or hesitation.
The captain’s just told us that it’s snowing in Denver; and this California girl didn’t dress for the party. Looks like I’ll be going with Jesus to the store to buy a new jacket.
(Katherine is a long-time part of the Blazing Fire family, and even more importantly, Abba-Papa-Yahweh's daughter!)
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Today is an Exceptionally GOOD Friday! By Pastor Brent
What kind of love would lead a man to willingly die for something that he did not do in order to pay the full price for a debt that was not his?
Jesus was gripped with a deep love for His Father in heaven as well as for a future Bride that would be His perfect match and so, "for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus was gripped with a deep love for His Father in heaven as well as for a future Bride that would be His perfect match and so, "for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Are you ready to boast? We are given permission to do so!
"Far be it from me to boast in anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others!" (Galatians 6:14, The Message Bible)
So we can boast in an exceptionally Good Friday that changed our eternal destinies. Because of Jesus' sacrificial death on our behalf...
* We're Loved! (John 3:16; Romans 5:7-8; Galatians 2:20)
* We're Forgiven! (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7)
* We're Justified! (Romans 3:24; 5:9) Justified means that we have been tried and found NOT GUILTY!! This happened because Jesus took the wrath of God (Galatians 3:13) and He cancelled the legal demands of the law against us (Colossians 2:13-14; Romans 7:4).
* We're Free! (Ephesians 1:7-8)
"Far be it from me to boast in anything except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others!" (Galatians 6:14, The Message Bible)
So we can boast in an exceptionally Good Friday that changed our eternal destinies. Because of Jesus' sacrificial death on our behalf...
* We're Loved! (John 3:16; Romans 5:7-8; Galatians 2:20)
* We're Forgiven! (Matthew 26:28; Ephesians 1:7)
* We're Justified! (Romans 3:24; 5:9) Justified means that we have been tried and found NOT GUILTY!! This happened because Jesus took the wrath of God (Galatians 3:13) and He cancelled the legal demands of the law against us (Colossians 2:13-14; Romans 7:4).
* We're Free! (Ephesians 1:7-8)
* We're Holy and Blameless! (Colossians 1:21-22; Jude 24)
* We're Perfect! (Hebrews 10:14)
* We're Healed! (Matthew 8:16-17)
* We Belong to God forever! (Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
* We're in His Family! (Hebrews 2:11)
* We're Alive Forever With Jesus! (Romans 6:5; 15:55-57; John 11:25-26; 14:3)
Now that's a whole lot of boasting, and it's ALL because of a Savior who first loved us and who says to us, "You are worth it, and if I had it to do all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat!"
Take a moment right now to read at least one of the Bible passages mentioned above and pray through it thanking Jesus for what He willingly did for you.
And please join us this Saturday night (6 p.m.) as we worship our hearts out for this Lover of all lovers! He's SO worth it!!
* We're Perfect! (Hebrews 10:14)
* We're Healed! (Matthew 8:16-17)
* We Belong to God forever! (Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
* We're in His Family! (Hebrews 2:11)
* We're Alive Forever With Jesus! (Romans 6:5; 15:55-57; John 11:25-26; 14:3)
Now that's a whole lot of boasting, and it's ALL because of a Savior who first loved us and who says to us, "You are worth it, and if I had it to do all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat!"
Take a moment right now to read at least one of the Bible passages mentioned above and pray through it thanking Jesus for what He willingly did for you.
And please join us this Saturday night (6 p.m.) as we worship our hearts out for this Lover of all lovers! He's SO worth it!!
Saturday, April 12, 2014
A Call to Action - Danny Silk's Intern
From Brent: 2 months after Danny Silk's visit to Blazing Fire, are we still allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us how to "Keep our Love On"?
Blazing Fire family, let's keep traveling together deeper into the Father's heart where He will burn away anything that keeps our hearts confused from the truth of who we really are and keeps us divided.
Read this blog "A Call to Action," from one of Danny's interns, and be inspired:
A Call to Action!
I love this whole idea of ‘Keeping your love on”. It stirs up such emotion and hope, creativity and opportunity in my spirit. I have to admit, that initially it also stirred up some fear and pressure. Some stinking thinking sometimes still gets in my way… thoughts like, “Can I really do this all the time?” “What about when I am mistreated and I am justified in my hurt or anger…what then?” I have found in those moments, it is even more important for me to “Keep my love on”! I am discovering that keeping my love on is one of those things that is more about me than it is my circumstances or others. It is mostly about recognizing how my Father God loves me and then emulating that love. Emulating it to myself first… then to others.
Danny Silk recently shared, “Our Father God has convinced us that absolutely nothing, NOTHING we do will separate us from His love. Let me say that again…because it bears repeating…nothing, no political belief, no sexual preference, no sin, no demon, no principality; NOTHING will separate us from His love!” That is the heartbeat of God, the heartbeat of love, the heartbeat of who we should be with Christ in us. This is huge! I wonder what my immediate world would look like if I operated with my love turned on all the time. If I was the best me that showed up in any and every relationship, situation, place and task. If all of us who say we are Christians operated with this level of love, I imagine we would have strong families, communities, cultures and even nations. Probably ‘World Peace’!
Can you imagine it…’Love on’ everywhere you go, no offense, no judgment, and no condemnation. WOW! I think that is what Jesus wants from us…He wants us to be the light of the world…a light to the world.
When we operate with our love on, we create for others an experience and opportunity for them to encounter Jesus. We begin to create a culture. The Bible speaks to a world of miracles signs and wonders following believers. How is that working for you? You might be thinking here, yep, I’m out doing these things…or maybe it’s nope, I don’t see evidence of that in my life, so am I missing something? Well, I think those miracles signs and wonders are not just the big things like miraculous healings, manifestations of the Spirit or other amazing things that make you wonder about God. I think those miracles; signs and wonders begin at home. They begin with our family and they spread to the people in our daily lives. It is from this place of intimate love that we affect our world for God. The miracles are in the confidence, power and freedom that our children and we feel in our identities within Christ. It is in the signs that we see in behavior and choices as we learn to navigate this thing called life. It comes in our growth towards Him and in sharing His love and Spirit with others. It is a miracle to raise a child in this day and age that knows not only who God is, but who he/she is because of Christ; a child that has a relationship with God, not just an awareness of God.
We are all called to “Go and make disciples of all the nations…” Consider that this call may look different than you imagined. Consider that there are possibly countless ways that you alone cannot fathom or accomplish to disciple the nations. Consider what you can do…. you can impact one person, one family, you can impact a neighborhood, a generation, a community, and even a nation by “Keeping your love on”.
I feel that this idea, this concept of ‘Keeping your love on” is really a call to action for us as Christians. It is what sets us apart…they will know we are Christians by our love!
Thoughtfully submitted
by Ginny Comstock
Intern To Loving on Purpose
Blazing Fire family, let's keep traveling together deeper into the Father's heart where He will burn away anything that keeps our hearts confused from the truth of who we really are and keeps us divided.
Read this blog "A Call to Action," from one of Danny's interns, and be inspired:
A Call to Action!
I love this whole idea of ‘Keeping your love on”. It stirs up such emotion and hope, creativity and opportunity in my spirit. I have to admit, that initially it also stirred up some fear and pressure. Some stinking thinking sometimes still gets in my way… thoughts like, “Can I really do this all the time?” “What about when I am mistreated and I am justified in my hurt or anger…what then?” I have found in those moments, it is even more important for me to “Keep my love on”! I am discovering that keeping my love on is one of those things that is more about me than it is my circumstances or others. It is mostly about recognizing how my Father God loves me and then emulating that love. Emulating it to myself first… then to others.
Danny Silk recently shared, “Our Father God has convinced us that absolutely nothing, NOTHING we do will separate us from His love. Let me say that again…because it bears repeating…nothing, no political belief, no sexual preference, no sin, no demon, no principality; NOTHING will separate us from His love!” That is the heartbeat of God, the heartbeat of love, the heartbeat of who we should be with Christ in us. This is huge! I wonder what my immediate world would look like if I operated with my love turned on all the time. If I was the best me that showed up in any and every relationship, situation, place and task. If all of us who say we are Christians operated with this level of love, I imagine we would have strong families, communities, cultures and even nations. Probably ‘World Peace’!
Can you imagine it…’Love on’ everywhere you go, no offense, no judgment, and no condemnation. WOW! I think that is what Jesus wants from us…He wants us to be the light of the world…a light to the world.
When we operate with our love on, we create for others an experience and opportunity for them to encounter Jesus. We begin to create a culture. The Bible speaks to a world of miracles signs and wonders following believers. How is that working for you? You might be thinking here, yep, I’m out doing these things…or maybe it’s nope, I don’t see evidence of that in my life, so am I missing something? Well, I think those miracles signs and wonders are not just the big things like miraculous healings, manifestations of the Spirit or other amazing things that make you wonder about God. I think those miracles; signs and wonders begin at home. They begin with our family and they spread to the people in our daily lives. It is from this place of intimate love that we affect our world for God. The miracles are in the confidence, power and freedom that our children and we feel in our identities within Christ. It is in the signs that we see in behavior and choices as we learn to navigate this thing called life. It comes in our growth towards Him and in sharing His love and Spirit with others. It is a miracle to raise a child in this day and age that knows not only who God is, but who he/she is because of Christ; a child that has a relationship with God, not just an awareness of God.
We are all called to “Go and make disciples of all the nations…” Consider that this call may look different than you imagined. Consider that there are possibly countless ways that you alone cannot fathom or accomplish to disciple the nations. Consider what you can do…. you can impact one person, one family, you can impact a neighborhood, a generation, a community, and even a nation by “Keeping your love on”.
I feel that this idea, this concept of ‘Keeping your love on” is really a call to action for us as Christians. It is what sets us apart…they will know we are Christians by our love!
Thoughtfully submitted
by Ginny Comstock
Intern To Loving on Purpose
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