Update #96

“He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble.” Proverbs 3:34

San Jose Rose Garden

I went for a walk recently and saw a sign out side a church: “You are self-confident and self-reliant but it doesn’t hurt to have a backup.”

Wow. What this sign said to me was “You go in your own confidence, your own strength and rely on God to back you up if you need Him.”

How arrogant! God, the maker of the universe; God, the creator of mankind; God, the orchestrator of time is our back up? Ha! Let’s put things into perspective here! Very often we tell God what we want and ask him to bless our brilliantly made plans; instead of finding out what he is up to and joining his initiative.

· “God, I want this job, bless me.” vs. “God, what job would you like me to have? What is best for your kingdom?”
· “God, I am buying this car, give me strength in the negotiations.” vs. “God, I need a car – can you help me find one? By the way, I really like sports cars!”
· “God, I am pursuing this woman for my wife, give me the words to say so I don’t sound stupid.” vs. “God, which woman is the best for me? Who do you want me to pursue for my wife?”

The former is in our strength, our time, our plans – the latter, Gods. The former is in the position of authority and control, the latter humbleness. The former tells, the latter asks.

As a parent, or person in authority, which way would you rather have your children/subordinates address you…in a telling, or asking manner?

I think it ultimately boils down to control. Who is really in charge? If it is anything but God, why? What fear, untruth, preconceived notion keeps the sovereign, all knowing, all good God from guiding your life? What would it take to have God in complete control?

Is God “driving” the car of your life or is he in the backseat occasionally giving directions? Is God your primary or your backup?

Honestly, I make too many mistakes, unintentionally hurt too many people, and make a huge mess when I take control. It is like driving a car with the windows all mucky from bug-guts, dust, dirt and tree-pitch – you can get a general outline of what is around you but you have no detail. Thus is driving your life – you don’t have the big picture (even though you think you do), you don’t know all the pieces of the puzzle intimately (even though you have a good grasp of your situation), and you don’t know what is going to happen next week let alone next year or an hour from now. Let’s get real. You can try to run your life. You can try to be in control but you are doing yourself a severe disservice in denying the God who loves you, the God who knows all, sees all, is in CONTROL of all to guide your life.

Let him clean the windows and drive. It is a lot more fun to sit back and enjoy the scenery – and he lets you choose the music!

Updates:
Living – My condo in Redmond, WA is still for sale. I unexpectedly switched realtors last week. Thank God for the quick provision of someone in the same brokerage firm, who knows the area, and has 20+ years experience.
Work – We found a bookkeeper! I spent part of last week training Annie on donations and receipting – it was fun to see God doing all sorts of stuff in the financial realm but it wasn’t my forte!
Travel – I found a great deal on a ticket! I leave June 4th for Jakarta and will spend a month there – one week with our team and the other three doing client facing work with my boss Brett and some colleagues from our Indonesian office.

Requests:
Travel – I have pretty much a straight flight to Jakarta but need to spend the night in Hong Kong. Please pray 1. My luggage makes it to Jakarta WITH ME 2. That I find a sleeping lounge in the HK airport 3. That the flight is smooth and uneventful (not like last time!) and 4. That I stay healthy – no tummy trouble, no bronchitis, no flu, no illness what so ever!
Work – Please pray with us as we seek a training lead to manage the upcoming training cycle beginning July 22nd
Finances - If you would like to sow into what I am doing see the footer info at http://www.denaandrews.blogspot.com/ or contribute at http://www.repurposing.biz/ for more information.

Update #95

“Be still. And know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

San Jose Rose Garden

On Tuesday night I had a prayer meeting at my home. There were four of us. I had had a super busy day and felt like Tigger from Winnie the Pooh on the inside - I couldn’t calm down, my brain was on warp speed, I was fidgety, and I couldn’t focus. I had a lot of joy, but no peace. Not a good combination at an intercession meeting.

I put on a worship CD and the four of us “soaked” – we let the music roll over us, around us, internalized the words and meditated on them. To an outsider we looked like a slumber party with the lights on…we were laying on the floor, the couch, reclined in a chair with our eyes closed and without conversation.

Eight or so songs later my spirit, soul and body were finally still. I was relaxed. I was so relaxed I felt a bit tipsy – like the head rush you get when you stand up after a hot bath. It felt great; warm, calm and peace-filled.

I was in God’s presence.

I thought about this later. I wasn’t doing anything. I wasn’t serving, ministering, reading, examining, or digging at some great truth – I was just being. I was lying on the floor as the music washed over me. In a way I was worshipping God – not through action or deed, but through stillness.

When I was a little girl I had a friend who was on the quieter, more reflective side. I remember sitting on the floor dressing our dolls and Barbies, swinging on the swings in the backyard or walking through the woods behind my house with hardly a word being said. It wasn’t painful or uncomfortable - I was content in the presence of my friend.

I think it can be like this with God too. He just wants to be with us; to be near. Words, directives, secrets aren’t always exchanged. Sometimes presence is the agenda. God isn’t in a hurry. He wants to sit and enjoy you, your company, your companionship.

Our society isn’t geared for meditation, reflection and “soaking.” In the world of microwaves, Mc Donalds, and YouTube clips if it isn’t fast, frantic and attention grabbing it dies a quick death.

My question are these…Is God worth slowing down for? Is God worth taking the time to be still and getting to know him? What benefit do we get if we do? More importantly, what happens if we don’t? What joy, what peace, what assurance are we missing? What secrets does he have to share that we aren’t slowing down enough to capture?

I would love to feel the way I felt Tuesday night all the time – who wouldn’t want to be relaxed, calm and peace-filled? The only way I know how to get that feeling without drowning myself in alcohol and suffering a hangover in the morning is through God – he gives the ultimate relaxation without the after-morning regret.

Updates:
Living – My condo in Redmond, WA is still for sale. My realtor has had several open houses but no interest yet. The pending 42.5K assessment hasn’t started yet so I am “safe” for now. http://www.michaelmenin.com/ (view my listings) – it’s the “Sammamish River” one.
Work – Training has finished and we are prepping for travel. Two teams leave the first week of June. We have a new employee! Gareth is looking after our IT stuff for the next year (thank God!).
Health – My ankle is feeling so much better – thanks for praying. I have even been wearing “cute” shoes AND, for the first time in years, I am able to dance one night a week! I forgot how much pleasure I get from swing dancing!
Social – The wedding I helped with went phenomenally well – thanks for praying. Several of the hotel staff asked me for my wedding coordination business card to pass onto other brides…ha! That was a high compliment but I was so tired afterward I don’t know if I could do it for a living.

Requests:
Work – We are looking for a new training lead to manage the upcoming training cycle beginning July 22nd
Travel – that I find a sweet deal on an air ticket from San Francisco to Jakarta.
Finances - If you would like to sow into what I am doing see the footer info at http://www.denaandrews.blogstpot.com/ or contribute at http://www.repurposing.biz/ for more information.