Restless Peace

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• One Hope for 2011

  Jan 1st 2011

  By: terifrana

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  Each New Years I ask God to reveal a “theme” for the year.  Some subject to study, ponder, and explore.  (Yeah, I’m a geek.)

  This year it is coming to me in spade – the unity of the Body of Christ.

  “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism;  one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  Ephesians 4:1-6

  The first thing that comes to me is that these verses don’t seem to reflect the Body of Christ here on earth.  In fact, I read a statistic recent, from George Barna I believe, estimating there are approximately 46,000 denominations of churches.  Christian churches.

  Yikes.  That doesn’t speak of unity to me.

  The second thing that comes to me is how God has shown me in 2010 how much I need others.  Now I know how good it is to be inter-dependent upon brothers and sisters.

  The last thing I’m pondering as I begin my exploration of unity is…HOPE.  What would it be like if Christian followers everywhere could live out Ephesians 4?

  A wise friend of mine challenged me to figure out what my “blood, ink, and pencil beliefs” were.  What do I believe that is written in blood, Christ’s blood, that I would be willing to die for too?  What are those beliefs I hold which are written in ink?  These are hard to erase, but can be changed after much thought and discernment.  The ink beliefs are ones I would strongly debate but not die to hold.   And what are those beliefs of mine which are written in pencil, easily erased, and certainly not worth fighting for at all?

  (This is obviously not an exhaustive list.  In fact, it’s not even a list a have put a ton of thought to listing.  These are simply examples for purposes of a hopeful post.)

  For me, I’d die for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  On Christ and Christ alone I stand.

  Ink beliefs are those like, predestination, role of women in church, and  Calvinism vs. Armenianism.  I have pretty strong opinions about these topics, but I wouldn’t take a bullet for any one of them.

  Pencil beliefs for me are things like how we worship, what clothes we wear, what translation we use, what videos we watch, etc.

  I’m pondering today a church who stand united in blood, debate with grace over the ink, and are completely tolerant of our beliefs written in pencil.

  When I read the verses in Ephesians 4, I envision a church where some people are raising their arms, some people are kneeling, still some are singing hymns, some are wearing ties, and others flip flops, some are quieting praying, some are weeping, some are dancing with joy, and some are a new song God placed on their hearts.  In this church, everyone believes in, follows, and submits to their Lord, Savior, and King – Jesus, and are seeking Him with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strengths in gentle, patient humility together – with one heart.

  I know.  I know.  I’m an optimist extreme.

  But, I can HOPE (with one hope) can’t I?

  Interdependence, Living Word

• Grateful to be Needy

  Dec 30th 2010

  By: terifrana

  No comments

  “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”Colossians 3:16

  So this is going to be one of those self-absorbed blog entries, dripping with ooey, gooey mushy stuff.  Read at your own risk.

  Consider yourself dutifully warned…

  Last week, I sufficiently examined all the learning lessons I could come up as I looked back over the year.

  The week as I consider where this path has taken me, there is one word on my heart…GRATITUDE.  This feeling seems to be permeating every cell of my body.  I’m overwhelmed with this emotion!

  So, I thought I’d be utterly self-indulgent for a post and talk about it.

  I’m thinking of my friends back in Iowa.  The ones that have shown me the meaning of that word “friend”.

  I’m thinking of Shirley, Rona, and Renae – you’ve walked along beside me, encouraged me, challenged me, pushed me, and held me up when I needed it.  You’ve spoken truth to me even if it meant there would be tears, and then sat beside me as I cried.  You’ve forgiven me when I didn’t even ask to be forgiven.  You’ve given my family clothes, food, and shelter when I didn’t have any.  You’ve pampered me when I needed it.  We’ve explored more of Jesus Christ together in ways that most people will never get to experience.

  I’m thinking of Barb.  It’s been 17 years of laughter.  (We’re not old – we’re very immature for our age!)  You’ve made me laugh so hard I rolled on the floor in joyful agony begging you to stop.  We’ve seen our little children grow up and watched our kids start having kids.  (Not to rub it in or anything – I’m not a grandma yet.  Makes you older!)  You are my cheerleader.  You have picked me up off the floor more than I can count. You always seem to know exactly what to say to me when I feel I can’t go on.   We’ve seen each other through hell and back.

  There’s my girls; Leah, Ashley, and Lily.  I’m so incredibly grateful to be able to walk along beside you as I watch Jesus blossom from within you.  I cannot describe what an honor it is to hang out with you.

  I’m thinking of my son Steven – I miss terribly.  You are one of the mostest coolest people ever.  Can’t wait to see what will happen once you hit your groove.

  My mom , dad and my brothers – I’m speechless when I think about how many sacrifices you’ve made for me.  I can’t go on here and keep it all together…

  Then there’s Seth Barnes, who’s been inspiring me through his blog, through his missions organization, and through his spiritual guidance.  He’s known when to challenge, when to push, when to inspire, and when to back off.  I pray I will learn how to coach others with such grace, patience, and wisdom.  You and your family are special people.

  I’m overwhelmed with thankfulness for you all.  I’m overcome with gratitude about who you are, what you do, and how much you mean to me.  (Warned you – ooey, gooey, but OH so true!)

  Here’s a life lesson that I got this year:  I NEED YOU.  I NEED YOU very, very much.  And I’m grateful to have you in my life.

  I’ve not been one to like the idea of needing anyone else.  I have lived my life trying to make sure I didn’t need anyone.   Yeah.  God’s been breaking me of the self-reliant habit.  It was painful.  But now that the dam of pride has been busted open, a flow of gratitude is pouring out.  (Warned you – totally self-indulgent!)

  2011 looks to be a terrific, awe-inspiring, hard-working year.  And I need you.  And I’m so very, very thankful.

  I think I need to go write a song or something….

  Gratitude, Transparently Human

• Jesus Calls

  Dec 29th 2010

  By: terifrana

  No comments

  Jesus not only speaks to us,  He calls us.  He calls everyone who call Him Lord.   Jesus calls to us to follow Him just like He called to the fishermen on the beach.

  “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”  Matthew 4:19

  
  

  I think Jesus calls us to DO specific task and FOR a specific people.  And this may look differently to every person who follows Him.

  I’m called to the task of helping others seek, find, pursue, and live out their calling.  Call it a “dream guide” or “park ranger” for the Kingdom.   I know this in the bottom of my very soul – this is what I was created to DO.

  

  I also know WHO I am called to do this for – Christ-followers who are comfortable and affluent and dying inside for lack of purpose.    My heart is crushed as I think about the scores of of Christians out there who ache for something more.  They want to know their calling, but don’t know how to go about figuring it out.

  What if the American Dream isn’t God’s dream for our lives?  What would that look like?

  I listened to the book, by Radical David Platt, on the drive down to Gainesville.  David’s insights helped stoke the fire that was already raging in my heart.  I thought THIS is what it could look like if we all followed our calling.

  Here is just one church in one community seeking to fulfill their calling.

  • Most people will not be called to be career missionaries.  But some will.
  • Most people will not be called to sell their possessions and live and travel in an RV.  But some will.
  • Some will be called to invest in a specific ministry.  Some will be called to invest in a specific location.  Some will be called to pour their lives into specific people in specific ways.
  • Every person who calls Jesus Lord is called to DO something FOR a specific people.

  And it won’t be the only thing you will be asked to do.   There is always work to be done.  However, it will be the thing that stokes your heart, gives purpose to your soul, and brings the most life to your spirit.

  For most people it will mean:

  • Living more simply, give more away, and depend on each other a little more in order to fulfill their calling.
  • Integrating their calling into their family and lifestyle.
  • Pouring into the their own church body in significant ways.
  • Going on more meaningful short term missions trips.
  • Being more intentional about their relationship with Christ.

  So, what is your calling?  What breaks your heart?  What stirs up the fire of purpose within you?  When Jesus calls you to follow Him – what is He calling you to DO and WHO is He calling you to love?

  “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Luke 10:2

  Adventure, Exploring Deep, Passionate Purpose, Reckless Faith

• Pondering Treasures

  Dec 26th 2010

  By: terifrana

  No comments
  The girls and I have been moving into a duplex this Christmas.  Friday we moved from the Lake House, cleaned, and started painting the two bedrooms.  Yesterday we finished painting and started moving our stuff in from the RV.

  I forgot the burn of spending hours squatting and climbing ladders.  It stopped being a good burn about 9 hours into the project.  Today, my body says I must rest.

  I can’t talk it into doing anything else.

  
  

  So, this morning I actually got to my Christmas reflections.  This year, once verse sticks out for me that has never stuck out before.

  “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  Luke 2:19

  
  

  Mary was reacting to all the hullabaloo surrounding the birth of her son.  The shepherds were going on and on about the angels who had told them where to find the King and told them even what He’d look like (a babe lying in a manager dressed in swaddling clothes).  I guess the Angels felt they needed to be really specific otherwise the shepherds might have missed that this King was born in a barn.

  I’m sure Mary was thinking about the angel who first visited her and that she was going to have a child while still a virgin.  God’s Son.  A Son born to save us all.  A baby born to die.

  Now, these sheep herders were standing there telling her that the angels were singing about Him.  Peace on earth – goodwill toward men.  The Messiah has come.

  
  

  She held the Messiah in her arms.  She fed Him at her breast.

  

  I wonder what I would have done?  Probably doubted.  I think it’s one of my spiritual gifts.

  • Is this really God’s Son?
  • Did I really see an angel or did I dream it?
  • Maybe I can’t remember that Joseph and I really were intimate once and I just made up this whole story to escape my guilt?
  • Maybe these shepherds just drank too much?
  • Who do I think I am to play a part in all this?

  In 2011, I want to learn how to treasure up all these things and ponder them in my heart. I’m tired of doubting.  I’m tired of trying to figure God out with IF-THEN-ELSE logic.  I’m tired to trying to get my mind stretched around things so I can contain them.

  I’m tired of trying to fit God in the very tiny box in my head.

  What if I allowed God the room to be God in all my heart, all my soul, AND all my mind? This is what I am pondering today.

  May God be the God of ALL things to you.  May you treasure ALL of these things and ponder them in your heart always…

  Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!

  Exploring Deep, Living Word

• Jesus Speaks

  Dec 24th 2010

  By: terifrana

  No comments

  I remember the first time I realized God actually speaks to us.  I was scrubbing the floor and praying.  (I was practicing the “pray without ceasing” thing.)  I didn’t hear a audible voice with my ears, but I did distinctly hear something in my core.  “Call Beth.”

  It shocked me so much I stopped.  I remember linearly processing through it (programmer’s if-then-else logic).  Did someone say something?  No.  Did I say that?  No.  Did I really hear “Call Beth”?  I’m not sure.  IF no one else said it, and I didn’t say it, and I’m not even sure I heard it, THEN I will keep on scrubbing and see if it happens again.

  

  Scrub. Pray. Scrub.  “Call Beth.”

  Did I trick my mind into saying that again?  No.  Am I sure?  Yes.  IF no one said that, and I didn’t say that, and I’m sure I heard it, THEN I wonder if God is telling me something?  BINGO.  God is that really you?  “Yes.  Call Beth.” (Beth was someone from my church I had just met.  A person I had spoken to about 4 minutes one day.)

  Up to this point, I thought that prayer was a one-way conversation with God.  You said your prayers and had the faith they were heard.  The thought of God directing me outside of the Bible was foreign to me.  Or if God did speak, it was in a big booming voice with a proper British accent and that only happened once in a lifetime.

  It’s either God, ELSE it’s Satan messing with me, ELSE it’s me going bonkers.  Surely God wouldn’t waste his once in a lifetime opportunity to speak to me about Beth.  Why I thought Satan would speak to me like this about Beth and God wouldn’t escapes me right now.  Okay, so I’m not sure how I logically got to the next point, but I did (don’t judge me!)

  I must be subconsciously talking to myself.   Scrub.  Pray.  Scrub.  “Call Beth NOW.”

  ooooo…  That was the shiver down the spine kind of voice.  It was enough that I remember pulling off the gloves and standing up.  Once again running through all the linear logic I had access to in my brain.  But, this time I couldn’t escape the real possibility that it was indeed God speaking to me.

  How can I call her?  I don’t even have her phone number!  (Thank God He is patient and didn’t choose to smite me right then and there.)

  I got an image of the business card in my mind.  Then I remembered she had recommended her chiropractor to me and written his name on the back of her business card.  OH.  I guess I do have her number.

  I probably tossed it.  (Can we say, “may the smiting begin“?)

  

  Then I checked my coat pocket.  Yep.  It was there and her number was on the front.  Not just her business number but her home phone.

  How convenient.

  Okay.  I’ll call her later.  And I went back to scrubbing – I think I stopped praying at this point.

  “Call her now.” Then I did what any good Christ-follower would do.  I threw down my sponge, tore off my gloves and threw them down too, and said, FINE!  (I’m just being transparent.  Don’t judge me!)

  Again, I have to thank God for not incinerating me with one twitch of His eyebrow.

  She probably won’t even answer anyway, I said as I dialed.  Ring.  “Hello?”  She answered after the first ring.

  “Hi, this is Teri.  We met at church?”

  “Hi!”

  “Yeah, it’s the weirdest thing, but I just really felt like I was supposed to call you.  I know – crazy!”

  Awkward silence…

  “I…I just prayed and ask God for someone to talk to – a friend…  Just as got done praying that – you called…  I can’t believe it!”

  Awestruck silence…

  After we got over the initial shock and realization that the Holy Spirit is alive and kicking and there was no logical way to explain away the event that just took place – we had an incredible conversation.  I ministered to her and she ministered to me.

  I hung up and asked God to forgive me.  I got on my knees and asked for forgiveness again.  Then I asked for God to speak to me as often as He wanted.  I asked Him to teach me how to hear Him and to know the difference between Him, me, and the evil one who does try to plant thoughts in your head.  I asked Him to grow my faith and courage to respond whenever He spoke.

  Since then, I’ve had many, many more stories of that still, small voice which speaks to me.  In most of these stories, I can say that I responded.  Maybe not until after an if-then-else discussion with myself, but ultimately in most of these stories I obeyed.  I also have some stories where I didn’t obey.  When I if-then-else’d my way out of obedience and into the easy way out.

  Jesus does speak.  And often if we listen.

  How?

  • Ask Jesus to speak to you.  Ask Him to help you learn how to listen and hear.
  • Listen.  Don’t just drone on in your prayers without offering Jesus a way to get a word in.
  • Pray for protection around your spiritual ears.
  • Listen some more.
  • Practice.
  • Obey.
  • Don’t give up.

  Jesus will speak to you.  Watch out though.  It just might rock your whole world…

  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”  John 10:27

  Transparently Human
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