If Not Us, Then Who?

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men," At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called to them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-22

That was the first 4 disciples.

Mark 2:14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collectors booth. "Follow me," Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

The 5th disciple. This went on for all 12 disciples. There were no sales pitch or anything, the men just up and left their families and all they have worked for.  Zebedee's entire work force quit on him with no notice. Jesus, yeah... he went 12 for 12! You could argue, well he was the Son of God. But at that moment they didn't know that.

Why? Why in the world would they do that? Hang in here with me because I think this is pretty amazing.

Back in the day every Hebrew boy was trained to be a Rabbi. It was the highest honor. It was like boys wanting to be picked for the NFL or NBA back then. Only the best of the best get picked. If they are not picked they are told to go back home and tend to the family trade. Goodbye. Period.

Sometimes if the best made it and the Rabbi decides your not good enough anymore. Goodbye. Even after years and years and years of study.

Here is how it works.
 

Kids had to memorize Leviticus at age 6. What is awesome about that is that most people didn't even own the Old Testament, it was based on their Father's memory. If they passed then they moved on to Bet Sephar (the school of the book), this lasted between ages 6-12 where they had to memorize the first 5 books of the bible. Okay, so I don't know how many of you have children within this age range, but WTW! Just. Wow. Okay, then they were given the exam to see if they qualified for the next level. This exam was not based on content though; No, They wanted to know if you had the right questions to ask.

The great Rabbi's were known for the questions they had so they could keep the conversation going about God;  they believed you could never get to the End of God.

Luke 2 tells us that after the passover feast His parents and family headed out a days walk to return home when they couldn't find their 12 year old boy, Jesus. They were unaware that he stayed behind in the Temple. After they searched for 3 days.....yes his Mother frantically searching for 3 whole days!!!... they found him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

They were all amazed at his understanding and his answers. Yep he passed his Tora exam with flying colors, he probably made those others look like whimps.

The next level was between ages 12-30. This was school of Bet Talmid (School of disciple). Ever wonder why Jesus disapears in the bible and comes back at age 30 called Rabbi?

In Bet Talmid you were to memorize the rest of the bible and closely follow and learn from other Rabbi's.

A Rabbi's interpretation of the Tora was called the "yoke".

This is also when they get Smika or no smika. This means you have the yoke of your Rabbi or you teach your own yoke.

I know this sounds crazy but give me a minute..... So, if you have the yoke of your Rabbi, you have to follow and teach exactly how they did. They loved to put laws upon laws, upon laws. For example,  There is no dancing in the town square.The law upon the law would be: if you were to trip and fall, do not flail your arms. It may look like you're dancing. We cannot have any of that.  Just fall flat on your face ....just so it's made clear (extreme level of legalism).

If you were picked for the NFL of Rabbi's you get a Smika and are able to teach your own yoke. But there had to be two witnesses.

Remember what happened at Jesus baptism?

Witness 1: John the Baptist “Behold the lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world who’s sandels I am not worthy to untie”

Jesus comes up out of the water as rabbi w/o authority until a second voice speaks. So who was the second voice?

The heavens open and God speaks “this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” Witness #2.

Now Jesus comes out of the water with Smika (authority) which means he could make up his own yoke, and he spent the rest of his life wrecking everybody else’s yoke.

Jesus said, "Take MY yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light." He is saying that he will set you free. His yoke doesn't make your burden any heavier.

Jesus has a yoke that boldy exclaims freedom, love, compassion, forgiveness, mercy and grace. 

Ahhhhh, refreshing isn't it.

Disciples wanted to do everything like their Rabbi. They would even walk so closely behind their Rabbi they would be covered with dust. It was quite the honor to be covered in dust.

Are you going to be covered in the dust of Christ, or are you going to be covered with the dust of your own issues? Who's dust are you covered in? Who/what are you following the closest?

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Drink in the word thirstly as disciples. Take on the yoke of your teacher. Ask the Holy spirit to guide you and be in it to know and imitate your teacher. It is not about knowing answers. We do not have to be bible scholars to share the gospel. Ask questions, be a learner of the bible.

Have we just reduced discipleship to just a weekday?
It is time to be a disciple. It is time to live on a mission. If you feel like discipleship is bogged down, a burden, required and heavy, ....then it's done wrong.

"Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest in your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 28-30.

Why do you like the heavy yoke? Recieve your gift and blessing. You are worthy. God chose you for this time and this generation for a specific purpose.

There is a cost of discipleship. We get to leave behind shame, guilt, and gather up freedom that comes through Christ. He may even call you to move. You may be called to move to another city, or even Africa. Or your Africa may be right where you are. Ask yourself: What am I unwilling to leave? Discipleship is a whole life of following Jesus.

Where do I go?

Follow Jesus.....the sick, poor, widowed, lonely, scared......places where you will be misunderstood.

Jesus goes to broken places. Places some Christians are scared to go. Places you are misunderstood....and it may be the religious ones that do misunderstand. You'll hear, 'we just can't give grace that far.' Some religious people prefer heavy yolks. Look at the pharisees in the bible. Follow Jesus near the broken hearted.

IF YOU CAN'T FIND CHRIST, FIND THE BROKENHEARTED.

We can trust Christ. It is a soul crusher to not follow Jesus because we are just comfortable where we are.

I am so hungry to raise my hands with this generation to follow Christ so closely we feel the dust of our Rabbi. It is time to raise up a discipleship generation.

How? How do we wake up the sleeping giant?

My question is.... are the old wineskins going to allow the new wine? New wineskins are able to stretch as new wine expands. Old wineskins are already at its limit, are brittle and not able to stretch. That's awesome and all but how does this speak in 2014? There are several paradigms about old becoming new in the bible (ex.2 Corinthians 5).
Will old forms be able to contain the new works our generation is bringing in? The old wineskins do not stretch and do not have room. And this is happening across the board- no one rule- a trend.

3 out of 10 adults in 30's are connected in church.
4 out of 10 adults in their 40's.
5 out of 10 adults in their 50's.
Barna.org projects our kids (like....my 2, 5 &6 yr old children!!!) by age 29- 80% of them will be gone from church.

Yes, we are in bible belt world around here but it seems that church here in the South has became cultural and not transforming. It has been said, but that church over there is blowing up in numbers. 90% of the time its because of a baby boom or transfer of a letter from another church. We are shuffling the deck people!

Let's put our foot out into the real world and listen to our peers. What is the worlds perception of Christians that keeps you away?

They are hypocritical, judgemental not real, you have to be part of the exclusive club, mean, no fun, and intolerant. We know thats a character. We all know real, good Christian men and women. But, think about it, where there is smoke, there is fire. If they are offended by us, our offensiveness, we better change it. Address it asap. LET US BE THE NEW WINE.

We need to be new wineskin to stretch with the new generation. Instead of defending our stand with Christ, step to the side and allow others to experience real, raw, biblical truth behind his compassionate grace. Become an advocate with the lost and allow them to see a soveriegn God.

We have already won.
No one can take away the Kingdom.
It'll stand and we need to represent it by serving and extending mercy.

Create a safe place where people feel like they can belong. No strings attached, do not treat people like they are a project, and no agendas.....just love them like Christ would.

If people aren't coming to church we need to reach people phrophetically. Invite them in for dinner, a bonfire, poker night, movie night, etc. Speak to them through Christ love and he will bring them to Him. I believe through love to our community we will see people come to Jesus, we will see a generation come to Christ. Become a slave like Joseph, be a good neighbor. Show them they are precious to Him. There is no time limit.

Just because people aren't coming to church like they use to doesn't mean they are not hungry.

We cannot just feed off the sheep anymore, it is time to follow the Shepard.
In his strength we can send out a new generation that sends out the good news to people. Be responsible for what we are called to do. Allow ordinary small moments to be an avalanche towards their day of redemption. We GET to do this. It is time to get on with it.

Because if its not us, then who?

This is discipling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQbmaKuT0Oo

*Barna.org
*Citytocityrevival.com
*Notes from Jen Hatmaker Ladies Conference




 

I. am. sorry.

Yes. I said it, please take it to heart.
I. Am. Sorry.

I am sorry that as believers in Christ we don't always express his love, grace, and mercy that Jesus tells us- noscratch that- commands us to live out.
And,
I am heartbroken. Because this thing has allowed evil to creep into minds telling us that Christ isn't real.....they are fake, they are just doing it for approval, to fit in, etc.
So this is for it all.

I am sorry...
     that we judged you the moment you stepped foot in the door. We didn't see the war raging within yourself whether or not to show up here and God whispering to you, go. We should have gotten up and sat with you, even to just help you feel loved and accepted in the midst of all the ackwardness.

I am sorry...
     that we listened to those telling us hanging out with you would rub off a bad influence. Instead we should have realized your heart is beautiful despite all the circumstances that are thrown at you in this world. It was that moment your heart needed Christ and a believer could have compassion and shared his grace with you.

I am sorry....
     that you walked into church where believers told you that you didn't fit in because of your outward appearences. We should have welcomed you and remembered that God looks at out heart, not appearences. That he loves us unconditionally in ALL walks of life. Our opinions DO NOT matter to God, who are we to think so. He is HOLY.

I am sorry...
     that you were only taught of rules and convictions and nothing about his compassion, love, mercy, and grace.

I am sorry...
     that you are struggling with fears, anxiety, and emotions that you would like to share with your Sunday School class but you feel more judged by believers than nonbelievers. we must know this."So, then each of us will give an account to himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in their way." Romans 14:12-13.

I am sorry...
     that is it obvious that you express your needs of struggles with feeding your family daily. But yet you sit among believers that only see their own needs. They would rather support their monthly hair highlights and nail tech than feed your childrens' bellies.

I am sorry...
     that you watched and read about us as we stood firmly about political issues but you watched as we walked past the poor and widowed.

We are ALL a hot mess; believers and unbelievers.
 Let us capture and put away those destructive thoughts and focus on what is true.
 'Take that seedling of resentment and give it light.'

WE CAN BE A GENERATION THAT LIVES LIKE GOD IS REAL.

The great movement of God is not going to be doing great things and getting great stuff. It is seeing people on the knees, shedding our sins in exchange to be seen by God almighty as being pure.

It's going to be looking in the eyes of the poor and literally feeding them.
It's going to be sitting among believers, opening up about our fears while drinking a glass of wine and feeling loved and uplifted through his word.
It's going to be sitting in the back pew by the addict with all their feelings of ackwardness and showing they are loved and accepted.
It'll be walking into church and seeing the widowed, homeless, substance abusers, all walks of life praising God in worship with hands high to heavens.
and IT. Will. Be. Beautiful.

Believers we are only cracking the door open. Take off the hinges of sin and resentment. Leave it wide open. Let Christ use you, your good, your bad, your brokeness, the REAL you, to bring others to him. Christ died for us all.

'Love must me sincere. Hate what is evil;cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fevor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. ' Romans 12:9-13

If we do not stand up.
If we fail to use our gifts.
If we fail to share our passion.
If we fail to face our fears.
If we do not show true compassion and mercy.
Our generation could be lost.

Let's be the generation that lives as God is REAL.
Let's be FREE and set others FREE.

Is there anyone that will show Christ as being REAL to them?

Let's live like we are the last generation in HIS story here. Because we may very well be.

Unintentional Reality

School has started and the fast continues. Though I am past the fast on Clothing from week 2, I feel urged to share what it was about.  There are all kinds of scriptures about clothes and adornment. I chose 7 clothes to wear for the entire week. (Undergarments do not count....don't even start.) Shoes count as 1 item, and no jewelry except wedding ring. I honestly did not think this will be a big deal to me. I am not a fashionista by any means. I have tons of costume jewelry that just sit in a drawer. But after reading the scripture I felt God speaking to me straight from the pages of the Bible. I had no issues with wearing 7 items for a week, but it was the message behind it that stirred my soul. God was telling me: Let's get real Nikki.

We have a default reaction to the poorly outfitted and the favored dresser. I've heard it only takes us a half a second to judge someones entire character based on their appearance. Let's continue to be honest here, we all want and thrive on being able to chill and converse with those above our rung, those who fit the status quo and those who 'have it all'.  Appearance makes our chance to move up increase, it's just the saddened reality of the flesh.

We have all heard the story once about a rich man and a poor man walking into a facility and the poor man treated badly while the rich man is favored. Be honest, we all do it without even realizing it. It is the sin of the flesh. We assess others social status, well being, health, even humility and selfishness all based on their outward appearances. James:2 cautions us in being judgemental saying that if we really Love our neighbor as our self we are doing right, but if favoritism is found you sin. Whoever keeps Gods law yet stumbles at one point is guilt of breaking all of it. Just like this morning, getting ready to take my husband out for his birthday lunch and watch the Gator Game with friends. I found myself analysing the people who were going to be there and that was how I judged what I was actually going to wear. That was how I was going to fit in with the crowd...... (Stupid Nikki.) But us women are so guilty of it and don't even realize we are doing it. What the world! I unintentionally judge myself and others based on appearance.

 I love the question Jen Hatmaker puts in the study here:

Have you ever showed favoritism based on someones appearance? What were the circumstances? Or maybe the flip side: have you discredited or ignored someone based of his or her poor appearance?

Lay the hammer down my friend. The flip side got me. Guilty. In our society today we play both the rich man and the believer in the story. We have came to the conclusion, 'My clothes say something important about me. I can draw the eye. I could be shown the special attention. I could get a good seat.'

There is nothing wrong with being beautiful or showing the creative flair God blessed you with. Clothes are a way of showing that uniqueness and our personalities. But like anything else, it can be misused. Food is readily abused and as a result we have sickness, overweight, obsessed, and overall are unhealthy. 'God created sex as a beautiful expression, but need we discuss how we've exploited this gift? Influence, authority, wealth, position, ecological resources, power, biblical knowledge....all gifts, all capable of heinous misuse.'

Our culture spends so much time, money and energy on clothing.

Once upon a time, ...a productivist capitalism prospered by meeting the real needs of real people....Today, however, consumerist capitalism profits only when it can address those essential needs have already been satisfied but who have the means assuage "new" and invented needs...The global majority still has extensive and real needs...But it is without the means to address them, being cut off by the global market's inequality....from investment in capital and jobs that would allow them to become consumers.

Yeah, I had to read it a couple times. Basically, the market meets the basic needs of the people. The third world has life, health, and family needs, but no consumer power. Thus the Big Market pretty much turns to your wallet making up stuff to entice you to need/want more (ex. sugar water, bleach pens, collagen moisturizers) with full disregard to the people who are dying for lack of basics.
Leaving us with needy without income and wealthy without needs. The market must grow or expire. 'If the poor cannot be enriched enough to become consumers, the grown-ups in the first world who are currently responsible for 60% of the worlds consumption, and with vast disposable income but few needs, will have to be enticed to shop. ' The result? Our closets overflowing, shoes piled high, scarves, jewelry, hats, house decor, all overwhelming our space.

My problem, I over rationalize everything. That cute little outfit for the baby? No big deal. The pretty pink dress for my girl (despite the 20 other ones in her closet already) it'll be alright. Those shoes, well they are only 7 bucks, how can I not? I like it all. They are cute. I want them. All of these thoughts while the battle of injustice rage on the children in third world countries.

The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people. The Lord enters into judgement against the elders and leaders of his people: It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses, What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor? Isaiah 3:13-15

My house?...the plunder for the poor? Guilty. We enjoy rank and privilege. Everyone does. The entitlement also bears the responsibility to the poor. Power blinds us. It keeps us from scrutiny and repentance. This is where is I was blind. The devil is good, so good at using this to block the average everyday Christian Joe. Isaiah 3:16-4:1 was no joke when he threw it out on the line:

The Lord says, 'The women of Sion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will makes their scalps bald.
It continues saying that the Lord will snatch away bangles, headbands, necklaces, chains, sashes, perfumes. And replace them with stench, rope, sackcloth, they will be branded. In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, "We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!"

See the link between outward description and inward disease? Vanity is blinding us. Love the bangles, sashes, flaunting it around, ......but what lies underneath? Inner wounds and heart full of sickness.Women want to be seen, even desired. Sadly caring about all the wrong things:

Religion, not justice; self-advancement, not orphans and widows; wealth, not worship; pride, not humility; shameless sin, not repentance. (Isaiah 1-3).

God ain't (I live in the south people) playing games. Obviously according to scripture he is serious, this is no joke.  I'd prefer not to have all this scrutiny, but Father, let it rain.

Best part about this is, with God.....there is always forgiveness.
Isaiah 1:18-19,27
Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land. 27: Zion will be redeemed with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness.

God. Is. Holy. SO. HOLY.

 

Wrap it up people

Day 3 Food 7 Fast

This sucks...just saying. There has never been a time in me ENTIRE life where I had to sit and watch a table full of people enjoy Oreos and milk. I keep asking myself why I had to pick the most bland 7 foods, they have no taste. Thanks to my friends Salt and Pepper we are able to get through this. One thing I did realize, I drink way too much caffeine. I was a walking migraine by the end of the first day. So for the sake of my sanity and not to mention my hubby and kiddos, I am allowing myself 1 cup of coffee. Epic failure I know....but something had to be done to keep myself from locking the kids in their rooms to play while I sat in a dark, quiet room.

This is the first time I have EVER fasted. Honestly, I just thought the people who did that kind of stuff were just weird and out of touch with the real world. Fasting just has never been part of my spiritual story.  I didn't understand that fasting was to help me in my relationship with Christ. Most of all, I feared judgement from those people that closest and most dear to me. I grew up in a church home, but that doesn't mean all those around me were true raw Christians. Looking back now, there is very few people out of hundreds that I could honestly say without a doubt that I believe are true followers of Christ. That leaves a lot of 'Atheist Christians' that watch and judge me as I fast.

Perfection

Picture the old temple in scripture (Numbers and Exodus): the presence of God dwelt in the ark of the covenant behind a large curtain. Only the high priest could enter once a year and offer a sacrifice for atonement for the nation's sins. But they couldn't just sprinkle a little blood and be on their merry way. No, God specifically gave over 100 directives on exactly how it needs to be done. "Present a burnt offering to the Lord, a pleasing aroma; one young bull, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect." God even spoke of the high priest garments hem, "Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them....Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die" (Exodus 28:33,35). DIE....yes...if he didn't do exactly how it needed to be done for the Almighty I Am.....it's was as simple as, you die.

"God is holy. So very holy. We have no concept how holy and perfect He is. That God could even be close to sinful mankind is astonishing, which is why it was so complicated to bring worship that wouldn't offend His perfection" (Hatmaker).

Because Jesus died on the cross his Holy Spirit now lives within us. Our bodies are now the temple. God desires Christians to be good stewards of our resources. Does that mean our body is sacred content? "Do we treat out bodies like vessels of the very presence of the great I AM? Is there a remnant of the respect and reverence for these bodies, and the plants and animals consecrated for our sustenance?" (Hatmaker) Have you ever heard you are what you eat. We eat and fill our earthly temples with pathogens, poisons, synthetic hormones, and chemicals.

This has shown me that I have this ridiculous attachment to something as simple as food. I am ashamed of myself when I feel like being disobedient just because it's one bite. The satisfaction of being able to run to Starbucks for a cup of $5 coffee, while that same thought is unable to enter the mind of the poor and homeless is disheartening. I didn't think the food fast was going to be a big deal, but it has opened my eyes to a selfish want and desire that I didn't even knew existed.

This week is hard. I am hungry...period. The hope is that the abstinence from food maybe the launching pad for Jesus; "More of him and less of me and my junk."

Picking my poison, I mean ummm food....

Tomorrow begins the week of food fasts. I have been spending that last week praying and preparing my mind for what is to come. So, I picked my poison for the first week of 7 experiment:

 

Chicken   Eggs   Whole wheat bread  

Sweet Potatoes   Apples   Beans   Bananas  

 

I'm only going to drink water.....no coffee (I'm already having anxiety of that one), I can use olive oil, salt and pepper. I made sure my choices were healthy and well balanced. With the experiment there are other options; cut out 7 ingredients (no caffeine, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, food dye...etc), No fast food or processed foods (which is pretty much everything), If you have a burden for a specific country fasts on their diet, eat only what you have in pantry, cut your budget in half or thirds for the week, or even fast on an entire meal a day for 7 days.

 

I chose not to include kids in this.....not just because it's hard, but folks I gotta keep my sanity.

 

I'm sure you are thinking, why in the world is she doing this? It's simple. I'm praying during this fasts that there may be less of me and all my junk, and more of God and His kingdom. All my junk equals all the 7 things I am fasting on during the 7 weeks. Point blank: God listens to those who fast with an earnest heart. Esther fasted before she approached the king without being summoned (a death sentence), but he welcomed her and Israel ended up being saved through it (Esth 4:16). Or when Ezra fasted for safety before carrying a bulk of gold and silver along a route that was infested with thieves. They safely arrived at their destination. Daniel fasted to restore Jerusalem after almost 70 years in exile. God responded by sending the angel Gabriel to show him his plan.  A fast cannot be used to manipulate God in giving us what WE want. There could be some major consequences in that. That is why I spent the past week preparing and praying to get my heart in the right place.

I am in need of a breakthrough. The restlessness needs to come to a point of understanding. There is something that needs to change and/or happen, so I am fasting for some understanding from Christ. 'It is interesting to watch God's movement after the famous fasts in scripture; they positioned His people for a breakthrough so often. What wasn't possible, suddenly was. What wouldn't move, came unstuck. What hadn't worked, finally did. What was totally blurry, became crystal clear.'




Want to read and try this for yourself? Here is the link to the 7 books.

Revealing my Blind Spots

I finished the book 7. The book where Jen Hatmaker, some of her family and friends embark on seven fasts from seven areas of excess in seven months......crazy, I know. This girl....can't even begin to describe, love her, she just throws it all out there. This reading has opened my eyes to a whole new level. Honestly, I am a little petrified.....Thanks God, for ruining it for me. But I can't complain, I pray fervently for his hand on my life and my families. If you have read any of my other blogs, you can see he is no joke when it comes to shaking things up.

What is a fast? 'Fasting is an intentional reduction, a deliberate abstinence to summon God's movement in our lives. A fast creates margin for God to move.' A fast must be in the right mind- for Christ. I will be fasting from the things that come between me and God almighty.  This book has allowed to to see my blind spots. There is a stirring in me about the Gospel and my family that burns to get out. I don't understand at all what it is. But its driving me to the point of stress and anxiety. There is so much STUFF in my life that is between God and I. Let me name a few things; facebook, twitter, clothes, possessions, food, stress, waste, spending, deadlines, meetings, TV........ and I wonder to myself why I can't hear or feel God speaking to me. I do not make the time to listen. My daily routine is rush, rush, rush, food, baths, and bed. Sound familiar?

America is RICH. I have everything I need, yet I always want more...a new car, cuter clothes, bigger home, a maid (holla), a pool, big vacations, etc. America is on top of the world when it comes to luxuries. Most of us don't even know how rich we are. We reside on top percentage of wealth in the entire world. If you make $35,000- top 4%, $50,000- top 1%. This excess has impaired our perspective. 'We are the richest people on earth, praying to get richer. We're tangled in unmanageable debt while feeding the machine, because we feel entitled to more.' More than half the global population lives on less than $2/day and we can't manage life with almost 35 times that amount ($25,000) or 70 times that amount ($50,000). Having this much is blinding us. How can we feel compelled too need and listen for Christ when everything around us is given to us.

Jesus spoke repeatedly about the rich folks. They may be on top of the food chain, but for the most part that's where it stops. Matthew 19 speaks about the rich young man. This man was a rich ruler with lots of power (according to Luke 18). He asked Jesus, "What good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Jesus replied, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor you father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." The rich man said he kept all of those things but what do I still lack? Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. then come, follow me." The young man heard this and became sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus throws out this hyperbole, saying it is easier for a 2,000 pound camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

What the??!!  I was utterly aware of my privileges and unmoved by my greed. I am the rich dude....there is so much EXCESS that obscures my vision of Christ. How is God suppose to use me to further his kingdom when I have so much baggage? I am ruined...EPIC failure. I am always comparing myself to others on the same rung. Looking for ways to get higher on that social ladder and completely missing the point of it all. It's the American Way. We are programmed that way, me, me, me. Here is a picture of MY vacation, here is a picture of the family I made, MY project, MY success,....what's left when we shift our focus? for the believers, Christ. It's not about what you're doing right; it's about what you cherish. "If you are willing to offer these blind spots- indulgence, extravagance, greed, excess- to Jesus, we can believe him for freedom on the other side. There is a bigger story to live, and God is drawing us into it. It is thrilling and good and radical; the gospel life has no equal. No matter what, God will further his kingdom, whether we help or not...but 'what better way to spend our last breath on, this is living'.

Are you willing?

FCAT anarchy

The test that determines my status as a teacher, regardless of any outside circumstances, the dreaded FCAT is only 5 school days away....stress isn't even a good word to explain the storm amongst the upper elementary grades at my school. So here are some things to make you add a little light to the darkness:

You know FCAT is close......

When you actually consider applying to work at Target because the people are happy and Starbucks is only steps away.

When you start to get the feeling that FCAT should stand for Florida Children Are Tortured.

When you find yourself sharpening your 97th pencil while mumbling to yourself.

When you feel like your brain is going to explode if one more student forgets to go back and heaven forbid highlight or underline the answer in the passage.

When there are no more bags of peppermints at the grocery store.

When you find yourself repeating "Did you check your work?"

When you're scared to speak to your co worker because the littlest thing can set them off.

When your family begins to think you're on a strike from any type of house work.

When you spend hours at home looking for more teaching videos.

When you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about your students IEPs.

Sleepless nights, husband and kids getting the 3rd degree, a home cooked meal hasn't even been placed on my table this week. AND I still have another week to go before the testing begins. OVER IT!!!! I'm so over it! I have come to settle in this: I have taught what they needed to know and the best way I knew how to teach it......it is up to them now.....God Bless Them ALL.

Feel free to comment and add to the list ;)