Waiting Hurts... My Pride

Joyce Meyers is the one who pointed this out to me- that my impatience was pride. Upon thinking about that I agree that it's true. Our pride and self importance tell us that we don't deserve to be kept waiting, that we shouldn't have to keep explaining ourselves, that it's not fair to be put on hold, that we shouldn't have to pass this test again, that we already know what we need to to get to the next step, that we should be giving orders not taking them, etc... How liberating it is to give all that up and not expect anything! Not believe we are entitled to certain treatment or to be at a certain level of "success". Jesus is a great example of patience and humility- which I'm learning go hand in hand- if anyone could have thought they deserved special treatment, He could have. Yet He didn't demand or expect anything from anyone! Instead He stooped to serve people! People who were as dense as...well... sheep in need of a patient Shepherd.

So try to remember when you start tapping your foot and rolling your eyes- impatience is just that ugly little demon we call pride.

Phillipians 2:3 in humility consider others better than yourselves. 

(That might include the woman keeping you on hold for 30 minutes at Sprint- ya I'm talking to you Lara)

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

Thinking about the story of Jesus being such a humble servant/leader that He would wash His disciples feet really confounds me. Especially in light of my last post on watching the movie "God Of Wonders". He holds the universe in His hands and yet chooses to serve us? In our most vulnerable, dirty, embarrassing places? That is the God of Love that I want to know even more. His loving kindness draws us in. 

Jesus can serve in such humility because "He knew He had come from God"- when we know who we are in Christ we can serve freely... 

John 13

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

God Of Wonders

NEW MOVIE ADDED! Feb 15 2012

I'm in awe right now watching "God Of Wonders" on Netflix. I looked up the youtube preview of the movie for you. I encourage you to purchase this and watch it! It's hard to even grasp any part of how big, creative and powerful God is- but what is even harder to understand is why He would love us? Why He would lower Himself to save us? The only thing more awe-inspiring than His power is His love for us!

God Was Their Portion...

I can only lead as far as I've been... 

In the book of Joshua I was impressed by how many times it talks about how the Levites were not given land, but GOD HIMSELF as their portion. All the other tribes were allotted large amounts of land after they entered the "promised land" and took over Jericho by Joshua's lead after Moses died.

I'd like to learn more about the Levites- from what I know they were set aside to be priest to God- they were the ones who performed the ceremonial sacrifices and offerings. Someone also brought up a great point to me: they didn't have land and so they didn't have to spend time working the land. They lived off of the offering of the people and spent their time serving God.

This reminded me about what Paul said about staying single if we could. Marriage is a beautiful thing- but Paul just recommended that if we could it would be a good thing to use all the time we have without the concerns of serving our husband/wife and kids on serving God and His people. I'm not saying if we are married we won't serve God, but maybe this is an encouragement if you do find yourself single to look at this time as a blessing. You may see others having houses, businesses, children, "careers"... but when you have no "earthly" wealth, God will be your portion. And He is enough. Read Joshua and see what I mean!

House Concerts

HOUSE CONCERTS:

Our generation seems to understand bigger and more flashy is not always better. I'd love a great U2 or Coldplay concert but I also really really love the intimacy and comfort of a house concert. If you haven't heard of it before, house concerts are a great way to hear great music and the stories behind the music with friends and family in your homes. I started hearing about this 2 years ago while I was on tour and we did a few of these and last year I began hosting them once a month. I get about 10 songwriters to play 2 songs each and take time to tell the story behind the songs and a little about themselves. I don't have to worry about renting a space or setting up something elaborate- people sit on the floor- eat snacks- it's really relaxed and fun. Usually it's packed and afterward we have a jam that most of the time breaks out in to dancing, worship and a drum circle! (sorry neighbors) A lot of friendships and creative connections have been made. Try it at your place!