A Crazy But True Formula

Are you struggling?

Rejoice...the trials are only a testing of your faith

in order to cause you to

Persevere...

in order to

MAKE YOU LIKE JESUS!


The unlikely formula is

Trials + Perservance = Becoming more like Jesus

Sometimes God’s best answers to prayer are “no” because, if indeed we received everything that we prayed for, all our wants and wishes and heart’s desires, I just don’t think it would be God’s best for our life. Let me share with you a quick story. I remember when I was in the hospital many, many years ago. I used to imagine myself in the Gospel of John, Chapter 5, lying at the Pool of Bethesda where all the other disabled, sick and lame were asking Jesus to heal them. I used to picture myself there pleading with the Lord not to forget me. “Don’t pass me by, Lord. Here I am. Heal me.”

As many times as I prayed when I was in the hospital, and read John Chapter 5, my hands and my feet never got the message. I never got healed. Well, many years later, my husband, Ken, and I had a chance to visit Israel and we spent a whole day touring Jerusalem. It was late in the afternoon when we arrived at the Pool of Bethesda and as soon as I saw those old ruins, I turned to Ken and went, “Ken, you won’t believe it. I remember decades ago when I was hospital, I used to picture myself here and I used to imaging myself asking God to heal me and He never did."

But you know what? I’m so glad God didn’t because the “no” answer to a prayer for healing has meant a more urgent leaning upon Him every day, a more vibrant hope of heaven, a deeper sense of prayer, a more energetic love for His Word. It's fostered my friendships, and deepened my concern and compassion for others who hurt. It’s helped me start this ministry, Joni & Friends, to other people with disabilities.

I could go on and on recounting all the glorious good things that have happened in my life and in the life of others all because God said “no” to an answer to prayer. It wasn’t until I was sitting there, leaning on the guardrail and looking at the ruins of the Pool of Bethesda a few years ago, that I realized how wonderful it is that God sometimes says “no.”

By Joni Erickson Tada

YEAH HOLLYWOOD

Wow...how often do you hear a pastor say YEAH HOLLYWOOD? Well, more would say that if they would watch SOUL SURFER, a new movie that is such a testimony to faith in God, commitment to family and a passion to stick it out through unbelievably rough circumstances.

You've got to see it. Take your family (it's a PG movie). Treat them for ice cream afterward and talk about what you learned from the movie. Oh, please stay for my favorite part, in the after clips, where the young lady this true story was based upon accepts an award by saying "I guess I got my courage from Jesus Christ."

It's a beautiful thing to see the arts which God created used to bring Him glory...especially by hollywood.

Check it out!

A God Who Acts

On the heels of the yearly celebration of Resurrection Day I am deeply struck with a God who acts decisively on behalf of weak, broken and helpless people. In the church we often (and maybe we overemphasize it) focus messages, devotions, books and songs on our part of following God, obeying God, being holy, resisting the devil, etc. Yet, the most freeing focus is found in what God has done in Christ to free us from the grip of sin, satan and all bondage through the death of His Son Jesus Christ. Would a greater emphasis on the victory help us realize WHO is actually reigning in us--the Lamb who is triumphant over all enemies...who always leads us in His triumphal procession...Who is in us willing and working for His good pleasure right now!

And, the glorious work of Christ at the right hand of the Father making constant intercession for us must be one of the least understood and rejoiced in passages that I know about. If Christ is interceding day and night for His church--is it possible that we can be defeated? Will Christ's prayers for us be answered? I think the answer is a LOUD YES!

Would we as the blood bought, chosen, beloved and God-kept children be more fruitful and victorious if we would focus on what Christ has done and what He is currently doing for us. If we fixed our eyes on Him...would our obdeience be less? Would our holiness become tanted? Would our passion and compassion lesson? I don't think so. Could the root of our problem simply be that we've focused on obedience to the King and not on the King who enables obedience?

Think about it.

NWF Family and Friends,

I am sitting here on Sunday night reflecting...reflecting on 40 days of 24-7 prayer from the NWF prayer room. Amazed that we did it. Amazed at the sacrifice of many. Shocked how easy it was. Blessed by the 100 people who were faithful to the prayer room--week in and week out! So blessed that I got to be a part. I feel so enriched by being with Jesus. Nothing compares with this simple, but unmatched joy.


I dream of the day when NWF will have 24-7 worship and prayer going on while simultaneously 24-7 works for justice are going on. Can you imagine a church that is open for 24-7 worship and service?


The only limiting factor is the army. I pray God will continue to give us the fiery army of love who knows that Jesus deserves 24-7 worship on the earth from Austin, Texas and that people need 24-7 ministry to meet their needs. It's a beautiful picture of the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer where we pray YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.


In heaven 24-7 worship AND 24-7 service go on simultaneously.


Can you dream with me? Can you ask Father that He could do this in our lifetime in Austin, Texas through us?


These 40 days were a taste...a small taste...of what God wants to do 24-7 until Jesus returns.


We want more, Jesus!

Think God

Just read Matthew 16 & realize spiritual warfare is simply satan's attempt to sway us to "think man" or humanly instead of "thinking God". It's only in the revelation of Christ that we triumph over the gates of hell! Peter was "thinking man" thoughts when satan co-opted him to try to talk Jesus out of going to the cross. Yet, a few short seconds prior Peter was "thinking God" thoughts as He confessed the revelation of who Jesus is. Wild isn't it. The battle for us is whether we are thinking God or thinking human. Human = satan. No neutral ground in thoughts. So, the highest goal moment by moment is to THINK GOD! It's in this that we triumph over satan and the gates of hell!

Come on church...Think God...

oh...a simple secret...God's thoughts are found in God's Word.

Meditate day and night and you will have success in all you do (Psalm 1).

Now that's an astounding promise!

Hardcore Lent

by Dave Gibbons (see http://www.outofur.com/archives/2011/03/dave_gibbons_ha.html)

Do you dare?

Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, March 9th. The purpose of lent is for prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial. It could be a grueling 46 days. People ask me about the options for observing this season of the church calendar. Well, here’s a list that is a bit different. It’s a top ten hardcore ideas for Lent 2011.

1. Don't Lock Your Doors. Do we hide behind gated walls and doors too much? Do we need that much security? Maybe keeping open doors reminds us it’s not healthy to live alone. Be radically welcoming! Throw more parties with people you don’t know. (Btw, that’s what hospitality really means in the Holy Book- welcoming strangers.)

2. Don't Wear Makeup. This was inspired by someone close to me who loves her glow. This individual mentioned to me that not wearing makeup it helped her to focus on other aspects of beauty. Btw, if you’re wondering I do like make up. . . on other people.

3. Fast from Chocolate. Did this last year. It’s harder than you think!

4. Fast from Sex. No explanation needed. How about developing a primal relationship with God. There’s another type of intimacy that is heavenly.

5. Fast from Futbol or Basketball. Life outside the square is possible.

6. Fast from Exercise. This is about normal exercise routines or going to the health club every day. Take walks instead. Okay, before you exercise enthusiasts throw rocks at this one. I work out about 90 minutes a day at the number one voted gym in America. I love it there. So I know this is hard but as with anything we can be a bit too intense in a lot of areas of our lives. Let let go of any unhealthy obsessions. Couldn’t sin be defined as something that is good but twisted in some way?

7. Fast from Your Typical Cultural Food. How about eating ethnic foods you normally never eat instead of your normal fare. There is flavor outside your common behavior.

8. Fast from Driving Alone. Besides carpooling is hip. Turn the rat race into a communal space.

9. Fast from TV. You may find life outside the box. . . err the screen.

10. Fast from Text Messaging and Social Media. This may be harder than you think. We’ve almost become neurotic with our iphones, ipads, and laptops. They have become another limb on our already pimped bodies. The slower pace of conversation and face 2 face interactions may actually be healing for you. Come on stop stalking people and start talking to them!

Do you have other lent self-denial suggestions for those who want to experience something MORE? Come on creatives!


Dave Gibbons is the author of an award-winning book on culture and the church called The Monkey and the Fish. He has served on the Board of World Vision US, and helps to guide a group of third-culture, faith communities called NEWSONG. Read more at Dave's blog.

http://davegibbons.tv/