Do I fit in.....

A close friend of mine sent me a link to a blog.  In reading it, of course, my mind began to whirl.  What kind of church body do I attend?  What kind of church do I represent? How open am I? Do I 'fit in' or make others feel 'unwanted'?

I understand there needs to be protocol, set boundaries, and guidelines when leading a group of people.  But do we solely base our 'Christianity' on these man-made rules?  The below link really touched my heart.  http://www.digtriad.com/news/article/178958/1/NC-Boy-With-Cerebral-Palsy-Asked-To-Leave-Easter-Service

What if this woman came to my local body of worship.  Would I welcome her, or just sit quietly and hope the ushers greeted her?  Am I too comfortable in my comfort zone?  What about outside of the church walls?  What if I met this person in Wal-Mart, would I smile, give a kind word, pray for her, or snub my nose, turn away for lack of something to say, be too busy to give her any mind (because I'm in a rush and it's all about me!) I have literally prayed that if I have ever made someone feel left out, not part of the group, or below me, "Daddy, please forgive me!" I am to be an ambassador for Christ.  I am to share LOVE, peace, compassion with others.

The woman at the well is an example of how we are to engage others.  In John 4, Jesus had a deep conversation with this woman.  She, at first, could not believe this 'man' would talk with her, let alone ask for her to draw water for Him.  How soft spoken He must have been, tender in His responses.  His Words so full of life drawing her ever so close to the Daddy's heart.  The compassion for all her hurts, pains, and rejection.  When playing the scene out in my head, I wonder what do you think she was wearing? How do you think she was acting, at the beginning of the conversation? Remember, she had been married 5 times and the guy she was living with was not her hubby.  Do you think she had a few scars? Do you think she had a good self image? What if because of how she was dressed, how she responded, or even the scars of being passed from husband to husband, Jesus was 'too busy', 'put off by her' or 'snubbed her because she didn't measure up to what was deemed protocol'?  That is not Daddy's heart.  The Word states in verse 42, "They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”"

It's kinda funny, I have tons of stories on how I totally embarrassed my parents in church.  I was about three or four and we were having revival. (we always sat in the second or third row at church)  We had a guest evangelist come in and he called for a 'healing line'.  This very dignified older lady was in the line.  The evangelist put his hand on her head and kinda slid his hand back in her hair.  Holy Spirit fell on this woman and she started dancing.  And dancing she did, right out from under her wig!!  Well of course, I HAD to say something!!  "Mommy, look at that lady with no hair! Why is she dancing with no hair?! That's funny!"  Then in one swoop, up I went and off to the 'famous' restroom for one of 'those' talks.  What if my parents were asked to not come back, were not accepted, or made to feel 'unaccepted'?  Where would I be?  I grew up in church, have deep roots in Christianity, and have allowed Daddy to change me from the inside out.  I want to be in the middle of what Jesus is doing in the world today.  I want to encounter Him with such a compassionate, hungry heart so I can be an encounter to others who need an encounter with Him.

Ordinary me....

It blows my mind sometimes how God will use ordinary me.  I went to a ballet recital.  I was just sitting there enjoying the 'cherubs' whisking across the floor.  I glanced to the side and there was a woman.  She was very young, mid-forties, like me...  On her left arm was a beautiful tattoo.  It was three butterflies on a barbed wired.  The center one was the largest with a cross as the center of the butterfly's body.  On either side were two smaller ones.  I felt Holy Spirit's Presence.  I asked Him what it meant. 

After the recital, I approached the young lady.  I asked her if I could speak to her regarding her tattoo and what I believe Daddy sees in it.  She was apprehensive at first, but said, "I would like to hear what you have to say."  I began.  It was on her left side and I expressed that side is what you are born into.  For generations the enemy has tried to stop her family from fulfilling the promises of God.  The butterflies represent life and bursting through into the call of God on her family.  It is a tribal band, which also indicates family.  The three butterflies are like a three stranded cord, and a cord of three strands is not easily broken.  She has walked through some hard times, but because of her endurance she is bursting forth for generations to come. Love and life are the essence of the tattoo.

Tears began to fill her eyes.  She said she designed the tattoo.  The barbed wire was a representation of the difficult times she had walked through.  The largest butterfly had a cross to represent her salvation.  The two smaller ones were a representation of her two daughters.  She hugged me and said thank you.  Her tattoo took on a greater meaning that evening. 

Why? Because Daddy spoke to me about His daughter and I shared.  Daddy loves to love on His children, but we must be willing to step out on faith.  He wants to flow through ordinary people to touch in an extraordinary way.  If He can flow through ordinary me, just think what he can do flowing through you....

Until we are one.....

Few days ago I asked Daddy for a new blog subject.  He is my inspiration.  So I was not surprised while sitting in a movie theater slurping my ICEE a down load began....

YES, I went to the opening day of X-Men First Class.  What an awesome movie!  And of course, I saw so much spiritual in it.  I will 'try' not to spoil the movie for those who have not yet seen it.  There is a part where Charles Xavier is talking to Raven in the kitchen.  He tells her that he doesn't understand her behavior or what she is thinking.  She quickly responds to him about a promise he made never to read her thoughts. He reassures her this has never occurred.  Holy Spirit began to speak to me regarding this scene.  Holy Spirit chooses not to know everything about us. There is no control, only free will, free choice.  When we come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ, the intimate relationship begins.  We explore each other together until we become one.  We explore the love, gentleness, goodness, kindness, patience, joy, peace, self-control.... Many times I have said, "But Daddy you know what I am thinking or what I would do".  He graciously honors me being a gentleman and waiting for me to open myself up to Him.  We build a relationship together based on trust, love, and loyalty.  King Jesus has paid the price for our righteousness.  He is a gentleman, honoring my next step towards Him.  Holy Spirit will guide me like on a dance floor.  Gracefully, through my life as partners, never missing a beat. 

We have all power through Holy Spirit to live 'supernatural' lives.  What do we do with it?  Heal the sick?  Cleanse the lepers?  Cast out demons? Raise the dead?   I was singing this weekend about opening the flood gates of heaven.  Holy Spirit brought the scripture about out of me should flow living waters.  I got an incredible picture of flood gates opening up and that being release out of me to flood wherever I am.  I am a new creature, like the mutants who live among the sin fallen world.

Just as the X-Men had to learn who they really were and how to work with others, we as a body need to know who we are in Christ and how to pray, work, play, outreach, disciple with others to advance the Kingdom.