Update #88

"…know the truth and the truth will make you free." John 8:32

My apartment's kitchen

The apartment I recently moved into was built in the 1960’s. At the time of its construction it was top of the line with all the modern conveniences and nuances. Besides a dishwasher being added in the late 1970’s, a new bathroom counter in the 1980’s, and replacing the linoleum in the kitchen and bathroom the apartment is untouched. It is a tribute to the fashion and taste of the hippie era.

What was fashionable and “hip” in 1960 does not match 2009 trends. Standards changed, technology improved, and tastes transformed. What was architectural and decorative “truth” in the 1960’s isn’t now.

The same with fashion; I recently saw some pictures from high school on Facebook and laughed at what we were wearing and how our hair was styled. I can’t imagine myself now in an outfit consisting of leggings and a baggy sweater cinched at the waist with faux leather 4 inch wide belt! Add to that poufy permed hair, neon accessories, and big sunglasses…it is painful to recall! But, that was fashion “truth” in the late 1980’s.

Like architecture and fashion, societal moral standards have also changed. The 1950’s had TV couples sleeping in twin beds and not a swear word was to be heard. The 60’s brought the “sexual revolution,” the 70’s and 80’s seasoned the “free love” movement and the 1990’s introduced gay rights into the mainstream.

With all this change, what is the truth? What is the standard? What is the norm?

How do you determine truth? By what standard do you make your decisions and choices? Is it the societal standard – what the “norm” is? What the “buzz about town” says it is? Is it by what your parents say? Your spouse? Your pastor? A mentor? A peer? Who or what determines the truth in your life?

For years I looked to authority figures and my parents to define truth. This is fine for children – but not for adults. Adults need to have their own model, their own criterion for how they make decisions and manage their lives; unfortunately, many govern their existence based on the changing opinions of society.

God says if we know the truth it will make us free. What truth is he talking about? The Gospel? That Jesus came, died and if we accept him we are free from death? I think that is only part of it.

God cares for us more than anyone on earth ever could try to love us – so he set up some rules to protect us from ourselves. God’s word, the Bible, contains truth about every subject – ya just have to search for it.

God’s word is unchanging. It is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Unlike society it isn’t trendy, it isn’t fashionable, and it isn’t always hip – but it lasts. It lasts centuries.

Again, I ask on what do you base your decisions and choices? What is your truth built upon – something shifting and changing or something solid and ageless? Do you want your decisions and choices to have lasting power and impact…then base them on something that does.

Updates:
Living – I had my aunt, uncle and cousin over for dinner – what fun to give back to them, in a small way, for all that they gave me.
Work – Today I handed off all of the “training weekend away” stuff to an eager and willing volunteer (thank you Alexia!) – whoo hoo!
Social – trying out a new church in the South Bay area. I found one I really like in San Francisco but it is too far away to cultivate community on a regular basis…and I travel a lot so that makes it even tougher.
Travel – At the client’s request, my February Indonesia trip has been rescheduled to June. It looks like I will be in the Bay Area for a few months!
Finances – Due to the economic downturn donations have all but dried up (for me and for the ministry). God is still providing in cool and creative ways – my faith is being stretched and grown – which I praise God for!

Requests:
Work – Please pray with me, we are seeking a bookkeeper to take over what about 4 of us are handling at the moment. This is a much needed position! We are also “praying into being” other key staff positions.
Intercession – That I would carve out more time to spend with God.
Health – My right ankle is still cranky. But, thanks for your prayers; they, the warmer weather, and Dr. Joe’s care, seem to be helping.
Financing – 2 Corinthians 9:6 is all I have to say… (Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.)

PS For more info: http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ and Karen - thanks for the towels!

Update #87

"God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth." Genesis 1:26

Carmel Valley California

Have you ever been micromanaged? I have and I hate it. I am given a task and then the giver comes back over and over and over again to check up on things; they ask questions (have I contacted so and so, or done this or that), make suggestions (researched this option, thought of this angle), and give their insight (well I think, wouldn’t it be better if). At times I get a bit grouchy and want to know if they are still interested in me carrying out what they asked me to do or if they would rather complete it themselves.

God is the exact opposite of the micromanaging type. In fact when he gave Adam charge of the earth – he gave Adam full authority. Genesis 1:26 says that God gave dominion over all the earth. God didn’t check in with Adam everyday giving suggestions, making comments or going over checklists…he gave the earth to Adam and that was that.

Now, to take this a bit deeper, the Hebrew name Adam basically means human – or human being. Do you see where this is going? God gave the earth to you to manage, to care for, to direct, supervise, handle and control.

Now remember, God is a good manager. He is the type that gives a task or a project (see Genesis 1:26), outlines expectations (don’t eat of that tree), and then is available if you have questions or need help (God walked in the garden in the cool of the day). This type of manager doesn’t get involved unless asked – you have full control of the task or project and can run it anyway you like.

I was listening to a speech and the orator was saying that there are three basic reasons people pray 1. They want something, 2. The Bible says they have to, and 3. To build a deeper relationship with God. He went on the reveal that there is a fourth to this list…4. God acts when asked.

God has given us our lives as our own. He won’t force anything on us, he won’t suggest anything to us, won’t get in the way - unless asked. He has given us full authority on the earth as well – so he won’t intervene, ask questions, or direct our steps – unless asked.

Have you reflected on the state earth is in right now? Read Revelations 6 – the first five seals are open…deceptive leaders populate the earth (i.e. Thailand demonstrations just a month ago), evil happening through violence and war, rampant famine and economic injustice, and massive unjust deaths are common place. Yep, we are definitely in control…if God was, this stuff wouldn’t be happening!

So, you ask, what do I do? How can I take up responsibility for my part of earth’s dominion? How can I better rule and reign over my terrain?

Easy. Pray. Ask God what he thinks is best. Ask God what he thinks should be done. Ask God for his opinion. When God delegates he fully entrusts us and things are in our control. God is like the CEO in a business – he has the most experience, the greatest perspective and the biggest network to call upon. Wouldn’t you want that at your disposal?

Ask. Ask a lot (he expects it see Col 4:2); because, God only acts when he is asked.

Updates:
Living – Now that I have my new little place I am hardly there! But what fun it is to come home to! I am at the Huntington Beach, CA office this weekend and enjoying the 60F January days!
Work – Worldwide training starts on about three weeks and that means the “training weekend away” is coming up fast. I am also working with the intercession team to get regular meetings in place and praying about developing a new product that centers around intercession in the corporate environment….could use prayer around this!
Heath – much better! Bit of slight cough when I get over tired or cold but as long as I sleep enough I am regaining ground on the health side!

Requests:
Work – I feel that this is a year of stretching for me – into new lines and areas of business that I haven’t experienced before. That said, we are seeking a bookkeeper to take over what about 4 of us are handling at the moment. With a bookkeeper in place it will free up a lot of my time to do income generating work.
Travel –I am hopefully heading back to Indonesia the middle of February to do some client work with my boss.
Intercession – that God would be able to change the perception that prayer is boring. That I would be able to boldly share what God has done through and around me and others to inspire greater intimacy with him. Also, that he will speak to me more about the new product (see above).
Health – My right ankle is still really cranky. I don’t know why – maybe it is still recovering from “the move” – all I know is I am in more pain than usual. Thanks for your prayers around this.
Financing – I rely solely on donor support. If these devotions have touched you, caused you to see God differently, or altered your outlook on life AND you are interested in contributing toward my day-to-day needs or to my travel fund, 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.

P.S. If you want more information about what I do and who I work for attend one of the report backs or informational meetings…they are only scheduled in the US at this point – check out our website http://www.repurposing.biz/find-out-about-rep-events/.

Update #86

" I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve him" 1 Timothy 1:12

Carmel Valley, California

At a concert a pianist related the back-story of the next piece he was about to play. He told of his frame of mind (brokenhearted over a recent relationship demise), he told of the state of the environment in which he was writing (“bachelor pit” – his words not mine), and that he was out of inspiration for his next composition. He went to the refrigerator, opened it and, half hanging on the door, stared at the contents – moldy bread, a jar of pickles and ketchup. Slamming the fridge door he stalked back to the piano and began to compose. He entitled the song “Moldy Bread, Pickles and Ketchup.” The albums promoter was shocked and asked if they could entitle the song “Sudden Inspiration” after hearing the story. Check it out…it is on Jim Brickman’s album By Heart.

What inspires you? What motivates you to be a better person, to set your sights on greater things, to become creative and produce? What encourages your heart to do more, what stirs you? What instigates initiative?

I haven’t felt very ‘inspired” lately (probably one reason this blog hasn’t been updated in a month) and have been busy with moving, the holidays, and catching up with work. I was lying in bed the other morning thinking of all the things I needed to accomplish that day when all I really wanted to do was curl up with a good book, a cup of tea and my furball Samson (bad sign - he has been dead for 14 months). I cried out to God.

After about 3 seconds of teary eyes, I started praising him. I praised him for all that I had been given, for all that I have learned; for all that he has changed in me. I praised him for friends, family, and the future he has planned for me. I praised him for the creature comforts of a home, a warm bed, and food to eat. I praised him for the ability to see and hear and taste and perceive the world around me. I praised him that I have a full schedule, that I have a lot I am responsible for; that I was trusted with much.

I felt better. Not necessarily fully inspired, but better. I think so often we dwell on what we don’t have, what we wished we had, what others have and we don’t; and forget to look at what we DO have.

World travel has really opened my eyes to how thankful I should be. Living in comfort vs. radical poverty, malnourishment and after affects of war, strife and natural disasters. I have so much. I have reason to be thankful even when I feel overwhelmed and undone.

How about you? What pulls you out of the pit of despair when you find yourself there? What snaps you out of a “pity party for one” mode of thinking? What are you thankful for?

Updates:
Living – I have moved into my little place! It is retro 1960’s with original stove and oven…and a pink tub! Thank you to all of you who carried a box, washed a dish and especially to my “Swedish Maid” who spent hours in the bathroom battling the scum remnant from the last tenant! I had my “thank you to the movers, cleaners, unpackers” dinner last night and it was fun to use my own dishes and linen. Sigh…small things make me so happy!
Work – We had our annual planning meeting the first full week of January in the Carmel Valley. It went extremely well and I am excited about all that God has for us in the coming year – very full but lots of adventure and fun too! We found a training lead for the next cycle (Sooyoun Kim) but we continue to pray for someone to come long term.
Heath – I am finally over bronchitis! I think it was God’s good sense of humor to send me home to Seattle in the middle of a snow storm so all I could do was sit and read, eat, and sleep!

Requests:
Work – I feel that this is a year of stretching for me – into new lines and areas of business that I haven’t experienced before. That said, we are seeking a bookkeeper to take over what about 4 of us are handling at the moment. With a bookkeeper in place it will free up a lot of my time to do income generating work.
Travel – I am heading to the “Huntington Beach Office” (Kim Wilson’s home) the 22nd to 27th of this month to help with recruiting efforts and maybe visit some businesses in the area. I am hopefully heading back to Indonesia the middle of February to do some client work with my boss.
Intercession – that God would be able to change the perception that prayer is boring. That I would be able to boldly share what God has done through and around me and others to inspire greater intimacy with him.
Health – My right ankle has been steadily improving until the last month or so. Just before heading home to Seattle it started getting “cranky’ again. It is stiff in the morning and if I walk too far, do too much it “avenges” me for the entire next day – it is not as bad as it was in 2005-6 but it is painful. Please pray for God’s healing comfort.
Financing – I rely solely on donor support. If these devotions have touched you, caused you to see God differently, or altered your outlook on life AND you are interested in contributing toward my day-to-day needs or to my travel fund, 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.

PS Thank you Al and Laura Gerona for lending me the area rugs…they fit perfectly!