Saturday, May 10, 2008

The Challenge of Balancing Mary and Martha

Luke 10:38-42 states,

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"


"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."


Well, I’ve been Martha for way too long, and the Mary in me is screaming to get out.
I need to make the time to do the things that bring me to the Lord’s feet—hanging on His every word.


It is those things that give me energy and strength to get to the next task that Martha has to complete.


I am dehydrated, and I need His water to revive me.


Do you ever feel like that?


Like the most important thing you should be doing is filling up your spirit in order to get through the day.


I challenge you, as I challenge myself this week, to choose what is better-- and take time to sit quietly in His presence, so that the Mary in you can shine.


Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy. Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com. Maria is very passionate about getting the word out to special parents that they are not alone in their journey of raising their special child; and that they were chosen by God to parent their children. Maria welcomes comments and communication as well as invitations for her to speak to your group.

Friday, May 9, 2008

Pure Religion



On Saturday I returned from the Christian Alliance For Orphans Summit wrecked and ruined, exhausted yet overjoyed, broken all over again by His love. The Summit was a three day gathering of 550 people from all over the world coming together to pray, learn, and fellowship concerning the orphaned. It was a time of immersion in the Word, reflection on His calling, and incredible networking and fellowship with others who share His heart. It was also a reminder of what 'pure religion' is all about.

James 1:27 says this, "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. "

Pure . . . clean, spotless, absolute, untainted with evil, guiltless, sheer, free from blemishes . . . genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. Pure religion! Think about it . . . no man made rules, hidden agendas, power struggles, sign-up sheets, . . . pure religion! And His Word even gives us clear direction on where to find it. We can find it caring for the abandoned, the forgotten, the 143 million children in the US and around the world waiting to know Jesus and be loved!

You may be thinking how in the world am I going to help 143 million orphans! My schedule is so full already and anyway one person can't really make a difference. Let's look at what Jesus says in Matthew 18:5, "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. " A little child is like welcoming Him, our King, our Savior! HIM!!! And Jesus also said "a," some translations may say "one." Yes, one CAN make a difference!

So my heart cries out today to the body . . . what are we going to do? What am I going to do? Am I going to stay where it is cozy and safe and stay quiet because I make others uncomfortable with my words or am I going to step out of the boat and take a plunge into the pool of 'purity' that He has waiting for me? Honestly I already have my swimsuit on!!!

Let me leave you with this:

At the conclusion of the conference one of the board members of the alliance shared a thought (I will try and do it justice as best I can). She saw hereself walking into heaven on the streets of gold and Paul came walking toward her. He greeted her and asked, "How was it?" Her reply, "How was what?" He responds, "We watched from heaven how the Lord stirred the hearts of many and invited them to experience pure religion and His incredible love. What was it like? I want to hear all about it!" And her thought was, 'Would my response be . . . "What are you talking about? But . . . I was facilitating two bible studies, my kids were in three youth groups, I was at service every Sunday, . . . " Or with a smile on her face would she turn to Paul and say, "It was AMAZING!"

He is waiting to 'amaze' all of us!

Kim

(The next few weeks I will continue to share my heart with you concerning the abandoned and forgotten and ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus in your own community and overseas.)

My Theme Song

Today I feel called to post twice after reading Julie's song lyrics, they have been my theme song for years. Funny how God hooked the two of us together Julie! When I pull in the driveway with my 1980's cassette tape of Tom Petty blasting the song 'I Won't Back Down' my husband asks, "What happened today?" and "Are you okay?" This song has spoken to me for years, before and after knowing Christ, always giving me strength and hope in a world that is often 'dragging me down.' Honestly, I never knew who wrote it or that it had been recorded by other artists and to see it on the blog today reminded once again how we need to stand strong, not back down, and truly walk in the calling God has laid on our hearts. This leads me into my next post . . . God's calling.

Kim

Thursday, May 8, 2008

My Not So Original Rally Call To Press On






Awhile back I blogged about having a life verse. I plan every once in awhile to share other verses that ministered and spoke to me. Today though, I feel like I'm supposed to share a song.






This song grabbed me from the first time my family sat together to watch the movie, Barnyard. I found it funny that a song in a kid movie was something God was using as my prayer time rally call. I thought it was original, even though I remember the song from Tom Petty. I then learned Johnny Cash made the song before that AND others wrote online about how the song ministered them.






Oh well, I still feel like I'm meant to share it. I hope it's a rally cry for you to press on, keep going, and don't back down. Victory is at hand, trust Him today!






Here is a video someone took the song to the movie, Spirit. Gives you an idea.







SAM ELLIOTT



I WON’T BACK DOWN LYRICS






Well I won't back down



No I won't back down



You can stand me up at the gates of hell



But I won't back down



No I'll stand my ground, won't be turned around



And I'll keep this world from draggin me down



gonna stand my ground... and I won't back down






Chorus:(I won't back down...)Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out(and I won't back down...)hey I will stand my ground



and I won't back down






Well I know what's right, I got just one life



in a world that keeps on pushin me around



but I'll stand my ground...and I won't back down(I won't back down...)



Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out(and I won't back down...)



hey I will stand my ground(I won't back down)and I won't back down...(I won't back down...)Hey baby, there ain't no easy way out(I won't back down)



hey I won't back down(and I won't back down)



hey baby, there ain't no easy way out(and I won't back down)



hey I will stand my ground(and I won't back down)and I won't back down(I won't back down)



No I won't back down...




Complimentary "I Won’t Back Down" Ringtone Blonde Call Me Lyrics http://www.justsomelyrics.com/ UGK Bumper and grill Lyrics Sam Elliott I Won’t Back Down Lyrics are property and copyright of it's owners. Lyrics are provided for educational purposes only.



Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger and is the Forum's book club facilitator. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. To get to know her better, read her interview by Lynda Schab at: http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=33%20
To contact Julie, please use the e mail provided in our profile.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Crawl, Walk, Run

(http://www.about.com/)


I can't tell you how excited I am to read Kim's weekend account regarding orphans. The short time I've known her caring for children, especially those ignored, neglected and abandoned, have been her heart and calling. Her passion is so contagious I too have a stirring in my heart yet untapped.




A month or so ago Kim let me know that surrendered pastor's wife, mom, and servant for the forgotten, especially those with AIDS Kay Warren was having a live chat regarding her book, Dangerous Surrender. This was a book that totally captivated me and I appreciated her candid spirit sharing her missteps and thoughts about how she would step out in this new thing God was calling her to do. I knew this book would speak to Kim and it didn't just speak, it beckoned. But that's Kim's story.




What I took away from that live chat where Kay graciously brought each participant in the conversation was a sentence I can't shake. I thought I was there to lurk on the conversation and encourage Kim and her friend. Kay called me out and asked my story. I wrote something like I know God is calling me to something more, I just don't know what that more is.




Here was her sentence to the best of my memory:


"When He shows you, start with a crawl, move to a walk, then go for the run."




I see a lot of false starts in ministry. Great intentions, wonderful aspirations, but basically the leadership started out with a run. I'm not a marathon runner by any stetch but I know enough to know you don't give 100% when you start out. You have to start small and increase.




I've been guilty of the same. I get an idea from God and I do a brief warm up and then I take off like lightning leaving God and His timing in the dust. I get tired, burned out, and I'm done. And God picks me up, dusts me off, and starts me over.




I've written over at http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/ that last year I was hit hard with a reverse in health that didn't just slow me down, it put me to a screeching halt. Now that I understand what is going on and steps for recovery are in place, I feel a new lease on life.




I want to run. I want to race, fly, jump, dance, shout, and sing.




When it comes to my walk with Him, Kay's words envelope me.




What stirring is in your heart? What is your calling? Where are you in this marathon? Are you warming up? Crawling? Walking? Or are you in a full out run?




And...is that the pace you are supposed to be at?




As I wait for Kim and Maria to share what God is doing within them, I'm lacing up and stretching, taking deep breaths and starting forward in an awkward movement resembling a crawl. In His time I'll pull myself to stand and toddle along. Then watch out world!




Care to join me?

Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger and is the Forum's book club facilitator. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. To get to know her better, read her interview by Lynda Schab at: http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=33%20To contact Julie, please use the e mail provided in our profile.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Wrecked All Over Again

Thank you for praying for me the past few days. I have returned home safely, totally wrecked for the orphaned and the Lord all over again. I have been crying on and off for days and am in awe of the Lord's goodness and plans for my life. I will share more in the days and weeks ahead and invite all of you to come and walk on the path of pure and undefiled religion . . . to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27) One hundred, forty three million children are waiting for the 'body' to respond to their cries. Can you hear them? Jesus does.

Love, Kim

http://www.christianalliancefororphans.org/

Friday, May 2, 2008

A Plan Just For You

\(heartlight.org)



Some may say that I am a dreamer while others may say that I am not content, some may call me a visionary while others may say I am impractical and my ideas lofty . . . but I know what the Lord says, "I know the plans I have for you, " declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."



Plans . . . hope . . . and future, such powerful words from Almighty God! He loves each one of us so much that he has plans for us, plans for you and plans for me. He has plans to give us hope and a future. Think about that! We were created with a plan in mind, a purpose, and a future to be carried out. Wow, how overwhelming is that!



Tomorrow morning I will be boarding a plane to attend a 'Summit' focusing on the orphaned. This is a burden the Lord placed in my heart many years ago that continues to get heavier and heavier. Others have tried to convince me that I have already 'done enough' by being an adoptive mother, stay at home mom of three , . . . but I keep going back to Jeremiah 29:11 and I know in my heart that His plans and purpose for me are bigger than what I can see in the present and what looks practical, aka 'the dreamer.'



What plans does God have for you? What drives you? What are you passionate about? What tugs at your heart? What brings you joy? What makes you 'feel alive?' Amidst all that you will find your purpose. And remember, He already has the plans drawn up! Blessings, Kim


Maria and Julie's note: Kim is now at this summit. Would you join us in prayer? We're believing God is going to clearly direct Kim's path in her love for the orphaned children. We can't wait to see what God is going to do through this!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Must See TV

My schedule evenings this week has been a bit off. I haven't talked to Maria too much this week, but I have Kim. She too is tuning in. I went to Bible study yesterday at the Y and not only did we also tune in via video, our facilitator was at the actual event over the weekend.



What is it that is going on?



It's revival.



I've been watching since Sunday online at http://www.god.tv/. If you have DirecTV or Skyangel I believe you can access it there as well. Todd Bentley is honestly just a guy who loves Jesus and is used mightily for God's glory. What I love about the Lord choosing THIS guy over most for this awesome outpouring is Todd by looks alone is the LAST guy the world would pick to lead a revival. My guess is even Todd would agree. He is covered in tattoos, his past before Christ wasn't just wild, I believe it was violent. Then God took hold, and Todd isn't violent, he's passionate.



He was to lead a weekend full of services last month in Lakeland, Florida. That weekend turned into a week, then two, then three, now four and counting. The events outgrew two large churches, a convention center and starting tomorrow with be at the Lakeland Tiger stadium, holding 15,000.



So far, every night is packed. People are hungry, thirsty and desperate not for Todd and the strange, funny and amazing way God is using him and the team there, they are hungry for Jesus.


And by golly, Jesus is there.



Even watching online I can tell you this is the real deal. I am a skeptic, cynic and what I am seeing and feeling in my own spirit I can tell you---you can't fake that. There is a prescence of God so strong on that stage people step on the platform and are not just falling over, they are flipping like fish out of water. There is holy laughter and reverent silence only to be immediately followed by wild worship that makes as our teacher's husband shared, louder than a touchdown between Ohio State and Michigan (which has 100,000). People have tried to control the handling of these evenings and they just can not. God is in control and He is having His way.



I've seen people with rods in their leg and decades of numbness start running around the building. Wheelchair bound folks are dancing. Muscles are growing. Are you a cynic? Those that exprienced the healing are going to the doctors to back it up with authentic documentation. The media is sniffing around, and they are invited because again, this isn't about Todd or the people, or even the angels people are seeing when they are worshipping and "slain in the spirit". It's about Jesus. It was over 2000 years ago, and it still is today.

A Tampa TV reporter showed up to cover the story but confessed she too was healed. Even in the stadium she was vomiting from migraines, something she has had for years. She went on stage to share she is a believer in Christ, but she also was healed. As someone with a heart for the media to know truth, I wept.

A similar thing is happening over at MorningStar where Rick Joyner serves. This movement is primarily youth led and the pictures alone get my blood turbo pumping. Kids ditching the Wii, skateboards, whatever and choosing to praise God? Again, you can't fake that my friends.

If you've watched water boil, I tell you this. The pan is hot and the bubbles are starting.

But mark my words, this is just the beginning.

I don't want to miss a thing.

This link will take you to an article about a young girl who was healed in Lakeland over the weekend. Although I missed this online, my friends were there and before I even read this article, they nearly word for word described the very same scene that is explained. It is worth a cup of coffee and five minutes to read. Then, find God.TV. at 7pm EST until 11.

And be amazed.

http://www.elijahlist.com/

Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Julie Arduini is a surrendered writer with her own blog, http://thesurrenderedscribe.blogspot.com/. A graduate of the Christian Writers Guild, she blogs for the Christian Writers Forum Sundays as the mommy blogger and is the Forum's book club facilitator. She is active with FaithWriters and has several writings ready to publish in different books and anthologies in 2008-09. To get to know her better, read her interview by Lynda Schab at: http://www.faithreaders.com/featured-author-details.php?id=33%20To contact Julie, please use the e mail provided in our profile.