Intensity
2009 has so far seemed an 'intense' year spiritually. I had the thought yesterday, that people are going to think me off-base. Fortunately, (or unfortunately as the case may be) I don't tend to care much what people think. I try to proceed cautiously, so as not to scare people too much, but that probably happens anyway. Ah, well, I mean well! lol.
If someone confides something they are stuggling with to you, should you are at future time ask them how they are doing with it? Or should you not mention it and wait until they bring it up again?
Running away
This past week was rough. I wanted to run away a lot of it. But I'm hanging in.
I remembered this story from about 17 years ago today and thought I would share:
A group of us from the Church I was attending were going 'street witnessing' (meaning walking around the streets telling people about Jesus). It's not a terribly good method for engaging in conversation, but it was what it was. Anyway, we passed this one guy and asked him if he was lost. He said yes. Then I asked him if we could pray with him. He agreed. I prayed with him. Then I asked him if he had any questions. He said "Yes, where is montebello place?" Ha ha - He LITERALLY was lost!
Splashover
The first two Sundays at Rustle in the new year have been very special.
Last Sunday, my brain was quieter and I heard Shari singing 'can I get a witness' or Lisa 'I'm on fire' on a loop. A much quieter loop than I was used to. Those 2 bits seemed so infused with His presence.
Then today, at communion, Shari and Mady were sitting in a (large) comfy chair about 2 rows ahead of me, and it was like I sensed Jesus was there too. And so I was like - I'm not getting up- I'm sitting as close as I can getting splashover. It was really wonderful :)
Building
I was lying in bed trying to remember a dream, when I saw a quick picture. It looked like a large apartment complex that was being built. It was about 8 stories high and very wide. The concrete part was all done. The rooms were formed. The structure was laid. But there was still lots of work to do.
I think the picture related to Rustle. What do people do in apartment buldings? live life in community. The structure and foundation has been laid in the lives. We just need to build on that.
Stopping the fighting in my head
Before I left for Church this morning, I read
Karyne's post and Lauren's comment to her. And while I was listening to Al's sermon, I think some pieces fit together for me. That there are all these things that I battle in my head that I consider bad. And it takes a lot of energy to fight these battles there. And I got to thinking, what if these things that I am fighting against aren't as bad as I make them out to be? Can I trust myself enough and God enough to do the right thing? I think so. And so I gave up the battle. And it feels great!
Though lots of other things went bad after I made this realization, but that's just to be expected isn't it?
