I love my young hooligan friends. They're so hilarious and precious. It's amazing- the way God can just flood your heart with love, and provide you with a supernatural degree of patience and grace as there is need for such. I feel as though I have been given an extended family, like in Isaiah 54 where it says "Enlarge the place of your tent...." I love these kids; I am so proud of them and so pumped to be a part of their lives. And yet I know it is the love of God inside of me, and not any love or virtue of my own. God has big plans for these buddies of mine, and I am so stoked that I get to be a part of that- even if my part is that of a spectator. I can't wait to see what's in store.
In 1997, before I had ever gotten involved in any "youth"/ kid stuff, this man from Pasadena, California whom I had never met before in my life began to pray prophetically over me, and over my city. He said, "I don't know where you are, where you live, but something's coming to those disinherited kids. I see occult kids coming to Christ. God's going to break the power of witchcraft in your city...." I want to see it happen. I want this and a whole lot more! Not because some man prayed it out years ago, but because it is the heart of God and I want to see it fulfilled. (Yes, it's true- basically, anytime we want to know what's on His heart, we can read His word. Those things are always fairly right on. He will always want justice and mercy, salvation.... these are things we can pretty much count on. Sometimes it is also helpful to hear it said out loud, though, in a clear and specific manner.) I want to see it and yet I know I have no rights to do so.
It is easy to forget the things that reside so deeply in our hearts; we have a fear of failure or of disappointment, so, for a time, we exist on a one dimensional level, abandoning the things that are nearest to our hearts. And then suddenly our hope is restored, the vision returns, and we realize it had been there all along. And there is a risk in hoping- a chance that we will not see what we want to see, but our hope is not in circumstance; it is in a very gracious, humble, and trustworthy King.
I know that I am all over the map. Good thing I don't have to title these things. How would I sum it all up? Maybe I am just excited that there is a lot to hope for in the Lord, and when our hope is truly in Him, we will never be let down. He's doing stuff, regardless of whether or not we can see it all the time. He is so behind the scenes sometimes. Then He shocks you with the big, flashy finale. I love that about Him. Keep hoping and keep watching, 'cause the finale is coming.... He always finishes what He starts.
Feast of Heaven
Wednesday, May 25, 2005
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Disappointment:
1 the root of bitterness
or
2 an opportunity for God to show His faithfulness.
These are my thoughts right now, as I am challenged these days not to let resentment set in, and bitterness grow. I am waiting in silence as I am afraid of what my words might be. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life... (Prov 13: 12). Life is good; I am rich with joy; it's almost ridiculous. But there has been a slight and sudden turn in my path. Like a promise broken, a gift taken back. Tiny disappointment, but with such potential for growth that I dare not dwell in that place. This is a time for God to come through and provide an even better solution. It is a time to embrace Jesus Himself as the solution. I am waiting in silence. I am waiting, and my heart pleads without words. Only one Person knows what I need. I don't even know what to ask. So I am waiting.
1 the root of bitterness
or
2 an opportunity for God to show His faithfulness.
These are my thoughts right now, as I am challenged these days not to let resentment set in, and bitterness grow. I am waiting in silence as I am afraid of what my words might be. Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life... (Prov 13: 12). Life is good; I am rich with joy; it's almost ridiculous. But there has been a slight and sudden turn in my path. Like a promise broken, a gift taken back. Tiny disappointment, but with such potential for growth that I dare not dwell in that place. This is a time for God to come through and provide an even better solution. It is a time to embrace Jesus Himself as the solution. I am waiting in silence. I am waiting, and my heart pleads without words. Only one Person knows what I need. I don't even know what to ask. So I am waiting.

