Reflections of Praise

After a hectic April, it was totally God’s wisdom to plan for a low-key May. We started the month in New Jersey at the Mentor Network Gathering where Brennan Manning reminded us in many ways that we belong to Abba and are loved by Him as we are, not as we should be. That was a much needed truth that stayed with me throughout the month as I’ve had opportunities to explore some pretty big (read: daunting) possibilities for Global Impact. Especially since we haven’t been able to assemble summer teams this year despite all our efforts, remembering the Father’s faithful love and how He glories in concealing matters¹ has drawn me to ask Him what is on His heart and mind and allow Him to drop some pretty crazy ideas in my head. Since He opened up my schedule by eliminating all logistical aspects of a summer team (which would be pretty crazy right around now), I’ve had significant times to sit still (or go running ) and dream a little with Him. It’s been a challenge to change what I previously defined as “short-term missions,” but I get the sense He is ready to shift things, and I need to be willing to follow Him…no matter how wild He gets.

Please continue praying this month

• for a fearless following after God into new realms, new relationships, new paradigms
• for supernatural organizational skills as I gather reference ideas, next steps, and contact information…I need to be able to retrieve it all after He gives it to me!
• for good communication with our current host partners who wanted a team, but won’t receive one this summer…that we can mutually encourage one another as we wait for God to release us into active ministry together…and thank God for their patience and kind understanding!
• for spiritual protection as we move in a direction that will attract the Enemy’s contempt
• for unshakable assurance and confidence in God as my leader in WFI and in my own personal life

Looking Ahead

At least once, maybe twice, a decade, I start to feel restless. My daily life looks mundane and not very exciting. I wonder what it would be like to live in a big city with all kinds of activity just steps from the front door. Or what it would be like to spend a few months in another country and encounter God through the people and culture there. I’m not sure what brings it on, but the feeling is always the same: I want more. I guess after a month of seeing all that God is doing through others, it’s hard not to compare…

That sounds very unChristian to be unsatisfied. Paul’s claim to be content in all circumstances² has been held before me as a goal in more messages than I can count. What God has been showing me, though, is the distinction between contentment and satisfaction. Contentment is about our attitude; satisfaction is about a standard.

I’m starting to suspect we were built for a much higher standard than we tend to hold, maybe an Edenic one? Thanks to our fallen nature, we’re never going to meet that standard in this lifetime. (Do you feel encouraged?! ) Although we do need to develop an attitude of contentment, we don’t do that by lowering the standard.

That restlessness I feel is uncomfortable — and slightly irritating! — but it reminds me (1) we’re created in the image of God for more than what this world can offer, and (2) complacency doesn’t mean I’ve learned contentment, only that I’ve lowered my standard. Whether it’s pursuing God in my own personal relationship with Him or attempting to point people closer to Jesus through music and the arts, I need to be content without settling for discovering less than His best, even in the smallest details.

I don’t have the secret to that (you’ll have to ask the Apostle Paul). What I appreciate about that uncomfortable balancing act, though, is the way it propels me to discover as much as I can of God. I love puzzle games, but at some point I want to solve it. This is like one huge puzzle game that has infinite levels — because God is infinite! I wish I could say it will be resolved when we see Him face to face, but the more I think about it, the more I am convinced this will be an eternal process. And through it, God will be eternally glorified!

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25.2

1. Proverbs 25.2 [↩]
2. Philippians 4.11 [↩]

Hi! Hope you’re doing well! It’s definitely been an interesting few weeks in Global Impact land. Your prayer support is indispensable!

This week, could you please pray:

• I will quickly and obediently fall in line under the protection of the Holy Spirit–been sensing significant spiritual resistance from the enemy lately as we explore a new option that looks quite promising
• for God to release more of His favor as we try to move forward in planning our first domestic program test-run–perfect dates, affordable rates, lasting strategic friendships
• for meetings with “persons of peace” (Luke 10.6) in our own backyard! And that I would carry increasing measures of the peace of Christ with me to extend to them.

Thanks so much! Greater and greater blessings to you this week…

Hello! Hope your week is off to a good start…is it really the middle of May already?!

This week, could you focus your intercession on strengthening my faith? Been sensing the need to believe before I see, so please pray

• God will grant greater faith to proclaim He is victorious before it happens
• God will give me eyes to see beyond the natural to spiritual reality and to act accordingly
• God will direct me to the peace and wisdom of His presence in the places I am prone to be anxious

Thanks! I’m definitely feeling more desperate for Him this week! Uncomfortable, but (in a strange way) an answer to prayer.

Hi! Hope your week is off to a great start! Thanks so much for praying for me last week. It was an anointed time at the mentor network gathering as God made Himself clearly present, and I came home with renewed energy for Global Impact, new friends, and exciting possibilities.

This week, could you please pray for:

• protection from the enemy as he tries to steal away all God has done in New Jersey (I learned from the last two weekends that he tends to do that, so this is our preemptive strike )
• solid follow-up for new friendships…especially that I would be a blessing and encouragement to them!
• good start to exploring new possibilities and next steps
• time to go through all of the email from everyone as a result of our time together, especially all the links and notes

Thanks so much! What would I do without your support?!

Reflections of Praise

In the course of three weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to be at 3 conference-type things. Only one was officially called a conference, and the one I’m at right now is really more of a gathering than a conference, but I know it’s the Lord’s encouragement to allow me to meet with such a wide variety of Kingdom citizens, learn from them, be ministered to by them, and be fueled by His presence within them. (Hopefully, they have also received from God through me!) God was so faithful to answer your prayers this past month for good connections. Building strong relationships takes time, but I’m so thankful for the small beginnings of new Kingdom friendships!

He has been most generous with me this past month with the sense that we are moving in the right direction, even if it feels like we are barely moving at all. Over and over again, He has been showing me through Scripture and through teaching and example of others how the arts can be used in much greater ways to worship Him, and how worship is a strategy near to His heart for the display of His glory. What He does in the spiritual realm can be reflected in our natural lives and actions to bring about great advances for our King. The greatest obstacle is not our lack or others’ opposition; it’s our fear.

Please continue praying this month

• for God’s presence to overwhelm us at the Mentor Network Gathering in New Jersey, May 2-4, and for health and travel protection as we go to and from different parts of the country…His hand carrying us is better than any travel insurance we can buy!
• for favor in the eyes of other ministry leaders as they consider partnering with a relatively small ministry and its inexperienced coordinator
• for affordable and timely connections as we continue to make plans to test-run a domestic worship mission program
• for spiritual protection as we move in a direction that will attract the Enemy’s contempt
• for unshakable assurance and confidence in God as my sovereign authority in whatever I get to do with WFI and in my own personal life

Looking Ahead

Recently, a friend shared what he was learning about stewardship: it isn’t about the gathering, it’s about the dispensing. The emphasis is only slightly shifted, but it has made a big difference in my approach. While my personal net worth is less than impressive and carries no hope for an early retirement (wouldn’t want that anyway!), I know God has given me more than a fair share of experiences and opportunities, of skills and relationships. I might not be a “10 talent” girl, but I know He has generously lavished me with more than one. (Matthew 25.14-30)

Saving is the safe way to go, whether it is effort, money or time (which, I’ve been told, equals money). Especially in our current economic climate, saving looks like the wise way to go. An online post by Bill Johnson of Bethel Church in Redding, CA has challenged me for weeks: “Fear often looks like wisdom to those in unbelief.” How much have I held back from the Kingdom – actually, from God – out of fear and deceived myself into calling it “wisdom”? He doesn’t need me for anything, and everything I give Him is merely an act of returning it to the original Giver. The only one eternally hurt by my holding back is me. My sense of wisdom and responsibility needs to be informed by deep trust in God as my portion.

One of my greatest desires as I grow as a worshiper is to know my Lord’s affirming words, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” I won’t hear this if I won’t dare to wholeheartedly invest whatever He has given me into whatever He is asking of me. What I get to do with Worship Foundations International is really just a few things compared to eternity in His presence.

Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.Psalm 34.9