Heart and Hands: ONE to the first Power

Psalm 86 verse 11 (AMP)

“Teach me Your way, O LORD, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your Name.”

Most of you know that if it is the LORD’s will, I will be away from home for three months, beginning in autumn and extending through a portion of winter. As a Christian, I try to live and take action only from within the center of God’s will for my life. With this in mind I know that the LORD of all things has a specific church and a particular people He desires for me to minister to while I am in this other community.

Because I do know this, I feel the prompting of the Spirit to examine my heart, my actions, my desires and my temperament. I pray and am partnered with others who pledge to pray for the discernment needed in finding just that place in which He desires to place me. To help in this, I feel the need to develop lists to aid me. Lists of:

how I desire to serve the LORD;

how I serve HIM best currently and how I can translate those spiritual gifts into a new setting among a different population;

where the LORD wants to give me a deeper faith and understanding;

&

where I need to be “shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves” ( Matthew 10:16 NIV)

How do I best serve God and His people now? Will I be able to offer this service to the body of Christ in a different location?

I Corinthians 12:4-7, 11 (NIV)

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same LORD. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men…

“… Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and HE gives them to each one, just as HE determines.”

Assessment of My Spiritual Gifts

Prayer

In the New Testament alone, 305 verses are devoted to the word "prayer": who, how, when and why. Outside of the Son who is my Savior, Prayer is probably the gift from the LORD I most treasure. In Joel 2, God’s people are promised a Teacher who will train them and us how to live within the circle of God's love and grace. Professor Jesus has and continues to instruct me to cling to Him in prayer.

Growing up, no matter how this theological doctrine is wrong, I believed that if I didn’t personally “convert” or “save” at least one person, I had no chance of entrance into heaven. I heard the refrain of James 2:26 (NIV) parroted often at church and at home, “Faith without works is dead. Faith without works is dead. Faith without works is dead.” Not realizing that salvation is a FREE gift, I lived in despair for many years because I didn’t feel I could “DO” anything to prove my faith. Anytime I would bring this up at home, and sometimes tentatively with friends, I was told, “But, Rachel, you are such an inspiration.” Why, I wondered? According to me, I hadn’t “Done” anything.

Never let it be said that we do not have a patient Teacher!

Again and again I have called out to the LORD of lords to open my eyes in revelation of my "true" purpose. It took quite a while for me to recognize that prayer is not just a speech or a thought transfer to the LORD, but prayer is actually something to “DO.” No matter the physical condition I am in, no matter my physical location, I can always always always pray. In fact this is an avenue open to every seeker and every Christian, everyone is capable of prayer. Why else would Jesus teach all of the disciples to pray several times in the Gospels?

However, I do not believe every Christian has the spiritual gift of prayer.

James 1: 6 & 7 speaks about requests that are made of God must be made with the belief that HE Does answer prayer. Scripture also reveals: The LORD grants us the desires of our hearts [Psalm 37 verses 3 & 4].

I believe the truth of this intensely.

When I say I was given the gift of prayer I am not boasting in myself but in our Lord Jesus Christ [ I Corinthians 1:31; Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 2:9].

Over many years, the LORD has continually shown me that along with all the people of the earth, I possess a short leash, figuratively. Anytime I get too full of myself and believe I have the world by the tail, God gently tugs the leash attached to the collar of covenant I choose to wear. I remember that I am walking with HIM only by the Grace of the Cross.

In a shorter but more appropriate analogy, like an addict I need our Savior on a minute by minute basis.

The central desire of my life is for the Master to say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25: 14-30 NIV)

Faithfulness in prayer is an honor and a privilege. On the flip side of the same coin however, prayer also takes time and yes, work. In Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with the LORD. Well, prayer is not quite a wrestling match, but it isn’t just sitting at a piano recital either.

The purpose of prayer is a conversation in order that I may better understand the performances of others and my own vain attempts at music by banging on the keyboard, read these as “actions.” The answers to questions I pose to the LORD are quite often resolved by participation in this conversation. Prayer has a second purpose as well. In scripture there were several who have questioned the purpose of the LORD, and even occasionally “changed” HIS mind. Examples include: Abraham in regards to the outcome of Sodom and Gomorrah [ Genesis 18]; Moses after the Israelites worshipped the golden calf [Exodus 32]; David pleading for his first son born from Bathsheba [II Samuel 12]; the king of Nineveh in Jonah [Jonah 3]; the widow of the parable told in Luke 18; and even Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane [Matthew 26; Mark 14; Luke 22].

So prayerful that I am not hurling pearls before swine, here are some of my beliefs:

I am a Prayer Warrior.

I pray believing God answers all prayer.

No matter where I am or how I feel, I can and will pray.

Often when someone I know has a particular need or in the midst of great joy, I carry them or rather their names around with me on an index card…in living color so to speak.

God is in the details.

Sometimes I will ask a person at what hour she needs the prayer, i.e. time she is being wheeled into surgery or when a court will convene. I also ask what outcome she desires from the LORD. [Rest assured, I pray for men too. It's just more fun to type she.]

In the LORD, I seek the growth of faith for those surrounded in the details I request HIM to orchestrate.

Surgeons’ hands are steadied.

Judges’ decisions are bound in love.

Faith grows.

God and His perfect and pleasing will become the center of more lives.

Our GOD Reigns!

How do I know prayer is my greatest spiritual gift?

I can continue to serve in prayer for the Christians and seekers I know now and those I will meet soon.

Prayer Works!

God is The Praise in my life!

To be continued...

Heart and Hands

I am preparing for a journey. As part of that journey, I made this list and was asked to post it by a friend.

How can I serve the Lord and His people?

prayer

participate in Bible studies

worship

communion

"testify"

encouragement

blog

cards

visiting

meals

mentoring

What do I desire in a church?

multiple PM services

open discussion on a variety of topics

theological

social

political

multi-generational

multi-cultural/multi-ethnic

Commitment

to an authentic faith

to a community of believers and seekers

to the neighborhood surrounding the building

to living biblical-ly

NO Faking

What do I NEED in a church?

for it to be Spirit-led

more than 2 elders...who actually do meet the requirements set down by Paul

Christ is the center of all of its spokes

At what Point would I say good-bye to a church and seek membership at another?

if homosexual marriage is accepted and performed

if all ministry and/or leadership positions are completely closed to women

a "formula" church

worship style

admittance style

etc.

if the church is one at which the unstated rule was: "No Perfect People Allowed"

Questions I thought I knew the Answers To...My Purpose

Over the past few months I have come to the conclusion...I have FORGOTTEN how to communicate in such a manner that I am easily "Understood"! I "used to" be such a great communicator that I was told repeatedly that I should take up public speaking as a career. For a long while I thought I would...essentially isn't that what every teacher, professor, minister, survivor of "Great Tragedy" or Christian does, speak publicly? I believed for a while that role was what the LORD had in mind for my life.

BUT I was **GASP** WRONG!

I am not saying I have complete & confident knowledge of HIS perfect will for my life. I am saying the role I described above is not it, at least for the time being. Instead, I am thinking about doing the writing I have been urged to...And I think now, maybe this is how I communicate best anyway. I love spell and grammar check, and let's not forget about that delete key. I also find it more difficult to edit myself verbally. On paper/computer the message I want to send to all who read this is crystallizing [Is that even a word? If not: "I'm pouring out concrete."] even as I type.

I have been warned by a friend or two about revealing too much of myself in a blog because once the thought is out there I can never take it back. Here the thing though, I am not sure I want to, take it back that is. I think of these postings as a statement.

Here I am warts and all.

I want to show and examine and remind myself [and if you read this, you too] GOD isn't done with me yet. AND I don't want HIM to be until HE is ready to call me Home. I am tired of putting the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY in the itty bitty box of my perception. I want MORE! Not more stuff, but MORE GOD and MORE time with HIM and MORE godly friends and MORE of anything HE wants me to have.

So let's choose today, whose side to be are on: the side of pagans OR the side of our HEAVENLY FATHER! I choose the NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, The LORD! [paraphrase of Joshua 24:15]

I choose today to no longer be on the sideline, but to walk into the HOLY ONE's Arms and to remain there until the war for my soul is done. Join me on my journey and pray that it continues to be ruled by The WAY, The TRUTH, & The LIFE.

Can I get an amen?

God the Father

Next Sunday is Father's Day, and unfortunately I will not see a few faces at church that I usually would get to worship with 2 or 3 times a week.

The "Why?" is a complicated subject. To say the least words possible, for some the idea of celebrating their fathers is painful. I know I have been that missing face upon occasion.

Growing up I had a tough time seeing God the Father. To me a father was not someone to be relied upon. Then roughly half way through my life the Lord blessed me with a miracle, I got a step-father. Now I am NOT saying he is perfect, far from. I'm saying that God provided an example of what a good earthly father could be.

Jesus said that as earthly parents we would not give bad presents [i.e. snakes] to our children; and if we would not, than how much more would God the Father would bestow blessings on us.

Father's Day for me is never a celebration of earthly fathers, as it is for some. I celebrate the Only Father who is reliable 100% of the time. I celebrate God the Father who sent His Only Begotten Son to die in behalf of all of the His adopted sons and daughters.

Finally, I also know that some of those missing faces will still be missing Sunday because of their broken relationships with their fathers has not been healed. But if you read this blog and have these issues, I beg you to cry out to your Heavenly Father for the healing of your heart. Yes, sometimes a relationship with an earthly parent can never be healed. There is a Parent though Who CAN tear away the scars on our beat-up souls and make us a new creation. All you have to do is ask.

Thanks to Camilla B. I took a class right after I got off hospice that helped me evaluate my life. Looking through some old papers I found my answers to the questions from that time. As I re-evaluate my life now I have again asked myself these questions, so here are the answers to those same questions at this time in my life.

• The Mind of Christ
  Philippians 2:5-11
  ““Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”
  
  The Six Characteristics of the Christlike Mind
  Alive Pure Single-Minded
  Lowly Responsive Peaceful
  
  Three Steps to Developing the Mind of Christ
  Beginning The WILL Principle Set your mind on things above.
  Growing The RIVER Principle Allow God to renew your mind.
  Qualified The READINESS Principle Gird up your mind for Action
  
  Romans 12:2
  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
  
  What Should be Cleansed from the Christian’s Life?
  The World leads to the ME-attitude
  Impure Thoughts leads to vengefulness justification carnality
  Concern with the Earthly Kingdom leads to focusing on earthly things
  Money & Material Things leads to anxiety & lack of faith
  Selfishness
  Wish to Conform
  Wandering Minds
  Earthly thoughts
  
  What Should These be Replaced Wiht and Become Part of a Christian’s Daily Life?
  Transformation Renewal
  Spiritual Mindedness Setting the Mind on Things Above
  Keeping Focused on God & Jesus Confess Christ in All Situations
  Remember He is in Us
  Behold the Kingdom of God
  
  How Are Our Minds Conformed to the Spirit?
  Prayer Control over what we input into our mind
  Renewing our minds Know the Word
  Fellowship Honest examination of our hearts and confession
  Study Flee from what we know is evil
  Acknowledge the Spirit’s work Worship & praise the I AM
  Simplify our lives Sacrificial generosity
  Accountability Rest in the Arms of the Lord
  Witness to others what the Lord has done for you
  
  Being Under Satan’s Yoke
  
  Eight Virtues of Godly Wisdom
  Purity Peace-loving Gentleness Willingness to be corrected
  Merciful Fruit-bearing Steadfast Honest
  
  Fruits of the Spirit
  Lemons? No, LOVE
  Juicy Apples? No, JOY
  Pineapples? No, PATIENCE
  Peaches? No, PEACE
  Kiwi? No, KINDNESS
  Grapes? No, GENTLENESS
  Fun Fruits? No, FAITHFULNESS
  Giant Pumpkins? No, GOODNESS
  Strawberries? No, SELF-CONTROL
  
  Matthew 6:33
  “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
  
  John 8: 32, 36
  “…Then you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” “…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed…”
  
  Areas of Bondage
  Neutral
  Lusts selfishness versus God’s will for us
  Laptop
  iPhone
  Shoes and Sox
  Doing what I want When I want
  Lots of other Material Objects
  Marriage & Parenthood
  
  Habits the tyranny of the urgent
  Forgetfulness
  Losing material objects
  Leaving clean clothing out instead of hanging them up
  Correction grammar or “facts” of others
  Speaking without thinking or listening first
  Loyalties
  Hope Church
  Family
  Computer/Internet sites
  Television shows and channels
  Friends and their Family and Friends
  Brand Names
  Relationships
  Family
  Good Friends
  Friends
  Church Family
  Prejudices limits the sovereignty of God
  Pedophiles don’t change ever.
  Homosexuals never change sexual orientation.
  Pro-Choice means no doctor or judge will decide for me whether or not a pregnancy will continue.
  Genocide is pure evil and needs to be stopped in every culture with armed warfare if necessary.
  Immersion of mature, believing individuals is the only true baptism.
  When Believers & Seekers come together to worship the Lord, edible communion should occur.
  Missions bathed in prayer should be the goal of every Christian.
  The Bears
  The Celtics
  The Yankees
  The Red Wings
  Ambitions
  To follow the Lord wherever He bids me go.
  To marry a deeply convicted and devoted Christian man.
  To care for children in my home, preferably without having to go through potty training with them.
  To travel the world.
  To be a blessing to all I encounter.
  Duties
  To take medicine daily as prescribed.
  Be available for God
  Pray
  Vote
  Study the Bible
  Debts
  My Life to the Lord
  $425 to Bruce + $450 monthly
  Monthly Life Insurance Payment
  To return good for good and for evil
  Blessings to those who have and continue to bless me
  Possessions
  Computer et al
  TV et al
  Lots & Lots of Books
  Some Furniture
  Music et al
  Clothing
  Stuff
  Damaging
  Fears lack of trust in the Lord; the world is a scary place.
  Snakes
  I’ll die a virgin.
  Am I stunted spiritual, emotionally, mentally?
  Losing John Deere
  Losing my brothers and sisters both physically and spiritually
  None of my dreams or ambitions will ever come true & I won’t be able to dream new dreams.
  Weaknesses
  Physical well-being
  No driving ability
  Poor follow through
  Lack of motivation.
  Trashy romance novels
  World Music, TV, Websites, & Movies
  Reflecting negatively on the past
  Pessimism
  Judging my Stamina
  Hypocrisy.
  Past Hurts leads to rage, anger, hatred & bitterness; why does this still hurt?
  JPT’s abandonment in High School
  Dysfunction relationship with parents
  Times of Alienation from People
  When I have alienated myself from God
  
  SALVATION
  Past You are saved
  Present Live out your salvation, & continue to be transformed into HIS Image
  Future When Jesus returns, you will be among those HE claims.
  
  God’s perfect will for every person is obedience and love.
  
  Note: Self-examination is essential to faith.
  James 3:17
  “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; than peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

"The Women's Issue"

Yesterday [Sunday] I got to do something I have longed to do since high school. Serve...serve communion. From start to finish. 

Chelsa and her sister came over in the morning, and the three of us made the bread we served during Hope's communion time. Chelsa commentted that I was physically stronger today that I was a year ago...So it turns out my personal theme verse for the year [Nehemiah 8:10 "...the joy of the LORD is my strength."]  is more true than even I realized.

Then after "What a Fellowship" & Jonathan's comments on the weakness of the disciples' bodies after the Passover meal while Jesus prayed for the Cup of Sacrifice to pass from His lips...and let us not forget the prayer asking for Jesus to be with and in us as we particpate in the continuation of that "Meal"...another young lady at Hope and I served the Body. 

Serve is the operative word here.

I said earlier how I had longed to serve in this way since high school. I guess that is when I first really KNEW that to serve the Lord at His banquet table in heaven, I felt the true need to serve His Body here on earth...This is the Hallowed Father's will on earth.

Inspired by a very sweet friend of the Lord's and of mine who offered a simmilar benediction, I offered a blessing to each row. Not formally...but in a way that I hope was pleasing to the Lord. 

As a Church we are called to mimic the 1st century church as much as possible. The imagery used by the writers of the New Testament is so vivid that I can see the bread and the wine being passed around a table of "Jews and Gentiles, Men and Women, slave and free." That scene continues for generations of the Lord's people, and was continued last night [minus the table.] I can also hear the words of encouragement spreading from one person to the next, to the next...down the rolls of humanity. 

Thank, O my Savior, for this gift, this time of remembrance, this opportunity to serve not just our brothers and sisters in Christ, but our brothers and sisters in the world and throughout history, and finally the gift of serving You. Your Banner flying over us, all of us whether separated by time or by distance or both, is Love. Thank you, Jesus, for seeing my spirit, not my gender. Amen.

Not that there weren't a few goofs on my part, but I promise we will get better, it was only our first experience in this type of service.

Note: If I have used your name but you do not want me to again please send an email.

Happy Mother's Day!

If you have already started to read this blog, then you know this is my second Mother's Day without my "Mom". I have to admit that I am not as torn up about it as I was the week of her birthday a little while ago. I don't know if that is because of biorhythms or because the whole world knows what this day is, but were clueless about what that day meant to me, or something else entirely. I just know that I am calmer today than I imagined I'd be. 

Last week I heard a sermon that I think everyone of us can benefit from hearing. In the child role, I needed to hear it. As an aunt I need to hear those words. And if I am ever to be a parent [which I see as a possibility now], I REALLY needed to hear this lesson. In fact I think I need to hear these ideas repeatedly throughout my lifetime.

I remember one of my professors at ACU saying that every family was dysfunctional, the degree of that dysfunction was the only variable in a person's life. [Personally I believe, "My family put the 'fun' in dysfunctional."] Every parent and child should know: there are NO perfect parent/child human relationships. Because...

People are sinners. I am a "people." Therefore, I am a sinner. I will fail you as a child, I will fail you as a sister, I will fail you as a friend, I will fail you as an aunt, [and I hope this will be true someday] I will fail you as a wife, I will fail you as a parent...God will not fail you. He is it, the Only. God the Creator cannot fail you. God the Father is perfect. He will never fail.

The sermon I heard last week is true, I have experienced it. A human parent will fail at some point in one's life. A human child will fail you at some point in your life. God YOUR Father will not, God HIS Son will not. The Lord over heaven and earth is the only unconditional love around. The only unfailing Love given to us.

I confess I am human. Yes, I failed as my Mother's child. I know I have failed as an aunt and a role model to the children who have been and continue to be in my life. And yes, even though it does break my heart, if God blesses me with a child to call my own, I will not be able to help myself, in some way, whether large or small, I will fail that child. :(

But God enables me...to ask for your forgiveness, Mom; to ask your forgiveness, those of you I have hurt and maybe even damaged. I do beg Your forgiveness for the hurt I have caused to YOUR other children, Abba. 

"I cry out for Your hand of mercy to heal me, O Lord, my Rock. My Strength in weakness, come rescue me." from the pit.

Rachel

Philippians 4:13...my Mom's favorite

A Hint of mint Me

When my mother died in March 2008 [& after the numbness wore off] I started to re-evaluate my life. When my minister agreed to spend part of a worship service praising the Lord Who Provides because He provided for each of my needs as it occurred throughout the year. I remembered that His grace is enough...I have enough. He is enough. I want to share some of the scales God allowed to fall off my eyes this year as part of this evaluation process.
Around this time last year I was completely broken. What I had feared the most then had HAPPENED! Whether you want to say it originated in my family, or came from exposure to the world, being cynical or GOD ; the facts remain the same, I felt completely broken. Emotionally and Spiritually, I was gushing blood to the point of needing a transfusion. Only, I wasn't even in the ambulance on my way to the hospital...But Christ was willing to have His blood poured out for me.
There is a saying [and no, I don't know who said it first]: "When you fall to your knees before God, He will help you stand up to anything."
Hope made its entrance from the east, west, north & south...basically Hope emerged in my life.
I probably would have said this before my mother died, but these words mean so much more now:
Rachel's Missions Statement:
I am a follower of Christ Jesus.
I know that salvation is a free gift from the Lord.
I know that to accept this gift I must be a free-thinking individual, mature enough to understand the full ramifications of such a decisions.
I know that to not accept the Lord on His terms incurs many consequences, with the most important being unable to spend eternity with the One Who Is.
I also know that if I do accept His cleansing "transfusion" but then turn away later has consequences as well.
I know the Messiah died on a cross and His blood was shed to provide me with a blessing I could never give myself, the only true blessing.
I know that 3 days after dying my Savior rose triumphant over death.
I know that after accepting the Lord's reign over my life the Holy Spirit begins His work on my very nature [body, mind and spirit--Deuteronomy 6] which continues the rest of my days on earth. The Holy Spirit, the Comfort of the Lord leads me every step of my walk, moving my heart and my behavior closer to the the high standards of God.
I know I will NEVER act, think or feel PERFECTLY in tune with the requirements of the Adonai.
Since I have chosen the One Who Loves and calls according to His purpose; when the Heavenly Father looks at me [literally, Shines His face upon me. Numbers 6] the Lord sees the face and the Body of Jesus, to ONLY man to EVER walk the earth completely perfect, from His birth to His death.
I worship God the Father; Jesus, His One and Only begotten Son who is the Salvation of the world; and the Holy Spirit who renews me.
I experience All of them not as 3 separate gods, but as just 3 of the aspects of the Whole Yahweh; similar to how I experience the ocean: sight, smell, sound [analogy source unknown].
The Lord knows the gifts and plans He has for me [Jeremiah], BUT these plans will not come to full fruition until I and the rest of humanity:

STOP REJECTING HE WHO IS ABLE!!!

A famous quartet of musicians once said, "Love is the answer."
Well I say: IF love is the answer & God is Love, then God is the Answer.
One more thing...for those from Hope Church [both the one who heard me say these things and those of you who didn't] I know you thought the mention of Hope above was about the family at Hope. I do mean you in part, but I also mean that My hope comes from the Lord. So this mention of you is a thank you of sorts because I also know that when I walk into any gathering of ours, hope is what you offer, hope from the Lord.

Day 1

Hi, I'm Rachel...I have an idea about how I want this to go. So here is a quote to give you a clue:
St. Ambrose
O Lord, who has mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the Fire of Your Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore You, a heart to delight in You, and to follow and enjoy You, for Christ's sake.