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whaddup my friends!?!
I gotta start right off by saying I'm on fire again! The past month or longer, I was often finding myself not happy, on-edge and focused on the wrong things. I was looking intently at my circumstances and letting my emotions wallow in that, instead of looking intently at my King and letting my emotions be stirred up.
But no more. I regrouped over the past couple of days. I've got up early twice now this week to take a 30-minute walk, listening to some good tunes and just re-connecting with my Savior. And it was well worth it. I am back on track, thinking Eternally-Internally-Externally, not the other way around.
I know a big part of this repentance (this turn-around) from the sin of worry came from many of you- your prayers and encouragement. So with a tip of my hat and big a smile, I say Thank You!
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I'm actually applying my own advice!
 Many of you know that I have wanted strongly for four years now to have Rekindling partner up with my old home church, Frontline. This past week, we had one final meeting to discuss it and the message stayed the same: Frontline cannot partner with Rekindling because of differences in teaching method and content.
Those of you who know me personally know that I try to keep things real and honest. And so I say honestly that I was upset about it. But I also have to fully admit that I had not been submitting to their authority on this. I had kept trying to push the issue and circumnavigate (ie, manipulate) the protocols to get what I wanted. But I finally reached the point where I recognized my owns sins and mistakes in behaving that way (and apologized for it) as well as the need to truly submit to them. It was at that point that I was able to see their perspectives and reasons. And so I truly thank God for having His Hands on the meeting this past week. Everyone was edifying to one another and empathizing with each other, and I feel God was glorified with the conclusion.
And one thing really came to life with all this- over the past two weeks, the Rekindling Blog has been about "5 Ways God Speaks to Us", and I realized I needed to be applying this to the reality in my life, including this situation. And so I did. As I studied SCRIPTURE, I found that the Bible teaches 3 types of relationships between Christians:
--slander and setting obstacles, which is prohibited
--working in separate fields, which is completely allowed
--working closely hand-in-hand, which is encouraged.
And while I was hoping for the third type, Frontline had every right (and the authority and the good reasons) for sticking to the second type, and as it was within God's Parameters, I needed to submit to their decisions fully and sincerely.
As I listened to God in PRAYER, I asked Him what was His Will concerning this situation. Did He want the two ministries to work together? His Answer was 'Obey whatever Todd decides.'
As I talked with OTHERS about it to get their feedback, almost all of them said while it would be a great opportunity for both ministries, in the end I must not push the issue if it would cause more problems.
As I looked at the CIRCUMSTANCES, I realized this was a closed door, and a closed door that God didn't want me trying to get around and persevere through.
And so through this process, it became crystal clear to me what God was wanting. It was His Will that Rekindling work a separate field. And what was amazing, my friends, was that the confident peace that came over me (that this was God's Will) was twice as strong as my personal desires to see the two organizations work together. And so I went with it. And it all worked out. It's incredible. I am the type of person that can get quite frustrated when things don't go my way, and for a couple of years now, I was letting bitterness creep into my heart. But after actually intentionally seeking God's Will, rather than going on my gut feeling or taking a casual glance His way, it all made sense.
So I am mad at myself that it took me this long to simply and clearly seek God's Will on it, which would have eliminated a LOT of problems and miscommunications these past couple of years. But I am thankful that God (and Frontline) were patient with me and that I finally did get it. As Todd told me, submission is a powerfully good thing (even if our 'self' tells us otherwise) and I am thankful for this lesson.
And so I encourage each of you, strongly!, to take some time this week, pick one of the main issues that you are struggling with right now, and take it to God! *Intentionally* ask Him for His thoughts on the subject. Look for His Answers in Scripture & Prayer first and foremost. But then also look for confirmation from Others and Circumstances. And if God chooses Silence at this time, then wait a little longer before you make your decision. Either ask God a different question or wait to repeat the current one.
And if you do so- please, please contact me and let me know how it went. I would really like to hear your stories and experiences with giving more than lip service to doing things in your life God's Way. It is life-transforming for me, and I would love to hear how it was the same with you!
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Wrap-Up
I was going to add some more 'stuff', but realized this is long enough, and plenty to think about. And so I'll leave it at that. And I'm dead serious- give this whole "5 Ways" thing a shot. Take an issue/struggle/challenge/question you have right now and deliver it into the Hands of your God. He loves this kind of stuff. He loves you taking the time to actually seek out His Advice and ask for His Will. I think I read that somewhere. ; )
sincerely, passionately, and repentantly,
shannon
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