A few months ago my in-laws had some furniture they were looking to re-home and asked their kids if they were interested before they asked outside of the family. My favorite chair and secretary were on the list, along with a couch and love seat. I talked my husband into putting dibs in on those items…they’re free, after all, right? Later that week, we borrowed a truck from a friend and headed 90 miles east to grab our new free furniture to replace our 14 year old hand me downs. How exciting!! All said and done we spent $50 on gas and $10 for fast food, and I was still thinking our free furniture was still a pretty good deal.

Days later, a new home was found for our old furniture then I set to work bringing the new furniture into the house. When my husband asked where the new furniture was going and I told him he exclaimed, ‘oh no! This furniture is too nice to put in the great room. We need to put it where the kids can’t even sit on it.’ Okay. Plan B. Let’s put it in the family room. The furniture fit perfectly and made the room look cozy and warm with its gold and green hues. As I sat back and admired my new room I paused. Hmm. There’s a problem. But only a slight problem. The walls were painted a suede blue color to match the green down chairs I had in the room before hand. The blue didn’t look bad, but it really didn’t look great, either. My decorating instinct kicked in and I started to obsess about how much it would cost to repaint the wall. I quietly slunk out the door and disappeared to Home Depot on a mission. Horrified at the $40 a gallon price tag of the special paint from two years previously I left a bit discouraged. My free furniture was starting to cost me more than I had originally anticipated. Thankfully, days later, I was able to discover a gallon of demonstration paint in the oops section for $1 and after adding 3 cups of white paint I already had, I was able to create the perfect color for my wall. Sadly, my compulsion to make the room just right didn’t end there. I was so elated at saving so much money on paint I was compelled to go buy new decor for the room to match the style of my new furniture. Before I knew it, my new furniture had become an obsession that was growing wildly out of control, and consuming my life.

Pondering the whole situation I began to think of my relationship with Christ. Easter is upon us and churches will be emphasizing the free gift of eternal life made available through Christ’s resurrection. The gift of salvation is free, all you have to do is ask for it. Just like I asked for the furniture from my incredible in-laws. The furniture I received, though free from the giver, made a change in my life that motivated me to action. This action had a cost; namely a different paint color and new nick knacks. Conversely, the gift of salvation I received from Christ was free. The change the Holy Spirit brings to my life compels me to action as I let the Holy Spirit consume my life. My resulting actions have a cost; namely denying myself. 2 Corinthians 3:18. Scripture says a believers is a new creation in Christ and will be transformed. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:17-21. Salvation most certainly is a free gift, but living a spirit filled life has a cost. This isn’t a new idea~Jesus told his followers they needed to evaluate that cost of discipleship before they made a commitment. Luke 14:25-33; Luke9:23.

As we are sharing the gospel, whether this Easter season or 3 months from now, we need to communicate that life in Christ is a free gift and the benefits far outweigh the cost, but there is a cost. Salvation isn’t a gift you place on a shelf to gather dust, rather it’s a gift put into action, through the work of the Holy Spirit, that compels life change. As John Calvin penned, “Indeed, faith alone saves, but the faith that saves, is never alone.”

Please share how your salvation has specifically cost you.

]]> http://liftaz.org/wp/?feed=rss2&p=1013 0 http://liftaz.org/wp/?p=962 http://liftaz.org/wp/?p=962#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:39:56 +0000 Admin http://liftaz.org/wp/?p=962 Spring is in the air and Easter is just around the corner. Most retail stores have the intoxicating fragrance of Tulips, Hyacinth, and Easter Lily’s permeating the air. It is an abrupt reminder to me, that along with blooming bulbs, the need for spring cleaning to be done is around the corner. I mentioned to my husband that I would be starting a Honey Do List for his cleaning list, and it jogged his memory about a conversation he’d recently had with a friend about life P.C. (Pre-Christian) and the struggles and failures his friend had experienced. Why is it so easy to share our P.C. struggles and failures but we struggle opening up about those things we’ve struggled with while a Christian. The friend likened it to the church building. Church staff work diligently to keep the areas of the church that everyone sees spotless, but if you go poking around where lay people never trod, there is always that pile of junk. Similarly, we close the door on the ‘closets’ of our own life so no one can see the junk.

We hear of drug abuse, infidelity, pornography addiction, greed, jealousy, and the list goes on and on. Most church members will come forth and admit they too had a problem, but it was years earlier: P.C. Yet statistics and those willing to share their life experience conclude that many church attenders are struggling with these same issues. Why are we so afraid to share our struggles with others? Are we afraid they will judge us? Look down on us? Think they are better than we are because ‘they don’t have that problem?’ The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. God is not a God of fear—He is a God of love. (I John 4:18) It has been said that when we bring our struggles into the light, the struggle loses its power because it can no longer hide and it ceases to be a thing to be feared. We need to open the door of the proverbial closet and allow our struggles to be illuminated by the ‘Light’.

I have recently been convicted of the junk I have been hiding and have started cracking the doors on some of my closets. I am tired of trying to look like the spotless church while hiding my mound of junk. And although everyone doesn’t need to know the entirety of the struggles throughout my life, Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for every season—this includes with who and what you share. I don’t flaunt the contents of my closets, but carefully consider those I can trust and extend an invitation to help me clean out my closet. I am trading the energy I have been spending hiding the junk in the closet for energy needed to clean the junk out.

I am a sinner. I have always been a sinner. Those of us who are believers are covered by the blood of the Lamb, but sometimes I do the very thing I do not want to do. (Romans 7:15) Some sins are more socially accepted than others—some have greater consequences. But we have to remember that God is working within each of us, and rather than stuffing more junk in the closet, or busying ourselves with worrying about what other people have in their closets, maybe we need to ask if it’s time to personally do a little spring cleaning in our closets.

By: Samantha A. Wright

~7 Points of Anne’s Message~

Person of the Holy Spirit: the Holy Spirit is not an it or dove or flame of fire, but a counselor which is ‘exactly the same as me [Jesus].” John 14:16. The Holy Spirit is present with us 24/7 whether we see him or not.

Presence of the Holy Spirit: He is available to us. Moment by moment surrender to moment by moment control.

Power of the Holy Spirit: He is available to us and is adequate for whatever God has called us to do.

Precepts of the Holy Spirit: He is available through the Scriptures. The Bible is the channel to help us gain wisdom for which we need to live a godly life.

Purity is the agenda of the Holy Spirit: Purity is available to us and should be our agenda. In our words, actions, motives…it affects what you look at, listen to, who you hang out with and what you do.

Prayer of the Holy Spirit: He prays for us when we do not know how or what to pray. Romans 8:26. The Holy Spirit is emotionally caught up in our lives. (Anne used her mother Ruth as an illustration). When we do great, the Holy Spirit is excited and is our cheerleader. When I mess up, He grieves because He loves me. He knows and understands me and is therefore able to fully communicate to God my prayers and longings.

Priority of the Holy Spirit: He brings glory to God. Jesus is the priority of the Holy Spirit. The written word of God is how we get there– the Spirit of Truth is written through the word of God.

What about you? What did God  place on your heart when Anne spoke? Share your comments below.

]]> http://liftaz.org/wp/?feed=rss2&p=904 0 http://liftaz.org/wp/?p=876 http://liftaz.org/wp/?p=876#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:24:08 +0000 Admin http://liftaz.org/wp/?p=876 I remember a time when my Christmas newsletter was written, printed, in postage paid envelopes, hand written notes on all 125 of them, and ready to be mailed by December 1st. I’m not sure where that woman went. And as I think about it, I am not sure whether I really want her back?

It’s the time of year when billboards, commercials and magazine articles are filled with advertisements to join XYZ gym or to lose weight. Ads even line the walls in public restroom stalls; you can’t escape it. We are now half way through what might be called, guilted into doing it January. Countless scientific studies have proven that up to 100% of New Year’s Resolutions are broken by February 17th. Okay, some studies actually claim there are 5% of people who actually keep their resolutions. I don’t know if any of these people, do you? Either way, it is the minority that keep resolutions, not the majority. Have you made New Year’s resolutions? If so, how are you doing in the resolution keeping category? Or, are you one of those people who figures you will just break them so why even make them?

Age makes you do more soul searching, or maybe it’s the hormones. Either way, contemplation has been one of my main activities the past few months which has lead to a desire is to be more intentional in making goals that matter. For example, does having my newsletter mailed out on the first day of December really matter in the scheme of eternity? Or does having a newsletter at all matter? What does God really desire of me? What aligns with His purpose for my life and how He designed me? Setting goals is not a bad thing, what we need to ask is, ‘are we setting the right goals?’ I like the word goals rather than resolution because it seems less cliché.

So, how do I set the right goals and succeed in keeping them? Here are some ideas.

First, determine what energizes you. What makes you smile from the top of your head down to your tippy toes? These are the things that God has designed you for. Do MORE of these things and get your goal aligned with them. If more of your goals are about improving your weaknesses you will be like the majority who break their resolutions. For a more extended version of this idea check out Find Your Strongest Life by Marcus Buckingham.

Second, have a mission/purpose statement for your life. Write it out in 10 words or less. Unless you know where you want to go in life, your goals will not get your there. Your life statement should be based on your spiritual gifts and how God designed you. These things fuel your tank and give you more energy even after a long day of activities. Take a look at Get More Done in Less Time, by Donna Otto.

Third, pick goals based on your life statement and write them down. Ask yourself “how does each goal line up with my purpose/mission statement?” If they don’t line up, cross them off. Now put your written list where you can see if often. For help here, check out Life Mapping, by Dr. John Trent.

Lastly, but most importantly, write down HOW you are going to accomplish these goals. If you don’t have a plan to get them done they are likely to just be words on paper at the end of the year. Remember the old adage, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

When I look at my goal list for 2010 I am energized, excited, and ready to take them on. Some are things that are difficult, like listening to 12 hours of Greek and Roman history. But, each is necessary to accomplish a bigger goal of mine. For example, the Greek and Roman history is a step toward writing a historical fiction novel. How about you? What are your big bodacious dreams? Have you broken them down into realistic goals? Are they in writing? If not, what are you waiting for?

This time of year we ponder Jesus as light of the world. But, Matthew 5 states that we, Jesus’ followers, are the light of the world. Is it possible to be the ‘light of the world’ spending time with family members? Yesterday while I was shopping, I gave the lady behind me in line 2 of my extra coupons. You would have thought I had given her a $20 bill. She was elated. That was easy. Why is it easier to be a light for Christ with a stranger? What happens to that thoughtful spirit in me when I get around my relatives? What is there about us that can be so stubborn about demanding our way when we are with family? Do I demand more from my relatives? Am I a poor communicator? Do my actions corroborate my words or discredit me?

Recently I had to answer these questions when I received a email from a family member that left me shaking. Angry. Hurt. Angry. Disgruntled. Angry. Hopeless. Did I mention angry? It, however, was not a righteous anger. I had to ask myself why the letter caused so much anger within me. Perhaps it was because some of the things in the email were painfully true. Initially, I chose denial fervently building a case for myself of all the things in the letter that were not true. Not a good plan. Fortunately, after much prayer and seeking counsel, I snapped out of denial mode.

Many of the things in the email were not necessarily true, but the result of poor communication. But, regretfully, some of the things were true. My pride did not want to see where I was not being Christlike. Baggage from past interactions prevented me from loving as Christ calls me to love. But when I sought counsel and realized my actions were causing pain in the life of someone, I discovered that I needed to confess those things to God and ask His forgiveness. More importantly, I needed to ask my relative for forgiveness. That, my friend, was not an easy task. If I hear the word apologize the first thought that comes to my mind is, “Gulp, how do you eat an elephant?” Well, as I tell my girls, “you eat an elephant one bite at a time.” What do the first bites look like? Let me suggest the following.

• • Read Scripture. Perspective is everything and nothing provides perspective like God’s word. We need perspective when asking if there is something I have done to cause conflict in this relationship.

• • Go to the Person. No emails or texts. Communication is 90% non-verbal and only 10% verbal. If distance prevents a face to face interaction, make a phone call.

• • Listen. Listen. Listen. Did I say listen? Our tendency is to defend ourselves. Resist this temptation. God is your defender and protector.

• • Admit Wrong. I had to say, “You are right. I have___, would you please forgive me?”

• • Make a Commitment. Tell the person you will try and not commit the offense again and take the necessary steps to back up your words. For me, the culprit was poor communication. I made a commitment to call in the future and not rely on others to communicate for me.

Does it work? A few weeks after our interaction, our families had the chance to get together. Instead of dreading the interaction, I went with hope that things would go better than they have in the past. I felt God’s peace and joy in doing what He has called me to do. Was it easy? No. Were there times I needed a breather and needed to be alone? Yes. But, I can honestly say I had a great time and am not dreading our next family get together.

What about you? Do you need to go to someone before that family holiday gathering and make things right? If so, here may be some utensils to help you eat that elephant one bite at a time~

Read scripture

Go to the person

Listen. Listen. Listen

Admit wrong

Make a commitment

I would love to know how your ‘meal’ went over the holidays. Please comment or email and let me know.

When the LIFT team members met in October, we discussed the account of Naaman (2nd Kings) and the one theme that stood out is that God wants to use each one of us. Many of you will remember Naaman, the Aramean army commander with leprosy who was healed by bathing seven times in the river Jordan. Seven individuals are involved in the account that God used in specific ways~Naaman, a young servant girl, King of Syria-King of Israel, Elisha’s servant Gehazi,Elisha the prophet, and Naaman’s servant.

Before we look at how God used each of these individuals, lets set the scene from Naaman’s perspective. At first glance, Naaman appears to be the main character. He is devastated when he discovers he has leprosy (the AIDS of the ancient world). He sees a ray of hope when he hears that a prophet of Yahweh can heal him. Naaman is insulted and angry when the prophet Elisha sent a messenger in his place and told Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River. (vs. 11) Ultimately, Naaman begrudingly obeys the prophet and is healed. (vs. 14) Healed, Naaman finds the peace only God can give and returns to Elisha, acknowledging that “there is no God of all the world except in Israel.” (vs. 15)

But God was not just at work in Naaman’s life. He was using an unlikely group of characters to demonstrate His power. Each of the individuals had a role to play—a job to do for God…

Young servant girl-had information that would help Naaman. She was brave enough to speak out.

King of Syria-sent a letter on Naaman’s behalf. He used his influence to help Naaman, but there was a risk involved if Naaman misused the recommendation.

King of Israel-had to trust he wasn’t being tricked.

Elisha’s Servant, Gahazi-acted on behalf of Elisha and approached Naaman even though Naaman was considered unclean. Gahazi had to remain in seclusion for 7 days before he would be considered clean.

Elisha the Prophet-doing what God had designed him to do. Elisha wanted to be God’s agent one hundred percent in whatever way the Lord chose to use him. Elisha obeyed completely, and uniquely so God received the glory.

Naaman’s Servant—urged Naaman to obey even if it wasn’t what Naaman expected or felt was appropriate.

As we look at each of these individuals, they EACH had a part in God’s divine plan. What if one of them would have said, “No, I don’t want to do that. Someone else will do it”? What about you? Are you Naaman and in the stages of devastation, hopefulness, angry and disgruntled? Or are you a servant girl who needs to give information to someone you are intimidated by? What about the king of Syria or king of Israel? Do you need to vouch for someone or trust someone you’re hesitant to trust? Then there’s Elisha…are you doing what God has asked you to do? Or what about Naaman’s servant? Do you need to tell someone in leadership something that is on your heart but are scared to death because they’re ‘the boss?’

What is God asking you to do today that you are resisting? Wouldn’t it be a blessing if God and others around you knew you were playing your part in God’s grand purpose and could say, ‘there is no God in the world, except the God of the Bible.”

For more about Samantha A. Wright

I’ve been thinking about leadership and vision lately. As the leader of a new ministry I am constantly thinking and dreaming: Where are we going? Who do we want to be? What should this ministry look like? What does it look like if we “win”? In other words, what is the goal? And what do I do first? Second? Third? These thoughts can be exciting but also a little daunting. They are exciting because of all the opportunities out there to impact lives, daunting because of the constant need to prioritize, keep the main thing the main thing and lead others toward the goal. Yet I find encouragement by regularly looking at the life of Christ

What is a leader? A leader is someone who has followers, and who influences others. Jesus is our prime example of a sacrificial servant leader who had vision. He guided and directed–but He also provided vision for a positive future. He was a visionary leader. It has been said that vision is the “act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be”. Doesn’t that sound like our Lord? He knew why He was here (His mission statement is in Luke 19:10). He knew where He was going. He knew where He wanted His followers to go (to reach the ends of the earth with a message of hope and then join Him in heaven). He kept the main thing the main thing and He began with the end in mind.

Do you as a leader know where you are going? Do you know where you want to take those who are following you? Do you know who you want to be? What would you do in your ministry if you knew you couldn’t fail? What would “win” look like for your ministry? Don’t be afraid to think and dream about “the end”: where you would like your ministry team (including yourself) to end up.

It is fun but also a challenge to dream in the future. But we must dream…and dream big! Henrietta Mears, a tremendous woman of God who, a couple generations ago, was used mightily in kingdom work said, “Dream Big Dreams: There is no magic in small plans.” Don’t worry about the money, or what you need to get there. When you dream there are only opportunities, not obstacles. Be willing to be stretched into the vision God has for you. Prayerfully listen, and begin building the ideas. Write them down. And then tell people. And you will have followers who come alongside because they believe in the vision. Jesus received His vision from the Father and then He told people about it. He never wavered from staying the course, He set goals to get there, and He began with the end in mind! Follow His lead…and become a visionary leader.

For more about Dr. Kristin Beasley

Do you have someone in your life you need to reprove, rebuke, exhort? I sure did! I was doing the “great patience” part very well. I was waiting and praying for the Lord to do something. Or was I waiting, praying, and not taking action out of my own fear that if I said something I would make the problem worse. Paul writes in II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” One night, while in bed, after studying this passage, my mind was plagued with thoughts of a personal situation. I suddenly thought, “Lord, the problem isn’t going to go away until I do something, is it?” I felt He was prompting me that the time was right to go and “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” Reprove, rebuke, and exhort are similar words in meaning–to admonish or give insight by words. The key is it must be done with great patience and instruction. I knew great patience and instruction meant there could be no bitterness in my heart. I realized God was not only giving me an opportunity to make the relationship right (in giving insight by words), but He was also giving me an opportunity to grow, to trust, and to be a witness for Him. It was at that moment that I was excited to see what the Lord would do. My focus was no longer on my many fears, but on His victory.

Is there someone in your life you need to “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction” so a broken relationship can be healed or you can be a testament of your faith in Christ to another? Have you been avoiding a situation because of your own fears? Have you been waiting for the Lord to do something? The apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians chapter 4, “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience (there is that word again!) showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

A grateful servant of Christ,

Lynda Murphy – LIFT Director

For more about Lynda Murphy

Relating to Younger Women Today

It would be interesting to parallel mentoring younger women to an experience at Starbucks. Have you ever sat there and just taken in the entire environment? Talk about community! From the minute you walk in you feel like you are at home. People are friendly and most are there just to sit and enjoy something everyone else has in common. COFFEE! You walk up to the counter and have a million options at your disposal. “Tall, Carmel, Light, Frozen, FRAPPUCCINO^®!” Suddenly, you feel empowered and excited about what is to come. You go to find a seat and have another sea of options: Tall table or short? Chair or couch? Cinnamon or Cream? No matter where you go, Starbucks is the same. It’s dependable, consistent and yet open ended and different. Everyone is welcome there and yes, you see them all; from the gothic girl with wildly spiked hair to the business lady with her locks tucked neatly into a tight bun. They all sit next to each other and its ok….as a matter of fact, it’s one of the only places in our culture that it is ok. Try to imagine a business woman next to a Gothic at your own local church….now that’s an exciting proposition to say the least! Why? Could it be that Jesus would be more in his element at Starbucks than in the pew? A friend of mine said that Starbucks is like the Christian version of a bar. Until Starbucks there were not many places to just hang out with people unless you were drinking beer. You can even go to Starbucks and just be alone, reading your paper and listening to smooth jazz from overhead. Wow, what a place! I didn’t even like coffee….but I loved the place. Don’t you think the church should be that place? Non-believers could love the place and then fall in love with the person who makes it run – Jesus the barista. What a concept! When ministering to younger women it’s important that you become that place. The place that is inviting, safe and open ended. Young women today want to be cared for and sought after but sometimes they give off an impression that they don’t need it. That’s because they live in a culture that demands that they make it on their own and prove that they have what it takes. But one of the best ways to invite a younger woman to join you is to say something like, “I’d love to hear your story, you seem like you really have a heart for God.” That interest on your part can be so powerful and sharing a story is a nonthreatening and inviting prospect to a younger woman. Here are a few principles to remember when you interact with a younger woman: Learn: Show a young woman that she has things to teach you as well. I have a mentor who has met with me since I was twelve. She has continued to care for me as a spiritual Mom through many seasons of my life. Over the years technology has changed. This last year she made the straining effort to try to speak my language through text messaging. I was so amazed and touched that she would do this just for me, especially when I could tell it was hard and even stressful at first. Over the years, we both have taught each other a lot about life and the Lord because she desires to learn from me as well. Listen: We don’t need answers, solutions or counsel until you have shown that you care about our journey and opinions. Learn to be comfortable without resolve or closure. And if you do have advice, learn to communicate through a question, like, “Why do you think God let that happen to you?”. As an older Christian woman you have so much wisdom, but it takes humility for a woman to ask a question when she already knows the answer. What do you want this young woman to see? How can you help her discover it without giving her the answer? This process takes practice but to a young woman it helps her feel like you were the guide but she discovered it on her on. Laugh: There is nothing more refreshing than a woman who laughs. There is something about laughter that invites a person to drop their guard and be themselves. If you can get a younger woman laughing you have become real and relatable to her. May God bless you and encourage you as you press on in a changing world. His truth and His Son will always remain relevant!