Journey :: Life after FITN

It's interesting. When I started the internship in September, I really wanted to get through it and join staff. I felt like I was forced back a grade, or like one of those kids who went to college and had to take that silly pre-requisite course before taking the course that actually counted.

Now, the internship is over for me and another track has started. I made a lot of friends with the track 1-ers. However, being around here, pursuing a staff position, and around the interns a lot makes me really miss the internship. The internship is so beneficial for so many reasons. It hedges us in. It schedules our lives for us. We have three to six months of not having any concerns for where to find food, friendships or activities that engage our minds and hearts. The internship provides all of that.

Now, I have to figure out my own schedule. There's no one to make sure I'm doing that schedule and sleeping on time. I have no pressure to do anything. I have to figure out what I'm going to study in the Word and actually make myself do it. I have to figure out what to do with my free time. And that's probably where my current struggle is.

I want to hang out with the interns and be their friend still. But, I don't want to stunt my own growth by regressing into internship mode because that was safe. I really need to live life outside of the internship. I need to find things that will get me to be around the prayer room, and set aside time for relationships and still getting filled with thought provoking teaching.

It really comes down to boundaries. What boundaries are healthy in relating to interns? saying yes or no to activities? hanging out with friends? what to do with my free time? These are things I guess I have to navigate as I grow up. This growing up thing isn't all it's cracked up to be. It's great! Don't get me wrong. But whoever said that being a grown up is awesome really didn't think that through. Sigh... So ist das Leben!

Trial by Fire:: "I Am Such a Servant but Don't Treat Me Like One!"

I've been asking the Lord to teach me humility. And, oh man! Is He teaching me.

Fire in the Night seems to indicate that there is “fire on the altar” during the night. Meaning that as intercessors and worshipers we act as priests in the tabernacle of David, offering praise and petitions before the Lord in the night hours when others are sleeping. However, I'm learning there's a different fire that we are put through in this internship. And it's the fire of testing. Specifically the testing of our heart, our thought processes, our responses to situations, boiled down to the testing of our Christ-likeness.

This has definitely been the case when it comes to interpersonal relationships. That is the place of testing of true humility and servant hood. As a great teacher said, "Everyone wants to be a servant until they're treated like one." How true. Whether it's your roommate not replacing the toilet paper roll when it's barren (seriously!? Why is that so difficult!?), or being constantly cut-off because someone's intellectual theological thought or revelation is so much more important than yours in the moment, or they're just the louder person so they get heard over you, to people having an experience with the Lord that is so distracting and immature, our responses really show us what is in us.

In all that Jesus did He showed Himself to be a Servant. In John 13 we see that Jesus is about to partake in Passover with His disciples and John says at this point the Lord “loved them to the end,” or in the NLT “showed them the full of extent of His love.” It wasn't at the cross that He showed them the full extent, or to where He loved them unto the end (which was at the cross), but He displayed His love in fullness at the Passover meal. What did He do that displayed that love? He washed His disciples feet. In a culture where foot washing was done generally by the lowest servant of the house and generally upon arrival or preordained right before the feast, Jesus deliberately took on the job of washing His disciples feet. No one else seemed to think, “The Teacher is here! We should wash His feet.” Or maybe they did but were waiting for another time. Either way, no one else ended up doing it before Jesus got to it. He didn't make a spectacle of it, as John observes Jesus got up, took off his robe, wrapped Himself in a towel and started washing the disciples' feet. When He approached Peter, however, Peter had to ask him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” I like to imagine that Peter was like, “Sincerely, Jesus? Are you for serious? YOU the Son of God (for Peter had that revelation earlier) are going to wash my feet? I don't think so...” Jesus responded by saying that He has given them an example as a Teacher and Lord that they should also wash each others' feet. This example and invitation to enter into His humility is extended to us.

However, this is not only the humility of Jesus, Son of Man and Son of God, for Jesus says, a servant is not greater than his master nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent Him. And we know Jesus was sent by the Father. We also know in John 5:19 that the Son can do nothing of His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. If both of these statements by Jesus are true (and they are, mind you) then that would mean the Father is constantly a Servant. In all that the Father does He is serving you and me. And if the Father serves me, then I must serve others!

In light of all this I am able to view all of these instances that test my emotions, my patience, and all other aspects of myself in relation to Christ-likeness as an opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters. Having experienced and continually experiencing the service of the Lord, I am able to pray, “God give me the mind of Christ - the same mind that made Himself nothing, taking the form of a bondservant, humbling Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death on a cross.” Now, being able to see these circumstances as an answer to the prayer, “make me like Christ,” I am beginning to see the fruit – the fulfillment of the testing: steadfastness in my identity in God; having my emotions unshaken and not allowing anxiety to rise up in me or take root, but taking joy in being more like the Father.

I don't know about you, but when I grow up, I want to be just like my Dad.

Journey :: Conviction, part 2

**Writer's update: The series of "Conviction" was intended to be three parts. After further contemplation, the third part of conviction is quite personal. In order to keep this blog something MORE than a diary or journal of life, the third part will remain, for now, a private discourse between myself and the Lord. I pray that these remaining two articles have given you insight into my heart, proven helpful, and thought provoking. Bless your beautiful souls. =^]

"The past few days have been one of great conviction. It's... all that is on my my mind and heart right now.... Conviction has come from a peer, a sermon and a godly man."

Last post, I addressed the conviction I received from the Lord through a peer situation. In this installment I will address the conviction the Lord laid upon my heart about "missions," and the shadowy corners that He is shining His light on.

Last weekend IHOPU held a symposium on "Understanding the Challenge of Islam." The first speaker was Joshua Lingel - founder of i² ministries, which focuses on missions to Muslims. His teaching was simple, direct and historical. It felt like being in class. The title was: "Why Care about Muslims?"

Honestly, I wanted to learn more about the Muslim culture and hear about how one should go about witnessing to them. Instead, as is per usual in an introductory speech of a symposium the problem was first addressed. I would love to say that I don't have any problems concerning ministry to Muslims. In fact, I even witnessed to a Muslim guy on my walks to church during the Elder-era! However, the Lord really used just a small portion of this speech and the one given by Dr. Sasan Tavassoli (another teacher, former Shi'ite Muslim from Iran) to show that I had some major pit-falls in my heart.

The Lord has been kind enough to show me one of the long-term plans that He has for my life would be ministry to various countries. I never actually realized that a majority of the countries He highlighted were dominated by Islam. Thus, I never realized how little I knew about Islam and Muslims or about my heart's true thoughts lying there just under the shadows.

Mr. Lingel discussed the history of missions to Muslims and how there has been little real efforts given toward Muslims. This part was filled with neat tid-bits but, mostly, fruitless for me. Then, he started targeting the thoughts that we have against Muslims as a country. The accusations in our hearts and even -- as Dr. Sassan pointed out -- the rejection of the kind of Islam that slammed into our country and the acceptance of the false ideas that Islam is truly a peaceful religion. This is where it began to hit in me. I have immense accusations against Muslims!

Over the past year the Lord has taken me through accusations in my heart towards adult ministry. Anyone that knows me knows that I love worship and that I love youth. I would never have guessed, and neither would any of you, that I HATED adult ministry. I thought adults were fake, spiritually dead and past the point of revival. Leading worship for adult services was really difficult for me because the Lord dredged up these accusations that I never considered; I couldn't even deny them because I didn't know they were there! I soon learned to see that He was inviting me to go low and serve the adults on my team (youngest member yet the leader... fun! Truly, it was after I got my act together), and the adults in the room. The Lord really invited me into His heart for them; they weren't too far gone. The Lord wanted to minister to them just as much as He wanted to minister to youth. He was not at all finished with them and they have sooo much future ahead of them! This same journey is not all that different than the one I feel the Lord is leading me on regarding Muslims.

Of course, I want to be open to whatever ministry opportunities the Lord puts in my path. But, I can't minister out of a heart that doesn't actually truly, from the depths of my heart, care about people. I must know what the Lord feels about Muslims. I must know how He thinks about them. I also must know my current heart posture toward them.

When Jesus gave the "great commission" He gave it to all of us and His purpose in naming countries to the disciples was because they were Gentile nations who had not experienced Jesus. He is calling us to go to those communities that have not had encounters with Jesus. Yet, the statistics say that most ministry is focused on those who may have already had examples of Christ or at least Western Christianity. Not that those regions aren't important as well, but, why are we not focusing on Muslim cultures?

Here are the dark thoughts of my heart towards Muslims: They're weird. Unless they have miraculous visions of Jesus, they won't get saved. Their hearts are too hard. If I see one walking towards me, I'll probably walk the other way. Why are they in our country? Why are we sending soldiers to fight for their rights? They've chosen hell. I'm scared of them. I'm scared they'll attack me. I'm scared they'll know all about their religion and mine and I won't be able to theologically convince them that Jesus is who Christians say He is - who I believe He is. Will they convince me otherwise of my beliefs? Will I become exasperated and just give up on them or accuse them of something ridiculous and thus "wash my hands of them?"

Really dark stuff! I think the heart of it was really that I won't be able to save them. As if I could without Holy Spirit anyway!? My thoughts towards Muslims regarding their salvation are quite similar to what my thoughts were towards adults in my church - their time is up, their hearts are too far away, etc. I believe the Lord really wants me to get into HIS heart regarding Muslims: His heart is for them. Jesus already died for them. While they are yet sinners Christ died for them - He loved them first and He is wanting a great harvest from the Muslim community. I believe the question He is posing to me is: Are you REALLY ready to 'go into all the earth and make disciples'? It's not just about convincing the Muslim that his ideas of God are wrong, it's about going to this unloved people group and making disciples of Christ out of them. Have I become a disciple of Christ yet? Am I ready to love them as Christ has loved me and wants to love them? Am I capable of that love yet?

I don't think my answer is a resounding "YES!" right now. I think the Lord is working in me about this. I think the preparation for this will involve getting to actually know Him better and understanding the Islamic community/religion more in order to minister to them. There has been a lot of talk lately about "becoming all things for all people," in regards to the modern church and current American culture. I love America, I think people here need Jesus just as much if not more than other countries. However, we have heard. Jesus is readily available free of charge (most times -- the genuine times) to anyone who wants Him at ANY time. There are still cultures who have not had genuine encounters with Christ - where the gospel of Christ is NOT readily available - or those cultures who have yet obtain a true revelation of Christ through His genuine disciples. The Lord is calling us to be those true witnesses of Him to these cultures. He is wanting us to be His friends and be His ambassadors of love, mercy and grace to the Gentile nations; the people groups, the nations, the cultures who have no faithful witnesses that are willing and ready to make disciples unto Jesus.

Lord, make me a disciple. Teach me. Train me. Reveal to me Your heart. Give me wisdom and revelation in regards to being a disciple and a witness of Your heart and character. Jesus, You are the Faithful witness - make me a faithful witness of You and Your Father. May I become one with You just as You and Your Father are one? May I have Your heart in place of mine? I want to be effective and able to say without hesitance, "Follow me, as I follow the example of Christ."

Journey :: Conviction, part 1

The past few days have been one of great conviction. It's pretty much all that is on my mind and heart right now. Trying to figure out why I feel convicted especially in these different and specific instances. Conviction has come from a peer, a sermon and a godly man.

I made a small joke maybe with some truth behind it to a friend I hadn't seen or talked to in a while: " *shakes head* You broke my heart..." They ended up making a come back which actually cut me a bit; it was weird how offended I actually felt! The comment they made was, it's my choice who I set my heart before and they're not responsible for the result of my heart, it was my choices that broke my heart. In essence.

Now, normally I'm okay with these pseudo-spiritual Christianese come-backs. However, I ended up thinking about that statement for a while, trying to get to the root of the initial feelings of offense and I came to two conclusions.

1) If that friend really believes that, that is a REALLY lame and spiritually abusive cop-out for friendship and any relationship, and 2) maybe they're right - to an extent - and perhaps I set my heart before the wrong people or too many people.

I think the first part is self-explanatory, but, to clarify, I think that if you or I choose to let someone have influence in our lives and hearts, the other person DOES have a responsibility with how they handle it. In regards to the specific situation stated earlier, it was silly and not at all what I'm talking about. In that sense that was totally my fault and they really do not need nor should feel guilty about that sitch. However, for that statement to come out as it did makes me wonder about the person's true thoughts and values.

In regards to the second point, I think the Lord Himself was convicting me about how my heart responded to that statement. In processing my heart response, I feel like the Lord was saying, "Why do you care so much about what they said?" The feeling of this query was and is still with me even right now. The question isn't posed directly toward the words or the meditation of the statement, it is directed toward my dwelling on being hurt and how that manifests itself in my view of myself. It's weird how that happens. One word, wrong look or even weird feeling from someone - no matter how significant in life - changes your entire world and self view in an instant. It doesn't last significantly long, but, what an absolute waste of time, thought and emotional energy!? How easily we forget the thoughts the Lord has toward us and how much more significant and meaningful His words of truth are! If I truly believe that His word is the FINAL word, that nothing can separate me from the love of God, that His good thoughts for me are more than the sand or the stars in the sky, then I really have no reason to allow any person's negative thoughts about me to take precedence and over-ride HIS thoughts for me. To put anything before the Lord is in its basest form, idolatry.

Lord, forgive me for idolatry; for allowing my negative perceptions of someone's seemingly negative words toward me overrule EVERYTHING You have said about me. Remind me again God, how you feel and think toward me - what Your high and lofty thoughts as the Creator are toward me, the created. You delight in me. You have brought me to the banqueting table and Your banner over me still is love.

(to be cont... On the next episode! - Conviction via sermon; Am I READY to "go and make disciples of all nations?" )

Journey :: Life, God and Art

The other day I was hanging out with a friend at an amazing coffee shop (I won't say which because there's some bitterness (pun not intended) regarding one not so great one that I think I need to get over...) and we were discussing songwriting. One of the thoughts that arose was that it's oddly difficult to write about LIFE; the day-to-day dealings such as listening to a best friend cry about something, or a break up with a significant other or fighting with your family or whatever. I agree with her: it is difficult to write about those things. Especially in trying to use new language to express the same old ideas and scenarios. I think we as a Christian culture also understand this when trying to be creative about worship songs or just in ways to express our heart to the Lord.

Now, I've sat here at the "New Post" tab of my blog for about an hour now, trying to decide what to write about. Looking over old blog posts, I find myself really sick about reading a history of my day or week or whatever. Someone this weekend told the IHOP teenagers in regards to conversations with the opposite sex, "Who really wants a historical account of your day!?" I know I can be found in Chronicles and the genealogy of Jesus, but that doesn't mean I have to write like that: "First I pulled down my trousers... second I squatted... third I pulled out my phone and opened up my facebook app... LOOK! 5 notifications... fourth,"... you get the picture. Thus, I am trying to work my way out of that box and write about stuff that is actually MEANINGFUL to me. They very well COULD be life events, but I want to dig deeper and answer questions like, "why does this affect me?" "what are my thoughts/fears/delights about this?" "what does the Lord think about this?" Which brings me to my next point.

I don't know if I want to write about the Lord so much. WAIT! Before y'all go off and start typing about JD being apostate (I just typed "aprostate"... twice now... hehehe...okay... focus!), what I mean is, I don't necessarily want to blog about my thoughts on the Word or my relationship with Him. I think that those things will come out as I express the other aspects of my life. I want to be able to talk about relationships, art mediums, experiences, my heart - both light and dark sides - as unhindered and unreserved as possible, in order to get to root issues and discover depths of myself that I have only caught glimpses of. Already, I think that sounds so sacrilegious - I should be searching out the depths of the Lord's heart and I am - but I'm not certain if it should sound as such.

Part of my journey is discovering who I am as a man. This involves who God says I am, what I think I am, how I respond in situations, my integrity, character, all of that and to a certain degree how people see me. I also want to understand how I see things. I know I have deep thoughts. I know I'm not as shallow as I accuse myself of being when I can't think of anything witty to say or give any intellectual input to a conversation for fear of God-knows-what. I think part of this discovery will be through writing. I enjoy writing. I enjoy language. I enjoy grammar, though, I know I may often miss the mark. I've experienced that keeping a written journal about my Bible studies and my prayer time has given me more language and more understanding about the Lord than speaking out loud. Furthermore, I would like to use these discoveries and the "muscle" I build as a writer to influence my songwriting.

The question I pose to myself, then, is this: Does life, God and art (writing, songwriting, painting, sculpting, etc.) need to be separated? That is, does art need revolve solely on God and direct thoughts about Him, or solely on life and its twist, turns and heart wrenches in order to be considered excellent art? Is there a way to join the three? To discuss the raw, crude, organic circumstances and emotions of life and yet acknowledge and even more, SEE the face of God in these musings? I am certain the answer is a resounding YES; there is a way to join life, God and writing in a way that both expresses the natural heart and glorifies the Father for the edification of the writer and the reader. Writers of the past have already done so. However, I have yet to discover how I may bring the three in perfect harmony as it pertains to my writing.

It is a trait of mine to first be over the top, then to be too understated and struggle to find that perfect balance. I noticed it in my writings. One day I'll be focused completely on the Lord, another will be a historical documentation of my drive home, another will be an outburst at a person who has upset me or done me wrong, yet another is a woeful (and private) discourse of my utter failings as a human being. I have found that perfect balance in many other situations, and, I hope to find it within my articles and allow the discipline and exercise of writing to shape me as a man.

Journey:: Steadfastness

Wow. First I'd like to say THANK YOU!! To everyone who gave me a gift/card/came to the party. I was truly blessed!

This has been some journey. I didn't realize what I was getting myself into when I titled this blog. As much as I would love to go into detail about the road-trip, I think it can be summed up in a few words and phrases.

ROAD TRIP: Long. Inconvenient construction. Gorgeous. Man time. Time with Jesus. Lord's faithfulness. Little sleep. Not according to plan. Still fun! Bison. Bear. Moose. Elk. Road kill! KMH read MPH. WA border in less than 48 hours total driving time. Space needle. Pike's Place Market! Peaches, Mangoes, Korean food. Portland. James Hayes! Cafe D'arte and Gelato! Erin Barkus! Salt Lake City. Colorado reminiscence. Free Hyatt hotels. Relationship building. Erik driving :)....silence... KANSAS!!! >.< Hinkle's house. The end.

Now, I'm in KC metro area. I'm actually living in Independence, MO down the street from former President Harry S. Truman's house. It's like a 20 min drive from here to the Prayer Room. It actually doesn't feel that bad. No stop lights really. Just a highway. Much better than driving to AKHOP from my house (not complaining, just fact.)

Being back has been interesting. I've never felt homesickness. I feel it now. The Lord has been so faithful with His promises of putting meaningful relationships in my life. This past year has been a time of God really bringing those certain people into my life. I feel closer with that group of friends, especially over this summer, than the "friends" I've known for a major portion of my life in Alaska. I love those people (you oughta know who you are.)

The past week has had it's ups and downs. It started off with going to the Prayer Room and seeing some friends. I have this thing in me that says, "I'm living here now. I DON'T have to rush to see everyone and catch up. I have time." So, I think I saw only like 3-5 friends on Tuesday and met some new ones. Went to an IHOPU class with my favorite teacher, Stuart Greaves. (I think I'll be going again later today.) The next two days were slightly uneventful. Some drama... that will soon be resolved I hope. Sunday we had an internship reunion. There were a good amount of quality people there. It was fun! Met some Alaskans. The past two days I was helping some friends work on an IHOP leaders home. Quite awk! Lemme tell you. Actually, I won't. :P Today was also a good day! Had lunch with my away-from-home-family: The Beels! Such a good time. And then hung out with Kyle and his friends and youth group at Crown Pointe Church, in Lee's Summit. Pretty cool group of people. Grateful for this time. :)

The Prayer Room and I have had an interesting relationship this week. I've been really distracted and WANTING distraction from actually having to spend time there. I keep looking for people I know; not engaging in worship or prayer or reading the Word. I've been going to the afternoon section, 12p - 6p, which is a section of the prayer room that I'm kinda familiar with but, not exactly my favorite. During the drive down the Lord really showed me how He was producing steadfastness in me by allowing my faith to be tested. *James 1* Steadfastness is perseverance, espesh in the day-to-day monotony of life. I can see that with this past week and being challenged to press in and press on though I feel so unguided and unmotivated. So, I feel like the challenge in this next season of life is to allow steadfastness to have its full effect. I don't know how to allow it, exactly. But, I'm asking the Lord to teach me and I know He is faithful to do just that. There eventually has been breakthrough in the prayer room this week.

One of the first times was toward the end of a set on Friday. The focus of intercession was "American Natives." Which my heart and spirit translated to "Alaskan Natives." The Lord just reminded me of the season that Alaskans are heading into and I believe He wants me to keep AK natives on my prayer list and not to forget them. Another time of breakthrough at least in the area of engaging with the Lord was yesterday afternoon during Ryan Kondo's set. I hadn't been there for the whole set but when I got there it was just sooo good and the Lord was speaking powerfully about forgiveness and love for us. It was just powerful and then worship exploded! I also wrote in my journal some thoughts/questions about how we worship and why. The Lord def met me in the confusion and I think there's still more He wants me to mine there, so we'll see how that carries on. I've also been reading a book on my phone's Kindle app: The Pursuit of God by Aiden Wilson Tozer. It has really sparked dialogue between the Lord and myself. I may blog about that later.

WELL! I'm adjusting to life here. I'm still very excited for what the Lord has for me here. I'm excited to be a disciple on this journey of faith, trust and man-hood. It's going to be challenging, I know. But, the Lord's proven He's faithful. Until I am made perfect, complete and lacking nothing, I walk on. Nay, I run.

Worth More Than Coins

As I have been reading through the gospels it's hitting me that in everything Jesus said He always pointed to the love of the Father. Something in his speech always revealed the love of the Father. His purpose in coming to this world was to give eternal life to all and this is eternal life: that they may know the Father [to know his heart], the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom the Father had sent. (John 17:1-6) And Jesus revealed the Father in everything that He did and said. This is so amazing and yet said of Jesus before His birth. "You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever."

Jesus is a man. Yes, He is fully God, but He is also fully man. So, as I think about Jesus being fully man and pointing us to the Father and openly revealing the love of the Father to us I see that Jesus as a man is speaking these things. Jesus the man - though in His Godhood He knows the Father and has known the Father from the beginning of time - has grace poured upon His lips. This grace is can be seen in all that He has said and all that He didn't say. Even in the smallest, seemingly unimportant things, Jesus points us to the Father's love.

The Pharisees were always trying to trap Jesus in His words. They were so great at trying at to flatter Jesus and say all the right things in the wisest ways in order to trap Jesus into saying something that could get Him in trouble or go against scripture or the law of the land. Matthew 22:15-22 is a small story with great significance. The Pharisees are again trying to trap Jesus by asking Him if it's right to pay taxes to Caesar.

Jesus responds sharply, knowing they were trying to trap Him. He said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying?" So the Pharisees brought him a coin and Jesus proceeded to ask them whose portrait and inscription were on the coin, which was Caesars. He finished by saying, "Then give unto Caesar that which is Caesars..." but He didn't stop there, "..and to God what is God's." Money around the world has the faces of the Presidents or leaders of that country who the money belongs to. Their portrait and inscription is on that money. So it belongs to them anyway. Therefore, yeah, pay your taxes.
But, Jesus finishing with the response give unto God what is God's seems almost like one of those Christian things you just throw in there that is true, but, I've never connected it the way Jesus connected it.

In light of the Student Awakening going on at IHOP-KC, I'm beginning to see how God views His children. The Father has been so good and calling His children to Him and showing us that we are His and that He made us. A lot of people have been getting free from self-hatred due to body image issues, or to things that they have done or things that had been done to them in the past. But as God was revealing through leaders, our bodies were made perfect by God and instead of looking into the mirror and agreeing with the lies from the enemy and hating ourselves we need to agree with the Father and looking at ourselves should cause us to worship Him. In Genesis God says to God, "Come, let us make man in our own image."

We were made in the image of God! "Whose portrait is this? (Caesars.) Then, give unto Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's." What Jesus is saying here is, because the coin bears the image of Caesar give it to Caesar. He connects then the command to give to God what is God's. In connecting the two Jesus was saying the coin has Caesar's portrait on it, so what has the portrait of God on it?

PEOPLE!! WE HAVE THE PORTRAIT AND THE INSCRIPTION OF GOD ALL OVER US!!

What grace that has been poured upon His lips!? Jesus was revealing again the Father's love. We were created to bear the image of God. We BELONG to HIM! God was saying a few things in that small phrase. "Save souls. Love your neighbor. Commit yourself to the Lord. You belong to the Father. The Father made you to bear His image." We should look at ourselves and the see the glory of the Father all over us! HIS IMAGE IS ON US!!! WHOO! Oh, my goodness I'm so excited! COME ON PEOPLE! The Lord has set His image on you! He has set His image and inscription on each individual person. His signature is on you! How beautiful the Lord is! That each individual person with their unique features reflects the beauty of the Lord. This so tears down the lie of the enemy that there is this ridiculous standard of beauty that no one really meets (and that those who have met it are dying (literally) to maintain it.) Why is the enemy attacking our image? Because He is trying to distort the image of God! If he can get us to view ourselves with hatred, he can then quickly turn that toward hating God and not seeing the beauty of the Father.

Satan sees that humans are the most beautiful, perfect and beloved creation of God. This is why he attacks the human image. The lie is that there is this standard of perfection and no one really thinks they've met it. Think about it. The supermodels who are on drugs, or who are getting plastic surgery because they're always trying to be more beautiful or maintain whatever standard of beauty they liked the best, if they thought they were perfect they'd be alright. Ha! Fat chance. The only way we're gonna realize the perfection and appreciate the beauty of our bodies is to stop and realize that we reflect the image of God. And God is perfect. And it goes further than our bodies physically. It goes to our personalities, our intellect, our giftings and skills and talents, etc. Those things also reflect the beauty of the Lord who created all things, and is in all things.

Romans 12:1 - Offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. This is the same as give to God what is God's. Our bodies are the Lord's. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We belong to Him. That is good news! He is a good Father.He is perfect and He loves us. We are His children and He is taking care of us! To offer our bodies to Him in humility and say, "Lord, you made me. I am fearfully and wonderfully made," and begin to worship the Lord because He has made us. We need to realize that in us being fearfully and wonderfully made means that God is wonderful and seeing just how good and perfect He is should cause us to fear Him. In us are the awesome qualities of the Lord. We should then begin to look at each other and realize how amazing God is! To see the beauty of God in all people. To judge others based on appearance is to judge the image of God. And who are we to really pass judgment on the image of the Most High? Scary thought... I feel like there's so much more that could be said on that tiny line from Matthew 22:21.

Just remember: We all bear the image of God. He made us. We belong to Him. He desires us! We all have the amazing and perfect qualities of the Father inside us and on us. We're worth much more than coins.

"Father, open our eyes to see the beauty of You on our lives. Would you reveal Your love to us through our bodies. Through the way we view ourselves. Lord, come and reveal our true beauty. You call us beautiful! And we are only beautiful because of the infinite and perfect beauty of You! Break down and silence the lies of the enemy. Father, show us how much You desire us as the good and loving Father. Show us how we are made perfect in Your sight; in the image of You and Your Son. Open our eyes to see Your love. Dispel the darkness, and let the light of Your love shine in our hearts and in our beings. Set people free with Your perfect love!"