Team Player

I Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

For the last week and a half, I've been listening to a 3 part message from Pastor Francis Chan of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley. I just happened to find it posted on a blog that I periodically look at - but it was an appointment of God. I have listened to these messages at least 6 times, and I can't get enough of what he is saying. The idea that we, as Christ followers, are now part of a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God - collectively, together we are to declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.

We are part of the ultimate team! Our motivation for holding each other accountable in our marriages, our work ethics, our friendships, etc. is because we play life together, and we are on the same team - The Team! We want our team to be strong, so we support each other, hold each other up when one is falling, we are right there to help get the ball in the basket for a rebound, block the opposing team's player from sacking the quarterback, laying our body down to prevent the puck going into the net. All for the sake of the team.

As Francis, mentions in the message, we Americans are such individualists, that this concept of being a part of a bigger family, and reading all the "yous" in the Bible as "you alls" is foreign to us. Being a light unto the world, is not my sole responsibility - being this one little light on a hill - but we, collectively - you and you and you and me together - be a light unto this world. Why is that so amazing? Because there are times when I don't like you and you and you. And you all don't like me! And yet, God still calls us to love each other, in spite of being mad, hurt and disappointed with one another.

Jesus said in John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

This is the hard part, and yet it is so critical. Everyone knows that the above verse is impossible in our humanness. And yet, when we choose to behave in such a way where we love each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, forgive each other and still purse a relationship - even after we have been gossiped about, cheated on, lied to...whatever - that is when the light of Christ shines. When someone asks us - how can you do that? How can you love that person? How can you forgive that person? Who does that?? And we point to Jesus, the one who did that for us. Talking about Jesus isn't enough. We have to live it. Not "I" have to live it, but "we" have to live - together, collectively - because we are a new nation, a new race, a royal priesthood - that means more than one.

2009 is the year that I choose to get off the bench and play with The Team on the field.

If you are interested, here are the messages from Francis Chan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9iJSkn5jwQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erAKSj1ljHY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZWlaOJ_xw

Prayer Foundation

Colossians 1:3-4 "We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints"

The Prayer Ministry at my church is emerging! I am so excited to be a part of it! God is answering prayer, even to the tiniest details - and in His perfect time. Yesterday, I attended two different meetings with leadership of our church - one of the churches of San Jose (vs Colosse <:). The two verses above could be said about our church. And it is an honor, privilege and blessing to intercede on behalf of the pastor, staff, elders, ministry board, congregation and community around Twin Oaks Church.

The Holy Spirit is moving. God is getting us ready to embark on a new adventure. Things are clicking, jelling, coming to a boil, soil is being prepared - all so that our church body can do what it's called to do - praise and worship God the Father and further His kingdom for His glory.

Watch and see! It's going to be an amazing journey!

Pursuing Reconciliation

Colossians 1: 19-20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.



God's motivation is to reconcile - to bring back together what has been torn apart. Everything from the atom to a human heart is being called back to Him. That amazes me. It also gives me great hope. These verses are helping me to pray differently for a certain person in a particular situation. It seems hopeless - it appears that he will not take steps toward truth and love. But I know that God is continuing to draw him to Himself, to bring reconciliation and healing.



My hope is in you, God. Thank you for showing me that I need to trust You. Going forward I will look at this person with different eyes - eyes that are looking for You inside of him. Give me boldness and opportunity to speak truth in his life - even when he shrugs it off, gets angry or makes fun of it. Bring peace and grace to this man - and thank you for continuing to pursue us - even when we so brazenly reject you. Give me your unending love towards this man, and let it be used for your Glory.



Thank you for continuing to reconcile me to You. You are amazing!

New Things!

Isaiah 43: 18-19a
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!

2008 is done! It was a challenging year, filled with both joys and sorrows. It was a preparation year for what God has planned for 2009. Truly it was a year designed for eternal focus (kick the "8" on it's side and it's the symbol for infintity aka "eternity").

In 2009 - I am looking for God's quiet, little surprises. I will look high and low, wide and narrow - and know that I will find His peace, joy and love. 2009 is a blessed year!

God is answering many prayers and 2009 will be a year of ministry and growth in a way that I have never experienced before. January is the official kick off for TOC's prayer ministry - something God placed on my heart over a year ago! God's people are ready and the power of prayer will be evident in our church, our leaders and our community. At the end of the month I will be attending a Strategic Renewal Retreat on prayer - looking forward to starting my year off with a weekend alone with God. February will be the start of my horse ministry training with EMQ! Another dream I have had for several years. (BTW - I officially own my horse, Dancer, as of 12/31/08!!) God has blessed me with several trips planned this year - SunRiver Spa and Resort, Sandals Resort, Hawaii and Las Vegas! Trips I will take with my sister and a few I will give away!

God has truly blessed me, and I pray that 2009 will be a year that I can share Christ with others and reflect God's love from the inside out.

Happy New Year!