Update #68

"…everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” Luke 11:10

Northern California Coastline

I am not a big drinker – in fact my grandfather once said I was a “cheap date” because it takes little to no alcohol for me to experience effects. I am also sensitive to caffeine – any after four pm and I am up until two am and then toss and turn all night! Want to be entertained? Give me “fully leaded” coffee, or copious amounts of dark chocolate in the morning and I buzz around the office in hypermode!

What are you sensitive to? Do you have allergies? Are there certain sounds or smells you react to?

Taking this to a spiritual level, how sensitive are you to the nearness of Christ? Can you tell when you pull away from his intimate friendship? Can you discern when you are acting on your own strength vs. his? Can you tell when your decisions are guided by worldly inspired wisdom vs. Holy Spirit conviction?

I thought I was pretty sensitive in this area - until last weekend. I went to a conference and was immersed in worship and teaching for two and a half days – my “still time” revealed I had moved away from Christ. I had put work, home activities, relationships in front / first. Intimacy with Christ took a huge hit.

That was sobering. The small glimpse of my altered position startled me and I sprinted back - back to the heart of Christ to bask, to ask, to receive, and seek him. The sad thing was I didn’t realize I was wandering farther and farther away via baby steps and small compromises. I was camping near to where I should have been but chose to settle rather than make the effort to move.

What are you putting in front of your 1:1 time with God? Laundry? TV? E-mail? American Idol? Internet? Dinner prep? A trip to the gym? Work activities? Ministry? Where does God rank in your world?

I think this is a pivotal question. Who is first in your world…you or God? So many call themselves Christians but when they really look at their lives they are Selfians. They serve themselves and spend 1:1 time with God if it is convenient or opportune. This is what I came face to face with last weekend. I realized I have a heart for God but live life pretty much for myself. OUCH.

How about you?

Updates:
Living – The Johnson House SOLD and the hunt for a new residence continues. We are moving in to a temporary housing/office situation until the permanent place is revealed. To keep up on all the happenings check out our blog http://campus.inst.net/.
Work – Donations are rolling in for all the consultants – I love all the generosity I am witness to! We will be working “virtually” for the month of May (while the teams are out) and reconvene as a staff in June.
Family – My uncle is slowly recovering from his stroke – the greatest trial for him is not being able to drive…he adores cars – old, new, restored, and those with – ahem - “possibility”!

Requests:
Housing – I am house/Rupert (dog) sitting while a friend is India the first part of May, in Seattle through the end of May, then back with my relatives until the Johnsons find their new abode - then I will be moving close to the new office location.
Work – Forging forward with donations & receipting, packing my desk / related items, and prepping for the final move next week. Please pray that I will have a constant attitude of praise and worship amidst the challenges, office chaos, and the office / household move.
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present. I am having an open house at my parents May 25… http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/BWMVTXMQEOSBSUUHAHWR/Dena
Family – I am visiting my parents and Seattle friends next month! I land on the 18th!
Financing - If you are interested in contributing, please see ‘Contribute’ at http://www.repurposing.biz/ on the left of the page, or visit http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and read the footer for additional info.

Dena

PS One final question…if your existence is depicted as a target with God at the middle how much time do you spend dead center?

Update #67

"…a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish” Isaiah 42:3

Santa Cruz Moutains at 6:30 am

I was reading Isaiah 42 and the part about God not extinguishing a dimly burning wick struck me. If you have ever had to coax a flicker into flame you know it is a fine balance between enhance and extinguish – too little air, the flame goes out; too much air, the flame goes out…but give it just what it needs and the flicker flourishes.

This metaphor painted a picture of God’s loving-kindness for me. He takes time to tend, prod, nudge, prompt, stimulate, induce us into full flame – and not just once – he does it over, and over, and over again.

I was thinking about all the things that make our “flames” weaken – a cruel word, an inconsiderate gesture, a thankless peer, a poorly worded email, bad traffic, crabby children, a snappy reply, feelings of rejection, loneliness, and abandonment. The world is full of flame fading features that can make a wick weaken momentarily or for interminable amounts of time. The Bible says that Earth is satan’s dominion so it is no surprise that there is so much flame diffusing going on…the Bible also says that God created everything this earth has…and I think he uses it to make our flames flourish.

What makes your flame flourish - a kind word, a thoughtful reply, a considerate gesture, a card, clothing sale, a pretty garden, a compliment, blue sky, birds singing? Have you ever thought of these as gifts – gifts to you from your creator?

What has God brought into your life to keep your flame ablaze? What blessings, expected or non, have been dropped into your life? What things are you taking for granted – everyday little things like the smile of children, the wagging of a dog’s tail, the purr of a kitten, or the driver that lets you merge on the freeway?

Think of it this way, satan does not want your wick ablaze with light – he wants you a smoldering mess, at low glow, muted, faint, diffuse. When you are discouraged, dismayed and dissatisfied you have less impact.

Finding God’s gifts in our lives is a choice – a conscience one. An attitude of praise will garner you a much fatter flame – not that it is easy. I struggle with it everyday!

What makes your wick weaken? What fans your flicker into full flame? What attitudes do you need to change to garner a greater glow? God is working all the time – he never leaves, never forsakes, never abandons – look for your flame fanners – they are all around you.

Updates:
Living – The Johnson House SOLD! The hunt for a new residence continues. We have until April 30th – please pray for the right place and for financial provision.
Work – Training hit its finale with The Big Weekend March 28-30th which was a huge success, and the tiilt conference Marc 24-28th went incredibly smooth – only one exploding toilet to mar the otherwise tranquil setting.
Family – my uncle had a stroke in February that affected his eyesight – good thing is the doctors think they know where the clot originated from.

Requests:
Housing – I am with my relatives but when the Johnsons find their new abode I will probably be moving.
Work – I am wrapping up loose ends from both conferences, trying to rest a bit, and forging forward with venture and donated finances! Please pray that I will have a constant attitude of praise amidst all the challenges, usual office chaos, and prepping for an office and household move.
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present.
Family – my uncles continued recovery from his stroke
Financing - If you are interested in contributing, please see ‘Contribute’ at http://www.repurposing.biz/ on the left of the page, or visit http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and read the footer for additional info.

Dena

PS Happy Belated Birthday Ashlie Fletcher! I know it wasn’t spent in Paris, but I hope it was fun!