Speak up

I had a dream about a week and a half ago where I felt like I was supposed to set some people free.  Their hands were tied with thick ropes, and I wanted to cut them loose, but I didn't have a knife.  So, I started yelling and beating my fist on the floor where they were tied.  I felt like if I said the right words and spoke them in gaith, that the people would be freed.

In discussing this with our home group on Tuesday evening, I feel like this dream was about what the Lord is calling me to. Clara said that she felt like the calling was related to missions.  On Wednesday night, Brandi and I discussed this dream and missional calling with Aaron and Torrey.  I feel the Lord stirring us for something.

This morning, I was impreseed with Prov 31:8-9, and I immediately thought of the dream and conversations.

Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.   Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness in speaking to us and leading us.  May I be faithful in listening and following in obedience.   Lord, I believe that you are calling us to something about speaking up for the voiceless and setting captives free, and I trust you to continue to reveal your desire according to your timing.  I love you, and I want to pursue you with joy. Holy Spirit, fill us more. I pray in the name of Jesus.

Good conversations

Last night, my neighbor texted me and asked me if we could meet in the driveway and talk.  I wasn't quite sure what to make of it.  He was frustrated with work.  We talked about it for a while, and then I prayed for him.  It means a lot to me that he considers me a friend and that I have the privilege to encourage him and pray for him.

This morning, when I dropped Beau off at school, his teacher asked me if I read the Bible to him.  I nodded my head, not quite sure why she was asking.  She told me that whenever they ask questions about a Bible story, Beau always knows the answer.  They asked Beau how he always knows the answers, and he told them "My daddy reads the Bible to me every night."  Made my heart so glad!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the encouragement of good conversations. Lord, please help me get over my frustration with incompetent and/or lazy people at work.  I just don't know how to let it go.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Good conversations

Last night, my neighbor texted me and asked me if we could meet in the driveway and talk.  I wasn't quite sure what to make of it.  He was frustrated with work.  We talked about it for a while, and then I prayed for him.  It means a lot to me that he considers me a friend and that I have the privilege to encourage him and pray for him.

This morning, when I dropped Beau off at school, his teacher asked me if I read the Bible to him.  I nodded my head, not quite sure why she was asking.  She told me that whenever they ask questions about a Bible story, Beau always knows the answer.  They asked Beau how he always knows the answers, and he told them "My daddy reads the Bible to me every night."  Made my heart so glad!

Heavenly Father, thank you for the encouragement of good conversations. Lord, please help me get over my frustration with incompetent and/or lazy people at work.  I just don't know how to let it go.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

God permeating our lives

Saturday, Brandi started a wrestling match with the boys.  I was tryijg to get a little work done, but thankfully, i made the right choice and jumped in the wrestling ring.  We had so much fun.  I don't know where I lost that fun attitude.  Why do I always have to be so somber?

I was tired in the afternoon, but I noticed that our powdery snow was turning to slush,  so we finally had a chance to make a snowman.  So, I got Beau and Jude to help me in the back yard.  We had a great time, and the boys were proud of the snowman that we made.

I haven't thought of those types of activities as "spiritual", but I am now thinking that even though we may not have theological discussion, showing my boys a loving and joyful father is very spiritual.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to emulate you.  I want to be present and joyful with my boys.  I want them to have a good opinion of you.  And I want to have fun as a family more often.  Lord Jesus, please permeate my life with yourself.  Holy Spirit, please fill me with the fruit of the spirit, especially joy, and annoint me with your power.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Something blocking the dining room

Proverbs 17:3 NIV
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

We bought an elliptical exercise machine, but it was too heavy and bulky to move upstairs, so we left it in the entry way, right in front of the dining room table.

I was thinking about the dining room table representing our fellowship with the Lord and how we can bring stuff into our life, even good things, and not realize that they are blocking our fellowship with Christ. 

Heavenly Father, what is blocking my fellowship with you?  (I was going to ask, "Is there anything in your way, but I am not yet fully sanctified, so i know you have more work to do in my heart.) Lord, please gently reveal to me what has a place in my heart that is in your way.  I want to be close with you, and I want to dine with you. Holy Spirit, lead my heart.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit

John 1:32-34 NIV
Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I have seen and I testify that this is God's Chosen One."

This weekend, the Fitzgeralds sponsored a spiritual retreat and invited a guest speaker for our church.  It was a wonderful time, and here are a few summary points that impressed me:
- Matthew shared his testimony of moving from cessation to believing that spiritual gifts exist and then to actually operating with those gifts
- gifts of spirit unfold out of hearing from the Lord (e.g., feel an impression to pray or a word), then act in faith and obedience (deliver the mail)
- it will cost you to go on with the Lord
- Holy Spirit does the will of Christ and glorifies Him; Jesus is not separate from the Holy Spirit
- let us allow the Holy Spirit move among us
- Eph 4:30 stop grieving the Holy Spirit
- Holy Spirit will limit ministry THROUGH you if you are grieving Him - sin, unforgiveness, hate
- 1 Thes 5:19 quench the Spirit vs. Timothy fan into flames
- there are so many churches that care more about what the visitors think than what the Holy Spirit thinks
- I would rather our church be a messy delivery room and operating room than quiet as a cemetery
- grow in our sensitivity to what the Lord wants us to do

At one point in the retreat, I asked myself, how long am I going to talk ABOUT the power of God before I finally start DEMONSTRATING it.

I have felt awkward about the "baptism of the Holy Spirit" because of the hyper-pentacostal connotations.   But I want to be a follower of Jesus, and I read the past several days that John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit.  So, then I should want to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, please help me not be religious, and help me follow Jesus.  Please help me listen to you speaking, and help me walk in obedience.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Simple faith

Luke 1:26ff

I am impressed with the simple faith of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Though she was afraid of the angel, she heard him.  Though she did not understand how it would happen, she believed.

Luke 1:38, 45 NIV
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfilled." Then the angel left her.  ... Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

Heavenly Father, may I show simple faith.  May I know your voice, so that when you tell me something, I will simply believe and walk in faith.  I know that you are good and kind, you are just and mighty.  Lord, may I listen to what you are saying, and may I walk in faith.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus.

Resolutions 2015

Most of these are copied from last year:
- daily read through the New Testament, with my wife; take time to soak it in and pray through it
- daily spend quality time with my wife and sons; meaningful time (look them in the eyes, minimize electronics)
- daily mentor/teach my sons
- daily physical exercise
- daily eat healthy food (low cholesterol) and stay hydrated
- daily rest, with sufficient sleep
- daily work on things that are important, not being a slave to the urgent
- weekly discipleship; pouring in and pouring out
- develop regular spiritual teaching
- regularly take my family on short trips

Heavenly Father, please help me grow in maturity.  May my life more clearly reflect you, and may I keep in step with the Holy Spirit.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.