Identity

courtesy morguefile, pedrojperez

We talked last night about how people have a mask on, like those who commit violence (recent shootings in Harrisburg, PA). They act tough, but are really cowards.

Some wear a mask that shows the world they are tough (bullies). Some, like me, wore a mask that did not cry and one that conformed to the world (in looks and behavior) just to survive school because of what the bullies did. 

Either way, bullies or victims...all wear a mask. They are not living in their true identities in Christ. He takes off the masks to reveal breathtaking light, holiness, worthiness, love, glory, honor, peace, joy...the list goes on and on.

I wrote this this morning, strumming it to the guitar.

Oh, teach me how to live...in my identity. 2x
I want to walk the way You walk.
I want to talk the way You talk.
I want to do the things You do, and even more.
I thank You for the power in me, for the authority.
For all You created me, to be. I thank You, Lord. I thank You, Lord.
Let me step into Your path and never go back.
Your holy hand will guide me, on the path to eternity.
Oh, teach me how to live.
Oh, teach me how to live.
Oh, teach me how to live...in my identity.


Believe the truth...your identity is in Him. There is no mask. Take it off and walk in His healing light.

Lift Up Your Heads

Lift up your heads, O gates, 
Lift them up, O ancient doors,
That the King of glory may come in!
Who is this King of glory?
         He is the Lord God Almighty. 
- Psalm 24:9-10

This Scripture has been coming to me over and over again. I feel led to pray it over friends and family, church and work, and over my town. Today, I realized that we are the gates, the doors. We are so heavy and burdened that we forget to look up. Our hinges are corroded and rusted in place. We are stubborn and stiff-necked. Lord, we feel stuck! We need You to free us, so that we can move in your love and grace and peace. If only we would make the first step; to lift up our heads, then we would catch a glimpse of the King. 

Lord, help us say yes to You. Help us let You in. You will lift and open our heavy doors in your strong hands. You are able to handle the burdens that have kept us down for so long. You are healer and deliverer. Redeem your church, your land, and your people, I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Book Review: Four Souls

"Four Souls: A Search for Epic Life" is so encouraging!

Overview: Four young men with bright futures step off the path of graduate school and careers in search of something more--something epic. Desiring more from life than well-paying jobs and large bank accounts, they embark on a worldwide expedition, forging into the Guatemalan highlands, Russia's far north, the mountains of South Africa, villages in Bangladesh, Nepal's Himalayas, rural Vietnam and other rarely traveled lands. Through journal entries and first person accounts, Four Souls weaves together the tales of their journey, including near-death escapes and bribe-seeking officials, prison camps and race riots, hurricanes and illegal smuggling. More than just a collection of gripping stories, Four Souls chronicles the dawning realization that came through the adventure: that the life they were seeking is in the reach of all who are willing to grasp it. 

What I Liked: I loved the adventure of these for young Christians as they set out to travel the world, share the Gospel, serve people, and follow Jesus. This is such an encouraging book; by offering themselves to communities in Guatemala, Russia, Vietnam, South Africa, and Bangladesh, they were open to God working and to gaining a world view on people and need, it encourages me to life life to the fullest. They didn't want a hum drum sort of life. They wanted the abundant life that Jesus calls us all to. 

I admire their trust in God to provide for their trip and for his care of them on the trip. Throughout the book they share journal entries of what they were experiencing and learning about themselves and God. Truly a remarkable book, as told by all four of them! You feel like you went alone on the trip. This book will help you understand what Christians are going through in these countries and the need for help and prayer for them. Thank you, Mike, Matt, Jedd, and Trey for sharing your adventure. May you have many more: a lifetime of them!

Ever take a trip like this or a mission trip? Share one experience or thought about it.

Open the Heavens

“Open the heavens. Come Living Water. All my fountains are in You.” 

– lyrics from "All My Fountains" by Chris Tomlin

I was singing this as the buckets caught the drips in our bedroom from the 2-4 inches of rainfall last Sunday evening. My Spirit wasn’t worried over the leaky roof, as it would have been in the past. No, instead, the rain made me sing “All My Fountains”. Even the song from church that morning was “Open Up the Heavens” by Meredith Andrews about floodgates and mighty rivers. I went to sleep to the sweet sound of drip, drip, drip – a message from My Heavenly Father. I will praise You in this storm.

Soak me, Father in Your Living Water. Flood me with You and let You flow out and over and down in a Holy Flood of Your Glory!

Do you have something in your life that should worry you, but instead you are praising God?

Book Review: The God Pocket

"The God Pocket" by Bruce Wilkinson will change your life, if you let God work through you!

Overview: What if you could take something out of your pocket today that would make God wonderfully personal and absolutely real to someone who, only minutes earlier, had been secretly calling out to God for help, for an answer, for any shred of evidence that He cares?

Discover the incredible resource that’s small enough to fit in your wallet or purse, yet big enough to change someone’s life – starting with yours. In The God Pocket, Bruce Wilkinson tells you what that little something is, explains how to deliver God’s provision to someone in need, and shares how God is ready to reveal Himself through you.

Dawn's Recommendation: 4.5 of 5 Stars

What I Liked: I firmly believe that God puts books in my path for a reason and this book's concept is what God is currently working on me.  I really liked that the book goes step by step on how to put money aside for God's use and how and when to give it to the people God places before you. This book is perfect for the person who wants to honor God, grow in generosity, and trust in the Lord (not only to provide the people to give the money to, but to provide the money, in which to give). It has great stories of people who have given money to others in this way. It is a short read, you can finish it in one evening. It will be a book I read again.  

On a side, personal note: giving money in this way will change your life. It has changed me! I had already started to give money to people and charities, but this book helps explain different aspects of giving in this way that I didn't think about before, like setting aside the money first, as an offering, instead of just reaching in your own wallet to give a homeless person your money. Neat things to think about and good instruction.

What I Didn't Like: The only thing that bothered me a little was that it felt a bit commercialized. The author likes to coin a lot of terms (ex. "The God Nudge" and "Delivery Agent"). Why give everything a title?  Also, you can buy pre-made God Pockets. Ummm...why, when a plain envelope will do?    

Do you set aside money in which to give to people you see in need?