spiritual war

I am convinced that this church is in the midst of a spiritual war. Regardless of our intentions, the longer we continue to bend and sway with the ebbs and flows of our offering plates, the closer we come to allowing evil to defeat good within these walls.

The Bible, in Ephesians 6, gives us a recipe for victory as we struggle against "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This recipe calls us not to scramble for shelter when financial winds blow but to "STAND FIRM!" And we are to stand firm fully suited in a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, battle shoes crafted from the gospel of peace,  a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

Donning this equipment may cost more than the soldier has, but he would never even consider walking into battle without it. Instead, he trusts his commander to provide for his protection as he stands firmly where the commander has placed him.

And get this! Verse 18 of chapter 6 really is the kicker: the faithful soldier stands with the FULL support of his commander and not only can but should continually make all kinds of requests of the commander.

As God's soldiers at Avondale Estates First Baptist Church, should we cut back on ministry opportunities or the fundraisers that make them possible? By no means! If, instead, we will trust Him enough to follow His command, standing firm in ministry with Him, He gives us the right to make all kinds of requests. Let us, then, stand with Jesus, holding forth our shields of faith to block the blows of financial woes with our trust in a God who is able to provide above our wildest imaginations.

Prayerfully and Faithfully Standing,
-mo

only once before...

...have i felt the intense burden, the physical feeling of spiritual heartbreak that i feel today. before, it was the day my sister called to tell me she had joined a unitarian universalist congregation. today, it's my brother.

i don't have a genetic brother. but when one man has been around through your absolute pinnacle of Christian growth (so far) and through your darkest hell on earth (hopefully ever), what are genetics??? even in our relationship, there have been certain peaks and troughs. yet, even when he's not my friend, i cannot deny he will always be my brother.

part of being his brother has been adopting parts his genetic family as well, in particular, our little brother.

when i first met little brother, he was nearing the end of a court-ordered stent in drug rehab, and we, his family, were celebrating not only his coming graduation but also his new-found faith in Jesus. he graduated and moved to atlanta to live with us, where i learned to love his wit, his charm, his thoughtfulness, and his naturally good and dangerously tender heart. in what may now be seen as an incredible irony, this little brother taught me through his calm, quiet example the importance of refusing to battle over petty things. he often shamed me with his ability to forgive and forget.

...
+ four years
...

the fourth year was a tough one for little brother. an influx of old influences, old temptations, old emotions, old habits.

today, i saw his face for the first time in months. but, the face i saw wasn't really his at all. it was the bruised and unshaven mugshot of a man who has forgotten who he is. the emptiness in his eyes, the absence of his characteristic cheesy smile sunk deep into my gut and sent an overflow of tears down my cheeks.

in that mugshot of my little brother, i saw what i heard in the phone call from my sister years ago: my own guilt. while i cannot be held accountable for their choices, i cannot help but think of my own failed responsibility in each situation. how could i have loved better? when should i have sucked up my pride in apology? where should i have lent a hand, a compliment, or a shoulder to cry on? how could i have better represented Christ to his church?

rather than dwell on rights and wrongs done, i ask again the question of ultimate importance: how can i love? and i pray that God will use my thoughts, my words, my time, my actions as answers to that question.

to God be all glory in and through all creation.
-mo

reflecting God's radiance

Exodus 34.33-35 - "When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he entered the LORD’s presence to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. And when he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they saw that his face was radiant. [...]"


Acts 4.13 - "The officials were amazed to see how brave Peter and John were, and they knew that these two apostles were only ordinary men and not well educated. The officials were certain that these men had been with Jesus."


I pray that my appearance, speech, emotions, and actions will be a reflection of God's radiant power and love, that although I am "only ordinary," others will be certain that I have been with Jesus.
-mo

new year's prayer

purge from my life anything that is not of You. if it's not what You want, it's not what I want. Amen.

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answers!

1)

2) I have a new home! Dori and I now live at Townview Station in a cozy 1br apartment. So far, we are loving it.

standard of faithfulness

God, as i do everything i know to do to follow you, as i press as hard as i know how toward the goals you have put in my heart, i am holding you to your own standard of faithfulness. answer prayers. answer mine, answer those of my family and friends. boldly, because your word says i can, i shout to you: DON'T FORGET THE RAINBOWS. REMEMBER YOUR PROMISES. DO NOT LET ME DROWN. answer as only you can answer. answer according to your standard of faithfulness.
-mo

Prayer for Peace

Found this prayer on my computer tonight. I prayed it on December 29, 2008. The prayer has been answered and is still being answered daily. The LORD has done it again!

-------

God.

You are able.

You are able to do exceeding abundantly above all that i ask or think, according to the power that worketh in me. (Eph 3.20)

Wow.

You are the one, true, all-powerful God. And what is more: you work your power in me to accomplish beyond what i imagine.

Teach me to lean on that power in my weakness.

Your grace is sufficient, and your strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor 12.9)

I have this confidence: whatever i ask according to your will, you hear and grant. (1 john 5.14-15)

It is your will that, as far as it depends on me, i live at peace with everyone. (Rom 12.18)

So, here's what i ask:

Work your power in me for peace.

Powerful peace.

Powerful peace among my friends.

Calm our restless minds and hearts, that we may no longer over-think our own or others' actions. Make us comfortable being natural.

Minimize our noticing the things that annoy us about each other.

Minimize our feeling the need to defend ourselves.

Teach us to love and to live lovingly. Remove jealousy and competition for friendship. Convince our hearts that strengthening of bonds among others does not mean breaking or weakening of our own bonds. Help us to rejoice as others' friendships grow.

Help us forgive. But, above that, help us never to offend, never to need forgiveness. Make us quick to confess and repent both to you and to each other.

Guard our words, and reign our tongues, so our conversation will be only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Eph 4.29)

Make of us peacemakers.

Be our peace.

Powerful peace.

We have tried individually and collectively to fix the hurt we have inflicted on our friendships. It is clear to me that we cannot heal. I am done trying. If peace happens, it will have to be from you.

For this reason I kneel before you, Father, from whom your whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of your glorious riches you may strengthen us with power through your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of you, God.

Now to you, who are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within us, to you be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

(Eph 3.14-20)

Lily

makes me want to be a better person.

is God's answer to many prayers.

Take my will, conform it...

I wish...




Nevertheless, not my will, but Thine, be done.
-mo
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