10/18/2006 Entry: "limiting God..."

limiting god.

yes, He is "the almighty", the omnipresent, omniscient one who transcends time and space. it is he whose single breath could turn this earth to ashes, or set our cosmos whirling into chaos. with one thought he could allow the laws of nature, which he set into order, to crumble. in turn, well...we'd all be dead. it is he who so intricately created and fashioned the human body...the eye, the brain, even the soul...he is so powerful, yet many times has allowed humanity to be the instrument through which he has demonstrated his power...

today i was reading about peter and how he saw God move on any ordinary day. so, in turn i compared that to our average day as a "believer". it made we wonder how often we truly limit the all powerful God from moving in and through our lives...(psalms 78:41) ...doesn't it just make you wonder about how well you know Him??? i mean why don't we experience him like peter or others in the Bible? is it because we don't expect? or is it that we really just don't believe? or maybe that we don't even bother to ask?

now i am the farthest person from believing in the whole "name it claim it" bull crap! i've seen some pretty messed up stuff in my life done in the "name of Jesus" that has done far more damage to people's lives than good...so i'm not in that camp! i'm not talking about demanding God to do stuff for us and give us what we want so we can live a more comfortable life ! what i am talking about is far outside the tangible, beyond the here and now...yes, i'm talking about the supernatural, but not just in the sense of "great miracles" and massive healings, etc... how about even just having our natural world interrupted by God for once? for instance when was the last time God interrupted your schedule and used your voice to share hope with a complete stranger??? or how about just someone at work or school??

think about this! if we say we truly believe Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life" wouldn't we have a similar passion to that of the disciples who said "i can't help but speak"...now i'm not saying you have to stand on the street corner with a mega phone quoting the book of Revelation at the top of your lungs??? but wouldn't we want to reach out to the hurting? wouldn't that be our heart beat???? I read a verse the other day that slapped me in the face, and was one of the things that stirred up all these thoughts in me...it's in James and it says, "true religion is to care for the widows and the orphans!" THAT'S IT! when was the last time we did that? i mean, it kind of makes us have to step back and question what we REALLY believe at all...in all honesty we have to ask, who we really are...beneath the label "christian"...who are we at the core...do we really believe?

then it makes me wonder how many times would God have moved in our lives if we actually listened to his voice...but how often do we let fear and doubt stop us from even sharing Jesus with other people? Why did the church of Acts see God move? because they expected Him to move, asked Him to move, and looked for opportunities to be used by Him!! they engaged in conversation with the outcast of society and weren't too good for anyone! they were not bound by society's "rules of conversation"...they had to speak! why? because they experienced God, not religion!

i say all that because God's been teaching me this lately...or reminding me of the simple things we so often neglect to see...the opportunities we pass by every single freakin day! once again, he has been calling me more outside the four walls of the church and causing me to realize how many, many hurting people are not stepping foot into our churches! they aren't enticed by our cute little coffee shops and our free orange juice and doughnuts! think about it...when was the last time you saw a homeless person or a prostitute walk through the doors of your church? don't get me wrong, i'm not saying free orange juice, etc is bad, but there comes a point where we have to realize and read what Jesus REALLY said and really called us to...it is not just comfort! it's not just church attendance!

somehow along the way we have lost the understanding of what Christianity is really all about! we exchanged that depth for lifeless mediocrity! we exchanged that "personal relationship" for mere sunday morning services. Yes, we should be in church, learn more about God, and be accountable, but! that's NOT where it ends!

i don't want to walk in the footsteps of those who never saw God move...I don't want to be satisfied with just religion and live life in total ignorance to what God really wanted to do in this generation...lately i just feel God has been convicting me and reminding me to get back to the roots...to hit the streets, to GO TO THOSE who are hurting and reach out more!!! im just desperate for Him to move, and want to expect it more...this is just what i'm learning. expect, and step out on the water, you won't sink.

Replies: 19 comments

see thats whats Great about our Lord and God..He doesnt hate at all!! im sure he doesnt even know HOW to hate His creation...i mean just think about it---HE CREATED US!!! wow!! HE DIED FOR US!! alllll of us!!! not just jon doe down the street or jane doe...but ALL OF US!! so why would a person who died for us...took ON OUR SINS LITERALLY...CREATED US hate us?!!!

the answer is HE LOVES NOT HATES!!! And i know that sounds cliche but just take a min to really think about it! HE LOVES YOU, ME, EVERYONE!!!!!!! isnt it greaaaaaaaat?! :-)

we've got to keep pressing on..thats what He wants us to do...press on! lean into His arms!

AK

Posted by AK @ 10/27/2006 12:18 PM CST

kirsty-i'll definitely get that book, sounds really interesting...thanks for telling me bout it and for sharing your heart!

michelle-wow...all i can say is that i know that in this life we all go through hard times...sickness, pain, facing consequences for stupid decisions we sometimes make, and even have to face death. then we even have to experience GREAT LOSS and lose the ones we love...christians are not immune to hard times and sickness...why does God allow the ones He loves to experience pain? there are many answers that i've heard to that, and to be honest im not sure i've ever been satisfied with any of the answers i've been given...and to be TOTALLY honest with you, i'm only 29 years old...i don't know everything, not that you thought i did, but most everything i write about is what i have learned on my journey of life, not just what people have told me...so in this area, i still have not found answers that really satisfy me...i mean there are the obvious things like the Bible talks about-as odd as this sounds-hardships, trials, etc bring us closer to God. they either press us into God or we run from Him. so, i know that is one reason we go through hardships...to know Him here on earth in ways we never would have known him had we not experienced pain...but other than that...im still looking for more answers myself...im sorry i don't have some great answer...i hate that, and maybe that will press me to seek it out more...but i pray God blesses you through your trials..and actually i wrote a song about this sort of thing on our next record. it's called Night and Day...it talks about a certain situation i went through in my life where God called me to obedience, and my flesh was screaming out NO! i didn't want to obey...my heart beat within me to go another direction, and obedience tore my world apart because it meant GREAT sacrifice. So i obeyed and though MANY TIMES i wanted to leave that place of brokenness and devastation that i am still being healed of...i didn't leave and God has shined through all the shattered broken pieces of my heart and life...and still is...so though i still cannot explain it...and though i still wonder about it...i have to press on in faith and know that I obeyed God and in turn He has shined through the darkest nights in ways i would have never experienced before...now understand. I KNOW MY situation is nothing like yours, but i can only speak from the pain i have known, and that is all that i know...hope this makes sense...dangit, i feel i didn't make any sense, but i hope so. i love you and pray God helps you and your father and that God moves and exceeds all your expectations...may he work in your dads life more than ever before and grant him grace and joy in the midst of despair...i know this situation must be so difficult for you and your father...i am praying for you tonight michelle...seriously...

allie-thanks for sharing. i love it when people get on here and share, not just me...ya know, it's actually encouraging to me...so thank you...also, regarding sharing your faith...i think the best way to do that is to relate everything to YOUR life...people don't want to hear about 10 steps to God that we read out of some book but people will respect you if you are REAL and genuine! tell your own story about how you came to know GodI remember a friend of mine a long time ago refused to talk to me about God. SO! i decided i had shared what i could and decided to LIVE out my faith in front of them...that's what i did and 6 months later, after they saw i was serious, they allowed me to REALLY REALLY share my heart with them and it was one of the coolest things i've ever experienced. You definitely cannot force Jesus on people, but they cannot deny a changed life and will respect your words if they can tell you are for real...if that makes sense...hope that helps.

lindsey-hmmm if they are pushing you away, i don't really know if it's a good idea to keep pushing towards them if that makes sense. i mean, i think you should be available to them and reach out to them if u see the need arises, and there is an opportunity...but many times just being there is enough...letting your light shine!!!i mean if they don't want anything to do with you...i have this one friend that is JUST LIKE THAT...so i have made it my goal to just say hello when i can and shoot the breeze to keep the door of conversation open because they WILL NOT talk about God AT ALL...so i think in time, they will...it just takes time sometimes...and sometimes, we must simply PRAY! now we take that as an "all we can do is pray" thing, but prayer is powerful. pray GOd will soften their hearts and just be available for God to use you when the timing is right, and you will know...

jenni-yes, i know...they suffered...it always makes me wonder how devoted we are and if put to the test how much we would really suffer...

Living Proof-u said it all! that's bottom line! thank you!

cassey-thanks for your encouragement! :)

jeff-thank you too for your encouragement! :)

Person-John 3:16. God loves you. You! YOU! YOU! no matter what, His love is not like ours...it is purely unconditional, and untainted! KNOW THAT! HEAR IT! He is your hope!

Posted by sara delight @ 10/27/2006 01:28 AM CST

hey, "person"... GOD DOES NOT HATE YOU!!!!!! I used to feel that way but I have found out that HE DOES NOT!!!! He will "command his angels to take hold of you so that you will not strike your foot on a stone." this verse is so amazing! No matter how alone or helpless you might feel, GOD IS THERE!!! ALWAYS!!! He has lifted me up from the pit and I pray that he will do the same to you. NEVER give up hope!

~Allie~

Posted by Allie @ 10/26/2006 08:11 PM CST

Hi Sara!

You rock! But not as hard as Jesus!! I appreciate your insights and willingness to share them.

Jeff T.

Posted by Jeff Thomas @ 10/24/2006 08:06 PM CST

I think that you are completely right. Some people just waste away stuck in the middle to afarid to really follow God. It is so awesome that you are not afarid to say what you think and burn for God. I hate the idea that some christians have of just living without impacting the world. Well at least those around us. I think that Jesus would really move in our lives if we just had the faith to truly follow and believe in him. Anyway, I think you are very brave for saying those things. I think Jesus is up in heaven smiling down at you now, because you aren't afarid to speak the truth like he has told us to. If only more "christians" would speak up Jesus would really rock our world. Thanks so much for your ministry and thoughts!

Cassey ^_^

Posted by Cassey @ 10/24/2006 09:44 AM CST

god hates me

Posted by a person @ 10/23/2006 06:47 PM CST

i am also living proof. those thoughts are NOTHING but satan's stupid lies. don't listen to them. you are precious to God, and He has purpose for you. the pain we have here on earth can be used to work for God and to make a difference in other people's lives. keep hanging on no matter HOW hard it gets. don't let satan win. he doesn't care about you. God does. God loves you more than anything and He has work for you. keep holding on.

Posted by living proof as well @ 10/23/2006 06:29 PM CST

V That isn't true. Every single person in this world has a point and purpose, and thoughts of suicide are nothing but strait-up lies from Satan. No matter how worthless you could ever feel, you are the creation of God and He loves you. There is nothing that could ever make Him forget about you or turn His back on you. Never give up on life, the pain and suffering we face here could not even compare to how your life will be, dying without Christ in your heart.

Posted by living proof @ 10/23/2006 04:49 PM CST

there isn't a point of living. i want to die.

Posted by a person @ 10/23/2006 03:32 PM CST

This is awesome. I love you, and how real you are. You just lay it out on the table. Thanks.

Posted by Rafi @ 10/21/2006 09:24 PM CST

I know what you mean. Like we lost the wonder and amazement we need to make us dig deeper... And just go to church for our reputation and pride or to hang out and flirt...That verse in James about looking out for orphans and widows is sooo one of my favorite verses!!!! That is true religion not giving the biggest offering or praying with the most "Biblical" sounding words... I honestly thought my faith was strong till I read about the ealry church how they suffered for LIVING their beliefs. Now I realize how stuipedly simple my life is, yet I stumble a billion times a day...
Anyway, thanks for being real Sara.

Still practicing,
Jennie

Posted by Jennie @ 10/21/2006 01:22 PM CST

sara, you're beyond amazing. i have a million things i could talk to you about...but there's not enough room here! ha! i just have one lingering question...

well, ya know how sometimes God will just place someone special on your heart...someone who's really hurting...and He tells you to touch their life??? well...what happens when that person doesn't want to be touched? what do you do when the harder you try to love them or help them...the further they push away? then what?

i could seriously talk to you about this stuff for hours. :o)

check your email...read the one i sent with the title "booooooking!!!" :o) wayland wants ya!!!

xoxo
lindz

Posted by lindsey @ 10/20/2006 11:46 PM CST

right back at 'cha, Shell! hey, email me... I think we could become fast friends!!
In his grace,

~Allie~

P.S You know, Sara, that is something to think about. How are we limiting God? But I have a question- how can you REALLY open yourself to Him, and overcome your fear of stepping out? I'm always scared that I will just push it into people's faces and lose them. How can I share my faith without seeming too pushy? God has really been doing great things in my life, But I always feel shy when it comes to telling people. I've been mad at God so many times, and most of my non christan friends know that- how do I not seem hypocritical by saying how God is now this Awesome being? Can anyone help me? I would really like to know.

P.P.S does it ever seem to anyone that we use the words Awesome and Cool and Amazing almost too much? It seems like that to me. Like when I call God Awesome, i'm putting him right next to Pizza and Dance- because i think they're both Awesome.... it's hard, though, to find words to describe God in his... well, AWESOMENESS!! Lol!:)

Posted by Allie @ 10/20/2006 11:19 AM CST

Thanks Allie, that does help. I have kinda been used to this lifestyle, and its not as bad as when it first happened (or maybe I just forget what its like some times). Anyway, I don't want to be self-absorbed, I have seen people who get wiped off their feet and they don't even try to get back up, like they lost all hope. I've seen others who get right back up and start back on what they were doing. But I've found that there are other on this ground with me, others who are suffering, who don't have the strength alone. I found God as I was falling, and He showed me so many things that I want to share with others, they are gifts that I don't want to hide. That is what I feel God is calling me to. To help those who are suffering with me. I'm not saying I want to be a pastor or something, I just want to use this situation to be able to understannd the pain of others and show them that life doesn't end here, and that God can mend their soul and make them stronger for it. In a way helping others has helped me get through my own life.

Thanks again Allie, you always seem to know how to say the right things in the right way. God Bless, girly.

Much Luvs~Shell

Posted by Michelle C. @ 10/20/2006 08:08 AM CST

SARA-----November 19-24th, next month! thanksgiving week!!!

--Your true friend!!

Posted by READ SARA!!!!! @ 10/20/2006 02:35 AM CST

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To be continued...hehehheheheeheeeeeeeeeeeee

--Da KanTeSta No Gangsta

Posted by Da KAnTEsta No GangsTA @ 10/20/2006 02:34 AM CST

Hey, Shell, it's me, ~Allie~. now it's my time to give you some advice.
God says that he will never leave you, nor forsake you, and he means what he says!!!!! We don't always know why things happen, but they always hapen with God's plan in mind. Have you ever seen the back of an embroidered cloth? It's all knots and loose strings and you can barely see what the picture's supposed to look like. But when you turn it over- if it's not crappy like my embroidery- you will see a thing of beauty. That's like our life, Shell. All we can see is bits of string and knots and just a complete mess, but the part God sees is the beauty on the front. a wise man once said, "We, as Christians, are like tea bags. We're no good unless we're in hot water- and the longer we steep, the better we are!"
I know it's hard, but believe me, I know what you're feeling right now. My family was going to adopt a baby when the mother just dissapeared. No one can find her, and we don't even know if the baby was a boy or a girl! For a while I was really mad at God, saying things like, "how could you let this happen??? I love you! how could you do this to me?" I was having a really hard time. But God showed me that even though we didn't get that baby, I still have Him- and He will never leave me. God IS a God of miracles. just keep on believing, and praying, and reading God's word. I will be praying with you!!
Hope This Helps!

~Allie~

Posted by Allie @ 10/19/2006 09:58 PM CST

Yeah. Its true, the modern church has in ways sacrificed the pure hardcore truth with those lil sayings you see on the church signs as you drive by like "If Jesus had a refidgerator your picture would be on it"?!?! I mean seriously, its like they are trying to draw people in, but in ways they are trying to soften the gospel and invent their own religion. But its not just them, I have, I have found myself believing what I want to as well. I'm guity too. I don't know what it would take to get back to truth, to what is real... a revolution I guess. But thats whatInhabited is all about, right Sara?

The whole miracles thing... is it real? I mean deep down honestly is it real? Sara, 7 years ago my daddy and my lil bro and I were swimming in the pol and playing outside, it was memorial day, and that Sunday was the first time in years that we went to church, later that day we were outside, and when we came in my dad just fell on the floor. He didn't trip, there was no big "accident" nothing happened. He just fell. I was sooo scared. I still remember looking through the door and seeing my dad on the ground and he was crying. He was in so much pain and he just looked so scared. The ambulance came and the next few days was a blur of staying at relatives house and people I didn't know and doctors. I was like 6 years old and it still seems like yesterday. Today my daddy can't walk. He is in a wheelchair and he hasn't walked since that day. It is so hard having to see him in a wheelchair, he was always so strong and independend, and he always loved life so much. He is kinda used to this lifestyle now, but he hates it, he is in pain sometimes. But the point is, he used to have soo much faith, he went to all these healing things and saw people get healed and it was so amazing, but he still can't walk.

I don't want to say that I lost faith, I really don't, but what am I supposed to believe? I don't understand this. Satan attacked my dad, and I can't understand why God hasn't done something about it.

Geez, I'm sorry to dump this all on you...I'm like crying right now, kinda crazy...

All I know is this; God is God no matter what I am going through and my family. His plans are higher than ours. I have to believe it. It's my life.

Much Luvs~Shell

Posted by Michelle C. @ 10/19/2006 10:00 AM CST

Ahh this was too good not to comment, I can't resist:)

I have been struggling with similar thoughts and questions for the past 2 years! Even the past few weeks ive been thinking about how in the West we really don't need God, or at least we don't live like it. Most of us are well fed, clothed, have a house, a car, a job etc. It just seems like we have our life all laid out and then on the side we have our faith, as like an extra. I think in the new testament church their WHOLE life was encorporated into their faith, it was who they were completely. I mean they shared everything common, they met each others needs instead of living for their own. It seems that we only really seek God in a crisis, when someone is sick or when we lose our job, rather than totally relying on Him for everything we do.

Sometimes it just feels like a lot of Christianity is just a business, the way people approach evangelism, the way they approach finances, it all seems business like. It feels like its all this business to 'get people saved' and then thats fine they have their ticket to heaven when they die, so if they just go to church every week, pay their tithe, stop swearing, drinking etc then they are fine. Its just like some transaction rather than a deep calling from the creator of the universe. I read in a book about this church, and it was like they had 100 people attending, the pastor preached the gospel and there were 20 people left, I thought yeah that makes sense! It feels like we're preaching a false gospel these days. Theres no sacrifice required, no care for the poor, the widow, the homeless, the prostitute etc It just seems like trying to get people to believe the 'right' things to be assured of heaven and thats it,ahhhh. We're definatley missing out on a lot of what Jesus came for.

God has been really awesome in showing me things lately. Making me realize EVERYTHING matters, every day matters, what I do with my money matters, how I treat the poor, how I relate to people etc etc. I feel excited for what God is doing, I think people are definately catching onto what it truly means to follow Jesus, and thats where we will see the power every day:) Isaiah 61 always makes me hopeful that God is and will move in the here and now and He will use us if we get off of our butts and follow:)

A really cool book i've been reading is Shane Claibourne-the irresistable reveloution-living as an ordinary radical, it really eye opening, definately worth reading!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts so honestly Sara, we need more people to voice stuff like this over our generation:)

Kirsty

Posted by Kirsty @ 10/19/2006 07:58 AM CST