Unsung Heroes of Faith
We are always waiting for the next latest and greatest Super Hero movie to come out; and when it does we know that at the end the hero will win. When we think of heroes, this is what comes to mind, but not all heroes are incredibly famous. Some heroes move quietly behind the scenes, they put their own need aside and quietly go about saving the world. They follow that humble path that Jesus walked, serving others with no thought of themselves. They walk with God.
Heroes challenge us to look within ourselves for our hidden hero; they help us see how God works within each of us. These heroes are one of the reasons we believe in hope, they inspire us to be more. I pray that each of us will always take the time to lift up the heroes in our lives; not because they want or need to be recognized but because in our recognition, we are encouraged to strive to do more, to be more, to share more, to lead boldly.
Honor the heroes in your life, in your congregation, in your neighborhood and community, let their wings lift you a little higher as you strive to follow God’s calling.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Monday, March 16, 2009
Destined to Change
Destined to Change
The season of Lent gives us many opportunities. It is a time for growth, renewal, and change. This year, I committed to go on a 21-day Daniel fast, a fast based on Daniel 10. Have you ever felt that God had more for you but you weren’t quite sure how to find it? If you ever feel this way, a season of fasting, prayer, and quiet meditation will lead you to many new blessings. When you fast , your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God.
Since around the first of the year, I have been working on and praying over my leadership workshop for this year’s convention. Our theme this year is ‘In One Spirit’; so it’s no great surprise that God has led me to a theme of leading in unity. In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul calls us to walk in unity. How can we walk in one spirit, all being so different? Racial, ethnic, and social segregation are as old as society itself. Wherever people live, they form groups along these lines. Then they put up walls to keep others out; many of these walls have been church walls. So how do we find unity in all of this?
For starters, as Christian women, we need to recognize that the unity we are searching for is a unity from the Spirit of God; only in him are we able to rise above our human condition.
Can unity and diversity co-exist?
We honor our diversity as God-given gifts to be cherished from generation to generation.
We don’t look alike; we don’t speak alike; we don’t even worship alike.
And, as a general rule, we don’t gather to worship together; although this mold is being broken by the ‘non-denominational churches’ and is beginning to over-flow into the ‘main-stream churches’
So how do we find unity in our diversity?
Unity comes when we all focus on God’s will and purpose. We will never, on our own, be a perfect people, but nothing is impossible with God. If we can hold on to those things that God considers precious, while letting go of those things which separate us, we will begin to build a bridge of love between one another. Actually, we have already built the foundation and now we need to pray more, love more, and most of all, come together more. It is only through spending time together, time in worship, time in service, and time in fellowship that we can raise this bridge and come to truly know, love, and understand one another. We must honor each other’s gifts and encourage each other to continue, in our own special way, serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have five more days left of fasting; I look forward to the blessings of each day. I will continue to pray about all of this and for all of you that we might come together in one spirit and be all that we can be, God’s precious children.
The season of Lent gives us many opportunities. It is a time for growth, renewal, and change. This year, I committed to go on a 21-day Daniel fast, a fast based on Daniel 10. Have you ever felt that God had more for you but you weren’t quite sure how to find it? If you ever feel this way, a season of fasting, prayer, and quiet meditation will lead you to many new blessings. When you fast , your spirit becomes uncluttered by the things of this world and amazingly sensitive to the things of God.
Since around the first of the year, I have been working on and praying over my leadership workshop for this year’s convention. Our theme this year is ‘In One Spirit’; so it’s no great surprise that God has led me to a theme of leading in unity. In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul calls us to walk in unity. How can we walk in one spirit, all being so different? Racial, ethnic, and social segregation are as old as society itself. Wherever people live, they form groups along these lines. Then they put up walls to keep others out; many of these walls have been church walls. So how do we find unity in all of this?
For starters, as Christian women, we need to recognize that the unity we are searching for is a unity from the Spirit of God; only in him are we able to rise above our human condition.
Can unity and diversity co-exist?
We honor our diversity as God-given gifts to be cherished from generation to generation.
We don’t look alike; we don’t speak alike; we don’t even worship alike.
And, as a general rule, we don’t gather to worship together; although this mold is being broken by the ‘non-denominational churches’ and is beginning to over-flow into the ‘main-stream churches’
So how do we find unity in our diversity?
Unity comes when we all focus on God’s will and purpose. We will never, on our own, be a perfect people, but nothing is impossible with God. If we can hold on to those things that God considers precious, while letting go of those things which separate us, we will begin to build a bridge of love between one another. Actually, we have already built the foundation and now we need to pray more, love more, and most of all, come together more. It is only through spending time together, time in worship, time in service, and time in fellowship that we can raise this bridge and come to truly know, love, and understand one another. We must honor each other’s gifts and encourage each other to continue, in our own special way, serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I have five more days left of fasting; I look forward to the blessings of each day. I will continue to pray about all of this and for all of you that we might come together in one spirit and be all that we can be, God’s precious children.
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