“…because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.” Romans 12:1Near Scottsdale, AZ
As a Christian, have you ever really thought about yourself from God’s perspective – in terms of a bond slave, a servant…a sacrifice?
I was thinking about it in pretty graphic terms the other day. I imagined myself bound, on a stone altar…and I was whining…“This stone is hard. It’s cold. Do you know it has sharp spots? And, um, hello? It is a bit wet on my back. I am uncomfortable. Hey, these bonds are a bit too binding – the rope is rough and I am being chafed and bruised. Um, hello, hello? Can someone untie me, bring me a big comfy cushion (preferably in pink), a pillow with a white silk covering and I would be happy to lie here for a bit. Um, hello? Hello? Anybody?”
As Christians we, as it says in Romans, are to make ourselves living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. What kind of sacrifice are you? Are you holy? Are you pleasing to God? Are you a talkative, demanding sacrifice? A quiet one but seething inside? Or are you one that pretends to lie still while you are being watched/in the spotlight but as soon as you are left to your devices you struggle mightily against your bonds?
I think as humans we are programmed toward complaining vs. praising as a knee-jerk reaction. We see the bad in people, situations, circumstance instead of the silver lining. We are quick to condemn and judge vs. give grace and understanding. We are wired this and it takes the transformational power of Jesus through his sanctifying work to redeem us from pessimism and negativity.
I am working on becoming a praiser vs. complainer…praise has so much more power. When something happens that I am not so keen about I praise God for it – whether it is a red light when I am in a hurry, a car crash where “Blanche” needs a bunch of body work, a harsh word spoken to me by a loved one, a rebuff by a friend, or a long line at the post office or bank.
I read a great book lately that outlines this principle…PRISON TO PRAISE by Merlin Carothers (thanks Kimmy). It is the story of a man who goes from prisoner to Army Chaplin and details what God taught/showed him along the way – it is a moving read.
I challenge you – the next time you feel frustration mounting, a sigh escaping your lips, feel your eyes closing so you don’t have to witness the scene before you, or your spirit yielding to defeat; CHOOSE to praise God for the situation. Choose to thank him for the stone altar you find yourself on. Choose to praise him for the pokey points and hard, wet stone under your body. Choose to praise and thank him – because honestly, you would rather be where he is and where he wants you, than where he is not.
Updates:
Living – I am living with my relatives, but the Johnsons have made an offer on a property in Los Gatos and so I may be moving in the next few months. We are actively fundraising for the property. Check out the blog for details http://campus.inst.net/
Work – working mainly from home and commuting to meetings. It is such a blessing having a home with Wi-Fi, a printer, copier…and AIR CONDITIONING!
Travel – great trip to Scottsdale, AZ for a conference (my best friend from Seattle flew down to go with me – so fun!) last week. AND, I just found out I will be travelling to Indonesia for the venture this Fall! I leave November 6th.
Requests:
Housing – a little space somewhere close to the Johnsons will soon be needed! I would love a little cottage all to myself!
Work – I am in charge of the “training weekend away” (affectionately termed THE BIG WEEKEND) the mid September. I am in the midst of recruiting leadership team members, working on budget and logistics, and getting all the needed pieces into place. I would really appreciate your prayers – the conference starts the 19th.
Purpose – I am working on making intercession more prominent in the rēp culture. And it isn’t easy (surprise surprise). Debunking the myth that prayer is boring is a struggle! But, God says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16) – so I have a Gideon army (small but effective) and am recruiting more warriors!
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
PS Happy Belated Birthday George…wherever you are in the world!
I was thinking about it in pretty graphic terms the other day. I imagined myself bound, on a stone altar…and I was whining…“This stone is hard. It’s cold. Do you know it has sharp spots? And, um, hello? It is a bit wet on my back. I am uncomfortable. Hey, these bonds are a bit too binding – the rope is rough and I am being chafed and bruised. Um, hello, hello? Can someone untie me, bring me a big comfy cushion (preferably in pink), a pillow with a white silk covering and I would be happy to lie here for a bit. Um, hello? Hello? Anybody?”
As Christians we, as it says in Romans, are to make ourselves living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. What kind of sacrifice are you? Are you holy? Are you pleasing to God? Are you a talkative, demanding sacrifice? A quiet one but seething inside? Or are you one that pretends to lie still while you are being watched/in the spotlight but as soon as you are left to your devices you struggle mightily against your bonds?
I think as humans we are programmed toward complaining vs. praising as a knee-jerk reaction. We see the bad in people, situations, circumstance instead of the silver lining. We are quick to condemn and judge vs. give grace and understanding. We are wired this and it takes the transformational power of Jesus through his sanctifying work to redeem us from pessimism and negativity.
I am working on becoming a praiser vs. complainer…praise has so much more power. When something happens that I am not so keen about I praise God for it – whether it is a red light when I am in a hurry, a car crash where “Blanche” needs a bunch of body work, a harsh word spoken to me by a loved one, a rebuff by a friend, or a long line at the post office or bank.
I read a great book lately that outlines this principle…PRISON TO PRAISE by Merlin Carothers (thanks Kimmy). It is the story of a man who goes from prisoner to Army Chaplin and details what God taught/showed him along the way – it is a moving read.
I challenge you – the next time you feel frustration mounting, a sigh escaping your lips, feel your eyes closing so you don’t have to witness the scene before you, or your spirit yielding to defeat; CHOOSE to praise God for the situation. Choose to thank him for the stone altar you find yourself on. Choose to praise him for the pokey points and hard, wet stone under your body. Choose to praise and thank him – because honestly, you would rather be where he is and where he wants you, than where he is not.
Updates:
Living – I am living with my relatives, but the Johnsons have made an offer on a property in Los Gatos and so I may be moving in the next few months. We are actively fundraising for the property. Check out the blog for details http://campus.inst.net/
Work – working mainly from home and commuting to meetings. It is such a blessing having a home with Wi-Fi, a printer, copier…and AIR CONDITIONING!
Travel – great trip to Scottsdale, AZ for a conference (my best friend from Seattle flew down to go with me – so fun!) last week. AND, I just found out I will be travelling to Indonesia for the venture this Fall! I leave November 6th.
Requests:
Housing – a little space somewhere close to the Johnsons will soon be needed! I would love a little cottage all to myself!
Work – I am in charge of the “training weekend away” (affectionately termed THE BIG WEEKEND) the mid September. I am in the midst of recruiting leadership team members, working on budget and logistics, and getting all the needed pieces into place. I would really appreciate your prayers – the conference starts the 19th.
Purpose – I am working on making intercession more prominent in the rēp culture. And it isn’t easy (surprise surprise). Debunking the myth that prayer is boring is a struggle! But, God says that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16) – so I have a Gideon army (small but effective) and am recruiting more warriors!
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
PS Happy Belated Birthday George…wherever you are in the world!
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