Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Dance-Baby-Dance!

So You Think You Can Dance?
In Africa, our team learned a child's game that involved acting silly and dancing like white people only could while getting schooled by rhythmical kids.  Well...ok, maybe I was the only who might have felt a tad  inadequate while doing the chicken dance.  It was a game that involved a lot of kids as it showed their sweet personalities.  We cheered from the outer edge of the circle chanting..."Dance Baby Dance".  It good mixer game and needless to say, those kids knew how to dance.


Every time it was my turn there were people laughing of course, I will be the first to tell you that I am one uncoordinated white girl...ahem.  The next dancer was one of your choosing.  So as I scanned the smiling, chanting faces, I tried to pick one who hadn't had a turn yet.  That's why I picked her.


Her demeanor was quiet and timid.  I figured she didn't get picked often.  I knew how that felt as I was always last to be picked.  


When it came to playground games, I was usually on the fringe of fun.  


I think we do this with God sometimes.  Stand on the fringe of opportunities.  We want Him to pick us to play, and but then once asked to dance, we are are shy about getting involved in His work.  The way I see it accepting Christ as your Savior is a choice, but being his disciple isn't.  It's obedience.  It's His command.  The great commission in Matthew 28 is Jesus' first directive to move.


Go!  You can't go if you are standing still or standing on the sidelines, those fringes areas of faith.  God didn't call you to be a spectator.  God involves us because he wants to use us.  This party is really about Him, and proclaiming His name, making it known.  It's not about what we bring to the circle, with our dance moves or special talents.  He knows your abilities, He is more interested in your availability.  We must give Him an all access pass to our hearts!


Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

Did you see the word between go and make?  Once you go, there is a second part.  Go and...get involved.  Engage your neighbor, serve in missions, reach the lonely, be an example or mentor.  Share history, share HIS-story.  Wear the Christ that lives in your heart!  Do anything, do something!  We can't do everything but we can do one thing that affects one person to let them know that they matter!  Make a difference, care about someone outside your circle of influence.

What are those fringe faith areas where you have been hanging out?  Go back there and teach people how to dance, make disciples.  Invest in someone.  Show them a few of your dance moves, tell them how Christ has changed your life.  Once they see God's skills....they will see real change.  Show kindness, show love, live compassion.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Music Monday [Light of the World]

Kari Jobe's style of worship has brought a new light and perspective to me. I have a new appreciation for her music ever since I saw her at Winter Jam.

 Matthew 5:14 says "You are the light of the world.  
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

It sounds like she is singing this verse straight from the book of Matthew, which is a direct quote from Jesus.  Whenever I see Jesus words in red in my Bible, I take those as my words to live by.  Those "red-lettered" threads (words) are truth that I want to weave into my wayward heart.  And I like it when God's words are put to song.


The most impacting part of the song is the chorus below.  We are to be like Christ.  Those words were not just recorded centuries ago for a group of disciples or written for someone else of the Bible times.  God's words were written for me.  


We are the city on a hill
We are the light of the world
We gotta, 
we gotta, 
we gotta let the light shine
Let the light shine, 
let the light shine

We are called to the spread the news
Tell the world the simple truth
Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name
So let it all break through


We are history makers.  We are His-story makers.  How will people know of God's greatness if we don't share His story in our lives?  We gotta let the light  shine so that others will know the simple truth of Jesus, that there's freedom in His name, that Jesus saves, so that God's glory shines through.  We must share so that name of Jesus will be lifted high.  Being the light of the world is my spiritual act of worship.  


Be the light, shine bright!