Experiencing GOD: Calling Him Names

In Blackaby’s Experiencing GOD, he states that “I know GOD more intimately as He reveals Himself to me through my experiences with Him.” Henry goes further to list names, titles, and descriptions of GOD and challenge the reader to check off ones that describe GOD in ways one has personally experienced Him.

As I read through the list, I was moved by the many ways…the multiple ways…the profound ways…the mundane ways GOD continues to be intimately involved in my life. Here I’ll share one:

As I read the listed description of GOD as “Good Teacher (Mark 10:17),” I was reminded of sitting at the table recently to scarf down my supper before heading off to my next task. My daughter, Alexa, brought over her mac & cheese, and before she dug in, she took a moment for grace. I watched her praying silently, and it was clear that she was doing more than blessing the food; A twinkle would come over her expression, then another emotion would sweep over, expressed in the peaceful nuiances of her lovely face. After what seemed to be the length of a “pastoral prayer,” Alexa began to have supper, smiling over at me; Unaware of the lesson I learned. Stunned in mid-scarfing, I was reminded to bless GOD for a lesson learned during a meal shared.

I was “taught” by GOD through my daughter, to slow down and be thankful. The Good Teacher had taken a moment to remind me through Alexa, that He has lessons He can teach, even over mac & cheese.

I would invite you to call Him names. In your book, Experiencing GOD, you will find a list of Names, Titles, and Descriptions of GOD. Would you post a comment of what name really resonates with you, describing GOD in ways you have personally experienced Him? Would love to hear your experiences too.

I am excited for all the name calling in store!

Texas ACF Conference

There will be a Texas-wide Adventist Christian Fellowship Conference held at the Bryan/College Station church on Sept. 5-6, ’08 for young adults who are students in college or at a university. It will be hosted by the Texas A&M ACF branch. For more information contact 817.790.2255, extension 143.

Experiencing GOD: Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)

In Blackaby’s Experiencing GOD, he asks “Can you describe your relationship with GOD by sincerely saying, ‘I love You with all my heart’?”

And for whatever strange reason, my mind free associated back to a classic 60s song by The Contours, “Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance).” So as part of my devotion today I reflected on the lyrics:

You broke my heart
‘Cause I couldn’t dance
You didn’t even want me around
And now I’m back, to let you know
I can really shake ‘em down

Do you love me? (I can really move)
Do you love me? (I’m in the groove)
Ah do you love? (Do you love me)
Now that I can dance (dance)

Watch me now, oh (work, work)
Ah, work it all baby (work, work)
Well, you’re drivin’ me crazy (work, work)
With a little bit of soul now (work)

I can mash-potatoe (I can mash-potatoe)
And I can do the twist (I can do the twist)
Now tell me baby (tell me baby)
Mmm, do you like it like this (do you like it like this)
Tell me (tell me)
Tell me

Do you love me? (Do you love me)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me)
Now that I can dance (dance)

Watch me now, oh (work, work)
Ah, shake it up, shake it (work, work)
Ah, shake ‘em, shake ‘em down (work, work)
Ah, little bit of soul now (work)

(work, work)
Ah, shake it, shake it baby (work, work)
Ah, you’re driving me crazy (work, work)
Ah, don’t get lazy (work)

I can mash-potatoe (I can mash-potatoe)
And I can do the twist (I can do the twist)
Well now tell me baby (tell me baby)
Mmm, do you like it like this (do you like it like this)
Tell me (tell me)
Tell me

Do you love me? (Do you love me?)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me?)
Now, do you love me? (Do you love me?)
(Now, now, now)

(work, work)
Ah, I’m working hard baby (work, work)
Well, you’re driving me crazy (work, work)
And don’t you get lazy (work)

(work, work)
Ah, hey hey baby (work, work)
Well, you’re driving me crazy (work, work)
And don’t you get lazy (work)

It struck me how much of my religious life I have spent trying to “dance” for GOD. Blackaby shares the story of a church member who stormed out after an angry outburst during a meeting. Henry asked this member if the member could describe his relationship with GOD by saying he loved GOD with all his heart. The distraught member’s response was especially poignant for me:

“Nobody has ever asked me that. No, I could not describe my relationship with GOD that way. I could say I obey Him, I serve Him, I worship Him, and I fear Him. But I cannot say I love Him.”

I’ve spent far too much energy working for GOD’s love, thinking He would “want me around” if I had the right moves.

I’ve spent far too much time uncertain and worried about GOD’s acceptance, that He would break my heart because I wasn’t obedient enough, I didn’t serve correctly, I didn’t worship right. My fear was more about terror and anxiety than honor or respect.

I’ve spent far too much time feeling separated from GOD; questioning, “Does He love me?” Spent far too much energy trying to work for His love, trying to earn it.

I agree with Blackaby, “Everything in your Christian life, everything about knowing Him and experiencing Him, everything about knowing His will depends on the quality of your love relationship with GOD. If that is not settled, nothing in your life will be right” (Blackaby, Blackaby, & King, 2007, p. 53).

I admit, I’ve had times in my life where things were far from right. I could say I serve GOD, I worship GOD, I obey GOD, I know about GOD, I fear GOD, but love?

May I ask you the question and invite you to explain your story:

Can you describe your relationship with GOD by sincerely saying, “I love You with all my heart?”

GODencounters – Berkeley

GODencounters-Berkeley intends to bring college students and young adults together at the beginning of the fall semester for a great weekend of ministry focus and worship. Roy Ice, chaplain at Pacific Union College is coming down to speak and bring a worship band. We are inviting young adults and students returning to UC Berkeley for a special weekend of time together and to be in God’s presence. We will also be handing out flyers on campus for new students looking for a spiritual group to connect with. The afternoon includes some games and outdoor activity at nearby Willard Park followed by a barbecue. We will conclude with an evening praise service at the Berkeley church to close out the Sabbath.

Cruise With a Mission – 2008

Young Adult Retreat – Myrtle Beach, SC

Joyful Leadership

Leadership training includes young adult ministry specific workshops and seminars.

Experiencing GOD: Bewildered?

In Blackaby’s Experiencing GOD, he talks about GOD-centered living, “To live a GOD-centered life, you must focus your life on GOD’s purposes, not on your own plans.” Henry continues to suggest:

• I must seek to see from GOD’s perspective rather than my own distorted human outlook.
• Understanding what GOD is about to do where I am is more important than telling GOD what I want to do for Him.
• GOD’s revelation of His activity is an invitation for me to join Him.
• GOD develops my character to match the assignment He has for me.
• GOD has the right to interrupt my life. He is Lord. When I accepted Him as Lord, I gave Him the right to help Himself to my life anytime He wants.

Having processed through unit two of Experiencing GOD, I was struck by a devotional thought my wife left me this morning from Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. The repetition of ideas and seeming “coincidence” of timing were too rich, so I share it here with you:

The Bewildering Call of GOD

GOD called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except GOD’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from GOD’s standpoint, because GOD’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.

This bewildering call of GOD comes into our lives as well. The call of GOD can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of GOD is like the call of the sea–no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What GOD calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes.

If we are in fellowship and oneness with GOD and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why GOD allowed this or that?” And begin to see that the compelling purpose of GOD lies behind everything in life, and that GOD is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and wisdom of GOD, not in his own ability. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of GOD. – August 5 devotional entry from My Utmost for His Highest

Reaching Unchurched Postmoderns – RE:FRAME

Registration is open for the last RE:FRAME training event in North America for 2008!

Learn more about effective ministry to unchurched postmoderns, and how to understand the emergent generation. Also featuring the LIFEdevelopment discipleship materials.

October 10-12, 2008
Altadena Adventist Church, Altadena, CA

Register at www.reframe.info/events/

Experiencing GOD: Antidote for Addiction

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32

GOD’s truth never restricts you; it always sets you free!  Are you discouraged?  Is there a sense of bondage in a particular area of your life?  A lack of victory over a certain sin?  A harmful addiction?  It is possible that you do not yet understand a truth about GOD that can release you.

If you feel powerless to meet the challenges before you, take encouragement from the promise of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  If you are defeated by circumstance, hold on to the truth of Romans 8:28 that GOD can work your most difficult situation into His good.  If you are enslaved to a particular sin, work the truth of 1John 1:9 into your life, which promises that if you confess your sin, GOD is faithful to cleanse you from all unrighteousness.  All of these truths await the Holy Spirit’s implementation into your life.

It is one thing to know about the truth.  It is yet another thing to experience the truth of GOD being worked out in your life.  GOD’s truth will have no effect upon you unless you accept it and believe it.  Perhaps you have already read and heard accounts of GOD working mightily in the lives of others, but have you allowed GOD to implement those truths into your life?  What truth about GOD would you like to be experiencing in your life?  Ask Him to implement that truth into your life today.

(from Experiencing GOD Day-by-Day Devotional, p. 23)