I love food! The funny thing is, I always have. In high school a friend brought me two or three dozen of my favorite cookies. Because they were “all mine” I sat in front of the TV watching my favorite shows and ate all of them in one sitting! Where was my mom!? I lost control!

Tastes and flavors are important to me, thus the reason I don’t venture off into new tastes very often; I don’t want to be disappointed. I love my old favorites so much so that I repeat them often. Some people think this is unadventurous. I would rather like to think I am consistent. There’s nothing wrong with being predictable in my eating habits, right? Don’t answer that.

Like I savor the moments I spend with delicious food, I also savor the moments I spend pursuing God (no, I don’t worship food . . . hopefully anyway). I long for moments in prayer when I feel connected to His presence; God’s always there waiting for me to talk with Him. When singing worship songs, I am comfortable there and don’t want to leave. Being challenged by the Truth pushes me to desire more of Him, thus the deeper pursuit of what Truth means.

I have started to reread the classic Christian living book The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, one of my favorites. His writing is very rich, and I can’t get past the preface! I have even been stumped by a quote on the back of the book! “During a train trip from Chicago to Texas in the late 1940’s, Tozer began to write The Pursuit of God. He wrote all night, the words coming to him as fast as he could put them down. When the train pulled into McAllen, the rough draft was done. Although written in such a remarkably short period of time, the depth, clarity and completeness of Tozer’s message has made (this book) an enduring favorite.” I enjoy writing, but I wonder if there is enough in my heart to spill onto a page for a complete night. Would the words come so profoundly as Tozer’s? I think not! Consequently, I marvel at his depth of insight into what it really means to live pursuing God. Tozer is a lofty thinker in my book, and I am not, but I admire him immensely.

What I’ve learned from his writing in the preface is the antidote for revival in our hearts is a thirst and hunger after God. We need to be eager for spiritual truth and pursue it above all else. A revival of the heart means that people (souls) would be made new as their life in Christ would begin in Him and others would “recapture” the wonder of their faith in Christ. This should and could happen when our pursuit of God becomes what we live for. Tasting the sweet presence of the love of Christ should compel us further, deeper to investigate that love and truly taste Him.

The longing of my heart is to love God, know Him, and make Him known. This I hunger and thirst for. God is my favorite person! When people observe my life, I want them to notice that I am consistent, predictable in my pursuit of God. I enjoy God and savor my time with Him. I’ve tasted Him, and He is good, but there’s more to sample and savor. Simple is good for me. One God, one life to live, I’m pursuing Him!

A favorite book of mine is The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer. In his pursuit of exploring God’s nature, this book was written. From the foreword by Rev. James L. Snyder we learn that “Tozer’s walk with God was a priority with him and he allowed nothing to interfere. His prayer life was quite remarkable. His regular habit was to sprawl on his study floor, facedown, and worship God. Often, according to his own testimony, he would lie in silent, wordless worship of God, usually oblivious to his surroundings. The desire to worship God and to inspire others to a deeper awareness of God are clearly evident in (this book).”

After the forward, in a chapter entitled “Tozer’s Legacy,” the writer states: “Forced by his home situation to forfeit an education, Tozer entered the ministry without either high school or college training. He came to Christ at the age of seventeen. A dingy corner of the basement of the family home became his private prayer chamber. There, at the very beginning of his Christian life, Tozer established what was to be a lifelong practice of waiting on God. Tozer educated himself by years of diligent study and a constant prayerful seeking of the mind of God. With Tozer, seeking truth and seeking God were one and the same thing. With no teacher but the Holy Spirit and good books, A.W. Tozer became a theologian, a scholar and a master craftsman in the use of the English language. Much of the strong meat in The Pursuit of God came out of the crucible of Tozer’s own personal experience.”

Dr. David J. Fant, Jr., describes the process of writing this book. “Tozer literally wrote The Pursuit of God on his knees. Perhaps that explains its power and the blessing that has rested on it.”

“Perhaps the continued usefulness of this book can be attributed to the writer’s great spiritual discovery that to seek God does not narrow one’s life, but brings it, rather, to the level of highest possible fulfillment.”

My thoughts? It’s time to read this great book once again. I remember that it changed my life and I’d love another inspiration of change, not for the sake of change, but for heaven’s sake, for my sake. Coming face to face with God’s nature and encountering Him in such a way that changes the way I live, think, do, pray, study, and “be”; this I hunger and thirst for. I desire to live in holy awe of who God is. Maybe silent worship is called for. Maybe more time to worship alone is necessary. Maybe God is waiting for me. I know He is.

The armies were ready to come against Israel.

They took their positions in different areas of the land for battle. The lines of opposing soldiers were in front and behind Israel.

Joab sent Israel’s army to fight against both lines of the enemy with the help of his brother, Abishai.

Joab said to his brother, “Suppose the Arameans are too strong for me. Then you must come and help me. But suppose the Ammonites are too strong for you. Then I’ll come and help you.” 2 Samuel 10:10-11

2 Samuel 10:12, “Be strong. Let’s be brave as we fight for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what he thinks is best.”

Joab and the troops attacked. The enemy ran away, yet assembled again for another attack. The Arameans beefed up their support as well as the Israelites. The Arameans lined up their soldiers to go to war against David. They began to fight against him. But then they ran away from Israel. David killed 700 chariot riders. He killed 40,000 foot soldiers and the commander of their army.

The kings saw that Israel had won the battle over them. So they made a peace treaty with the Israelites (good move!). After that, the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites anymore.

Something about this passage in 2 Samuel 10 intrigues me. When I think about our cities of Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, the enemy is on all sides fighting against us. Yet, he is certainly no match for God’s army. Just like Joab and Abishai, we too have partners in our fight against our enemy; they are called our brothers and sisters in Christ! Not only do we have the support of our brothers and sisters in neighboring churches, but we have our brothers and sisters at CrossRoads to cover our backs!

As we fight our good fight of faith and serve our Lord for His kingdom purposes, the opposition is clearly present. However, there is always victory because we are God’s people! As Joab said, let’s be strong and fight for our people and the cities of our God! The LORD will do what he thinks is best . . . as we . . . (and I will add)

     humble ourselves before Him.
     depend on Him fully for strength and direction.
     believe in Him for great things.
     trust that our God is mightier than our enemy.

Personally, I believe . . .

     the enemy is weak against God’s army of believers.
     our cities can be God’s territory if we want them to be.
     nothing can stop a great, mighty move of God upon a city.
     my greatest partner in taking our city for Jesus is YOU, my brother and my sister.

As we look to 2010 . . . there is territory to claim, souls to seek, lives to pray for, and people to reach in the mighty, powerful, beautiful name of Jesus. So very glad you are a warrior standing right next to me as we see what God thinks is best for our cities! 2010 is upon us . . . let’s be brave and give the year to HIM!!

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God celebrated with a star and an official announcement.  The shepherd’s job was not one of the most high paying jobs around; in fact, it was considered to be a lowly position. Yet, it was the humble, lowly shepherds who were the first to learn about the miraculous birth of Jesus. And how did they find out about it?

An angel and then a host of angels interrupted the shepherds usual watch that night and pierced the darkness with that glorious sight . . . all for the shepherds. They were humble, yet honored with a privilege. They were not necessarily on anyone else’s radar, but God knew right where they were and what they were doing and gave them an incredible presentation and piece of His glory, just for them. A gift from God for the shepherds so that they would be the first to share of the gift from God for the entire world!

‘But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10

The shepherds returned to their fields, “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” They weren’t worried about whether people would believe them or not. They knew what they had just experienced and they had to proclaim it. They wanted others to know the truth of what they had experienced. They just saw the baby Jesus, King of all kings!

Let’s be like the shepherds of old and not forget to proclaim to the world the good news that Jesus was born. This is why we celebrate Christmas. It’s a time for us to proclaim the best gift of all, Jesus. Let’s be like the shepherds who were so changed by the experience that when they told people about Jesus, the people were amazed.

Today I met with a new recruit for children’s ministry, a wonderful woman of God. When I talk about children’s ministry to new volunteers, I take a different approach than in the past. Where before I may have focused on need and sacrifice, now I focus on calling and privilege. As I shared my heart regarding children, ministry to them, the commitment, and the eternal goals, she was listening so intently. I know I can get a little carried away with my passion, so I stopped and let her know that she could interrupt me with thoughts or questions any time; I’m not there to preach to her! She responded, “No, I’m just enjoying everything you are saying!” When I finished with the passion portion of my interview, she stopped me to tell me her heart, background, and why she loved all I had to say. With tears in her eyes, she responded with a kindred heart, she shares my vision.

Oh the joy and honor it is to find friendship and a common heart with people in which to share a vision together! I believe this woman will commit to children’s ministry. Why? Not because there is a need. There is always a need. Rather, she understands the longing God has placed within her to minister to children. What a privilege it is to serve the Lord Jesus in the capacity in which he gifts us, calls us, and equips us. May each of us follow His leading and see where He may place us in the body to serve. There is no greater joy and fulfillment than being right in the center of God’s vision for you and His kingdom purposes!

I love meeting with adults. I love teaching children. I love ministry.

Laurie

Communion is a picture of what God does for us. Because it was Thanksgiving weekend, I thought it appropriate (in KidzQuest) to show our thanks and reflect on all God has done for us in sending Jesus to be our Savior! We remembered Him. We took Communion together. We gave thanks.

I just read this quote on my bulletin board in my office . . . “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats, Irish Poet.
I love this quote! As a parent, I naturally have taken the teacher role because God has gifted me to teach. I know I have sometimes annoyed my children being the “teacher” instead of the inspirer, giving instruction instead of instilling passion. An inspirer lights a fire within the heart TO learn. If I had to do parenting all over again, I would make my mission in parenting to set my kid’s hearts ablaze with wonder, excitement, and challenge to learn more, especially . . . . especially about their God. My prayer has always been that my children would hunger and thirst after righteousness. We are always hungry and thirsty aren’t we? That desire never ends. May it be so with our children, that they would hunger and thirst after God, and we would be their cheerleaders and teachers as they do. They will follow our lead. Ignite your child’s heart on fire this week and watch their pursuit for God consume them!