picturesfromheaven

I created a Slide Show! Check it out! Jump in

We have been home from the Philippines for a couple of weeks but trying to adjust to the jet lag and a sinus inflection has had me dragging. Thankfully I am sleeping through the night now and I know that my healing is on the way. I just wanted all of you to know that the Philippine trip was probably the best TEAM ministry I have ever had the privilege to lead. The women who came with me from CLC were the best. They stepped up to do whatever needed to be done and they did it with humor, joy and anointing...yes and a bit of fear. But they overcame their fear to minister in ways they never dreamed possible. I could not be more proud of these ladies. The majority of the slide slow is pictures not of the Pastoral Conference or Women's Conference of which we were such a part. We were so busy ministering, that the camera's stayed in their bags. But after the conferences we were privileged to help with Family Circus in Davao which ministers to over 3,000 children a weekend. It was amazing. The ministry is amazing. They were so well organized and ministered in such an effective manner. We helped passout rolls and drink as the children arrived by jeepneys and balloon animals as they left. The pictures are not flattering, but then it is hard to have a glamour shot when sweat is pouring. Yes...sweat. It definitely wasn't glistening. But the bottom line for all of us is that it was an amazing trip, full of laughter, anointing and overcoming fear. I miss my sisters...we only see each other at church now. But our hearts are connected forever. I hope that you enjoy the pictures...and are blessed by the word. It is appropriate that the word is titled, Jump In...because that is what Terrilyn Franklin, Courtney Franklin, Judy Fiala, Regina Williams, Connie Schmaedeke, and Pat Johnson did.

“Jump In”

Picture…an Olympic size swimming pool. It is a public pool with people of all ages and backgrounds sitting around in chairs at the sides. It’s a beautiful day, without a cloud in the sky; a perfect day for a swim. You can hear the P.A. system come to life with a crackling sound just before you hear, “Come, refresh yourself. Bask in my glory. Jump in for the adventure of a lifetime.” It is amazing, but there are people who manage to briefly glance at the pool before continuing with their socializing. They are holding tropical drinks in their hands, and comparing tote bags, towels and swimsuits. They looked totally uninterested in getting those swimsuits wet. There are others who gingerly approach the steps at the shallow end of the pool. They tentatively walked down the steps until they are waste deep in the water. They look at each other and simultaneous say, “That’s good enough. Let’s get out now.” But there is a man who runs to the pool’s edge yelling, “Look out” and without breaking stride does a cannon ball, sending up waves that splashed everyone. When he surfaced, he played around in the water, simply reveling in the water.

Hear…the Lord say, “It’s up to you. It’s your choice. You can stand on the sidelines and observe, or you can jump in and swim. I give freely of my spirit according to the level of your desire. So it really is up to you. How much of my presence do you want? How far will you go to pursue my purposes for your life?”

Consider: We were saved not so that we could sit safely on the sidelines; he wants us to jump into his purposes, for the adventure of a lifetime. I’m an introvert by nature, and as a teenager I was very insecure and fearful. I would not even drive up to the corner store by myself. But I loved Jesus more than my very life. So when God presented me with opportunities, with his help, I took them. The Lord took that frightened, insecure girl to the Philippines, South Korea, Brazil, Uganda, Mexico, Kenya, England, Nepal, Croatia, Senegal, China, Mongolia, Romania, Turkey, and Bulgaria. I have seen the sun rise over the Himalayan Mountains and fished for piranha in the Amazon. I have seen God’s miraculous power at work. And he isn’t finished with me yet. I can’t wait for the next adventure. When I hear the call, I will jump right in.

Well, how much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death.

The adventure vacations and extreme sporting events of today look like small potatoes compared to the events of these great men and women of faith. God intended the Christian life be the greatest adventure of all. Consider the original disciples. John was boiled in oil, then exiled, Peter was crucified upside-down, Paul was beheaded after establishing churches covering the “then known world.” Hebrew 11 goes on to tell us…

But others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life. Some were mocked, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in dungeons. Some died by stoning, and some were sawed in half; others were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, hungry and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world. They wandered over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All of these people we have mentioned received God's approval because of their faith, Heb 11:32-39 NLT

Would you like to join this elite group of risk takers? Probably not; I admit that some adventures are more dangerous than others. But consider with me the words of John Shedd, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

Jesus never intended that His church play it safe…that’s not why He gave His life. Jesus did not save you to sit you comfortably on the sidelines. He created you for an adventure.

Has He ever projected a great adventure onto the screen of your heart?
Is there a seed of a Holy Spirit inspired plan in your soul?
Are you living the adventure designed specifically with you in mind?

I once heard someone say, “If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space.” I love that! But please understand I am not talking about risking money on the stock market or your safety on a crazy stunt. I’m talking about stepping out in faith into the purposes of God. What are you afraid of? If you want the glory of God without measure, jump right in when HE calls.

posted by pastorc @ 4:37 PM