The Genders (another clue)

Sometimes it takes time for me to deeply understand something that happened right before my eyes. And even then, I know there's always more that happened that I didn't get!  Last night was one occasion like that.  Was lucky to have dinner with dear Papa Joe,our friend Trond and Trond's pastor friends from Norway who were attending a Saddleback event.  It took a little long for our dinner to arrive, but during that time everyone was conversing and enjoying the time together.  We had been discussing various topics when Joe told the one other lady in our party that she would make a good pastor.  She turned red and Joe asked if she'd ever thought about being a pastor. She mentioned that she was a teacher and her husband (who is a pastor and was at the table) agreed that she has gifting in that.  But, while it seemed as though she felt truly complemented and she smiled big and blushed, she also seemed too uncomfortable to seriously entertain such a thing.  At first I was uncomfortable for her as I could feel her discomfort with it.  I noted that Joe likes to see people blush.  I asked Joe what makes him turn red (he said he never does). I don't think I believe him :).  Joe was talking about a book he recently read by Lee Grady (10 Lies Men Believe) and how he was using that in a men's study.  He mentioned how some people believe it's not OK to receive teaching from a woman.  One of the pastors at the table said that while his church allows women to be pastors he didn't think it was good.  Joe asked if anyone thought it was OK to receive ministry from a woman and the pastors seemed to think this was OK. The woman mentioned an instance where she was ministering in a line for women in India where she gave them hugs.  She said all of a sudden, she noticed that Indian men were in her line (several of them) and she stopped ministry (smiling and laughing, she implied that their motives for hugs from her seemed suspect).  I like to see how people think about things like this, because I have a very different view of it.  I truly believe that yes, there are people with wrong motives for things - but that there are also many who are sincere in wanting ministry from the opposite sex because God shines and ministers through them in a way their spirit needs.  I'm still listening to Papa about it and sure enough, today, he was talking to me some more about what happened last night.

I have been talking to God about this for many years (see my blog entry in 2010). Today, God showed me another clue.  When Joe spoke to our lady guest about this, no one really disagreed with him or made a fuss, but there seemed to be a consensus attitude of discomfort with it (even from the woman herself). This didn't seem to ruffle Joe. In the woman's spirit - I could see a part of her that received Joe's words like refreshing living water. I am so thankful that Joe said that.  It was a word well spoken to her from the Lord. And it was good that Joe was bold to say it. 

I thought more about what it meant for a man specifically to tell a woman that she has value and gifting in an area culturally thought to belong predominantly to men. And to say it not caring what someone else might think, especially peers and with no other agenda than to support the truth.  I thought about all the times I could never receive those kind of words, yet a tiny part of me was always there, jumping up and down, longing to believe they may really really be true.

I believe men are fabulous (just as women are).  I love how God made male and female and how - when they are living into being who God made them - there is nothing more breathtaking on this earth! I need men to be who God has made them to be and I love supporting, celebrating and encouraging them in that. I want to see them be all that they can be because good things always happen when they are! I think back to a moment a couple of years ago - I was at a conference and we were all deep in worship and a man in front of me was worshipping in a way I had never seen before.  I literally could not ignore it and my spirit was lifted up to a whole new level of worship as well.  He was not paying attention to any one but God.  His voice was strong and clear and he sang and danced before the Lord with all his might. I felt as though I may have had a glimpse of what King David looked like worshipping God. I'll never forget that, it was the first time I believe I ever saw the power of a man in complete unabashed abandonment to God. It knocked me out.

Still looking forward to learning more about all this!

The Battle Is On!

Been in a time of fierce battle and learning.  Some of the toughest challenges I've ever had in my life have come to me within the last few months.  I would not trade one moment of it though.  Even as recent as the last few weeks me, my family and friends have been under attack (health, finances, jobs, etc...).  But one thing I've taken away in this time is that I can stand!  I am tenacious and have learned to be joyful on this battlefield.  I certainly still have my moments at times, but I am not daunted or discouraged.  My face set like flint - I am moving forward and taking ground!!

It has become an actual encouragement to my heart to see the enemy try so very hard now. He is worried and should be! He does not like ground lost, but all he has left to him are deception and distraction - so he is headed for BIG losses!!  When I'm focused and moving, he stands no chance!

For me, one of the biggest breakthroughs came recently when a situation that I've been under with a lot of stress changed almost over night.  I thought the worst, but kept plugging along putting it back into God's hands and low and behold - I not only benefited, I received favor from what looked like a completely hopeless situation!!! I actually gained BIG ground and saw the fruit of standing firm even when all looked its bleakest.  I've now seen this on so many fronts just within the last couple of weeks (money, jobs, health - praise God!). The biggest thing I've gained is a deeper trust in the Lord. I am moving in victory now and synergy.  Things that used to be lots of effort are now much easier and less tiring.  I can look at things knowing that the exact opposite can be true of what I think about any given situation.  So, my thinking about things is changing - not based on what I see, but what God says.  I love that!!  He is so faithful and knows just what it will take.

I'm looking forward to more joy in battle and seeing more strongholds fall.  They have to go - all things under the feet of Jesus.  God, make me an instrument of your Kingdom peace through joy filled battle!

LOVE - Living Optimistically Viewing Eternally

So, tomorrow is Valentine's Day.  I'm a big believer in loving people.  I just don't believe in limiting it to one day!  Also, I have difficulty with the commercialization of love.  Being the rebel that I am - I just go out and love people every day to spite it!

So, where I think most people get into difficulty about love is when they mistake it for a feeling.  Love is not a feeling.  Our culture makes it very difficult by using the word love for a number of things (I do this too!).  We use it to describe affection, caring, romantic attachment, friendship, lust and liking.  It's really none of those things. Love is an action.  Love is a decision about our attitude - a determined lifestyle really - that we choose to believe the best about and act in accord with doing the best good for someone. Feelings may or may not attend and the person(s) we love may or may not act in ways that make them deserving of love in the world's eyes.  But true love is not based on receiving in order that it give.

The best demonstrater of love is God.  God loves because that is His nature.  He is love. He has done all that we could not (through Christ's death and resurrection) so that we can forever enjoy Him.  He loves unconditionally and His love transforms. The good news - God loves us that much.  If we are not falling down and crying with joy and gratefulness day and night at the goodness of that - then it can only be because we do not yet fully understand it in our hearts.

Lord - open our hearts to know with more fullness Your great love so that we may enjoy you more and be all that you've made us to be.  Your love is better than life.