I am in the process today of working through a few more of the hindrances that are getting in the way of my "abundant life". YES for the record, I am aware that I am being somewhat self absorbedm but that is not who I am - it is how I am acting (at this moment). But all that said, this is going to eventually lead to truth.. one way or the other.
One thing that is on my mind, imagine someone who cant seem to trust anyone (or perhaps refuses to trust because of past hurts); how then do you get through to him? how do you show that person the unconditional love of God that we all know (at least in our heads) is true. How do we as a person help show the person that God is NEVER going to give up..NEVER. It is sad when we watch someone we care about "appear like they are refusing" to see truth or cant seem to appropriate what it is that needs to be done.
What would you do? Is there a time limit at which you would grow weary? Perhaps after speaking truth ( and there seemed to be no change) you would eventually leave the person to figure it out on their own? BUT I am not convinced that is the answer.
Directing them to Jesus is the absolute best advice that can be given, but there has got to be more to it. (Now please know I am NOT saying there is more needed then Jesus)- what I am saying is that there is something in the way with some people. Something that is a BIG hindrance to understanding and accepting this "unconditional love and grace".
Now the most obvious and largest "hindrance" is Satan. We see all around us that he keeps getting in the way, and we can say without a doubt that he does NOT want any christian living an abundant life.
I am not sure what I would do if I was referring to a friend of mine who seemed to refuse to see and accept truth - but I have been on the receiving end of this. There are some things in this journey of mine that I cant seem to "get".
To all who "look on" it seems so easy. "Trust, forgive, know who you are" - but there is no one that would not want to do that if they were honestly seeking to be well, whole and living the abundant life. SOOO - what's up then?
My journey of healing has been one of so many ups and downs. Healing that I didnt even know needed to take place is being brought to the surface. I am not sorry for anything that is happening - for I know inside there are still some areas of my life that need Jesus' light shining in.
I am however frustrated with myself today - more then I have been in a long long time. Something that is so apparently "simple" and obvious to many of the people I love - seems to be so "complicated". It seems to be that many people have that "key" but the key I have will NOT open that door. But, I apparently have that same "KEY" - so what's wrong?
This I know -God is not giving up on us EVER, He is the one that will continue to reveal things, do the healing and open our eyes (clearing off the muck). I cant do it myself, my pastor, friends and any counsellor in the world can not do it.
Father show me more and more of you and your truth. Show me your love and the complete picture and yet the complete simplicity of your gospel. Help it to penetrate to the deepest regions of my being. Show me what it means to stop striving and trying and to simply 'BE'
til next time
Jacqueline
Monday, August 17, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thoughts from the Leadership Conference
This past week has been an interesting one. Father is continuing His work in me.I went from going away to a conference, to not going, to then the night before -packing to go and also deciding to take my two children with me.(Talk about being impulsive - but for the record they did GREAT and I am already thinking about one in the spring I would love to take them too!)
I attended the simucast Willow Creek Leadership Conference with a few other people from my church. It was a really organized and well done conference with many many people in attendance. As always I had come to some of my own goals going in to the conference but that fell to the wayside the very first morning.
Father had other plans and even though I went into the conference with a head packed full of other issues, concerns and items from other "categories" of my life - I did at times have a hard time always concentratinge (yes I admit I should have turned off the blackberry- however I needed to be able to be reached by my children if they would have drowned in the pool or something!)- Father was able to speak to me and to shine more of HIS light (in more of the dark places) - despite the distractions!
But in the end it has turned out ok. I realised that I could change nothing about what was going on back home with family, friends or issues with the selling of my house. I didnt have to respond to all the emails about various issues and concerns and that was ok.
So - What did I learn? Here are a few:
1. Do we stop to see the potential of ALL people? or have we labelled some "misfits" or "they will never change"?
Father reminded me that not all of the healing done in Jesus ministry was "instantanious". There were some sick for many years and then there were some who were healed in a moment. BUT regardless, there is a plan for good for each and every person! Do we stop to think about that? and then, do we ask Father if there is a part we are to play in that person's life? or do we treat them like in the story of the good samaritan and busily walk past leaving the "dirty work" for someone else?
2. KNOTS and Mistakes OR a beautiful picture?
When people look at the tapestry of your masterpiece (that is the picture of your life's journey so far) do they see a beautiful picture? or mostly knots? Are you okay with people seeing the mistakes?
Father showed me again this week that I am SO concerned about the picture of what other people see that it is getting in the way of what it is He wants to do.
I have tried and tried to make the mistakes look "not so obvious". I have been ashamed of the pain and the tears of regrets. I have been "working" so hard on that same treadmill .. and still getting no where. But here's the thing Father showed me this week (Again!!)
a. Jesus - He came and paid the price - so that the shame is gone- why do we carry it still? its been dealt with - do we not want to be well?
b. ALL my mistakes and pains ARE part of my journey! This in turn makes my ENTIRE journey one that people can look at and observe.
Wes Stafford (From the organization Compassion) shared his story of how when he wrote his book about his passion for caring for the little ones. He was challenged and encouraged to tell the WHY. Why was he so passionate? where did the passion and determination to help come from? He shared a very painful story and it was during that story that I was touched SO deeply. Yes his story was painful, yes it brought up alot of sadness and memories for myself and MANY others in the room BUT more importantly was the encouragement that it is our painful journey that people can relate too.
It may very well be the "knots and mistakes" that we are trying to "hide' and "fix up" (or hope that noone ever finds out about) that in fact are the very things that may help reach someone else.
3. HUDDLE or "IN THE GAME"
Harvey Carey shared a GREAT illustration about paying a great price for tickets. We buy the tickets, we go to the game, we are excited and pumped for it to start and out comes the team. We watch the team go into the huddle to plan and strategize, we wait and we wait. Ten minutes goes by ( still in the huddle), 20 minutes go by ( still in the huddle) and after about half and hour , they break from the huddle ( ok great now there is going to be a game played!) BUT wait a second, they are leaving the field ... where's the game? who's going to play? (I just spent alot of money on those tickets - somebody better be playing a game!)
Is the church and other ministries being like this? are we so busy in our comfortable little "huddles" that we are missing the game?
Did someone not pay a pretty big price for a game to be played? Did Jesus Christ not pay the price? We were challenged to remember we are not in the "pregame" - this is it folks. We have a responsibility to the world around us: To love, to evangelize, to be be Jesus and we had better get out of huddles! We are not called to be comfortable, to make it all about us - we are to be obedient!
4. WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
I will be honest, I still do not have many answers. HOWEVER, what I was most relieved with (thanks to Nancy Beech and her book "Gifted To Lead") is that Father did NOT make a mistake when he gave out the gift of leadership to me.
For so many years I have felt like I had to hide this gift. I thought I had to pretend I didnt know how to do something, I had to let others make the decisions and I was simply going to be the one who mailed the letters at the end of the day.
PLEASE dont get me wrong, I am not talking about taking over the Pope's role (GRIN), I am still working thru the whole headship roles and what that looks like in the home and in the church. I also am still waiting on Father to reveal to me what exactly did Paul mean ( besides women shut your mouth in church).
BUT what I am so encouraged about is.. we can and do have the ability to lead in many different areas. For each of us, our calling and journey will be different; for some it is seasons; for some it is a quiet leader; for some it is leading by example but for others- it just might be up front and centre in a variety of different situations and that is ok. But the biggest thing I am walking away with is: there was no mistake in the handing out of gifts.
If you are a woman, I encourage you to read this book by Nanay Beech, if you are a man I encourage you to read this book. There are so many uplifting, thought provoking and challenging things in this book. How do you balance being a working mother? How much pressure have you put on yourself to be the "perfect mom"? Is being "good enough" ok with you? For the men - Are you ok with taking ideas from a woman? or what if she cries? is she then labelled too emotional? Is the soft part not the part that attracts you to her?
Anyways, I have tried to leave you with the main points. That's all for now.
Til next time,
Jacqueline
I attended the simucast Willow Creek Leadership Conference with a few other people from my church. It was a really organized and well done conference with many many people in attendance. As always I had come to some of my own goals going in to the conference but that fell to the wayside the very first morning.
Father had other plans and even though I went into the conference with a head packed full of other issues, concerns and items from other "categories" of my life - I did at times have a hard time always concentratinge (yes I admit I should have turned off the blackberry- however I needed to be able to be reached by my children if they would have drowned in the pool or something!)- Father was able to speak to me and to shine more of HIS light (in more of the dark places) - despite the distractions!
But in the end it has turned out ok. I realised that I could change nothing about what was going on back home with family, friends or issues with the selling of my house. I didnt have to respond to all the emails about various issues and concerns and that was ok.
So - What did I learn? Here are a few:
1. Do we stop to see the potential of ALL people? or have we labelled some "misfits" or "they will never change"?
Father reminded me that not all of the healing done in Jesus ministry was "instantanious". There were some sick for many years and then there were some who were healed in a moment. BUT regardless, there is a plan for good for each and every person! Do we stop to think about that? and then, do we ask Father if there is a part we are to play in that person's life? or do we treat them like in the story of the good samaritan and busily walk past leaving the "dirty work" for someone else?
2. KNOTS and Mistakes OR a beautiful picture?
When people look at the tapestry of your masterpiece (that is the picture of your life's journey so far) do they see a beautiful picture? or mostly knots? Are you okay with people seeing the mistakes?
Father showed me again this week that I am SO concerned about the picture of what other people see that it is getting in the way of what it is He wants to do.
I have tried and tried to make the mistakes look "not so obvious". I have been ashamed of the pain and the tears of regrets. I have been "working" so hard on that same treadmill .. and still getting no where. But here's the thing Father showed me this week (Again!!)
a. Jesus - He came and paid the price - so that the shame is gone- why do we carry it still? its been dealt with - do we not want to be well?
b. ALL my mistakes and pains ARE part of my journey! This in turn makes my ENTIRE journey one that people can look at and observe.
Wes Stafford (From the organization Compassion) shared his story of how when he wrote his book about his passion for caring for the little ones. He was challenged and encouraged to tell the WHY. Why was he so passionate? where did the passion and determination to help come from? He shared a very painful story and it was during that story that I was touched SO deeply. Yes his story was painful, yes it brought up alot of sadness and memories for myself and MANY others in the room BUT more importantly was the encouragement that it is our painful journey that people can relate too.
It may very well be the "knots and mistakes" that we are trying to "hide' and "fix up" (or hope that noone ever finds out about) that in fact are the very things that may help reach someone else.
3. HUDDLE or "IN THE GAME"
Harvey Carey shared a GREAT illustration about paying a great price for tickets. We buy the tickets, we go to the game, we are excited and pumped for it to start and out comes the team. We watch the team go into the huddle to plan and strategize, we wait and we wait. Ten minutes goes by ( still in the huddle), 20 minutes go by ( still in the huddle) and after about half and hour , they break from the huddle ( ok great now there is going to be a game played!) BUT wait a second, they are leaving the field ... where's the game? who's going to play? (I just spent alot of money on those tickets - somebody better be playing a game!)
Is the church and other ministries being like this? are we so busy in our comfortable little "huddles" that we are missing the game?
Did someone not pay a pretty big price for a game to be played? Did Jesus Christ not pay the price? We were challenged to remember we are not in the "pregame" - this is it folks. We have a responsibility to the world around us: To love, to evangelize, to be be Jesus and we had better get out of huddles! We are not called to be comfortable, to make it all about us - we are to be obedient!
4. WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP
I will be honest, I still do not have many answers. HOWEVER, what I was most relieved with (thanks to Nancy Beech and her book "Gifted To Lead") is that Father did NOT make a mistake when he gave out the gift of leadership to me.
For so many years I have felt like I had to hide this gift. I thought I had to pretend I didnt know how to do something, I had to let others make the decisions and I was simply going to be the one who mailed the letters at the end of the day.
PLEASE dont get me wrong, I am not talking about taking over the Pope's role (GRIN), I am still working thru the whole headship roles and what that looks like in the home and in the church. I also am still waiting on Father to reveal to me what exactly did Paul mean ( besides women shut your mouth in church).
BUT what I am so encouraged about is.. we can and do have the ability to lead in many different areas. For each of us, our calling and journey will be different; for some it is seasons; for some it is a quiet leader; for some it is leading by example but for others- it just might be up front and centre in a variety of different situations and that is ok. But the biggest thing I am walking away with is: there was no mistake in the handing out of gifts.
If you are a woman, I encourage you to read this book by Nanay Beech, if you are a man I encourage you to read this book. There are so many uplifting, thought provoking and challenging things in this book. How do you balance being a working mother? How much pressure have you put on yourself to be the "perfect mom"? Is being "good enough" ok with you? For the men - Are you ok with taking ideas from a woman? or what if she cries? is she then labelled too emotional? Is the soft part not the part that attracts you to her?
Anyways, I have tried to leave you with the main points. That's all for now.
Til next time,
Jacqueline
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