Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Shack

I bought the book "The Shack" a while ago, but hadn't started reading it until this past weekend.

WOW.

I'm halfway through, and have had to stop to process what I've read so far. Things that I've thought about God for a long time, things that I thought were biblically founded, are really just religion.

What an eye opener. I REALLY recommend this book for anyone, it doesn't matter what stage you are on your spiritual walk. I have a feeling that I'm going to have to read this book a few times to really let things sink in. The book really talks about our religion vs. a real relationship with God. It also focuses on the relationship of the Trinity, and the way that God loves you. And it's well written, which really makes a difference.

More reading to do!!!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Conversations with Reece

As I was lounging in the bathtub the other night I heard Reece yelling at Caleb downstairs. The kind of yelling where it's not about content, but all about volume. I heard Shawn send Reece to his room. So of course I hear the pitter-patter of little feet. (or if you know Reece, more like an elephant lumbering down the hallway) The little feet stop at my bathroom door and I hear a sad voice, and can picture the pout on his face.
Reece: Mommmmy.
Mommy: Yes, Reece?
Reece: Daddy telled me I go a my woom. (room)
Mommy: I heard you yelling at Caleb.
Reece: I yell at Daddy, choo. (too)
Mommy: Well, then you should go to your room.
I heard the sigh from the other side of the door.
Reece: 'kay.

And the little feet pitter-pattered off to his room. I had a good laugh over his need to "tell on Daddy" for sending him to his room, but was also pretty impressed that he understood why he was being sent there. So some things do actually sink in!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Goals

I work in the financial industry, and we do a lot of retirement planning where we talk about a client's goals, and how they are going to get there. Something clicked in me at homegroup this week (again, Pastor Seth, this is probably not what you were trying to teach!) and I realized that the principals also apply to faith. There are four questions to ask yourself.
Where are you at? - what you have and what you have learned
Where do you want to be? - something you are believing God for.
Can you get there? - you need to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
How are you going to get there? - you need a plan!

Faith is not a walk down a random path in the wilderness. Faith is a calculated, focused quest with a defined goal. If you can't pinpoint a goal, you need to get one! Whether it is something specific you are believing for, or looking for a revelation, faith demands a focal point. If your faith is focused you won't question where God leads you in the process.

Revival Fire

We've been talking lots about revival in church and homegroup lately, and for the first time ever, things are starting to sink in. We often use the words revival and fire to mean different things, but really they are one. I'm an avid watcher of all things CSI, so I know that fire requires three things: Something to burn (either substance or accelerant), a spark to start the fire, and oxygen to keep it burning. Apply spiritual principals, and you have:

Something to burn - This is your foundation in the Word. Without this, you can get all excited about something, but the excitement quickly dissipates when there is nothing for it to grasp onto.

A spark - This is prayer. Whether it be in the Spirit, or with your understanding, prayer is what gets your fire going. I heard someone say once that you can measure a person's spiritual life by their prayer habits.

Oxygen - This is your faith. Without applied faith, Word is just words and prayer is just talking to yourself.

No fire will burn without these three components - they are the basis of revival. And they start in you. You are responsible for your own fire - and it can be contagious and "spark" someone else's.

Another point: Revival and revelation go hand in hand. They are inseparable. If you believe that you are part of the revival but are not seeing new things revealed to you in the Word of God, then you are only along for the ride and missing the revival.