To Follow or Not To Folow

I love the excerpts Vince Antonucci has been sharing from his new book "I Became a Christian and all I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt". I can hardly wait to get the book and read the whole thing. In the mean time here is an excerpt from his book I love:

I don’t think people who lived in the Bible times had it easy, but at least when Jesus said, “Follow me” they could see the guy. You knew whether you were following him or not because … “Whoa, there goes Jesus!” He’d be off somewhere and you’d still be eating your cheese fries (because chili cheese fries hadn’t been invented yet – man, they had it rough) and you’d realize, “Whoops, I guess I didn’t follow.”

I think in many ways those of us who live today have it easier, but following an invisible guy can be tricky. When I wanted to start doing it, I realized I didn’t even know what it meant.

My first image of “following Jesus” was of him steadily walking a straight, narrow path with a Christian dutifully trailing behind, trying to never get distracted and led off course. Most of the people I talked to seemed to hold this view.

But after awhile I realized that with this way of thinking, Jesus is almost completely irrelevant in following Jesus. This concerned me. If all a Christian has to do is stay on the straight and narrow path of obedience by doing right and not doing wrong, does it really matter if Jesus is out in front or not?

In fact, Jesus could faint; I could walk right past him, and still feel assured that I’m “following Jesus” because I’ve stayed on that same straight moral path. Jesus could then wake up and start walking the same course again, only now he’d be following me! There had to be something wrong with my understanding of following Jesus if it didn’t really matter who was following who.

This view of following Jesus is captured in an old saying (and someone wrote a book with this title) about how the Christian life is “a long obedience in the same direction.” Now don’t get me wrong, I know there is truth in that. Being a Christian does involve obeying God over the long haul. And part of following Jesus is doing right and not doing wrong. But there’s got to be more to it.

I decided to look at the original followers of Jesus in the bible. I was still a little annoyed with them, because they had the advantage of getting the non-invisible Jesus, but I hoped maybe I could learn something. What did it look like for them to follow Jesus?

[want to read more? buy the book!]

- featured on newchurches.com

Intimacy With God Trains Us For Intimacy With Men

I have found a new blogging friend, and if you want to be inspired go to her blog. My heart felt dry and parched tonight, trials can do that to you sometime... and this post poured water on my soul.

Intimacy with God trains us for intimacy with men.

He will teach us how to love, how to forgive, how to trust, how to have faith, how to submit, how to be patient, how to make decisions, how to hear the voice of God….Intimacy with God is never disappointing. Faith is vital in pursuing intimacy with God. It marks Jesus as our first love and our devotion. It stamps our lifestyle. It is our daily goal.

“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity & honour” (Proverbs 21 v 21

Tennessee Volunteers #1!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I just say GO VOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLS!!!!!!

For those of you who do not know what a Vol is, it is a Volunteer from the state of Tennessee. More importantly the mascot of the University of Tennessee.... and I am not only a Vol, but I am a LADY VOL! Which means I was a female athlete at the University of Tennessee.

Okay enough of the explanation. The reason for this post is to shout from the rooftops that a football school who normally does not even acknowledge the basketball season because well we're just not normally very good, has been recently ranked #2 in the country and just beat the former #1 team in the country, Memphis. I know myself and every other Volunteer is throwing a party right now!!!!

The women's team who is known for winning many National Championships, and who won the NCAA Tournament last year, is also ranked #1!!!

Wow, how often does that happen? Well, I'm a happy camper tonight and just hope we can get cable before March Madness arrives. Ken & I actually took part in March Madness last year for the first time, because both of our "football" schools were in the NCAA Tournament and actually were competitive, and we had a blast. Unfortunately I don't think my sweetheart will be able to enjoy this season with me as much as last year (shhhhhhhhhh ... his team is Texas A & M)

How Big Is Your Faith?

Why do we in America pray such small prayers? Why can't we believe God in the small things?

This is a testimony of a sister involved in the 40 days of prayer for France. I praise God that it reminds me of the power I and all believers have inside of us that we need to tap into.

The town of Saint Quentin in Yvelines organized a Carnival of Darkness which was to take place in a 3 year cycle, the first year being a parody of the Father, the second a parody of the the Son, and the third of the Holy Spirit. A group of Christian women led a prayer battle. In the course of their weekly meetings, they took hold of the armor of the Holy Spirit by faith to bind this action of Satan. The Lord answered: a torrential rain created havoc during the very first event; there were considerable material damages. The organizers wanted to try again the two following years. The same prayer group repeated their battle of faith, and all that was planned for the carnival failed. The last year, lightning struck the piano and the electrical wires. These disasters caused a legal quarrel between the organizers, in particular about the ownership of the name Darkness Carnival.

Would You Rather...

The MMI weblog is doing a hysterical survey of what people would rather do.

Would you rather have a root canal, or confront your chief church opponent?

Would you rather clean the church bathroom after the annual youth taco dinner, or switch your service to an "all organ all the time" for a month?

Here are their results so far:

We've learned that 47% of readers would rather have a root canal than confront their chief church opponent (53% said they'd rather confront their angatonist). Last week, we learned that 56% of MMI readers would rather clean the church bathroom after the annual youth taco dinner than switch their services to "all organ all the time" for a month (31% said they'd take the organ). Nice. Now it's time for this week's question. Would you rather, break your leg in a tragic church softball collision (a multiple compound fracture with at least a little bone showing) OR would you rather fire a close friend on your church staff who just isn't pulling his/her weight?

I laughed out loud reading these, because some of them I'm not really sure which I would pick.

the Destination is a Mirage

I love this quote by Steven Furtick which he spoke at the Evolve Conference in one of the breakout sessions:

"Get used to enjoying the journey because the destination is a mirage."

...and if you follow the link you gotta like his new look. I almost didn't recognize him.

16 questions to ask yourself

I love these questions by Vince Antonucci. I think we all should ask ourselves these every day.

• If I feel most alive when I’m watching a movie or playing a video game or reading a book or watching sports, if those are consistently the best parts of my day, what does that say about my life? Shouldn’t it be more exciting to live my life than to watch someone else live theirs?


• In the Bible Jesus led his followers into dangerous places. Do I often find myself in dangerous places? And if not, what does that mean?


• Despite being completely righteous, Jesus attracted the worst of sinners. Are sinful people drawn to me, or are they put off by my so-called righteousness?


• When Jesus came into contact with people, their lives were radically transformed. Are people’s lives changed by knowing me?


• Do I have sinful habits I can’t seem to shake? Why?


• What do I dream about? What does my mind automatically turn to? What should it?


• Would the people who know me best say my life is characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?


• Do I read the Bible and pray because I can’t wait to spend time with God, or because it’s what I’m supposed to do as a Christian?
  
• And why do I skip my Bible and prayer time on weekends or when I’m out-of-town? Is that time really just a habit, a part of my routine, or is it the sacred conversation it’s supposed to be?


• Am I living in a safe Christian bubble? If so, why does the world scare me?


• What do I use to escape from my problems? Why do I need to escape from my problems at all? Shouldn’t Jesus help me handle them?


• Do I serve because I get to, or because I have to?


• Do I get upset about things in a way that is disproportionate to their importance?


• What are the top items on my current wish list?


• The word Christian literally means “little Christ” – so am I a Christian or do I just call myself one?


• Why isn’t Jesus enough for me?
  

[want to read more? sure you do, so buy the book!]
- featured on newchurches.com

Love is a Verb not a Noun

I read this story on a blog I follow, and have read this story before, and as crazy as it sounds, I know by experience that this works... so I thought I would share it with you for anyone out there that my need some encouragement to go on. I think this could also apply to any other relationship... in fact I may need to try it in some. :-) Wow, I never thought about that.

Newspaper columnist and minister George Crane tells of a wife who came into his office full of hatred toward her husband. "I do not only want to get rid of him, I want to get even. Before I divorce him, I want to hurt him as much as he has me."

Dr. Crane suggested an ingenious plan "Go home and act as if you really love your husband. Tell him how much he means to you. Praise him for every decent trait. Go out of your way to be as kind, considerate, and generous as possible. Spare no efforts to please him, to enjoy him. Make him believe you love him. After you've convinced him of your undying love and that you cannot live without him, then drop the bomb. Tell him that your're getting a divorce. That will really hurt him."

With revenge in her eyes, she smiled and exclaimed, "Beautiful, beautiful. Will he ever be surprised!" And she did it with enthusiasm. Acting "as if." For two months she showed love, kindness, listening, giving, reinforcing, sharing.

When she didn't return, Crane called. "Are you ready now to go through with the divorce?"

"Divorce?" she exclaimed. "Never! I discovered I really do love him."

Her actions had changed her feelings. Action resulted in emotion. Love is not established by fervent words, but by often repeated deeds.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV)

From Prostitute to Bride

Day 11 Prayer for France

A French Christian said, "France has a reputation for being the land of libertines and of lust, the land of "Pigalle", of the "French Cancan", and the "French Kiss". Our reputation is fiendish, but God loves our country and wants to purify and sanctify it.

The 16th century Italy laid the foundation for a new lifestyle, by re-reading the Greek philosopher Epicurus. But it was France that spread this influence, developing different forms of Libertinism, directly opposed to Christian values. This licentiousness, in all its aspects, has become a kind of French institution, as well known as its wines and cheeses.

As in Hosea 2, France similarly gives the picture of a prostitute in a literal sense as well as a figurative one. She has given herself to false gods... but through His church, God is reaching out to her to purify and restore her, to bring her out of her shame and guilt and to give her back her dignity.

May she at last be free to be passionate in worshiping the One who is worthy of it. Oh Church of France, who still has the heart of a Fiancee, be faithful and reveal to the world the hidden source of endless love.

Ask God to be faithful to be slow to anger abounding in love, faithful to his covenant and mindful of the cry of His Church in France.

Humble ourselves and intercede for the media and for all those who communicate values.

Proclaim with faith... May France rise up as a bride!

Happy Valentines Day!

Love is patient,
love is kind
It does not envy,
it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth,

It always protects,
always trusts,
always hopes,
always perseveres.

Love never fails.


Thank you Jesus for loving me this much. Please help me to love those who pass through my life like this... whether I know them or not. Whether I like them or not. Whether I feel like it or not. I want them to feel as if they have met you if they ever meet me.

I Became A Christian And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt

Here is an excerpt from a book called, "I Became A Christian And All I Got Was This Lousy T-shirt". It is written by Vince Antonucci, a pastor my husband greatly admires and who truly understands reaching the unchurched.

Walking through the front door of that church building was like passing through a portal to a different world. So much was unfamiliar. For the first time I heard about “propitiation,” “puppet ministry,” and “pot luck suppers.” I stood for “fellowship,” knelt for prayer, and sat on a hard wooden bench (which they called a “pew.”) I saw more polyester in one morning than I had my entire life. I experienced church snack time, which consisted of little pieces of cracker and small plastic shot glasses of grape juice. A man explained that we would be singing hymns 11, 52, 17, and 63. I almost yelled out, “Bingo!”

So much was foreign to me that first Sunday. But now with seventeen years of going to church, I can tell you that there is something very familiar about most of the Christians I’ve met. Unfortunately, it’s not that they remind me of the people who populate the pages of Scripture. Instead, they remind me of a little girl named Emily.

Little Emily looks cute in her souvenir shirt that proclaims, “My parents went to Florida and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.” But there’s something sad about it too. She missed the journey. She didn’t get to take part in the adventure. While others broke out of their dull routine, Emily missed the excitement of doing something different. She didn’t get to play in the waves or hug Mickey. She didn’t get to experience the joy. Even the horrifying incident when the tire blew out and Stan, the self-proclaimed “Good Samaritan Redneck,” rescued the family in his Sanford & Son pickup truck has quickly become a fond memory for everybody. Everyone except Emily. She missed the journey.

As I’ve gone to church and met Christians and lived as one myself I’ve realized something. We are Emily.

When I read about the lives of the first Christians in the pages of the New Testament I see people who actually went to Florida, who truly experienced the vacation. But when I look around at Christians today, I see people who just wear a t-shirt for an adventure they’ve missed out on. We’re missing the journey. We’re stuck in the same dull routine. We’re missing out on the joy and fear and laughter and doubt and mystery and confusion of following Jesus, of taking great risks for God, of praying dangerous prayers, even of being spiritually attacked.

We wander around with lifeless shark eyes.

[want to read more - get the book!]

National Pancake Day

For all of you who are interested, today is National Pancake Day... [only in America would you find a National Pancake Day] ...and IHOP (International House of Pancakes) is giving away free pancakes all day... so if you don't have sick kids like me, and your day is not already gone, stop by and enjoy one of America's favorite holidays and eat a stack of pancakes.

I was going to make pancakes, but after thinking about it, I think I am going to make crepes for dinner tonight. These are similar to pancakes yet very very thin, made out of mostly milk, eggs, and some flour, and then are rolled up and filled with things such as cheese or some type of sweet filling. This is France's version of pancakes. I just got the recipe out of my Betty Crocker cookbook.

Bon Appetite!

Frank Caliendo

My husband and I sat and watched this video over and over... if you need a good laugh this monday morning check this out.

Sanctify Ourselves

Prayer for France Day 5

Be very careful how you live! Not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the day s are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Ephesians 5:15-17

God has called us to take possession of our inheritance. The promise land is with in our reach, but before going in, He asks us to sanctify ourselves. In this new season, we must be completely submitted to the Lord. Before capturing Jericho the Lord asked Joshua to circumcise the males (Josh 5). During the 40 years in the desert, these people had always been the people of God but they did not live according to the covenant and did not see God's promises realized. Once the males were circumcised, God said that the "reproach of Egypt had been rolled away" from them.

During the 40 years in the desert the Egyptians mocked the people that God had apparently forgotten in the desert. In consecrating themselves to God, something happened and the people were able to enter into the Promised Land and overcome their enemies. Their position had changed; they went from impotence to conquest. That which appeared impossible and inaccessible became a reality through the supernatural intervention of God.

If we want to see a profound change in our lives and in our country, the first thing to do is to re-consecrate ourselves, to set ourselves apart, to die to what separates us from God and to put our priorities back in order.

In prayer today:

Desire the fullness of the Spirit
*Worship God who wants us to live out the supernatural dimensions of His Kingdom.
*Sanctify ourselves! Let the Holy Spirit light up all areas of our life. As for his forgiveness and renounce all the displeases Him.
*Renew our covenant, consecrate ourselves a fresh.

France Today

Day 4 - Pray for France prayer guide

These past years, we (the French) have become aware of our nation's destiny. Current affairs have brought it to the forefront. In many situations, the world is waiting to hear a different voice, another approach, different solutions. For centuries we have influenced the world, first with our Christianity, then with our thinking.

The last presidential campaign is a good example for this. A change can be felt in France.

Praise God:
For French / Israeli relations
France it taking its place as a leader in Europe.
The European political authorities desired to hear the opinions that Christians agreed upon.

Who has given so much richness and talent to our nation.

Bless Him for the place He has given France amongst the nations.

Ask God how you can be a part of helping change France and Europe.

Pray for Ken and I as we continue to prepare to reach the people of France with creativity and artists to reach this generation. Please partner with us in prayer.

Update on Precious People We Pray For

An update on all my blog friends I have been praying for:

Nate and Tricia: please pray for Tricia. Several things have to happen for her to be put on the transplant list, and two of them have to do with her health. There are also two other families in the NICU at Chapel Hill they have been ministering to; one who lost their baby, and the other whose situation looks very grave. You can read more about these stories on their blog.

2 year old Noah: I have fallen in love with this little boy and am so sad for him tonight. He is home from the hospital and can't have any solid food for many weeks and doesn't understand why. He cries alot and his parents don't understand why. You can read more detail on their blog.

Daniel: A 10 year old boy born premature at 22 weeks and has alot of disabilities including blindness, who just had brain surgery in hopes to deal with severe seizures. So far his recovery has been really good and he is back at home much sooner than the doctors expected. Praise God for what he is doing in this little boys life. A friend of theirs blogs about his story.

Yes, He is Doing A New Thing!

Day 3 - Pray for France prayer guide

At the end of the 20th century, throughout the world men and women of God prayed for France. Some came to France, led by the Holy Spirit, to bless us, to encourage us and to exhort us. As we stated in the report for 2007, we are meeting and hearing talk of servants of God who are coming from America and Africa to say, "Now is the time for France." The are strongly encouraging us to be aware of this and to believe it.

The media continue to show a new spiritual openness. Also, the election of an evangelical president tot the French Protestant Federation has given place to more objective reports, even positive ones. Reports and films also are starting to show renewal in the Catholic Church.

In the fall of 2007, the corridors of the metro in Paris were covered with posters inviting people to an Alpha Course. Around 100 Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical churches in the Ile-de France came together for the Alpha event on September 26th. The Alpha team reports that there were two to four times more participants in the different courses than before. Also, more often than usual, these people were not associated with any church in particular. Many came because of the advertisements, and because of the ads in Metro, "Matin Plus" and "Direct Soir". This shows the spiritual hunger of our contemporaries. The fruit of unity and the spirit of reconciliation area also at work in the nation.

Pray for those God is sending to France. The spiritual battle is great. Ask God to send more people into the harvest.

Give Thanks for the things God is doing in France. Proclaim God's favor towards France.

Pray for Reconciliation between the different denominations. This is essential for the power of God to spread over France.

Believe that even more than what we are asking is possible.

Pray for Ken and I as God continues to prepare us for France. I will share more about our time frame and the new organization that has recruited us to go with them. One of the huge praises about going with this organization is that they will pay all our salary and expenses to work with them in Europe. God has been so amazing in our lives.

Church Take Your Place! - Prayer for France Day 2

One Frenchman said, "Our country has a special destiny. It has already greatly influenced the world and is doing so again now. However, since it has a great destiny, the church has an equally great responsibility..."

One pastor in France, Pastor John Mulinde said, "... the church has the opportunity to act and to affect the whole nation."

Another Frenchman, Chuck Pierce said, "France is going to play a decisive role in the world, the body of Christ will be transformed to influence the country... the body of Christ must lead the voice of the country."

It is time for the church in France to realize this position in Jesus Christ because God wants to make His people the head and not the tail.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 1:18-20

Pray for:

The Believers in France to be filled with the Holy Spirit to accomplish what You (God) have foreseen.

That the church will take her place in France, that she will fully enter into the role that God as has destined for her.

Pray for France!! Day 1

The last 3 years Ken and I have been in a prayer movement that came out of France. It was a 7 year prayer movement that began with a man in France and grew to have people all over the world joining in prayer for that country. Last year they thought it was going to be the last year because they felt led to pray for 6 years and then take a year of rest just like in the Bible where people would work their fields for 6 years and then take the 7th year to let the ground rest.

Well, someone new came along and said that they wanted to continue the prayer movement, so this is the first year of something thing new. And on this first day in the prayer guide it says:

Forget the former things ; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19

The last 7 years have bee a special time, a season of transition for the church [in France]. During this time the Lord has shared a vision and has revealed the beginning of a new spiritual season. We have re-evaluated our past and we have set our sights on God's redemptive purpose for our nation. These years has challenged our way of thinking and brought about new perspectives. Great changes now await us. We must be flexible and fully submitted to the Holy Spirit. The coming years will lead us to put in place and embrace this vision. This an apostolic season, in which the light will invade the darkness. This is the time to rise and shine, to fill the earth with the knowledge of the glory of God (Habakkuk 2:14)

God wants to act in our world through the church. During these 40 days, we want to enter into this dimension in a practical way; we want to begin living here and now. God wants to be on earth what he is in heaven, and it is up to us!

You can go to the prayer guide and get your own, or I will be writing up each day what is in the prayer guide and ask you to join us. God is doing some exciting stuff in mine and Ken's lives right now and leading us with an organization that is going to basically hire us to do church planting in France. We are so excited. This organization has been around for years, supports thousands of missionaries overseas, and has a great network of support for their missionaries once they get overseas. I will share more about this later, but I ask that you will join Ken & I in prayer for France and the less than 1% evangelicals who are falling on their face before a powerful merciful God expecting Him to act on their behalf for their nation that has walked away from Him.

These are precious people who through years of what seems to be silence in the church in France have been faithful to pray for God to do great things to bring the French people to a saving knowledge of Christ. You can get your own Prayer Guide at PrayForFrance.org.

Giants 17 - Patriots 14

I cannot believe I forgot to say... Go Giants!!!

I was so excited to watch that game. I am such a believer in "the underdog"... and in the strength and power of underdog if they want to believe in themselves and each other as teammates. I told my husband I was picking the Giants to win and he laughed and said it would not even be a close game. It was so awesome to watch the last touchdown where Eli Manning seemed to be sacked by a bunch of Patriots, only to pop out of the huddle of players to launch what seemed to be a hail Mary (even though it was thrown to a specific guy) and get caught in the end zone within the last minute of the game stunning the Patriots fans.

Can I just say, "I Love Football!! especially when the underdog wins... unless of course they are playing "my team", and "my team" is not the underdog. :-) ... I also think I just became a Giants fan. Peyton Manning played for Tennessee (my almamater), quarterback for the Colts who won the Superbowl last year, and now Eli Manning his little brother just won a chamionship. So I guess I am an Eli fan now also.

Do you invite people to your church?

David Foster writes, "Why do the people attending your church not invite other people to come to the experience? If people in your church are not inviting people, they are not inviting people on purpose. We think they are intimidated, but they are not. They know very well how to invite people to great stuff. They do it all the time.

You take an average person who goes to a great concert; it’s very easy for that person to invite someone to the next one. He went and had a great experience. He was moved, he was touched, it was a great value, and it was worth the time and the effort. He knows that his friend is going to benefit from it and he'’s going to thank him afterward. So he invites him enthusiastically. They make the date, they plan, they spend the money, they anticipate. We’re really good at inviting people to places that we love going and knowing there’s a benefit at the end.

So at the end of the day, maybe what you should be more focused on is helping your people love to come and to understand the benefit that others may have who come after them. Maybe people aren'’t inviting people to your church because they aren’'t that enthusiastic about it either.

So what does this say about why people don't invite people to their church. I think it says their church is either not exciting, not relevant to the needs of their friends and neighbors, or does a hokey job of trying to pull off a relevant exciting church. I also think it says a lot about knowing who you're trying to reach and what it is you need to do to make the experience exciting for them, because they will go back and invite their friends and they will invite their friends and so on and so on... And of course you need to spend the money to do it right because we are competing with a creative enemy... and our God did it top notch when He created the universe, so we should too.