Stoop-Kid's Afraid to Leave His Stoop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE0IzAsIVWk&feature=related

"Stoop kid's afraid to leave his stoop! Stoop kid's afraid to leave his stoop!"

Mariah is afraid to leave her stoop! The church is afraid to leave its stoop!

What the heck was I dreaming about when I woke up Sunday morning chanting this? Stuck in my head, but it gave me quite the revelation...

Seriously, am I just a scaredy pants? Am I Stoop Kid, scared to leave my comforts, to step out, to be judged, to get things taken from me, and scared to fail? Am I just a scared little Christian girl, who is too scared to trust God and to leave the stoop of my own selfishness?

So what if, like Stoop Kid, I was limiting myself to my stoop, and keeping myself from seeing this whole world of LOVE that God has created? Would I step off?

In the video, Arnold hears Stoop Kid's cries (like God hears ours). Then he proceeds to show Stoop Kid what things are beyond his stoop (like God wants to do for us). Thennnnn Arnold encourages Stoop Kid to leave the stoop and experience the world (which God also does). ANDDD THENNNN Arnold never gives up on Stoop Kid, keeps his faith, and never leaves his side (hmm... kinda like God).

Joshua 1 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

So Mariah, ya know... theres a whole world out there beyond your stoop... If you can just get beyond your self, and step into the world of love, and put yourself out there so people can see Jesus, theres wayyyyy more glorious stoops for you too see. Remember 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God did not give us the spirit of fear and timidity, but of POWER and LOVE and SELF-CONTROL." SO SIT ON THAT STOOP, FEAR!

Alright, Lordy. So hold my hand and lead me off of this stupid stoop! Help me to know what you are always there, and that you know what is good for me. And even though it's painful, and scary and I don't waaannnnnaaa, please continue to encourage me that its okay, and that the world is beautiful beyond my little selfish stoop. I don't want to be like Stoop Kid, I want to be the person you created me to be, with power and love and without fear and selfishness.

And Church, you too! Don't let the world get this impression of you, that you are just some scary, selfish Stoop kid, who just wants to judge people, sucker them in and make them all drink the Kool-aid. Step off your stoop and pour out your love. Yeah, its scary, but Daddy's won't let ya down. Dont let Jarold (or in this analogy, the world), get the wrong impression, get off your stupid, comfortable, safe stoop, and tell the world for realz.

Daddy, where does understanding come from??

“Yeah… I know Jesus died for me. I’ve heard it a million times. Now go away.”

Why do we work so hard to share Christ when people tell us they have already heard it? And if they have already heard it, then why aren’t they living for Him?

The Bible says, "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).

Ok, so if the Bible says it will set you free, then why isn’t it setting people free???

Becauuuuusseeeeee, the truth won't set you free if you don’t understand it. Example!!! A key is a useless object to one who doesn't know how to open a lock. Like a key, the truth will do nothing without the understanding behind it.

I think it's safe to assume that a majority of the people in the United States have heard of Jesus in one way or another and have already decided to either live for Him or for themselves. But if you truly understand what Jesus did for you, could you really not make the choice to live for Him??? Hardly.

Honestly, if you know what Jesus did for you, then why the heck aren't you living for Him??? There must be some sort of miscommunication here... Our commission is to tell the world about Jesus and make disciples of the nations… but what do we do we if they have already heard and still aren’t movin? I guess our commission is more than just giving people the truth. It’s helping them understand the truth.

Ughh… that sounds hard. How do we do that?

Understanding comes from asking, listening, learning, loving and trusting the Holy Spirit.

Understanding comes from asking. "What do you know about Jesus?" Listening and learning what they know about Jesus helps us get an idea where their understanding falls short. Understanding doesn't come from throwing answers at people, it comes from learning why they believe what they believe, then giving them some truth, building on what they already know, and filling in gaps. This might be a long process, so get yourself a big cup of patience and get comfy.

Also, understanding comes from looking beyond actions into the intentions. If we can look at why people do the things they do, with a little wisdom, we can make the proper response. Assuming that everyone sins for the same reason is common, but silly. If someone drinks because they are bored... easy! give 'em a TobyMac CD. But how would we know they were bored if we assumed something else and didn’t even ask? Assuming blocks understanding. How do we know what to do without first understanding the situation?

Soooooo, if we want someone to understand, then we need to first understand why they don’t understand and then we can help them understand what they don’t understand. And then once they understand, then the Holy Spirit will convict them, help them to believe and then hopefully they will live for Jesus:] Understand?

Understanding comes from understanding. Understanding lets truth set us free.

Thank you, God for being the truth that sets us free. Help us to understand better so we can help others understand better. Help us to be teachers and tutors of your truth and lead people into your loving arms of freedom. Help us to listen to and love others just like you do. Amen.

Roots!

Roots serve as the the essential foundation, the basic core; they are the support and the origin of a plant. Metaphorically speaking, spiritual roots are the foundations of our faith. Where they are rooted, how deep our roots are and the extent of the roots determine the origin, strength and the expanse of our faith. This seems to be quite the theme in the life of Mariah lately.

One night while reading Ephesians I ran into a verse that really struck my heart. Ephesians 3: 17, "And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love." Goodness me, what a line! Paul is the man! By planting ourselves in Christ and establishing our roots in Him, He becomes our center; our foundation and our support. Because we are so weak as humans we need a strong foundation. God, being so awesome, provides that for us. He offers us His "soil of love" so that we can plant our roots and faith in Him, and not be shaken.

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by heat or worried by long months of drought, and they go right on producing delicious fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8. Recently, based on this passage, the Sunday school group at my church chose to refer themselves as "Roots." Both as a group and individually (speaking for everyone, hopefully accurately), we have rooted our hope and confidence in God, making him the essential foundation of our hearts and the ministry.

The BASIC Club at JCC has just started an unofficial series of discussions that we have agreed to call "The Roots of Faith." Considering the previous definitions of 'roots,' the title is self explanatory. We all agree that although we have already established ourselves in Christ, that it is important to recall and meditate on the origin of our faith and why it is there. Having a confirmed understanding of exactly what it means to be a Christian will help us to confidently share our faith and will ultimately deepen our 'roots' in Christ.

Also throughout this week I have been thinking a lot about the testimony (see previous post). The testimony reveals what God has done in one's life, and exposes the roots of that believer. A testimony is another way of showing somebody how, why and where you have established your 'roots,' and can help them to establish theirs as well.

Often people use the term 'roots' to refer to where they grew up. In this case, fortunately but unfortunately I have to claim Belmont as my 'roots.' Its unavoidable! I live in Belmont, grew up in Belmont, went to school in Belmont, currently work in Belmont, and buried my grandparents in Belmont. Belmont is inevitably one of Mariah's roots. After whining to God about wanting something new, I was convicted, and God gave me a heart for this poor, potentially hopeless town, that just so happens to be part of my foundation.

Roots, roots, roots, roots, roots, roots, roots. Alllllllll week long, rootskis, Rooty McRootytons. Finally, I think I get it. God wants me to establish my roots in Him and help others to do the same. Der, out of 5 years of being a Christian you would think I would have this down by now. God knows me too well, praise Him, and may your roots find themselves deeply and strongly fixed in "God's soil of love."

Testimony

What does an effectively used testimony look like? What does it sound like? What the heck is it used for? Struggle, struggle, struggle. Revelation! God uses testimonies for several different reasons, on several different occasions. Durr.

Testimonies are like meeting someone's parents. Sometimes when you talk to somebody you think "Where did this person come from?" annnd then you meet their parents:] Testimonies have the same effect. How better to know someone then to know how they fell in love with their savior?

Bill Johnson writes about the power of the testimony in this book, "Release the Power of Jesus." He says that testimonies build faith in others. He then gives millions of examples. I believe him. I guess for some reason people see themselves in other people /shrug. If my testimony can inspire someone's faith, then praise the Lord!

Plus, with all of the crazy lovely things that God does, how can people not share?! Acts 4:20 says, "For we cannot but speak of the things we have seen and heard." Yay:]] So let's talk about Him and the awesome things He has done in our lives.

Bahh

Hey Guys,

Look at meee, first postski:]] Woo!