"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can CHANGE THE WORLD. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
-Margaret Mead-
"God is the Giver of Impossible Dreams." :-)
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Live ALIVE
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and go do that--because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
-Gil Bailie-
-Gil Bailie-
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
"They Overcome...by not loving their lives unto death."
http://www.biblestudents.com/endtimes_win06.cfm
Fire burns on the altar/This torch will be passed to the younger ones/Will they know how to use the heat…As carriers of a force that can set nations free?/ Will their heart break for the least of these?/ A battle in the natural/ Fought with weapons and human courage/Does not give equal reflection/ To the war raging underneath…/What will it take to stand…Against a culture that murders innocence and belief. / The answer to freedom resides in the fiery one...and those who dare to look into His eyes/ They don't know how to hold a gun/ But they’ve learned how to live without fear. / Will their beauty remain hidden forever—Or will passion override fear…revealing the majesty/ Of the mystery hidden inside?
That's part of a poem I wrote a few weeks ago after spending some time in prayer one Saturday morning before my sociology class. The words started burning in my heart, and I began to see pictures of fire on an altar, and people carrying the torch of the Gospel from previous generations that gave their lives to see the Kingdom of God preached. God kept speaking to me, "Caitlin...I want to teach you how to live free from fear...with the peace that only comes from knowing Me intimately."
There are soldiers who are fighting in the natural to defend "life and liberty for all", who are functioning on human courage and depending on the weapons and strategies they have been trained to use...yet so many of them are desperately afraid deep down inside. Adrenaline and forced bravery can often serve as a mask for fear...but in the quiet place where they can really feel, there is nothing that feels peaceful about the battle they are fighting. Still, these heroic warriors are not even fighting in the most solemn of battles. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 cor. 10, KJV)
There is a battle that rages underneath the surface, and the natural man will never be able to overcome in the intensity of warfare that ensues. Only the Spirit man...the one that has died to the flesh and the fickle emotions of the soul. The fire on the altar...the liquid hot presence of God...is the answer to victory. This fire comes through a habitation in the Secret Place, where hunger and thirst after righteousness are the currency that matters. This is the place where I learn not to be afraid.
As I look at the world, I recognize that God must see so differently than humans. We think that certain religions or certain groups are the enemy. In reality, there is the tendency in every human to perform injustice and evil. The unrighteousness is not in our labels...it is in our hearts. And only God can bring freedom. The islamic jihad may be considered a terrorist group, but even in our own schools there are terrorists who have been so wrecked with hurt on the inside that they express it in violence, showing that bitterness breeds hatred. No one is safe from this disease. History books share that "Christians" have killed in an attempt to "purify" and "expand" what they believe to be the Kingdom of God. Jesus doesn't see "Muslim" or "Christian" or "Zealot". He sees the heart. And that's what He examines. "You cannot say you love God and hate your brother."
That's why Jesus said, "Forgive them." 70 times 7. Unconditionally released.
I learn through Scripture that it's my Faith that overcomes the world. Faith is only perfect in love...God's agape love. When God's love encounters me, it begins to strip me of selfishness, offending my fleshly tendencies and self-centered desires. Without me really understanding how the process is happening, God begins to shape me into an overcomer...into a fiery one who has looked into His brilliant eyes and no longer loves her life...even unto death.
Times and seasons are changing. We need our ears to be open to hear, and our eyes open to see. We have not come this way before....and we have to hear the voice of the Spirit as He leads us. Be a fiery one. Learn how to wait in the secret place and how to be still in the presence of a loving and holy God. This is no time to shrink back in fear. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, until only those things that are of the Kingdom remain. Walk as an overcomer.
"Jesus, thank You that You are an awesome and holy God! Thank You for the sacrifice that You made--that you bled and died for me, so that I could spend eternity with You, saving me from hell. I ask that You would make me more like You. Place fire in my heart and steadiness in my gaze. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me alone. God, awaken my generation to Your voice in this hour, and let us be wrecked by Your aggressive love that has the power to set nations that have been held captive free. I love you, Jesus! Thank You for loving me."
Fire burns on the altar/This torch will be passed to the younger ones/Will they know how to use the heat…As carriers of a force that can set nations free?/ Will their heart break for the least of these?/ A battle in the natural/ Fought with weapons and human courage/Does not give equal reflection/ To the war raging underneath…/What will it take to stand…Against a culture that murders innocence and belief. / The answer to freedom resides in the fiery one...and those who dare to look into His eyes/ They don't know how to hold a gun/ But they’ve learned how to live without fear. / Will their beauty remain hidden forever—Or will passion override fear…revealing the majesty/ Of the mystery hidden inside?
That's part of a poem I wrote a few weeks ago after spending some time in prayer one Saturday morning before my sociology class. The words started burning in my heart, and I began to see pictures of fire on an altar, and people carrying the torch of the Gospel from previous generations that gave their lives to see the Kingdom of God preached. God kept speaking to me, "Caitlin...I want to teach you how to live free from fear...with the peace that only comes from knowing Me intimately."
There are soldiers who are fighting in the natural to defend "life and liberty for all", who are functioning on human courage and depending on the weapons and strategies they have been trained to use...yet so many of them are desperately afraid deep down inside. Adrenaline and forced bravery can often serve as a mask for fear...but in the quiet place where they can really feel, there is nothing that feels peaceful about the battle they are fighting. Still, these heroic warriors are not even fighting in the most solemn of battles. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 cor. 10, KJV)
There is a battle that rages underneath the surface, and the natural man will never be able to overcome in the intensity of warfare that ensues. Only the Spirit man...the one that has died to the flesh and the fickle emotions of the soul. The fire on the altar...the liquid hot presence of God...is the answer to victory. This fire comes through a habitation in the Secret Place, where hunger and thirst after righteousness are the currency that matters. This is the place where I learn not to be afraid.
As I look at the world, I recognize that God must see so differently than humans. We think that certain religions or certain groups are the enemy. In reality, there is the tendency in every human to perform injustice and evil. The unrighteousness is not in our labels...it is in our hearts. And only God can bring freedom. The islamic jihad may be considered a terrorist group, but even in our own schools there are terrorists who have been so wrecked with hurt on the inside that they express it in violence, showing that bitterness breeds hatred. No one is safe from this disease. History books share that "Christians" have killed in an attempt to "purify" and "expand" what they believe to be the Kingdom of God. Jesus doesn't see "Muslim" or "Christian" or "Zealot". He sees the heart. And that's what He examines. "You cannot say you love God and hate your brother."
That's why Jesus said, "Forgive them." 70 times 7. Unconditionally released.
I learn through Scripture that it's my Faith that overcomes the world. Faith is only perfect in love...God's agape love. When God's love encounters me, it begins to strip me of selfishness, offending my fleshly tendencies and self-centered desires. Without me really understanding how the process is happening, God begins to shape me into an overcomer...into a fiery one who has looked into His brilliant eyes and no longer loves her life...even unto death.
Times and seasons are changing. We need our ears to be open to hear, and our eyes open to see. We have not come this way before....and we have to hear the voice of the Spirit as He leads us. Be a fiery one. Learn how to wait in the secret place and how to be still in the presence of a loving and holy God. This is no time to shrink back in fear. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, until only those things that are of the Kingdom remain. Walk as an overcomer.
"Jesus, thank You that You are an awesome and holy God! Thank You for the sacrifice that You made--that you bled and died for me, so that I could spend eternity with You, saving me from hell. I ask that You would make me more like You. Place fire in my heart and steadiness in my gaze. Thank You for the promise that You will never leave me alone. God, awaken my generation to Your voice in this hour, and let us be wrecked by Your aggressive love that has the power to set nations that have been held captive free. I love you, Jesus! Thank You for loving me."
Monday, December 10, 2007
Fragments of "poems" I am trying to work on...
Heart Broken
Another friend walks away
Is love enough to compel a return?
When will this deception be exposed…
And the prison chains come off—
the bleeding wrists of the prisoner?
Fire burns on the altar
This torch will be passed to the younger ones
Will they know how to use the heat…
As carriers of a force that can set nations free?
Will their heart break for the least of these?
A battle in the natural
Fought with weapons and courage
Does not give equal reflection
To the war raging underneath…
What will it take to stand…
Against a culture that murders innocence and belief.
The answer to freedom resides in the fiery ones
They may not know how to hold a gun
But they’ve learned how to live without fear.
Will their beauty remain hidden forever—
Or will passion override fear…revealing the majesty
Of the mystery hidden inside?
Will they choose to let the flesh die
So they can run with the horses
And soar like the eagle…
Lightweight and free, kingdom sneak attacks
Flying in right on time, freedom coming through their cry
The weighty truth is this…
One compromise can kill passion
Playing with darkness undermines authority
Purity brings victory
Because that’s the only condition at which vision is
Clear.
Are second chances possible?
Let’s treat our character as if they’re not…
God always forgives.
Man rarely forgets.
One crack in the foundation
Is all it takes to make even the strongest of towers
Fall.
Another friend walks away
Is love enough to compel a return?
When will this deception be exposed…
And the prison chains come off—
the bleeding wrists of the prisoner?
Fire burns on the altar
This torch will be passed to the younger ones
Will they know how to use the heat…
As carriers of a force that can set nations free?
Will their heart break for the least of these?
A battle in the natural
Fought with weapons and courage
Does not give equal reflection
To the war raging underneath…
What will it take to stand…
Against a culture that murders innocence and belief.
The answer to freedom resides in the fiery ones
They may not know how to hold a gun
But they’ve learned how to live without fear.
Will their beauty remain hidden forever—
Or will passion override fear…revealing the majesty
Of the mystery hidden inside?
Will they choose to let the flesh die
So they can run with the horses
And soar like the eagle…
Lightweight and free, kingdom sneak attacks
Flying in right on time, freedom coming through their cry
The weighty truth is this…
One compromise can kill passion
Playing with darkness undermines authority
Purity brings victory
Because that’s the only condition at which vision is
Clear.
Are second chances possible?
Let’s treat our character as if they’re not…
God always forgives.
Man rarely forgets.
One crack in the foundation
Is all it takes to make even the strongest of towers
Fall.
21 years--Faith, No More Fear
"Attacks force churches to boost security."
The story of the Colorado shootings were all over the T.V. today. Although Colorado is far from where I live, I still felt grief over the deaths of 2 YWAMers and 2 teenage girls who were coming home from church. Grief came because these young people could have been my friends. But fear also came because of the lawlessness that roams in the hearts of men...and how such an incident could have happened anywhere, and to anyone. I got shocked into a place of seeing hownfragile life is...and how important it is to keep priorities straight while walking here on earth. Fear is a real emotion, and death and violence are realities while living in an imperfect world. But how I choose to respond in my heart to these realities will determine how I live my life. It's so important to live with an understanding of the Kingdom I represent and the power that comes through that alliance--that I am naturally supernatural as a daughter of the King.
Today I turned 21. I am now "legal"...still, all I drank tonight was a strawberry milkshake. ::-)(I know people say that a little bit of alcohol is okay...but the impaired judgment isn't worth it to me. Excellence comes through abstaining even from things that might seem okay.) Tonight, I want to go to sleep knowing that I took the time to set my heart and my mind on the things above--and my eyes on the face of the Beautiful One. That's why I'm writing this blog. I want this year to start off right.
Tonight, my heart was celebrating another year complete, but for some reason I was battling a lot of fear concerning the future. The recent Colorado news and a bad dream a few nights ago only added to my fear...a fear of death that started disabling my ability to live fully alive. I felt myself grabbing in my mind at everything in this life that I hold valuable--and anxiety hit me about the things that I haven't yet experienced that I want to some day. The list is still there with a lot of spaces unchecked: backpack through Europe, climb really big mountains, go on crazy adventures through nations to tell people about Jesus and watch God show up in out of control ways, surf, learn a new language, get a tattoo that says Beloved, learn how to play the keyboard, get married. But all of those things are so temporary. They are good...but still not eternal. Not even the person I marry is going be able to answer for me when I stand before Jesus to give an account for how I lived my life--for how I loved people...or didn't love them--for how I gave my life as a drink offering...or how I went after my own selfish ambitions.
But more importantly, as I thought about the shortness of life, I realized how asleep I can be to the word written on my heart--eternity. Everyone will die someday. That's just a matter of time. The real question is not how or when, but where will a souls destination be following death? I know that sounds morbid, but it should only be a scary question if you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior...if your heart is not right with God.
Now, as I listen to Over the Rhine on imeem and write my thoughts out, I hope that I can come to a place of truth with the Holy Spirit leading me into a realization once again that perfect love casts out fear. I want 21 to be marked by faith, and not fear--and to live so securely in love, that fear doesn't have a chance at holding me back from walking in the fullness of God.
Who I believe Jesus to be is the most important question I will ever answer. I love how Jesus comes alive through the Gospels--through writings of people who loved Him and knew Him in such a way that they could call Him friend. I love how I can learn to walk with Him through their stories and experiences with the Master. Many of these people gave their lives for this Man. They learned what it means to live by faith, and not fear. For them, Jesus was the Son of God--and with that, their protector, provider, the lifter up of their head. He sustained them, and they knew that He would be there, no matter what life brought their way. They trusted Him in every way. They are heroes--people who traded in the temporary for the eternal. On this life they didn't just survive--they thrived. They knew what it meant to fly, and their secret was in who they knew Jesus to be for themselves. These heroes wanted to know Jesus more than any other pursuit. And because of this love-affair, they were able to live in a place that many people fail to reach.
The Bible says that in the last days, many men's hearts will fail them because of fear. Lawlessness is going to abound. The love of many is going to grow cold. BUT he who endures to the end shall be saved.
I want to be one who endures to the end. I want to live each day in the newness of life, letting God sustain me. I want to, "Live a life less ordinary," with Him, full of passion and perserverance. I want Jesus to teach me how to walk by faith, and not by sight.
God is good.
Live fully alive in Him!!! Each day is new and beautiful. Embrace it.
The story of the Colorado shootings were all over the T.V. today. Although Colorado is far from where I live, I still felt grief over the deaths of 2 YWAMers and 2 teenage girls who were coming home from church. Grief came because these young people could have been my friends. But fear also came because of the lawlessness that roams in the hearts of men...and how such an incident could have happened anywhere, and to anyone. I got shocked into a place of seeing hownfragile life is...and how important it is to keep priorities straight while walking here on earth. Fear is a real emotion, and death and violence are realities while living in an imperfect world. But how I choose to respond in my heart to these realities will determine how I live my life. It's so important to live with an understanding of the Kingdom I represent and the power that comes through that alliance--that I am naturally supernatural as a daughter of the King.
Today I turned 21. I am now "legal"...still, all I drank tonight was a strawberry milkshake. ::-)(I know people say that a little bit of alcohol is okay...but the impaired judgment isn't worth it to me. Excellence comes through abstaining even from things that might seem okay.) Tonight, I want to go to sleep knowing that I took the time to set my heart and my mind on the things above--and my eyes on the face of the Beautiful One. That's why I'm writing this blog. I want this year to start off right.
Tonight, my heart was celebrating another year complete, but for some reason I was battling a lot of fear concerning the future. The recent Colorado news and a bad dream a few nights ago only added to my fear...a fear of death that started disabling my ability to live fully alive. I felt myself grabbing in my mind at everything in this life that I hold valuable--and anxiety hit me about the things that I haven't yet experienced that I want to some day. The list is still there with a lot of spaces unchecked: backpack through Europe, climb really big mountains, go on crazy adventures through nations to tell people about Jesus and watch God show up in out of control ways, surf, learn a new language, get a tattoo that says Beloved, learn how to play the keyboard, get married. But all of those things are so temporary. They are good...but still not eternal. Not even the person I marry is going be able to answer for me when I stand before Jesus to give an account for how I lived my life--for how I loved people...or didn't love them--for how I gave my life as a drink offering...or how I went after my own selfish ambitions.
But more importantly, as I thought about the shortness of life, I realized how asleep I can be to the word written on my heart--eternity. Everyone will die someday. That's just a matter of time. The real question is not how or when, but where will a souls destination be following death? I know that sounds morbid, but it should only be a scary question if you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior...if your heart is not right with God.
Now, as I listen to Over the Rhine on imeem and write my thoughts out, I hope that I can come to a place of truth with the Holy Spirit leading me into a realization once again that perfect love casts out fear. I want 21 to be marked by faith, and not fear--and to live so securely in love, that fear doesn't have a chance at holding me back from walking in the fullness of God.
Who I believe Jesus to be is the most important question I will ever answer. I love how Jesus comes alive through the Gospels--through writings of people who loved Him and knew Him in such a way that they could call Him friend. I love how I can learn to walk with Him through their stories and experiences with the Master. Many of these people gave their lives for this Man. They learned what it means to live by faith, and not fear. For them, Jesus was the Son of God--and with that, their protector, provider, the lifter up of their head. He sustained them, and they knew that He would be there, no matter what life brought their way. They trusted Him in every way. They are heroes--people who traded in the temporary for the eternal. On this life they didn't just survive--they thrived. They knew what it meant to fly, and their secret was in who they knew Jesus to be for themselves. These heroes wanted to know Jesus more than any other pursuit. And because of this love-affair, they were able to live in a place that many people fail to reach.
The Bible says that in the last days, many men's hearts will fail them because of fear. Lawlessness is going to abound. The love of many is going to grow cold. BUT he who endures to the end shall be saved.
I want to be one who endures to the end. I want to live each day in the newness of life, letting God sustain me. I want to, "Live a life less ordinary," with Him, full of passion and perserverance. I want Jesus to teach me how to walk by faith, and not by sight.
God is good.
Live fully alive in Him!!! Each day is new and beautiful. Embrace it.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
When the Saints...song lyrics
Lord I have a heavy burden of all I've seen and know
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones and I cannot let it go
And when I'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind but your word has compelled me when I think of all who've gone before me and lived the faithful life
And when I'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars I
see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call of freedom for the people of the Lord
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary and the end of the spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the lepers side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door
I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load
[When The Saints Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
It's more than I can handle
But your word is burning like a fire shut up in my bones and I cannot let it go
And when I'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
Lord it's all that I can't carry and cannot leave behind but your word has compelled me when I think of all who've gone before me and lived the faithful life
And when I'm weary and overwrought with so many battles left unfought
I think of Paul and Silas in the prison yard
I hear their song of freedom rising to the stars I
see the shepherd Moses in the Pharohs court
I hear his call of freedom for the people of the Lord
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
And when the Saints go marching in I want to be one of them
I see the long quiet walk along the Underground Railroad
I see the slave awakening to the value of her soul
I see the young missionary and the end of the spear
I see his family returning with no trace of fear
I see the long hard shadows of Calcutta nights
I see the sisters standing by the lepers side
I see the young girl huddled on the brothel floor
I see the man with a passion come and kicking down the door
I see the man of sorrows and his long troubled road
I see the world on his shoulders and my easy load
[When The Saints Lyrics on http://www.lyricsmania.com/ ]
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