Update #70

“The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly!” John 10:10

Have you ever gone to a night club? The pulsating bass, flashing lights, people crammed on the floor dancing together – some with their arms in the air, some with their heads thrown back, some with their eyes closed getting pleasure from the music - all enjoying themselves and time with their friends.

The conference I recently attended had an extra-long worship set the final night. It reminded me of a night club…but there were big differences:
1. The lights were on (but the colored and strobe lights were flashing!)
2. ALL ages, from 7 to 90, were out on the “floor” dancing and singing
3. There were no “partners”
4. And all the “pleasure” was focused heavenward

This made me think. satan isn’t very creative – in fact, he can only copy the things of God. So where did he get the idea of night club? Hmmm. The next question was “Who is being worshipped there”?

Whoa. How many other things has satan copied and ruined the primary intent? Is there anything in your life that closely resembles God’s purposes but is a shade off? What struck me the most was the principle that if God isn’t the main thing on our mind we default and worship ourselves or something else – another person, money, cars, clothes, status, success…

What/Who are you worshipping? What is on the forefront of your mind, thoughts, and drives your actions? Are you living a purely God-devoted life, or are you walking around in a closely-constructed but not quite true replica of what God has for you? Are their shades of grey coloring your world or are things crystal clear?

satan is the king of deception (according to the Bible) so if you have been tricked into believing that the “copy life” you have been living is real, don’t feel bad; repent and change it. If you are a Christian, you have that power – Christ, who defeated satan, lives in you!

It is a daily battle to stay true to the one living, loving God. satan seeks to steal, kill and destroy anything God loves. Count yourselves fortunate if you are being “attacked,” you must be making, or have the potential to make, a big difference for God’s Kingdom!

Updates:
Living – I am currently in Seattle and the rest of my co-workers are scattered internationally – Brett, South Africa; Jodene, Hong Kong; Rebecca, Bali; Kim, India; the Dube’s, Canada…we are all coming back together the first of June 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 – I am taking a little vacation until after Memorial Day.
Relationships – if you live in Seattle area come to the open house at my parents on Sunday the 25th at 6:30pm.

Requests:
Housing – I am in Seattle thru the 29th and then back with my relatives until the Johnsons find their new abode (Los Gatos???). Then I will move close to the new office location.
Work – for the upcoming training – we need a coordinator and recruits!
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones, that God will be present, and for my time in Seattle. There just isn’t enough to see everyone! Pray that I will have the peace to know that I am seeing who God wants me to see when he wants me to see them.
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

P.S. How often does your church worship service get to the point of night-club intensity? Where self-consciousness flees, the music envelops, and you abandon your upright uptightness in singular worship to the Holy One? I have NEVER seen that in North America…Africa, yes, at conferences, yes, but not in weekly church services. I think this is an issue – if it was available, there would be less people in nightclubs and more people in pews on Sunday. Ask yourself, what is the primary reason for church? I believe it is the fellowshipping of believers in worship to the one righteous God. Worship takes on many forms and teaching from the Word is PART of it…but not the whole…what is your church service built around? Who’s being put first? Who receives more emphasis in your Sunday service God or the speaker?

Update #69

"the Lord continued, ‘Listen to what that corrupt judge said. Now, will God not judge in favor of his own people who cry to him day and night for help? Will he be slow to help them?’” Luke 18:6-7

I was recently at a conference where each speaker gave away one, two or several of their books, CD’s, tapes, or DVD’s. Each time this happened some people in the audience jumped to their feet, numerous put their hands in the air, several were jumping up and down, quite a few were waving their arms, and a lot shouted “me, me, me.” Others unabashedly ran to the front of the auditorium and rushed the speaker. I was shocked. How RUDE! Who do these people think they are? Haven’t they learned decorum and protocols of polite society?

In the middle of my self-righteous tirade I heard a still small voice “I like it” – WHAT?! “I like it. They are acting like the persistent widow – they are making their requests known and unashamedly and repeatedly asking for what they want.”

Whoa. This rocked my polite, wait in line and get served, little world. What did God mean, he “likes” it when we outrageously and unabashedly ask for what we want? I was confused. It went against my ordered, non-chaotic picture of God.

So how did this new revelation of God’s character change my relationship with him? Well, I am now like the people at the conference who weren’t afraid of making fools of themselves, in the eyes of those around them, in order to be blessed. I unashamedly tell God what I want and look to him to provide it.

Over the last few weeks my eyes have been opened in new ways to how God provides for my desires. Want a respite after a busy season at work? How about a house-sitting job? Need to unwind? How about having a dog to daily take on walks? Need some spiritual food? How about this class at a discounted rate that is close to you? And the list goes on.

My question to you is this – how do you ask God for things? Do you have the kind of relationship where you feel free to approach and say “me, me, me” while jumping up and down, waving your arms, and demonstrating your desire? Do you feel free to approach and ask at all? Do you have the freedom from sin (provided by Jesus) that allows you to approach and ask?

God knows what we want. He knows what we need. I just think he likes to be asked.

Updates:
Living – The Johnson House / Office was moved into two PODS, three storage units and several vehicle trunks! A temporary housing/office situation is being set up until the permanent place is revealed. To keep up on all the happenings check out our blog http://campus.inst.net/.
Work – I have been working “virtually” for the last week (the San Carlos Library is REALLY nice). We are meeting and telephoning to stay connected – we will reconvene as a full staff in June when all the teams are back from the field.
Financing – God is so cool! I had a supporter who had a change of circumstances and had to stop their monthly donation; two days later I received an email with a new donor (unsolicited) pledging almost the same monthly amount! Whoo Hoo! Praise God!
Relationships – if you live in Seattle come to the open house at my parents on Sunday the 25th! http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/BWMVTXMQEOSBSUUHAHWR/Dena

Requests:
Housing – I head back to my aunts house on Monday the 12th (Rupert has been a prize except for the one incident of snatching Greg’s Mediterranean leftovers and the subsequent Montezuma revenge spanning from front to back door – poor dog!), am off to Seattle from the 18th to the 29th, 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, and other activities from libraries and other places with Wi-Fi! I am finding it quite fun and adventurous actually!
Relationships - deepening of present ones, start of new ones and that God will be present.
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