the encounter

Click on the page for the handout from last Sunday’s message “Oh My Word!” The page lists Scripture for meditating from 40 areas of life in which we need to hear from God. Then use this pattern as a path for you to hear from God…

• Consecrate a time and place to meet with God.
• Intersect your life with what God has to say from His Word.
• Saturate your heart and mind with His Word.
• Contemplate what He has to say to your heart and mind.

You can listen to last sunday’s message or watch it.

Oh my word!

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As part of our “Oh My Word!” series, we’ve been talking about how to personally hear from God. This past Sunday we talked about faith intersections. These intersecting moments are designed by God for us.

In His sovereignty, He uniquely shapes the moments of our life to bring us to a place of need, hunger, desperation, and sometimes pain. He then, through His Word desires to speak personally and relevantly to us.

The two are intricately designed by God.

God does not speak randomly or in disconnect to our life. He speaks with perfect knowledge, wisdom, power, and with personal love, grace, and mercy.

We’re continuing to learn more about recognizing God in the arrangement of life. We’re also learning more about how to hear Him in those very moments through His Word.

Listen in here!

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Here’s the video clip I referred to last sunday at encounter. Its the video intro of the 70s-80s tv show “Different Strokes”. But instead of the original theme show music, creepy horror music plays instead.

Amazing! How you think differently about the show! Creepy!

The clip is a great illustration of how what we feel toward something affects how we see it. This applies toward my view of life, work, and people. It also applies toward God. If I view Him as harsh and the Scriptures as a list of overbearing demands then I will find no joy in them.

If instead the music of my heart is of honor, joy, and love for Him then I will see beauty, wisdom, and life in His Word. My heart determines my sight. My desire affects my vision. My longing determines my perception.

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Met with the Whatamen yesterday morning and with the momentum high school students last night. In both groups we talked about faith intersections in our life – the times where our lives are intersected by God and He changes us.

Our discussion yesterday flowed around Romans 1:17 “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘the just shall live by faith.’”

Funny how those moments are the ones we often run from. I know well the feeling. The points of life that are uncertain, unknown, difficult, and uneasy.I find myself running from those moments. God howeveris doing all He can to direct me into them. The way of life today is to build a life of independence, security, ease, and comfort. Its a race to do all we can to not have to face need, hurt, or discomfort.

At the end of the day I had to ask myself some difficult questions:

• What if our modern day pursuits have led us completely in the wrong direction?
• What if I ran to moments of uncertainty, unknown, risk,and sacrifice?
• Where are the areas in my life where I am having to truly walk by faith?
• Where are the edges of me and the beginnings of Him?
• What in my life is unexplainable except for the hand of God?
• Where am I pushing beyond my natural abilities to the supernatural power of God?
• What is the freshest thing God is doing in me?
• Where am I completely leaning on Him for what’s next?

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Eugene Cho shares the story of Susan Boyle this week on his blog.

Susan’s a 47 year old charity worker, who’s never been kissed or on a date. She’s currently unemployed and her previous singing experience has been limited to the church choir and karaoke.

She was starved of oxygen at birth and has learning difficulties as a result. At school she was slow and had frizzy hair. She was bullied, mostly verbally. She told one newspaper that her classmates’ jibes left behind the kind of scars that don’t heal.

Yet she recently blew folks away with her performance on Britain’s Got Talent.

Eugene writes:

Notice the sneers, looks, judgments, and assumptions that nearly everyone makes – including the respective judges. The change of “perception” (judgment? -> wonder) in the faces of the judges – especially Simon Cowell – are a sight to see. And to be fair to them, I get it…

Why?

It’s pretty simple – she isn’t pretty. She doesn’t look the part. She doesn’t look like an entertainer. She doesn’t look charismatic. And so it begs the questions:

• Why do we trust our perception and judgment so much?
• Why are we so married to looks?
• Why are we enamored and at times, fooled by “dress for success” or “look the part?” [Think of the film, Catch me if You Can...]
• What is the balance?

Watch the video for yourself and then read the rest of Eugene’s post. Then share your thoughts below.

What lessons can you learn from Susan? What does her story tell you about God? Life? Yourself?

update: Vimeo took the original video down, here’s the full video from YouTube

But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

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