a journey

“You shall have no other gods before Me.”

I’ve understood for a long time that God is a Jealous God and He absolutely detests idolatry in the lives of His children. In my youth group in high school, we were often warned of the dangers and consequences of placing anything in our lives before Christ. Thankfully, God has taught my heart to fear Him in this regard though recently, I felt led to investigate the topic of idolatry further. Through my study, I found tons of examples in the Old Testament where people made idols and served them, sometimes going as far as burning incense to these false gods (2 Kings 17:11-12). Most of the time, idols were handmade and were constructed out of materials like silver, wood, stone, and gold (Deut 29:17, Ps 115:4). I realized that wood in and of itself is not an evil thing. In fact, carpenters have been using wood since Biblical times to benefit our society by building furniture and tools. Wood is not detestable in God’s sight, it’s a tool He gave to mankind – he created it! What is detestable to God is when someone takes a piece of wood and dedicates time, energy, attention, and effort to sculpt an object of worship out of its form. It is the attitude of someone towards that piece of wood that determines whether it’s good or evil.

For us, I believe the principle is the same. Only instead of wood or stone, we build up idols out of wealth, loved ones, reputation, goals, and aspirations for the future. In 1 Cor 10:14, we are called to flee from idolatry. In fact, idolatry is a sin which is considered an act of our old, sinful nature which has no control over us as believers in Christ Jesus. I realized something else though, which I believe is just as important: God doesn't necessarily ask us in His Word to get rid of anything and everything that could ever potentially become an idol or object of worship (i.e. wood, stone, gold). It’s not about the thing. It’s about the condition of our heart towards it. It’s about the condition of our heart towards Christ. The Lord is to be feared above all gods (1 Chr 16:25). He desires that our hearts overflow with love and affection for His Name which will inevitably lead to unashamed worship and fruitful service. It’s when we reach that point, when we wholeheartedly seek His face and center our hearts on His love that all the idols and gods of this earth become tiny specks compared to the un-surpassing brilliance of His glory.

Labels: faith

# posted by Kelly @ 1:41 PM 0 Comments

…unbelievable. When I think about pre-week alone, I don’t remember the last time I had that much fun. From making up random rap lines, to practicing skits at 1 AM, to Olympic inside jokes, to dance parties, to making things like 3D street scene, to using 30+ spray paint cans, to getting lost on the road, to dreams of starting brick wall companies, to learning how to live with such an array of personalities, I had so much fun. I totally soaked up the many fun things Camp Hip Hop was able to do together to prepare for camp. Aside from the fun, I feel like God really put a genuine heart of service in the Ignite staff this year. It truly amazed me as I watched 60 college students willingly band together and joyfully give up 3 precious summer days to love, serve, labor, and pray for a group of people they haven’t even met yet. I believe that God was truly smiling down on our efforts during pre-week.

Finally, the first day of camp rolled around. Around 1 pm we eagerly awaited the campers’ arrival. When the bus finally rolled up and I watched the campers step off one by one into our soccer mom line, my heart filled with joy knowing that each face, each life was specifically and intentionally prayed over and God had clearly brought them to Ignite for a divine purpose. It didn’t take very long for us as a staff to realize that we were dealing with a mature and passionate class of campers. Not only has God filled them with such incredible wisdom and knowledge of Himself, but they just “get it.” Before even stepping on campus as students, they seem to understand the cost of discipleship and what that translates to in college. Even so, they seem ready and eager to get started and grow in their faith.

Labels: ministry

# posted by Kelly @ 1:38 PM 0 Comments

I have a miracle to declare. Jesus healed my stomach last night. I’m at the coast with the youth group on our last trip of the summer and last night was the night I gave my talk to the youth. After our worship time last night, my 10^th grade girls and I made our way back to our condo to settle in for the night. I went into the bedroom to call Daniel and tell him the crazy things God did through my talk (which is a very cool story in itself). Toward the end of our conversation, my stomach started to feel sick but I didn’t think much of it. I fell asleep pretty quickly after we hung up. Not even an hour later my stomach jolted me awake and I was sure I was going to throw up. I got out of bed, grabbed my phone and a trash can and walked outside to get fresh air. I felt miserable. At that point my body started shivering in addition to my nausea. I didn’t know whether to knock on our youth director’s room and tell her I was sick or not. I felt really lonely as I sat there, completely unprepared for this situation.

Finally, I called Mom. Growing up, my mom has always been the one I’ve gone to every time I woke up sick. Even if she couldn’t be there with me, I just wanted to hear her voice. When she found out I was sick she told me she was going to read Scriptural prayers for healing over me. The book she went to get was the same one I had constantly chastised her for reading in lieu of personalized prayers. I had always pridefully claimed that reading pre-written prayers was not genuine. At this particular time though, I was not opposed to the idea considering how sick I felt. As she read, she specifically inserted my name and condition and made the prayers very personal. My soul was immediately comforted as words of Scripture washed over me. After a few minutes, I noticed that I had stopped shivering. I told Mom. She told me she would keep reading and she did. Eventually, I realized that I felt more tired than sick so I carefully made my way back to bed. Mom continued reading to me as I lay in bed and as my stomach improved, I drifted in and out of sleep. Finally, I realized that I was not going to be sick and felt good enough to fall asleep for the rest of the night.

At that point, Mom and I started talking and I got the opportunity to tell her how my talk went. We noted that my sickness might have been a spiritual attack in light of what I talked about to the youth. We agreed that Jesus healed my stomach through our faith and through Mom’s prayers. Also, God clearly showed me that He is in the process of healing and reconciling my relationship with my mom. I realized with joy that this act of God is something He wants me to declare. In obedience to this calling I declare to you now that Jesus healed my stomach last night. He is alive today. Believe that He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

Labels: faith

# posted by Kelly @ 1:33 PM 0 Comments

In exactly one week, I will be in Corpus Christi with the youth group, speaking to about 60 senior high kids and parents about obedience and how obedience to God’s will leads to intimacy with Him. I guess I can’t consider it ironic then that the last several days have been full of spiritual warfare as I examine and combat my own pride and rebellion. In several recent instances, the opposition between my flesh and the Spirit in me has broken me to the point of tears. I very much relate to Paul who says, “I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members” (Romans 7:21-23). On top of this struggle, I often allow condemnation to set in when I recognize my failure to live up to my Spirit-revealed convictions. In short, the last few days have left me spiritually and emotionally exhausted. Maybe it’s not all the work of the enemy, though. Maybe some of it is God testing me and my own conviction to be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer. Maybe this is His way of humbling me and removing any arrogance that would be present as I stand before those senior high kids next week. Whatever the case, it’s been difficult to find joy in my present circumstances. It’s much easier to simply look forward to the day when I can move back up to my beloved college town and “escape” from these issues that seem to magnify when I’m here at home. However, I am thoroughly convinced that a temporary escape is not an option as I sincerely desire spiritual growth and sanctification. So, in light of the Truth that my God bestows unfailing love and restoration, I take hope in His promise to perfect the good work He started in me (Phil 1:6).

When clouds vein sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever True
You I know
You never let go
You never let go

Labels: faith

# posted by Kelly @ 8:49 PM 0 Comments