Category Archives: Hope

Jun3

Building Altars

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

Teri curly - smLast week, breakthrough happened for me. A couple insurmountable mountains crumbled into manageable mounds.

Do you know what I had to do to get it done? Wait and trust.

(Those seem to be two of the hardest things for humans to do. At least it is for me.)

Breakthrough…

I really like the sound of that word.

Breakfree…

That’s even better.

I haven’t learned nearly as much as I’d like to yet, but one thing I have learned on this journey is the importance of REMEMBERING the breakthroughs. They are far too easy to forget the next time you’re stuck.

When God breaks you free from something, no matter how small,
you need to take the time and commit the energy to remember it.

finger rememberThe concept of remembering is splattered on a whole lotta pages in the Bible.  It’s important to God that you remember his work.

In the old days, they built altars.

In the newer days, they broke bread and drank wine together.

I’ve tried altars, but they weren’t very meaningful to me. Material things never seem to trip my trigger.

Seems like recording them, writing them, strikes the right chord for me.

Writing is meaningful to me.

This year, I’m trying an experiment. I’m going through all my journals (that’s a bunch) and pulling out every single breakthrough (answer to prayers) I can find. I’m writing them in a “Remember Journal”. I bought a really spiffy leather journal that will stand the test of time.

I’m planning on throwing a party to remember and celebrate all the ways God has been faithful in my life. I’ll invite some close friends and family and break bread and drink wine together. Then I’m going to share the highlights of my journal and ask them to bring some memories of their own to share. It’s going to be some a grand shindig!

I’ll continue to write in my journal and mark big breakthroughs with a celebration. Hopefully, I’ll have several journals and dozens of parties before I’m done with this journey.

I guess it’s my way of building an altar.

And the next time I need breakthrough, the next time I’m struggling to wait and trust, I just open my break free journal and remember that I can wait and trust with joy because God is so faithful.

“From there he (Abraham) moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord.” Genesis 12:8

May29

A Whole New World

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

Teri curly - smI have a big decision to make. It’s likely one of those life changing decisions.

And I’m scared.

It would be much easier to avoid the decision completely. Or make the easiest decision and just stick with the status quo. The same old, same old, is oh-so-much-easier than flinging yourself into the unknown of new possibilities.

Just about everything in my humanness is telling me to stay with what I know. It isn’t the promised land, but at least I know what to expect.

Yet, I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to go a different direction.

And I’m afraid.

What if I’m wrong? What if where I go isn’t as good as where I’ve been? And if I make a mistake, what will people think of me?

I’ve been here before and often. At least, I don’t freak out as much as I did before. Although it is easier than it used to be, it still isn’t easy.

Walking in “The Way” of Jesus isn’t as easy as walking in the way of Teri. If I was directing my own steps, I’d make life more secure, more sure, more safe. I’d make sure that the leaps of faith I had to take were more like manageable hops of certainty.

God seems less concerned than I am about my being comfortable and secure in circumstances. If I’m not mistaken, God’s gig is to help us grow comfortable and secure in him.

So the question is, “Do I trust God enough?”

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

aladdin-and-jasmine-carpet1(I can’t help it, but I keep seeing a scene from Aladdin where he reaches his hand out to Jasmine and says, “Do you trust me?”)

When I coach others in a similar situation, I tell them, “If you’ve done the due diligence of prayer, fasting, seeking, and listening, and if you still think you’re supposed to make the decision, then start down that road. Get the bicycle rolling. God can steer something moving easier than he can something frozen and immobile.”

I gotta say, it’s a lot easier to give that advice than take it.

So, I get the bicycle rolling and move in the direction I think I should go. I trust. I listen. I ask for forgiveness when I don’t trust. I cling to God’s promises and keep going.

And I keep my eyes peeled for God’s hand at the steering wheel.

What’s the net result in living life like this?

I experience what God has planned for me.

And from my limited experience so far, it is better than what I would have planned. Not necessarily easier , but better.

“But, as it is written,

‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him’—” 1 Corinthians 2:9

What decisions do you need to make today?

May10

Ain’t Pretending

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

 ”None of us can approach a serious study and consideration of the eternal nature and person of Jesus Christ without sensing and confessing our complete inadequacy in the face of the divine revelation.”  A. W. Tozer

(You Teri curly - smmight have guessed I’ve been reading a lot of Tozer lately.)

There are a few, simple maxims I use to help guide me.

One of those is, “I ain’t a gonna pretend to be something I ain’t.” Although it’s horrific grammar, it is good sense. One of the many ways we mess up following “the way” of Jesus is when we pretend we have it all together.

Having permission to **not** have it all together
is kinda the point of the gospel.

My little, grammatically incorrect ditty reminds me that I don’t want to be the type of Christian who stands beside the cross and says, “Look at me. I wish you all were as pious as me.” Aaaaaa…no.

I want to be a follower who kneels before the cross and professes, “Come on – there’s room! Join me! If Jesus can save a wretch like me, he sure has you covered.”

tiredanimals01So, I’m going to live one of my wretch moments right here in front of you…ready?

I’m tired. I confess, I am weary.

Today, this Christian walk thing seems like a burden, a great weight I can’t seem to lift.

Today, letting God lead feels a whole lot like death. It feels like God is relentless attacking every single stinking remnant of selfish ambition, desire, and pride inside of me.

You know, if I’m not mistaken, I think He is intent on destroying EVERYTHING in me that is not like Jesus.

I mean, seriously!

I like food. I really, really like it. It comforts me. It soothes me when I’m feeling down. It brings me up, so much in fact, that I take second helpings. Okay, thirds sometimes, but only once in awhile. I’m not nearly the overeater that most American’s are.

I think God is intent on me learning **gasp** moderation! Seems like he thinks I run to food for comfort a bit too much. It’s like He thinks it’s damaging this masterpiece of a temple he created as well as causing some serious self-loathing injuries to my soul. I even think that the God of the universe has the audacity to think that I should run to Him for comfort.

Huh…okay…well, I can see His point. BUT…

What about the patience thing? I mean, I’ve been holding out for God to make good on a few promises He made years ago. How long must I wait? I’ve been good, obedient, patient. I’ve gone above and beyond, if you ask me. And…still waiting…clock ticking…waiting…when, Lord, when? I mean, I’ve been more faithful and patient than most Christians. I deserve a break, right?

checklistAm I doing this Christian thing wrong? Maybe I’m messing up something that’s making God hold back his blessing? Just tell me how to do it right. Give me the checklist of dos and don’ts, then I got this thing nailed!

Oh yeah…God’s been speaking oodles to me about the performance driven faith thing that seems to permeate every fiber of my being. **deep sigh** If only I could be more like Beth Moore.

And then there’s that comparison thing.

**** pause for contemplation ****

Geez…you’d think He was doing spiritual surgery or something.

Did I say that I was weary?

I’m thinking it’s easier to pretend that everything-is-oh-so-cool and that I believe God’s main gig is to ensure I’m happy, healthy, and wealthy. It’s boring, unfulfilling, and oozing with silent shame – I’ll give you that. But, easier than having every idol I’ve hung my hope on blasted into bits.

(Am I comparing again?)

I’m a gleaming ray of sunshine, aren’t I? (The good news – the times I feel like this are becoming less often and don’t last as long.)

When I feel like this there is only one place that really brings the comfort that matters.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
  my soul waits for the Lord
    more than watchmen for the morning,
    more than watchmen for the morning.” Psalm 130:5-6

All I gotta say is, “There’s room.”

Apr16

Drop Those Nets Like a Hot Potato

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

CAM00022

In the last post, I made the claim that yes indeed, there is more to the Christian walk of faith than boredom and obligation. There is even more than mild contentment and pleasant feelings. There is even more than a comfortably favorable lifestyle and kind witness.

There is more…

It’s sometimes a white-knuckled thrill ride or a death-defying leap into the unknown. Sometimes there’s agonizing heartbreak, many times there’s breath-stealing joy, and once in awhile a jaw-dropping miracle. It’s beautiful, raw, wondrous, difficult, incredible, and powerful.

In other words…FULLY ALIVE.

I’m convinced that there is only three main activities we need to put effort into in order to live a life fully alive in Jesus:

  1. SURRENDER
  2. LISTENING
  3. DILIGENCE

We’ll look at surrender first…

Surrender. When Jesus says, “lose your life to find it”…yeah, he actually meant that. When Paul said, “It is no longer I who live but Christ in me”…yeah, he meant that too.

Your utter, total, compete, and absolute surrender is the key which unlocks the door to “more”. The more passionate we want more of Jesus, the more of “more” we receive. A half-hearted surrender is going to get you a lot of halfsies. I don’t know about you but when I talk about abundant life in Jesus, I want a lot of fullsies.

Someone told me today, “You sit on the fence and all you get is a sore crouch.” Brilliant.

God would have you all in or all out (luke warm water he spits out.) Yet, too many of us sit on that fence, getting sore tushies, wasting time, talents, and money on building our own kingdoms here on earth.

“Well, I gotta pay the bills.” Yes you do. But, are the bills you’re paying the burdens God wants for you? Or are they ones you designed for your own kingdom?

“Well, God gave us common sense. I mean. He wouldn’t ask me to go to Africa or something like that. I have a young family!” God’s been known to do things that go directly against any and all common sense. (Like birthing the Savior of all man kind through a virgin. Like having him born in a stable to the sheep herders looking on. Like sending him to the cross to die. Need I go on…?)

The question really is, if God was calling you to Africa, would you go?

God might ask you to change nothing or everything. You won’t know until you surrender and say, ‘Yes, Lord. I am willing. Scared, but willing even if you send me to Africa.” (Just a side note…most people are not sent to Africa. Most are sent to their very own neighborhoods and workplaces.)

We take the passion temperature by our answer to the “what if God asked you to do *blank*” question (put in your worst “what if”).

  • What if God was calling you to forgive that person?
  • What if God asked you to reconcile with your estranged spouse, parent, sibling, friend?
  • What if God wanted you to wait and not move forward with your plans?
  • What if God wanted you to quit your job?
  • What if God calls you to stay where you are, even when you hate it?
  • What if God asks you to go and you love it where you are?
  • What if God really wants you to give more money away than you feel you can comfortably give?
  • What if God is really a perfectly loving, all powerful, omnipresent, omnipotent, mighty God who loves you beyond your comprehension?
  • What if he knows all the best plans for you and these plans are to prosper you, not to harm you, but to give you hope and a future?

Real and abundant life happen when we go all in,
even when we don’t know what it will mean,
where it will lead,
and how we’re going to get there.

fishing-nets-246477“And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”Immediately they left their nets and followed him.” Matthew 4:19-21

These men had no idea what was going to happen, how they would eat, where they would sleep, how their families would survive without them at the fishing boats each day, but they knew one thing…

They had to follow.

Jesus calls to us, “Follow me.”

Are you still holding the net?

 

Jan18

Driven

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

Teri in the Tetons

As most of us do at the beginning of a new year, I’ve been pondering the lessons of the past few years. What we learn in the last season becomes the launchpad for the next.

As I look back, I realize it often felt like God was dismantling everything I knew about myself and Him. And I now understand why.

God needed to open my eyes to see what motivated my actions, responses, and choices.

I’ve spent most of my 40+ years as a very driven woman. Driven by fear of what might happen, what might not happen, and the terror of not doing it right.  Just about everything I did was to prove to myself  and everyone else that I was somehow worthy of God’s love.

I find that driven people ask the questions, “What if I do this wrong?” and “What if I disappoint myself or others?”

Driven people are often compelled to focus on the faults of others. They do this so they can make themselves feel better for what they lack and so that they can avoid looking inwardly.

Driven people have an insatiable thirst to fill the hole left by their own inadequacies. They are driven by the pain of their insecurities.

They often become super-overachievers or super-underachievers. Either way, they will do just about anything they can to fit in so they can feel the approval they so dearly seek.

Driven people have don’t horrific things in the name of Jesus. I have done horrific things believing myself todesert be righteous.

I worked as hard as I knew how to be loving, patient, kind, gracious, peaceful, and self controlled.  I accomplished a bunch of good things that didn’t last because my heart was empty.

By God’s grace, there came a point I was too empty to do those things anymore. No matter how much I tried to pull myself up by the bootstraps, there was no more strap left to pull.

That was when I realized I was doing the right things, but not from the right heart. I was operating out of duty, obligation, and fear.

It was a very dark time of my spiritual walk. It felt like God was punishing me or had abandoned me entirely.

I’ve been talking to a lot of dreamers lately who are walking through darkness. Their human effort and drive isn’t sufficient anymore. They are coming to the end of their own ability.

Looking back, I can see that allowing me to come to the end of my human effort was the most loving thing God could do. It was when there was no more drive left in me that I saw it for what it was; an empty woman trying to fill herself.

I want to encourage you – THIS IS GOD’S LOVE SPILLING OUT ON YOU. This is grace.

I know it feels a lot more like a dry and weary desert land. But, believe me, it is love.

You have to go through the desert in order to get to the promised land.

It’s part of dying to self and your own ambition. It’s necessary in order to see what being Spirit-filled and led means.

The desert sucks. I know. But, the promised land is worth it!

We’ll talk about the promised land in the next post. But, until then…

What is driving you today?

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”  Psalm 63:1

Dec30

Imperfect Passion

Posted on by
Standard

Teri

Teri in the Tetons

I haven’t been posting anything lately. You probably noticed.

November and December have traditionally been down months for me. But, never “drop off the face of the earth” kind of months as these past two months have been. I felt a heavy hand on me like God was holding me back, asking me to completely unplug.

It hasn’t been a bad thing. In fact, it’s actually been kinda sweet. Like God and I have been holding up in a  log cabin in the backwoods of the mountains somewhere. Away from civilization. Away from the craziness of the electronic age…

It’s kinda been like Little House on the Prairie.

(I’m not kidding. There’s a pink tractor in the driveway of the house across the street. Beyond that, corn fields… Endless cornfields…)

In the past, I’ve always received some huge, earth shaking revelation about what’s next when God has sequestered me away.

This time, however, it’s been just a quiet reassurance that God is who God says He is. “I am that I am…”

In the past, that would have really ticked me off. I’m a doer; a goer. I’m a super overachiever who is always hungry for the next mountain top – the next big dream. I would have been crying out, “What next, Papa!!”

I’m also afraid of what people think of me. The thought of shutting down for two months scared me. The idea of coming back with a post after a long break…well…was frankly terrifying. What would you think of me?

  • Have I been afraid that we’d lose the momentum that was gained in 2012? Yep.
  • Have I been frightened that people would think I’d given up on my Kingdom Dream? Yep.
  • Have I been scared that I heard wrong? Maybe God was saying “you slug” not “unplug”? Oh yeah.

This time was different, though.

I was only afraid for a moment. Then I just…relaxed…breathed…and enjoyed…

If you know me very well, you’re probably in shock right now. Those are things I don’t do well!

Funny how God works, eh? It’s like He really means to complete His work in us.

So, I’m back. Imperfectly but passionately pursuing Jesus with everything I have inside me.

I have no idea what’s coming next for me and this dream.

Yet, I am refreshed, renewed, and totally stoked about the God we serve.

I pray you are refreshed and ready for 2013. I have a feeling it’s going to be another adventurous year.

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”

God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.

We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!

We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!”  Romans 8:15-17 The Message

Oct31

Hurricane Sandy Relief Teams

Posted on by
Standard

Hey ya’ll! 

I have the rare and wonderful opportunity to work for an organization who exists to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

Adventures in Missions is already trying to figure out ways to help those stricken by Hurricane Sandy. Please consider the part you could play in this Kingdom dream. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adventures in Missions is sending relief trips in response to Hurricane Sandy.

As we are in the process of determining the most strategic use of our teams in the affected areas of the Northeast, we want to hear from you. Tell us where, when, and how you can be a part of our team by filling out this form. We will contact you as soon as trips are posted.

Will you join our team? Here are some ways to be a part of what we are doing:
From updates.adventures.org
1. Stay connected. Sign up to receive updates on the latest happenings and our involvement in relief efforts.
2. Donate. Find out where the need is here.
3. Prayer. No matter where you are, join us in praying for specific needs. Get updates here.
4. Spread the Word. Tell others how they can join us by sharing info on your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media outlets. Check out our Facebook page here.
5. Go. Get your hands dirty and join us on the scene. Whether you’re an individual or group, we want you serving with us whatever skills you may have.

Join our team and make a difference for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Fill out this form now and let us know how you want to be a part.rt you can play in this Kingdom dream.

See full post here.

Oct19

Rescue For Us All

Posted on by
Standard

The Dream Tour is heading to Chicago today. Please be in prayers for their safe travel.

ToniLyn

Roberto and I met with Jen from Beautiful Feet Ministries to discuss their story of starting up strip club outreach in North Georgia. It is the ministry Jen, Beau, and I actually brainstormed together last Spring and now is a few months old.

Beautiful Feet is an outreach that is about building friendships with women who dance in clubs for a living.

JESUS IN A STRIP CLUB

Club outreach is eye-opening, but not for the reasons that may come to mind. It was eye-opening because it was nothing that we’d always imagined. Before you are aware of what it truly looks like to work there by someone who is sharing their story, it seems that these are only places where darkness resides and fear has its dominion.

However, that is far from the case, and even in the case that it was true, that’s more reason to be present; a voice of hope, life, and freedom for women who may not otherwise hear or experience this. We have found that a steady and positive presence in their lives speaks volumes and begins breaking down walls toward growth and freedom.

It has been my firsthand experience through this ministry that it is a truly humbling thing to go out and realize your mindset is still somewhat stuck in “rescuing” someone who is “least of these” and in that realizing you too are in need of rescue still.

Recognizing my own arrogance and brokenness in my often too dignified independence. To recognize your own brokenness in the midst of it is really challenging. It’s messy to do ministry from scratch, to even call it ministry when the true desire is to honor women who are often dishonored. Beautiful Feet works to bring the knowledge and reminder that these women’s worth is far greater than they’ve been told or imagined.

So our evening was a night of revisiting dear friends at their place of work. We brought bright pink roses in a purple vase. We all laughed and shared the latest stories of life. It was a breath of fresh air.

 

SEX TRAFFICKING IN NORTH GEORGIA

Yes. There is sex trafficking that goes on in rural North Georgia.

As we sat down with Jen and her fiance Beau, they talked openly about the area and what exactly trafficking tends to look like there. House brothels in the burbs, AMPs (Asian Massage Parlors) open 24 hours, and girls as young as 14 being manipulated by traffickers who troll the middle and high schools and malls.

If this sounds shocking, it is. If you are relieved that this isn’t your city, well, it is your city. The look of sex trafficking varies from community to community but those are just some basic facts and you will want to remain educated on your own area.

These sort of facts aren’t a reason to live in fear, or without hope of change.

It is a way to protect your own children and women and kids you know by guarding them with knowledge. These aren’t kidnappings, they are women and children being coerced by people who are trained and skilled at finding their weakness. Clothes, jewelry, food, compliments, etc.

Educate yourself on your area. Find your local police station phone number and call in tips if you spot unusual activity.

Sep28

Get This Book!

Posted on by
Standard

My friend, Seth Barnes, just published a book about Kingdom Journeys. It’s a gotta read for any dreamer because in the end analysis, life is truly about the beauty of the journey. It will help ignite you, challenge you, and guide you through the lost spiritual discipline of the journey.

You can get it FREE today and tomorrow!

Check out his post here for more information…

Sep26

The Heart of a Healer

Posted on by
Standard

I met Tiffany in Florida on the January Dream Tour (yeah…January in Florida…had it so rough.) She and her brother were gracious and generous hosts. She was just getting ready to embark on the next step of her dream journey by going to G42 in Spain. The time went by quickly and she’s back now gearing up for a brand new season in 2013. Here is a look at her dream journey so far.

Tiffany

When I was 19 years old, I chose Nutrition as my major in college. I knew that I wanted to help people. And I always knew it wouldn’t be in a hospital – that was never my ambition. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to work with women that needed help. My goal was to work in a Community Nutrition program that worked with low-income families (like WIC – Women, Infants & Children).

At that time, I didn’t have a relationship with God. But, He already knew me. He already planted the desire to work with women & children that needed some extra help.

For the next 10 years, I would finish my degree and begin working in Community Nutrition. I held several nutrition and health educator positions. I was able to help women and children in Illinois and Florida make healthy choices.

And then I met Jesus. And my dream got bigger.

I began taking my knowledge and experience around the world. I still want to help women and children with their physical health but, now, with their spiritual health too.My dream is for women to experience full inner healing – especially women that have abusive pasts.  I believe that women that are whole and know who they are will have a positive impact in their families.

In the past three years, God has done incredible inner healing in my life.  So, now that I’m on the other side, and have my own journey and stories to tell, I want to help other women experience it as well.

So far, this journey has brought me around the world on the World Race in 2011, to Spain for G42 Leadership Academy in 2012 and next year I plan to spend all of 2013 in the Dominican Republic.

Everywhere I go I have the knowledge to help people feel better physically and the experience and the Holy Spirit to help people feel better spiritually and emotionally.

God takes our little dreams, waters them and they bloom into something bigger than we ever thought.

Tiffany has a healer’s heart and God is using all of who she is to help heal others. Please pray for Tiffany’s journey. Go to her blog, to follow her journey.