Wading through life

Oh, the freedom we take for granted…

In polling places throughout the country, ordinary Iraqis not only braved significant violence to go to the polls, but also demonstrated that they understood the stakes, and that they knew what to do.

"We feel now that we are human beings living in this country," Muhammad Abdul-Ridha, 25, a Najaf goldsmith, said after dropping his ballot into the box. "Now I feel I have a responsibility, I have a vote."

And this:

Some Iraqis found in Sunday’s election a victory that may ultimately loom larger than that of April 9, 2003, when Mr. Hussein’s rule collapsed. The victory then was largely of American making, and one that, despite their relief that the tyrant was gone, many Iraqis felt they could never build on.

"The election was a victory of our own making," said Mr. Rubaie, the security adviser. "Today, the Iraqi people voted with their own blood."

Taken from a New York Times article.

I haven’t been excessively busy the past few days… Nor have I been moody and without blogging material. I simply haven’t done it.

Stuff has been going pretty good. I had another amazing experience at Westwinds this past weekend. I’m SO excited to continue serving there and be a part of God’s great plans for it. We had a REALLY intense worship time this morning. I don’t know if it was just me who really connected with God, or the entire congregation (hopefully the latter…), but as we transitioned from the message Randy gave into a closing worship time, the Spirit really rained down and took it up a notch. I think God really absorbed our praises. I could just sense the sincerity of the worship–both in my spirit and in those around me.

It’s funny the repeat lessons I keep running into. Stuff will hit me at one point or another–either in a personal devo time or at church or small group or a conversation with a friend–and then I’ll run into it again via another outlet. In some ways, it’s kinda cool to hear something and realize: "Yeah…I just figured that a few days ago…" Makes me feel ahead of the game to a certain degree. At the same time, I need to be careful not to ignore it the second and third and fourth… times around. There’s a reason I’m being reminded of the lesson: because it’s important.

In case you’re wondering what the most recent lesson is, it’s this: it’s ok–and probably very good–for God to be a mystery to us. Not understanding God and his plans fully means he’s still in control and that we still have to rely on him and step out in faith. I spend far too much time trying to wrap my mind around everything and make sense of it all when all God wants is for me to trust him with my life and yield control.

Holy smokes. Very, very exciting things going on around here. When I blogged that 2005 was going to be the best year ever, I really had no idea. I was just trying to speak it into existence. Well, it’s unfolding before my eyes. God’s just on the move–in my heart, in some friendships, in my family, in our small group, in our churches…just across the board. It’s awesome. Just being shown God’s love more and more. Desiring to know him more. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

(Note stark contrast of my demeanor just a week or two ago by checking out this post…)

Building a great friendship with a pastor at Westwinds. He’s really helping me work through stuff and is a great sounding board for ideas. Also, Westwinds had a great church meeting where a lot of walls were broken down and hurts mended, so it will be exciting to see what the Lord does with that. And Scooter and I have had some great talks lately. God has some big plans for Real Life in 2005 as well with some land they have and some new ministry ideas. Our small group is flourishing and God is teaching us all some new stuff there. He’s working in Andrea’s life and family in some big ways and Amy is entering the last tri-mester of her pregnancy.

Life I say. Life all over the place. The kingdom brings life to bear in everything. Are we ushering the kingdom with our lives? Does the kingdom expand with each step we take, just as Aslan brought Narnia into being in The Magician’s Nephew?

I urge you all–seek after your role in building the kingdom. What is your gift set? Are you laying it before the alter? Does God have access to the resources, talents and blessings he’s given you? Are there any bottlenecks to him reaching others through you?

Just some questions I’m asking myself; I’m working on having a kingdom-perspective in everything. Clark’s favorite verse is key: Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

And read John 14-16 while you’re at it. If you let it, it will change your life.

Scott and I just finished up plans to redesign the modern-day church as you know it. Please be in prayer as we sift through what role we’ll be playing in helping this become a reality.

I’m serious.

A friend’s blog had this on there, so naturally I felt inclined to participate. Sounds pretty good to me–but being based on 12 questions, scientific it is not.