Many people have different analogies and metaphors for life. Here are just a few.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.
Life is like a jar of jalapenos (a personal favorite), what you do today may burn your butt tomorrow.
Life is like a carousel, there are times your up and times your down.
Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.
You get the point, but no matter what we can compare life to there are a few things about life i've determined. One is that my life has a purpose. A purpose that supersedes anything I may determine as important. A purpose to know God, to be known by Him, to make Him known, and a purpose or assignment that God has made specifically for me. Another thing is that life is too short to waste time.
I remember someone telling me once "we have to be accountable to our anointing". As I think about that statement I want to say we have to make a day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, decision to hold ourselves accountable to our assignment that God has given us.
Life is many different things, it will have many trials, it will have highs lows, successes and failures, but no matter the circumstances or situation we should remember the promises and vision God has given us and remain accountable and faithful to that assignment.
The best example I can give is two specific assignments God has given me and the choice I made to remain accountable to those assignments.
When I was 16 years old I was praying alone in the sanctuary of the church I attended. God spoke to me and said Jessika you will stand behind a pulpit with a crowd larger than this to share the gospel.
I was only 16 and I thought the Lord was CRAZY... however I knew I heard Him, and I trusted Him. So what did I do? If I was supposed to share the gospel I began to dive into the Word like never before. I read the Bible through twice in the year that followed that. I wrote sermons in my spare time. I began writing devotions. I did everything I thought that someone who preached the gospel should be doing. Everyday I prayed for boldness and opportunity to fulfill the assignment I felt God had called me to. Did you know that this assignment didn't come until almost 5 years later when I spoke to a crowd of around 500!!! But for 5 years I held myself accountable to what I knew God had called me to do. I stood firm on His Word, I studied and I prayed to be prepared for the time that it came forth.
The second time was my first call to missions/Africa. I won't restate the whole amazing story because i've already told it so many times in this blog, but I will say I was 18 years old with no desire to go on the mission field and then God spoke to me and told me I'd go to Africa. The very next day I was on the internet searching missions teams and trips. I was researching Africa and what type of missions were done there (I really knew nothing at all about africa or missions). I began to pray daily multiple times a day for God to open a door for me to go, for God to move on the continent (at that time I didn't feel called to any particular country), I prayed for finances to support my trip. This went on for another 2 years until I took my first trip to Africa!
Perhaps you're young and haven't heard God tell you something specific like these two things. Begin to ask God what your assignment is. Ask Him what are some things He wants you to do with your life. But also remember that we all have one calling, many various assignments, but one calling. We are all called to win souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. Never let a day go by that you aren't growing deeper in your relationship with Christ by time in worship, prayer, intercession, and Bible study. Don't let a day go by that you aren't sharing the love of Christ to another person, loving others as Christ has loved us.
The enemy loves to get Christians distracted from their God given assignments. Many times we can get so focused on what we've chosen to do that we forget that God has things for us to do. We can be so wrapped up in class, work, eating, resting, shopping, driving, etc. that we don't listen the Holy Spirit as He tries to guide and lead us to do things for the Kingdom.
We talk a lot about the fact that God will never leave us nor forsake us. And it’s true, He is always with us. But we have to admit, His power is not always in manifestation. In Jesus’ life, however, God’s power was constantly in manifestation. Every moment of every hour of every day, Jesus walked in the measureless, manifested power and presence of God because He always did those things that pleased the Father.
I long to live that life of obedience that Christ had. He knew His assignment, He knew why He was on earth, and His lifestyle showed that. His life was not His own, it was all about the Father's will. The things of this world were of no concern to Him.
If you could see what God has for you in the higher life, you would immediately let go of the mundane things of the world. You would drop that junk so fast you wouldn’t even know which way it went. But you’re not going to be able to see it and then make your decision. You have to step into that higher life by faith. You have to lay down your life because the Word says to do it. Then and only then will you discover the wonders that are waiting on the other side of your obedience.
A life that is accountable to it's assignment. Help me Lord.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Problem of Pain
“But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”
This is a quote from CS Lewis' "The Problem of Pain".
I read this book a few years ago as I went through a CS Lewis phase and bought practically every book he's ever written and today this quote jumped to my mind.
I've seen a tremendous amount of pain in the last few weeks, some of my own and plenty for others. Death, Divorce, Sickness, Emotional Hurt, Confusion, Failed Attempts, Broken Plans, and Loss of Direction. There's been more than enough pain.
Today I received a phone call from another friend, in pain, and I thought about this quote and I clung to the belief that God speaks to us in our hurts and hope that this person would listen for Him.
There's so much about life that is unexplainable to us in this moment. I will say I am thankful for my personality in that I'm not so much of an analyzer that I need an answer for every situation, I can let life roll and not get to hung up on the things I don't understand, yet I fully realize not everyone has that luxury.
People are built with a hunger for knowledge, a want to explain and understand, especially when the thing we don't understand caused us pain.
When someone young dies, when a girl who was raped gets pregnant, when we worked extremely hard for something to no avail, when we thought we made the right choice and it doesn't work out, when you thought that relationship would work and it didn't, when love fades, when cancer strikes, or simply when life doesn't feel right... questions come, There is a desire for comfort in explanation and knowledge.
We're not wrong for wanting to understand... check this out: Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
My concern is where we choose to get understanding from. In times of pain we want understanding from others (not that this won't happen), perhaps we want God to speak it to us (not that this won't happen either), but the true place of wisdom is straight from the Word.
When life throws a curve ball see what the Word says about it.
First off we know that this hard stuff is going to happen:
1 Peter:
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
or even better look at what Jesus said
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
I know things have been difficult. I know that death, discouragement, disappoint, etc are hard, but the Word promises great reward for those who rejoice and stand firm in suffering (James 1, 1 Peter 1) It's in these times that we get to prove our faith is genuine and remember without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
Standing firm doesn't mean we can't cry, it doesn't mean we can't mourn, it means not losing faith, finding Word to put on our situation, and remembering that weeping is for a time but joy comes in the morning. The Word says to rejoice when faced with these trials.
I know many times my heart has hurt over various situations in the last few weeks and my desire is to be found faithful. To cast my care upon the Lord knowing that He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), to seek Him and His word for my comfort and understanding. I love this quote.
We all know people who have been made much meaner and more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering: it is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person ...... the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus. --Oswald Chambers
I don't want to be beat down under trial I want to rise up in faith. My prayers go up and my heart goes out for those hurting in the midst of various trials right now! Breakthrough will come.
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 21:4
As always,
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
This is a quote from CS Lewis' "The Problem of Pain".
I read this book a few years ago as I went through a CS Lewis phase and bought practically every book he's ever written and today this quote jumped to my mind.
I've seen a tremendous amount of pain in the last few weeks, some of my own and plenty for others. Death, Divorce, Sickness, Emotional Hurt, Confusion, Failed Attempts, Broken Plans, and Loss of Direction. There's been more than enough pain.
Today I received a phone call from another friend, in pain, and I thought about this quote and I clung to the belief that God speaks to us in our hurts and hope that this person would listen for Him.
There's so much about life that is unexplainable to us in this moment. I will say I am thankful for my personality in that I'm not so much of an analyzer that I need an answer for every situation, I can let life roll and not get to hung up on the things I don't understand, yet I fully realize not everyone has that luxury.
People are built with a hunger for knowledge, a want to explain and understand, especially when the thing we don't understand caused us pain.
When someone young dies, when a girl who was raped gets pregnant, when we worked extremely hard for something to no avail, when we thought we made the right choice and it doesn't work out, when you thought that relationship would work and it didn't, when love fades, when cancer strikes, or simply when life doesn't feel right... questions come, There is a desire for comfort in explanation and knowledge.
We're not wrong for wanting to understand... check this out: Proverbs 4:7
The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.
My concern is where we choose to get understanding from. In times of pain we want understanding from others (not that this won't happen), perhaps we want God to speak it to us (not that this won't happen either), but the true place of wisdom is straight from the Word.
When life throws a curve ball see what the Word says about it.
First off we know that this hard stuff is going to happen:
1 Peter:
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
or even better look at what Jesus said
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
I know things have been difficult. I know that death, discouragement, disappoint, etc are hard, but the Word promises great reward for those who rejoice and stand firm in suffering (James 1, 1 Peter 1) It's in these times that we get to prove our faith is genuine and remember without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)
Standing firm doesn't mean we can't cry, it doesn't mean we can't mourn, it means not losing faith, finding Word to put on our situation, and remembering that weeping is for a time but joy comes in the morning. The Word says to rejoice when faced with these trials.
I know many times my heart has hurt over various situations in the last few weeks and my desire is to be found faithful. To cast my care upon the Lord knowing that He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7), to seek Him and His word for my comfort and understanding. I love this quote.
We all know people who have been made much meaner and more irritable and more intolerable to live with by suffering: it is not right to say that all suffering perfects. It only perfects one type of person ...... the one who accepts the call of God in Christ Jesus. --Oswald Chambers
I don't want to be beat down under trial I want to rise up in faith. My prayers go up and my heart goes out for those hurting in the midst of various trials right now! Breakthrough will come.
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 21:4
As always,
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Priorities- A day in the life
Our lives clearly state our priorities...
Examine someone's schedule and you know what they care about...
ouch.
A minute of self examination (kayce clark go ahead and be proud) leads me to scream at this last statement. NO NO NO... Don't judge my priorities by my time, that's not what I really care about.
You know of my love for self-discipline. I crave discipline and work diligently for it. Discipline in my eating habits, exercise, time with God, in my mind, in the cleanliness of my home, in self sacrificing... etc. To me saying that I live a disciplined life would say that my priorities in my heart are clearly priorities in my schedule, but the moment of self-examination tells me otherwise.
If you have the time, do this self examination exercise with me real quick. If you don't, then think about it for a minute. Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Go ahead and make seven columns for the seven days, then make rows for the hours of the day. Start the hours at the typical hour you wake up and you can stop it at the typical time you go to bed. For me I start at 5 a.m. (not that I wake up everyday at 5 a.m. but at least one day a week I do) and I end my day at 11pm (I hardly ever go to bed later than 11). Then account each hour of your day. If you don't have time to do this now, or don't feel like doing all seven days now, do one day. Here is an example of Wednesday for me. (Wednesday was an extreme busy day for me this week, but the day that triggered this blog post).
5 a.m- 6 a.m.- Wake up, Worship, prayer, bible study.. begin coffee and breakfast
6a.m- 7a.m - Getting ready (brush teeth, hair, makeup, dressed etc.) journal for a few minutes, facebook, emails etc.
7:15-9 a.m- coach summer workouts
9-11 a.m- coach middle school volleyball camp
11-11:45 a.m- lunch at subway with boss
11:45-2p-coach elementary school volleyball camp
2p-3p- Get home from camp, rest a few minutes, get prepared for workout
3p-4p- 60 minute run
4p-5p- shower, get dressed, hair, make up etc.
5:15-6:15p- dinner with friends
6:30p-9p- at church
9p-10p- prepare for bed, fbook, emails, twitter, etc... get in bed
This is my whole day on Wednesday. It didn't involve much interaction outside of what was built into the schedule in other words i didn't have a lot of phone calls or texts that day. And it was an abnormally busy work day for the summer for me.
As this past week went on (an extremely busy week for me) I thought about priorities. Does the way my time is spent reflect my priorities? In a 17 hour day the Lord was given a solid 45 minutes. I'm not saying I didn't pray outside of that 45 mintues or think about Him, but He was given 45 minutes of my undivided attention. Work must be a priority in our lives, I'm a firm believer in hard work, but how often do I invite God into my work? Is He acknowledged and relied upon? Is He given my full availability to stop and listen if He speaks or do as the Holy Spirit guides... or does God get 45 minutes of undivided attention only to be put on a shelf for the other 16 hours and 15 minutes?
What profits if I give God 45 minutes of undivided attention and then never allow Him to move me to compassion for others throughout the day, or allow Him to use me to speak to someone, witness, love, minister, pray for etc.
What really is my true priority? I know my heart priorities. I know the things I care deeply about. I know the person I want to be. Does my schedule reflect those priorities?
I'm contemplating priorities this week. What are my true priorities? What are the things I consider priorities and what do I give priority to? Is there a difference? How can I fix that or Can I fix it?
Just some thoughts...
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Examine someone's schedule and you know what they care about...
ouch.
A minute of self examination (kayce clark go ahead and be proud) leads me to scream at this last statement. NO NO NO... Don't judge my priorities by my time, that's not what I really care about.
You know of my love for self-discipline. I crave discipline and work diligently for it. Discipline in my eating habits, exercise, time with God, in my mind, in the cleanliness of my home, in self sacrificing... etc. To me saying that I live a disciplined life would say that my priorities in my heart are clearly priorities in my schedule, but the moment of self-examination tells me otherwise.
If you have the time, do this self examination exercise with me real quick. If you don't, then think about it for a minute. Grab a piece of paper and a pen. Go ahead and make seven columns for the seven days, then make rows for the hours of the day. Start the hours at the typical hour you wake up and you can stop it at the typical time you go to bed. For me I start at 5 a.m. (not that I wake up everyday at 5 a.m. but at least one day a week I do) and I end my day at 11pm (I hardly ever go to bed later than 11). Then account each hour of your day. If you don't have time to do this now, or don't feel like doing all seven days now, do one day. Here is an example of Wednesday for me. (Wednesday was an extreme busy day for me this week, but the day that triggered this blog post).
5 a.m- 6 a.m.- Wake up, Worship, prayer, bible study.. begin coffee and breakfast
6a.m- 7a.m - Getting ready (brush teeth, hair, makeup, dressed etc.) journal for a few minutes, facebook, emails etc.
7:15-9 a.m- coach summer workouts
9-11 a.m- coach middle school volleyball camp
11-11:45 a.m- lunch at subway with boss
11:45-2p-coach elementary school volleyball camp
2p-3p- Get home from camp, rest a few minutes, get prepared for workout
3p-4p- 60 minute run
4p-5p- shower, get dressed, hair, make up etc.
5:15-6:15p- dinner with friends
6:30p-9p- at church
9p-10p- prepare for bed, fbook, emails, twitter, etc... get in bed
This is my whole day on Wednesday. It didn't involve much interaction outside of what was built into the schedule in other words i didn't have a lot of phone calls or texts that day. And it was an abnormally busy work day for the summer for me.
As this past week went on (an extremely busy week for me) I thought about priorities. Does the way my time is spent reflect my priorities? In a 17 hour day the Lord was given a solid 45 minutes. I'm not saying I didn't pray outside of that 45 mintues or think about Him, but He was given 45 minutes of my undivided attention. Work must be a priority in our lives, I'm a firm believer in hard work, but how often do I invite God into my work? Is He acknowledged and relied upon? Is He given my full availability to stop and listen if He speaks or do as the Holy Spirit guides... or does God get 45 minutes of undivided attention only to be put on a shelf for the other 16 hours and 15 minutes?
What profits if I give God 45 minutes of undivided attention and then never allow Him to move me to compassion for others throughout the day, or allow Him to use me to speak to someone, witness, love, minister, pray for etc.
What really is my true priority? I know my heart priorities. I know the things I care deeply about. I know the person I want to be. Does my schedule reflect those priorities?
I'm contemplating priorities this week. What are my true priorities? What are the things I consider priorities and what do I give priority to? Is there a difference? How can I fix that or Can I fix it?
Just some thoughts...
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
Friday, June 3, 2011
From a coach
I've been thinking a lot about victory.
I heard an announcer say "And the team went on to victory, but it was short lived due to a loss on...".
Sports. They're a huge part of my life, I'm a coach, ironically I hardly every watch them on tv. In fact, I'd much rather sit down and watch the hallmark channel, a chickflick, perhaps life time, anything with julia roberts or dolly parton, than watch a sports game. All professional sports get on my nerves and it has to be the right team to get me to sit through an entire college game, but I digress.
In sports, victory is often time indeed short lived. The sweet aroma and emotional high of winning can as easily be followed by the crushing depression of a loss. Perhaps I'm over exaggerating for the majority of the population and most likely for most of the readers of this blog, BUT when you are directly influenced and connected with the game the results have a greater effect on you.
For instance, if you go to the school of the team that's playing, you're more involved than someone who doesn't, if you know someone personally on the team, you're more involved than someone who doesn't, if you're a parent of a player, you're more involved than someone who isn't, if you're the coach, you're more involved than someone who isn't, if you're a player, you're more involved than someone who isn't. Do you see how involvement causes more emotion than not being involved?
As a coach you win some, you lose some, but every game goes to heart. There's not a single loss that I didn't go home and spend time thinking about, praying about, what could I/we/them/us done differently. I was directly tied into the match. Wether it was a win or a loss it invoked emotion.
As a Christian I stand on a battlefield. I see two teams and the battle has never stopped, I won't lie, often times I can't tell who is really winning. I'll look one moment and it'll seem as though we're bruised, beaten, bloody, and lying down with no hope of recovery, then i'll turn and it'll seem as though we're 5,000 strong against 2.
Because we are directly involved in this match, it often times produces high emotion. Of course when things are going rough we get frustrated, of course when things are going smooth we're happy. You're directly involved.
This morning I got a revelation in my heart. It's one we've all been taught most likely since day one of our journey with Christ. The revelation is I win.
The coach would not sweat and throw their clipboard if they knew what the final score would be, yet here I am. Often times weary, anxious, exhausted from fighting, wondering if we'll make it out okay, when all along I've known who wins. Our perception of the game must change.
I read a quote yesterday. Truth is universal, but perception of truth is not.
If we're watching the game specifically at the 3rd quarter at 4 minutes and 37 seconds our emotions will be directly tied to whoever is winning or losing at 4 minutes and 37 seconds. However, if it's a recording and we already heard who wins, why would we care who seems to be winning at 4 minutes and 37 seconds? You know the final outcome!!!
The emotions of a winner aren't of despair and let's be honest though the athletes might have been haunched over for breath in the final seconds of the game, when the buzzer goes off they're running around jumping and yelling like a new found energy has found their way into their system. Winning will invoke joyful emotion and cause a weary person to act as though they have new life.
Well, I win and what emotion is that causing for me?
I can be down in points, but I know when the buzzer goes off who will win. We can't grow weary, we can't hold back, we can't relax, the truth is though I know who wins in this battle for me, there's many others who are on the losing side and they need us to come share with them what we know.
Victory in the life of a Christian is not short lived and will never be short lived. A team may win one and turn around and lose another, but I'm in a match where I WILL WIN. It may be hard and I may feel down, but circumstances aren't always what they seem. Faith is believing in what's not seen, faith is knowing the truth given to us in the Word of God despite what things may look like, faith is knowing that even though I'm sore from the battle, Christ did give us the victory.
Galatains 6:9- Don't grow weary in doing good for in due time you will reap a harvest if you endure to the end.
1 Peter 5:7- Cast your anxieties upon Him for He cares for you.
Proverbs 24:10- If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small.
Hebrews 4:15- For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Just a few scriptures I've been clinging to lately.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
I heard an announcer say "And the team went on to victory, but it was short lived due to a loss on...".
Sports. They're a huge part of my life, I'm a coach, ironically I hardly every watch them on tv. In fact, I'd much rather sit down and watch the hallmark channel, a chickflick, perhaps life time, anything with julia roberts or dolly parton, than watch a sports game. All professional sports get on my nerves and it has to be the right team to get me to sit through an entire college game, but I digress.
In sports, victory is often time indeed short lived. The sweet aroma and emotional high of winning can as easily be followed by the crushing depression of a loss. Perhaps I'm over exaggerating for the majority of the population and most likely for most of the readers of this blog, BUT when you are directly influenced and connected with the game the results have a greater effect on you.
For instance, if you go to the school of the team that's playing, you're more involved than someone who doesn't, if you know someone personally on the team, you're more involved than someone who doesn't, if you're a parent of a player, you're more involved than someone who isn't, if you're the coach, you're more involved than someone who isn't, if you're a player, you're more involved than someone who isn't. Do you see how involvement causes more emotion than not being involved?
As a coach you win some, you lose some, but every game goes to heart. There's not a single loss that I didn't go home and spend time thinking about, praying about, what could I/we/them/us done differently. I was directly tied into the match. Wether it was a win or a loss it invoked emotion.
As a Christian I stand on a battlefield. I see two teams and the battle has never stopped, I won't lie, often times I can't tell who is really winning. I'll look one moment and it'll seem as though we're bruised, beaten, bloody, and lying down with no hope of recovery, then i'll turn and it'll seem as though we're 5,000 strong against 2.
Because we are directly involved in this match, it often times produces high emotion. Of course when things are going rough we get frustrated, of course when things are going smooth we're happy. You're directly involved.
This morning I got a revelation in my heart. It's one we've all been taught most likely since day one of our journey with Christ. The revelation is I win.
The coach would not sweat and throw their clipboard if they knew what the final score would be, yet here I am. Often times weary, anxious, exhausted from fighting, wondering if we'll make it out okay, when all along I've known who wins. Our perception of the game must change.
I read a quote yesterday. Truth is universal, but perception of truth is not.
If we're watching the game specifically at the 3rd quarter at 4 minutes and 37 seconds our emotions will be directly tied to whoever is winning or losing at 4 minutes and 37 seconds. However, if it's a recording and we already heard who wins, why would we care who seems to be winning at 4 minutes and 37 seconds? You know the final outcome!!!
The emotions of a winner aren't of despair and let's be honest though the athletes might have been haunched over for breath in the final seconds of the game, when the buzzer goes off they're running around jumping and yelling like a new found energy has found their way into their system. Winning will invoke joyful emotion and cause a weary person to act as though they have new life.
Well, I win and what emotion is that causing for me?
I can be down in points, but I know when the buzzer goes off who will win. We can't grow weary, we can't hold back, we can't relax, the truth is though I know who wins in this battle for me, there's many others who are on the losing side and they need us to come share with them what we know.
Victory in the life of a Christian is not short lived and will never be short lived. A team may win one and turn around and lose another, but I'm in a match where I WILL WIN. It may be hard and I may feel down, but circumstances aren't always what they seem. Faith is believing in what's not seen, faith is knowing the truth given to us in the Word of God despite what things may look like, faith is knowing that even though I'm sore from the battle, Christ did give us the victory.
Galatains 6:9- Don't grow weary in doing good for in due time you will reap a harvest if you endure to the end.
1 Peter 5:7- Cast your anxieties upon Him for He cares for you.
Proverbs 24:10- If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small.
Hebrews 4:15- For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Just a few scriptures I've been clinging to lately.
Be Blessed,
J. Tate
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