Is He enough?

Hello there! I'm groovin' to Enough by KB.  Have you heard it?  Let your ears devour the words if you've never heard it...



Is God enough?  During my reading of Psalm 73 I could really identify with David's words.  At times it seems like the wicked are doin' JUST FINE!  Seems like thangs are all gravy and all good for them and here I am, a child of the King, GOING THROUGH!  I know that the Lord is sovereign and in control and that Psalm 37 (hey! 73 and 37!) complements this Psalm and builds me up!  The Word says in Psalm 34:19 that "Many are the afflictions of the righteous BUT" (!!!) [Church of God in Christ version] "the LORD (!!!!!!) delivers him out of them allllllll"! HE REALLY IS IN CONTROL!  He's got it!  No matter what things look like the Lord will work it all out for His glory and for our (Christians') good.  As believers we will go through various trials and such (that's a given; the enemy is trying to thwart us!) and life in general will have its ups, downs, and all-around heart-aches along with the joys and happy things.

And ya know what?  He is ENOUGH.  I am reminded of the words "You're more than enough for me" from a popular Christian song.  Glory to His wonderful Name.  He guides me with His counsel...and I have none in heaven but Him (personal paraphrase of Psalm 73:24-25).  My prayer for myself is found in the latter part of verse 25, that "there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you." Lord, help me to desire NO ONE or NOTHING more than I DESIRE YOU!

My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever

                                                               -Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

Desire Him.

Til next time,

U.M.

P.S. I was not trying to endorse any denomination or organization over another by mentioning the Church of God in Christ (COGIC).  Their preaching style just really emphasized my point REALLLLLLY well at that moment. :) Thanks, U.M.

Is blogging over-rated?

Hello there!  Ya know, just when I thought that blogging was over-rated...I began a new entry. Ha-ha-ha!  I've read that blogging is so popular because it connects people.  It provides a sort of community.  I write something, you read it. If you respond with a comment or a criticism we can enter some sort of dialogue with one another and share experiences.  In a sense, we can help each other.  Right?  Hopefully so.  My intent in writing this blog is to express some things and to help you (the reader) and myself.  Shall we?

For instance, take the picture shown here.  I know it may look a bit corny but check it out.  All these people of different backgrounds (and let's use our imaginations here), different socio-economic statuses and such...all connecting and reaching out to each other.  In a perfect world, that's how it would work.  From a biblical perspective, that's how the church should look.  Different people all working together and reaching out to people who are not believers.  A community of believers.  Sharing things with each other.  Praying for one another.  Being open and honest about life and what the Lord is doing in their lives.  Being honest about their sin and their heartache and their failures.  Encouraging one another.  Building each other up.  Rebuking one another when necessary.  Communing with their God each and every (yes EACH and EVERY) day.  Abiding in Him.  Trusting, believing, and expecting God to do HUGELY, AMAZING things. Sharing time and space with one another AND with people who need to know the love of Christ. Who need to hear the Gospel.  To see it lived out.  To see Christ through us.  Don't just blog or read blogs because you enjoy them or because you want that sense of community.  Blogs are over-rated.  Establish and work on community in real life.  And post comments about the community building you're doing with other believers to reach a dying world for Christ.

Til next time,
U.M.

Green with Envy

Hello there!  Do you live on the East Coast like I do?  If so...YOOOO...did you feel that earthquake or the tremors from it?  That was ridiculously startling!  Whew!  I was sitting on the bed when that mattress began wobbling and I thought, "Oh no! Is this THE DAY?!" I started asking for forgiveness and ALL THAT just IN CASE I'd forgotten to confess something. Ha-ha-ha!  He's still coming back one day...I'm just glad it wasn't that day! But we should actually eagerly await the return of Christ and especially the rapture before the Tribulation...

Then today came and I looked at my news feed on Facebook and saw all these seemingly exciting things that were happening in the lives of my friends and I became envious.  While things are picking up on the missionary front and my life has been satisfyingly busy at the moment, I still found myself envying my friends' profile pictures in exotic places and the "cool people" it seemed like they were hanging out with and how happy they seemed to be.  With pictures and news of weddings, engagements, babies, statuses about how happy some were to be married or how some had enjoyed the day with his/her significant other, family vacay photos, road trips and such...I began to think that my own life was hum-drum and a bit...*gasps!* boring.  I even kind of mentally rolled my eyes a little and thought, "They can't be THAT happy." Then I thought, "What am I doing?! Why am I thinking this?!" I also asked the Lord to forgive me for envying others. I'm happy that my friends are enjoying their lives and the things/opportunities God has blessed them with!

I also started to think about the many goals and dreams the Lord has placed in my heart and mind.  So many that I almost feel like I will need TWO lifetimes to do all of those things.  But ya know what?  The God who gave me those goals and dreams knows exactly how long my life will be and what things I really will accomplish.  I praise Him for giving me those desires.  Even if I don't accomplish them all on this side of glory, I know that He will still be glorified.  Maybe I'll just have to write all of them down so that many other people can see the vision and become a part of what God is doing in my life and what He can do in theirs...

Til next time,
U.M.

Longing

Hellooooooo 'der!  Just about all summer I've wanted to go to the beach.  To lounge, read a magazine, eat a packed lunch, maybe ride a tandem bicycle with a buddy, splash around in the ocean, build a sand castle, watch the sun set, look for an opportunity to share the Gospel, ya know, the usu-well...ha-ha-ha. I've longed to go but never made it.  It's not too late.  I even thought about getting up MAJORLY early one morning and maneuvering down to the shore.  Still haven't made it.

Thinking about my longing for the beach makes me wonder...why don't I long for my heavenly home this way?  I should long for heaven MORE than I long for the beach.  Heaven - the place where I can be with my Savior, my God...without a care.  The place where there are no more tears.  No more dying.  No more heartache.  No more sickness.  No more disease.  WOW.  Lord, I pray that you would increase my desire and longing for You and the place You've prepared for me...

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:1-4). 

Glory to His MATCHLESS Name.   This is where I should long to be.

Til next time,
U.M.
 

No excuses, ok?

'Ello there mates!  Ok, so ya got me...I don't actually have an accent.  I stated in an earlier post that I'm from the South so that just about rules out that accent in the intro BUT you'd better believe that I have a Southern accent! Anyway, summer is one of those interesting seasons for the missionary front (on my end anyway).  It all depends on what outreaches are happening, who sets a date for door-to-door evangelism, what days we are visiting the sick and so forth.  You'd think I was busy this summer then, right? WRONG.  And ya know what? I haven't nearly been as busy as I'd like to have been.  Being a missionary (well, a full-time one) requires money, dough, that green, moo-lah (get my drift?) and right now, I don't have that dolla-dolla bill y'all.  So, alas, I've allowed that to be an excuse to hold me back from doing so much and have limited my evangelism efforts to conversations I have with people that I know aren't Christians.  But don't judge me! What's YOUR excuse?  Have you been sharing that News you call GOOD lately?  If you haven't, GET OFF THE BANDWAGON!  Open your eyes to the many possibilities the Lord has given us to share the Gospel.  Maybe money isn't your excuse (I'm gonna have to stop using it as mine) but EVERYONE usually has SOME sort of excuse.  If you are actively sharing the Gospel and have no room for improvement then start your own blog so the saints can be encouraged!  Ha-ha-ha.  Seriously. Start it and post a link in the comments section.

So, the opportunities we have are limitless.  Let's first REPENT for not sharing the Gospel as often as we should.  Let's ask the Lord to forgive us and ask for HIS HELP in making changes.  Let's also pray that He would open our eyes to the opportunities to share our faith that He presents (eh-hem...pray for opportunities, too).  Ok.  Now that that's settled.  Let's think up some creative ways to share our faith.  Feel free to post some here in the comments section so we can all learn something.

1. Find out local hospitals'/nursing homes' policies on visiting patients/residents.  Who knows how God can use a simple conversation with someone needing a friend?  And offer to pray for the people you visit. Gather the kids to make cards and give those out.  And while you're at it, take the kids with ya!  They need to be involved in the adventure of evangelism and see adults actively living out their faith (I mean, live it out in every way, not just by sharing the Gospel.  Kids can smell a hypocrite...)
2. Colleges all over the country are getting ready to start Fall classes.  Why not grab a friend and go share your faith on the campus?  Take some cookies or something.  College kids LOVE free stuff.
3. A FREE car wash!  I know.  It sounds erroneous since I just mentioned how money isn't a strong point for me now BUT this could be something for you folks who DO have the resources for it.  Or maybe you could talk to someone involved with community outreach or evangelism at your church?  You could talk to people as they wait to have their cars washed.  Or have a community barbecue?  Or have the barbecue AND the car wash and talk to people as they eat and wait.  And what's all that without a lil' Christian music playing, huh?
4.  Reach out to your neighbors.  Maybe schedule a day once a week or bi-monthly to visit your neighbors.  Talk, maybe share a meal, get to know them.  Offer to pray for them.  Build good ties and look for doors to share your faith with them.  Commit to praying for them daily.
5. Ok so this one isn't EXACTLY along the same lines but...HELP SUPPORT A MISSIONARY.  I mean, my goodness!  As they continue to serve locally and internationally they need funds to continue.  Whether you make a one-time gift or commit to monthly giving IT HELPS!  People overseas need Bibles and bicycles!  So please give! These missionaries are taking the Gospel to places we cannot even imagine.  And at the very least PRAY FOR THEM!  Please :)

I know you can google "Creative Evangelism Ideas" and find THOUSANDS more ideas so don't hold back on doing so! I really like the above ideas.  Thank You Holy Spirit for giving me those.  I know that the Lord will provide the money I need.  While I'm waiting, I will still share His glorious Gospel.  Blessed be dat Name.

Til next time,
U.M.

P.S. I embedded this video of this great artist Thi'sl's song entitled Urban Missionary.  The 'hood needs the Gospel! Praying about moving there to be a light?  I hope the Lord says yes!

Cherish HIM

Howdy howdy howdy hey! Hello there.  Urban Missionary aka U.M. aka Unique Madam (JKJK on Unique Madam) here again.  I feel like it's been a while since I've stretched my blog muscles (or better yet stretched my "fingas" and typed!).  Like the new layout of the site?  I mean, there's a lot going on with it I guess? It's really colorful but anyway...Today's note - cherishing the Lord.  Just now I was thinking about how I don't really cherish the Lord and it made me feel a bit ashamed.  Why don't I hold dear the One who first loved me?! Why don't I spend MORE time with Him, resting in Him...abiding...really loving on Him by showering Him with the praise due to Him? Telling Him how AWESOME I think He is (as a matter-of-fact how AWESOME I know He is...and He knows it, too! Yes, He does!).  Why don't I show my love for Him by the way I live, by the way I treat others - especially the way I treat the people closest to me that know me and have seen me in my mess?  Why don't I make an effort to allow the Holy Spirit to direct me so that I DO what pleases God and REALLY shows that I cherish Him?!  The One who made preparations and carried them out to rescue me from an ETERNITYYYYYYYY separated from Him and His goodness?

Do I even really cherish His forgiveness and all the other things He's done?  Why don't I cherish His Word sooooo much that I LONG to read it?  LONG to be in His presence? I mean, after all, in His presence there is fullness of JOY (Psalm 16:11)!!! Why wouldn't I want to be there?!!! I often complain about what's going wrong, my sin, why things don't seem to go the way that I hope and you know what? I've learned that complaining about those things with no intentions of CHANGING them or my perspective is a WASTE OF TIME.  If it's broke, FIX IT!!!!!!!!! LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Help me!  My prayer for myself, and you reader, is that the Lord would help us to cherish HIM.  To see His beauty.  To see His righteousness. To see His NEVER-ENDINGGGGG love.  To remember the price that Jesus paid for us and to be GRATEFUL and filled with THANKSGIVING that pours from our hearts and lips.  To tell others of Christ and what's He's done for us.  To not simply complain about our sin and things that are going wrong but to give those things to the Lord and ask for His help so that we see CHANGE in our lives! So that we see change in our communities! To look at a sunrise or a sunset, a rainy day, a tree-covered mountain, the deepest blue sea, a quiet pond, a family of geese crossing the street...and be AMAZED at what OUR GOD (YES! OURRRRR GODDDDD!!!!!) has created for us to enjoy. For us to see HIM.  CHERISH HIM.

Til next time,
U.M.

Family as a TV Show

Hello there!  Is your family funny enough to have their own sitcom?  I think mine is.  Simple, everyday events could easily make up episodes of our series.  And ya know what we'd call it...Family.  That simple.  The characters in my family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and all!) really are just that - characters.  Picture it (based on real events):


Set the scene. 11:39 pm.  Saturday night.  McDonald's Dollar Menu options end at 12 am and it's a 7 minute drive from the house...
-"I'm hungry. I think I'm gonna go to McDonald's. I got a taste for some fries" says the sister who's broke.
-"Oooo! That would be good. Can you pick me up a sundae?" asks Mom.
-"Sure" says the one who ain' got no money.
(Question: How she gon' buy anything for ANYONE??? She's BROKE!!!!!!!)
Brother enters.
-"Ay! I want somethin', too!" exclaims Brother.
-"You got some money?!" asks the one who ain't GOT NO MONEY.
-"Yeah.I got a lil' bit. Here" (he hands her two-one dollar billls and two quarters).  "Get me two uh' dose dollar chicken sandwiches and a cup uh water."
-"WHAT?!" exclaims the one who ain' got no money.  "WE GOT WATER AT HOME!"
-"Yeah, but the water at McDonald's IS FREE!"
Mom shakes head.
-"Mom, whatdoyou (yes, it's all one word) want?" (to eat that is) asks the broke one. "I'll pay for it."
-"I'll give you the money.  I know you ain' got it. I just want a sundae. Whatareyougonnaget?" (all one word) asks Mom.
The broke one gives Mom the STANK eye.
-"Nuggets and fries" says the broke one and looks at Brother. "You drivin'?" asks the ONE WHO AIN' GOT NO MONEY!!!!!!
-"Naw! Why you think I gave you the money?!" shouts Brother.
The one who ain' got no money goes and grabs her car keys. Then Brother says...
-"Ok, I'll drive. I just gotta pump up my back tire first cuz it's flat. And you know my A/C don't work."
-"I'LL DRIVE" she says.
They all start walking toward the front door when they passed the kitchen and Mom is hit wit a thought and exclaims...
-"I got everything y'all wanna eat in the freezer. We can just eat at home."

HA-HA-HA. At that point it was 11:52.  They probably could have made it to McDonald's JUST in time and ordered before the Dollar Menu options got knocked off the board by the late night menu...well..if there was no line when they got to McDonald's. This family is absolutely jovial!

They had everything they needed RIGHT THERE.  And it was FREE for them.  Their mom had already paid for everything and their dad made sure that all of the arrangements for that were taken care of. Thinking about this reminds me of the Gospel. Jesus is pretty much RIGHT THERE.  Salvation is FREE.  Jesus already PAID the price for our sins and His DAD made sure that all of the arrangements for that were taken care of.  GLORY to the One who paid it all!  And blessed be the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Til next time,
U.M.