Can we get Intimate?

'Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight..'

Psalm 51:4a

So many Christians are scared. We maintain largely superficial friendships and relationships with other Christians and church members. We are scared to grow intimate relationships with anyone. We build walls, cover them with broken glass and enclose glass and concrete in barbed wire fences, anything to stop us from getting intimate with others. We are running scared to church, to work, to school, on our buses and trains. We are absolutely terrified. 

We are scared because we don't know how to be intimate with the source of intimacy Himself. Sure we're Christians. I mean I gave my life to Christ, spoke in tongues, served in church, did the whole going out and preaching 'evangelism' thing once in a while, did my devotions/ quiet time and generally went to church. I know just doing these didn't make me christian of course, so I also made sure to not drink or smoke or party or do drugs or sleep around or dress indecently or say certain things or... (fill in the rest).

So of course, I was a Christian.. or so I thought. I forgot one thing: that being a Christian was about a relationship, friendship, intimacy with Him. Sure, I heard about it and even talked about it but I didn't really become intimate with Him..because I didn't know how. And because I wasn't intimate with him, I always had high walls to keep everyone out. No matter how close I got to anybody, there was always this insurmountable wall. Funny thing is, I craved that deep intimacy, but just couldn't let myself go and my walls down enough to build it with the people God had placed in my life.I always felt this inperceptible pressure to present a perfect front to everyone, especially other Christians, because I hadn't learned to be honest and intimate with Him yet.God forbid they knew my weaknesses or struggles.

Then I read Psalm 51:4 again. You see David had stolen somebody's wife, made her pregnant and killed her husband. And yet, here, he says he's sinned only against God. What about Uriah? The poor faithful husband who is killed simply because he has a beautiful wife..like seriously? David isn't saying he hasn't sinned against others at all though. What he acknowledged was that until he fixed things with God he couldn't fix things with the people he'd wronged. A restoration of his relationship with God was the only way he could restore his relationship with others. This was such an eye opener for me. Until I learned to be bare, naked, honest, INTIMATE, with the Father, I couldn't be truly intimate with anyone else.

Let's flash back to the Garden of Eden. God would come down in the cool of the day to hang out with His buddies Adam and Eve. He'd talk with them, laugh with them, make plans together, share some food, and just enjoy being with them. After the whole forbidden fruit...ummm..let's call it  "incident", Adam and Eve felt for the first time a fear of intimacy with Him. For the first time, they were afraid to see Him, talk with Him and be with Him. Are you hiding behind bushes of church work or busyness or blowing in tongues or the religion of Christianity? Are you afraid to sit down and be yourself with Him? Do you feel the need to hide yourself and present a more sanctified, holy version of you to Him? You don't have to! 

Apart from the fact that, frankly, He sees all the cover ups and knows that you're hiding, Jesus died so you could go back to the cool of the day, sitting in the shade having some juice with Him kinda friendship. 

And when I started being intimate with Him and as a result, other people, I was used to touch and change lives, to be a light and salt, to bring hope and healing, in more powerful ways than I ever dreamed. 

So will you become intimate with Him? Its scary. Its hard to be honest with Him about the weaknesses we have and to sit with Him and let Him work with us on them. Its hard to just sit with Him and make plans with Him together and chat. Its not easy to get to the place where you can be with him talking for hours just like you would with other friends. Talking with Him and not at Him. Its uncomfortable, but you'll love it. Will you get intimate with Him? He's waiting for you. He longs for you so much. He yearns to have an intimate relationship with you. Will you be honest with Him and be intimate with Him? 

Restoring the distorted image of the Father

“The purpose of revelation is restoration, the renewal in us of that likeness to God which man lost by sin.”

Stephen Neill

'The creation of man and woman was the part of God’s creative process which reached its pinnacle when God formed two perfect beings that were in His image. Adam and Eve were created to resemble their Creator.

In nature, form and appearance Adam and Eve reflected their Father’s purity, goodness and holiness. But when sin entered this perfect world, God’s perfect image was not reflected in this world of sin, in fact it became distorted. Try as God might to show His earthly children what His heavenly image was like, we find that all through the Old Testament, as we have studied the lives of some of the best people in the Bible as well as the worst, too often God’s children got the picture of God wrong in their minds. They didn’t get the clear and correct picture of what their Father was really like. In fact, much too often, they followed the lead of surrounding nations who made up gods to their own liking, that fit their way of life, and it was these false gods that our heavenly Father’s children chased after, even wished for.

As time went by, there was such a false view of God by nearly everyone, that many of God’s children no longer reflected their Father. They were more like the rusted out car in the barn. And when people saw the piece of dilapidated metal, they thought it was worthless --- and what’s so tragic – is that when these people who were rust-buckets said, “But I’m God’s child,” the “heathen” laughed their heads off and said, “You are telling me your God looks like you. Forget it. We can do better than you with our shiny, golden idols. We like the looks of our gods better than the God you reflect.” Does this sound familiar? Does it sound like the confusing message, some people, who call themselves followers of Jesus, give off today?

With this terribly distorted picture of God being the only message the world had, God sent the most precious gift heaven could bestow – He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. And it was Jesus, God’s Son who in His own words told His followers, “If ye have known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him” (John 14: 7, K.J.V.). Through this gift of God’s Son, our gracious Father began the restorative process that once seemed impossible. When the Son came, He brought the vision of His Father, for He saw us as we could be, not as we were. When our Father looks at us, the eyes of our Creator see us as the perfect image created in His likeness, not the old beater, left by the side of the road like a piece of rubbish or left to rust in a barn.'

As we walk with Him and become more like him, the distorted image of the Father we have been presenting will be replaced by His real image and likeness. To a lost and dying world, we will become the lights and salt we were meant to be if we will be restored into His image and His Likeness.

Quoted text From Dorothy Valcarcel, http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/transformgarden/

Becoming like You

“The purpose of revelation is restoration, the renewal in us of that likeness to God which man lost by sin.”

Stephen Neill

I have come to realise that one of the most important parts of this walk with You is in me becoming like You. As I walk with you, I grow to become like you. I pick up the way you talk, the way you think, the way you respond, the way you love. All of the things I ask for, I can get by being deeply intimately involved with you.

For me, not becoming restored to Your likeness is a failing I cannot have. So Father, help me to walk with you. I want to walk in deep intimacy with you, so I can learn how to build intimacy with others. I want to be the light you made me to be. Walk with me Lord! Walk with me.

The Gospel

“The religion of Christ is the religion of joy. Christ came to take away our sins, to roll off our curse, to unbind our chains, to open our prison house, to cancel our debt; in a word, to give us the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…Where can we find a joy so real, so deep, so pure, so lasting? There is every element of joy –deep, ecstatic, satisfying, sanctifying joy in the Good News of Christ.”
Octavius Winslow

If I ever were to describe this thing we got going on as a religion Lord, those would be my words. This deep satisfying intimacy with you results in joy, such deep joy, that the Gospel becomes 'Good News' in more ways than one. I want to share this Good News. I can't help but be excited about partnering with you on this, to bring joy to the hurting and the mourning all around.

Thank you for the opportunity! 

I love You!

Yv.

Buried Rock

Hello Father
I can be stubborn. You know this. Until a short while ago, I had no idea just how stubborn I could be. I had no idea, because I took pride in my stubbornness. Just reading those words makes me wince, but there it is. I was so stubborn, sometimes on purpose.
You know why. You knew it was my weak way of protecting myself, my heart, my soul, from everything. It was easier to be stubborn than to trust you and be disappointed. It felt more comfortable for me to just rebel in the knowledge that I was being stubborn, than to do what You were asking me to. And of course, You know why it was so hard for me to let go. At the core of this was my fear that I wouldn't get what I wanted, that obeying You would deprive me of something good.
Apparently, I had much better taste in everything than You did. I mean, its not like I'm only twenty something while you've been around for eons of time or anything. Its not as though You're the Dad and I'm the kid, the Potter to my clay, the Creator to my creation. And it wasn't as if you LOVED me and only had the best for me or anything. All of this clearly didn't exist for me, in my stubbornness.

So Father, I'm sorry for being so stubborn. You and I, we've come a long way since. We've danced, sang, laughed, walked, ran, jumped, taken photos and written. We've worked this out. I'm glad we did, because this rock of my stubbornness, it needed to be buried, no exploded, into a billion little pieces never to be put together again.
Thank you. I love You.
Yv

Your Love crushing every lie..

Hello God
Merry Christmas! I know its kind of interesting to wish you a Merry Christmas, seeing as we're commemorating something you did, but I do have a gift for you so its totally worth it :).
I saw something today that broke my heart God. A girl was asking the guy she liked if he'd like her back, once she lost weight. This broke my heart God. It made me remember the times when I didn't consciously think your love was conditional, but lived my life like it was. The things I allowed into my life. The places I went I should never have gone to. The people I allowed influence who should never have stepped foot in the door. The low price my owners bought me for.

I never truly understood that You, by nature, are unconditional. I didn't understand then that You, by nature, are Love. Love in all its beauty, its fierceness, its loyalty, its faithfulness, its honesty, its beauty, its wholeness, its purity, and yes, its emotion. I thought I was emotional, but I did not experience emotion till I got with you! I thought I knew what emotional was, till I saw Your emotion, and just had to wave the white flag.
Your emotion in its sacredness, in its Love, it got me, God. Love in such wholeness, You came down that first Christmas, and everyday since,  to find me and bring me back.
Thank you for You, crushing every lie, so I can celebrate my first real unconditionally loved Christmas.
Merry Christmas God. I love You.
Yv

Back again..in more ways than one

Dear God,
I've been missing. Not lost, just missing. But you already knew that. Its not as though you don't know about my disappearing act from writing and blogging. You know this, as well as you know me all.
Have you missed us having these chats out here? I did, just a teensy weensy little bit though. I mostly didn't, because for the longest time I was dry, shut up and unable to think of why we needed to do this for guests to read. Now I do know why. So here I am, back again, writing again if You'll let me keep writing.
I have so much I want to share, so much You want to say in these chats. I'm sorry I wasn't ready to be a shofar. I am now, so let's do this.

Let's do this today for the ones who are feeling alone this festive season. You see them so much better than I do, Father.
They're the ones watching movies all alone and wishing they had people to watch it with.

The ones whose spouses are so busy with life and everything else but them, leaving them with this gaping hole.
The one who is sitting behind the computer bored and just looking for something to keep them occupied.
 For the ones who feel lost, abandoned, lonely and far away from their families and loved ones.
For those in travel.
 For those with depression.
For those who are just aching for that hand to hold, that warmth of companionship, the giggles that are gone, the whispers in the night.

Let's do this for them, Lord. Let's give them some love, peace and joy as they read this. Let's tell them how much you're there with them in that bed, sofa, behind that computer or in that airport. Let them feel how much you're reaching over to catch that tea cup before it spills hot tea all over their computers. Wiping that lone tear traveling down their cheek. Giggling with them at the silliness of the main characters in the movie. Snuggling with them as they read. Holding their hands in yours as they walk in the snow, chilled, but wishing they were playing with a loved one outside.

Let's help them see, and know, and feel,  beyond a doubt, that they are not alone, that they don't have to feel alone, that there is a connection and intimacy with you that gives warmth beyond that of cuddling, peace beyond holding hands in the snow, and joy beyond watching a romantic comedy with loved ones and laughing together.
Do they see Lord? Because you do see, and you are there.




So I'm back again, in more ways than one, seeing, feeling and knowing this: I am not alone.
I love You, and I'm so glad to be welcomed back. Now, let's do this, shall we?
Yv

Don't touch me!

I also happen to write poetry sometimes as an expression of my own challenges,when I learn something I want to share,for fun and very importantly when I feel led to share something that God's people need to hear.I wrote this really short piece a couple of days ago and in order to get the full picture,I want you to picture a scene with two young people,a man and a woman.One of them wants something from the other that the other feels is wrong because of God.Did you do that?Good.Now you're ready to read it!

Don’t touch me

I scream it at you

I beg it of you

I ask passionately for it

Don’t touch me

I’d rather not

Really don’t want to

I require it of you

Don’t touch me

Ignored

Thrown back in my face

Overruled

Don’t touch me

Would it be more powerful if I wept it?

Or if I were the child of the President

Would you stop if I said I was a daughter of the sea?

Don’t touch me

I am none of those

But I am the child of the King

Sacred,consecrated,set apart

Don’t touch me

I’d rather not

Really don’t want you to

My Father requires it of you too

So Please,Don’t TOUCH ME!

Does this sound like you?

Spontaneous worship.

My friend on Facebook shared this video and immediately I started listening to it,I knew I had found something I had been looking for.I listen to a lot of Bethel Church's music and I know how deep their worship albums are,but I had no idea that actual live worship at this church every Sunday(morning and night) was so amazing.I was supposed to be finishing a presentation and going to bed since it was late,but I had to stop and worship.I spent some beautiful time with my father before I went back to work.The way the worship leader leads with abandon and complete disregard for who is watching,only concerned with God and His love and pleasure,it was simply what we need to go into the presence of God.I'm praying that I can get to the point where I completely lose myself in God,so that everyone who sees me and who will be with me in worship will lose themselves too.And I am definitely praying to be able to visit this church if I ever visit California.

I knew what I was getting into

I heard this song for the first time today and had to share.Its a beautiful lovesong from God to those of us struggling with whatever issues we may be having.No matter how weak you feel or how much you feel you've disappointed Him,He's here to tell you...

Music for worship

I just wanted to share a quick song called Alabaster Box by Julie Meyer.This isn't the Alabaster Box by Cece Winans.I've been blessed by it and hope you are too.

br /> About Julie(from her website):
Julie Meyer is a longtime and beloved worship leader and songwriter at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. She is a prophetic singer who carries the glory and the presence of God as an abandoned worshipper. Her passion is His presence as she trumpets the message of the Bridegroom searching for His Bride!

In case you haven't come across the IHOP-KC website before,you should totally go check it out.They have 24/7 worship,prayer and the word...live!Yes..live!So you can join them at any point in the day for some time in His presence.I hope to meet with someone from here over there sometime!

Fellowship with one another and cleansing from sin

I have had I think the best weekend so far for me!It was just full of God's love and his grace and forgiveness.I finally know I'm back on the right way and I feel so humbled and amazed to just be feeling God again.And it happened because I was spending some time talking to someone and he was just so full of fire that I couldn't help but catch it.That brings me to the point of this post.
1 John 1:7 says that...
 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

I never really took note of the part of this verse that talks about fellowship with one another and thn purification from sin.This weekend I experienced that and today when I read it it made sense!I had been sharing fellowship with someone,and through that I came back to my place in Christ,resulting in purification.I know we probably already know that fellowship is important for us to keep our fires burning as iron sharpeneth iron,and a single firewood out of the communal fire soon dies.But I never even considered it this way.Fellowship is so important.If we try to walk a life of isolation in Christ,the walk becomes harder than it should be.I do not refer to just going to church and leaving,but to actually sharing fellowship where we talk about our issues,share our passions and strengths and also our weaknesses.This results in a special place in our walks with God that is hard to explain.If you find yourself isolated,I encourage you to find another bgrother or sister you can talk to and share fellowship with.Trust me,its going to revolutionize your walk!

Hot or cold?

I have been missing for quite a while and I have to apologise for that.However,I'm back!I just wanted to use this short post to share a little something about how I have been these past few months.I recently left my home for school and in doing so have found myself in a very small town with very few churches that I can attend.I have had to make a lot of adjustments to just keep my head above water spiritually,and I have to say I don't think I am very healthy spiritually right now.I am working on getting back to a better place in my walk with God and thankfully,praying on the phone with friends and a lighthouse church has been very helpful,as well as listening to messages online and lots of worship music.I hope to move from this point of not hot to really hot soon.I hope that you guys are doing well yourselves.If you are down,I encourage you to pick yourself up and come back to the father again because he loves you!
I want to end with sharing a few worship tracks with you.I hope to put an actual playlist on this blog that you can play whenever you want but till then,please just click on the youtube links for the songs and enjoy them.Till next time,God be with you and abide in love!
1.Your love Oh God-Danielle Munizzi
2.Your love Oh God-Danielle Munizzi(cover by someone else..I like this version a lot)
3.I am yours-Misty Edwards
4.I love you presence-Kim Walker cover by someone else

THINGS

             

Are you saved? Are you sure? Are you really sure? What is the evidence?

Are you saved because you said a prayer one time and asked Jesus into your heart? What happened after that?

Did your life change or you just went back to living the same way as before? What is the evidence of your salvation if you walk the same, talk the same and dress the same?

What is the mark that sets you apart as a child of God when you watch everything, listen to everything and say anything at anytime? How can you watch sin being paraded in front of you in the form of sitcoms and movies and series and games and laugh and enjoy it when your father hates sin?

Why are you so relaxed in that chair and in that bed and couch watching blood being shed in front of you and wickedness being perpetuated in the land? Why are you watching such stuff on your TV and computer and laughing and enjoying the sin and wickedness in the land instead of being broken and in tears that such things are happening?

So I ask again: Are you saved? What is the evidence when all your prayers are directed at removing those obstacles in the way of you getting what YOU want and what YOU desire? How can you say you are when since the day you were born again all you still desire from God is bread and butter and lentils and cucumbers and onions when HE is offering Himself in His fullness to you?

How can you tell me you had an encounter with God and yet your desires and your character remain the same? All you want is to fulfil your desires and all you want to hear from God is a watered down Gospel that says He will give you all you want and He will make your life comfortable and good and enjoyable. How is it possible that this is all you desire if you have truly encountered God? How can you struggle with the same sins over and over again since you became ‘born again’?

How can you keep being an infant, feeding on the milk of repentance everyday instead of growing in your knowledge of Him? How can you stay there when there is more, so much more waiting for you? How can your attention be so fixed on things that fade away when the author and finisher of our faith stands with His arms open wide calling you to come and seek Him and His kingdom first? Things that weigh you down distract you and so consume you that you forget that He is still there. Aren’t you tired?

Are you sure you have encountered God? Are you very sure? If a car were to run you over right this minute at full speed would you just get up and walk off without so much as a scratch or a bruise or pain to show for that experience? Wouldn’t there be a sign or a bruise or bandages for everyone to see and ask you what had happened to you?

Then how can you encounter the Living breathing, all powerful, all knowing creator and God of the universe, the one who holds the earth in His hands and can put all the waters of the sea into a teacup, and remain the same? How is it even possible?

So I ask again: Are you saved? I am not writing this to encourage you to continue in your ways. I came that you may know that the gate  is small and the way narrow that leads unto salvation and few find it. If you find yourself on the very broad road with everyone else ask yourself if you are truly in the right place. If not repent and seek the way, truth and life. He is the only one who can save you. Leave all these things and seek Him because he alone is worthy of all your attention. Stop focusing on these tiny inconsequential things and let them fade away as you fix your eyes on the only true God.

I pray that God Himself stirs your heart with a passion and brokenness so intense that you cannot help but to run back to Him. Pray also for me and for whoever shared this with you and for yourself as you share that after doing this we may not be found falling short of the standard that is Jesus Christ Himself.

The greatest of them all

Hiiiii! I hope you are all doing great!Its been quite a while.I have been working on so many projects that it has been tough to stay in touch, but I am back now(hopefully for good…lol).
Over the next few weeks I would like to share some information and inspiration with you in the form of real life stories about real people who have challenged me to become more than I was and I am now.These people may not seem too extraordinary to you who may know them, but they have helped form me with the help of God into the person I am now,and I believe you can also let their example challenge you to excellence.
I will mention the names of those who have given me permission to do so and will leave out personal details for those who would prefer to remain anonymous.Also keep in mind that some of this stuff will be just one time encounters or ongoing ones, but it is the effect they had on me that I am trying to capture on paper.
The first person is a man who has changed not just my life but countless others.He is a motivational speaker,a philanthropist,miracle worker,a change coach and refresher of life.I met him when I was very young and my life has not been the same since.He changed the way I thought, behaved and walked.
So many things about him challenge me,but the one thing that has totally revolutionized my life is his non selfish nature.He is such an epitome of love that he gave up all that was important to him in order to ensure that the dreams of others would become realities and their lives would be changed.I have decided to model my life after his because there is no better role model for me to follow.He is the person who challenged me to dedicate my life to helping others with my whole self.The One Cedi Foundation would not be in existence if not for this man.Everything I have done and am doing, I can say, was because he motivated me to dream of these things and to take action to see those dreams come to pass.
I used to dream only of making my family proud.That wasn’t bad in and of itself, but it was self centered.After meeting him I realized there was so much more I could do,so much that I had that could change the world, if I would only dream of making an impact, and he was right.I cannot imagine how mediocre my life would be if I hadn’t changed my dreams to those I have now.
I am grateful to him for so much and to day I would like to say thank you to him.This man is none other than Jesus Christ himself.With his life teachings,he transformed my mind.With his death and resurrection,he transformed my heart and my soul.I salute you,Lord!

A New Year.....But what is New?

Welcome to 2011, a new year with new challenges and experiences to enjoy. We begin every year in much the same way, with a lot of resolutions, hopes and dreams, some of which are fulfilled by the end of the year and most which never see the light of day. I know that a few of us are probably tired of the whole fuss that is made at the beginning of each new year especially since each year seems to just blur past in the same fashion of the previous year. I was one of those people until a few things changed my perspective.

First was a saying I discovered from Abraham Lincoln. He said that ‘The best thing about the future is that it only comes one day at a time’. Entering the New Year I begun to make some plans and set some goals, however I became a little discouraged along the way, especially considering the fact that few of the plans I had made for 2010 had actually come to pass. I thought that since most of these plans were not going to be realities it was no use making them. After coming across this saying I begun thinking and realised that the future was a day at a time so I needed to achieve my plans a day at a time. For me that meant I needed to set daily targets or goals which would help me to achieve the goals I had set for the whole year.

Secondly I realised that one thing that had resulted in most of my hopes not coming to pass was my inability to translate my thoughts into action. As Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah said ‘A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all’. So I made the decision to be a person of action this year.

After all is said and done, 2011 is only as new as you decide it should be. It can be a new year for you, resulting in great accomplishments of your hopes and dreams, or it can be just like last year, with very few of your dreams coming to pass. In other words, the date may have changed but if you are going to be doing the same things in the same way, you are going to achieve the same old results. If you really want this to be a new year, try becoming a new person.

I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year filled with great accomplishments and fulfilled dreams, but always remember that ‘Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy Him forever’. Catch you later!

Christmas already?!

Wow!I don't even know what to say.I mean it seems like only yesterday that I was making plans for 2010.Now 2010 is almost at an end.I have been trying to take stock of 2010,sort of a personal review mechanism and plan for 2011.What I realised was that God has been good to me this year and it has been a great year.This year I have learnt several invaluable lessons on life and I am really happy to have made it this far.
I have learnt,among other things,to bee patient and persevering but also to know when to let go.I have learnt to communicate more effectively this year and I have learnt the value of hard work.Above all else,I have learnt that God is faithful and HIS Grace will always be sufficient for me and for you as well.
As we spend Christmas and enter a new year,try and do a review of your year.Find out what you have learnt and where you have failed,but do not forget to count your blessings,for not everyone has got the opportunity that you have.Make use of every opportunity without wasting time because before you know it,the time for action will be past.
So what to say finally?Merry,Merry,Christmas and an Amazing new year!Don't forget to spread some cheer around this Christmas.Ciao!

The 21st Century Nazarite

THE NAZARITE LAW: ARE WE FOLLOWING IT IN THE HOLY SPITIT DISPENSATION? (15th Sep 2009)
Scripture References: Numbers 6:1-21, 1 Peter 2:9, Jn 4:23, 24, Rom 12:1
In the Old Testament days, people took vows to be completely set apart or dedicated to God. They were called Nazarites. There were laws for them to follow as long as they remained Nazarites. One could choose to be a Nazarites for a while or for a life time. The question then is, since Christ has come and the Holy Spirit is with us, do Nazarites still exist? The answer is YES!
The Bible says that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and a holy nation. That is all that is needed to be a Nazarite. We are all Nazarites and are to live accordingly. But are the Old Testament laws applicable to us? Are we supposed to wear funny clothes and leave our hair uncut as was required? How do the Old Testament laws apply to us, especially as ministers of the Gospel being conformed to the Image of Christ?
1. The Old Testament Nazarites were not to drink wine or alcohol. Wine is a symbol of joy (Ps. 104:15).In taking the vow to abstain from all wine and strong drink, they were essentially saying, “Lord, you are going to be our only source of joy. We are going to rejoice only in you! You are going to be our one joy!”In much the same way, all our joy is to proceed from God. We are to rejoice in God through the Holy Spirit.
2. They were not to cut their hair as a sign of separation from the world and consecration unto God. Everyone meeting them was supposed to know that they were special, set apart for God. In our time, there is supposed to be a defining sign on us to show that we are Christians. People meeting us, even random strangers, should be able to say,”Hey, there is something special about them!” Do people meet us and have that reaction? Do they just know that we belong to God? If not, Why?
3. The Nazarites had one more law that amazes me when I think about it. They were not to associate themselves with death or the dead, even if they were family. Even accidental contact was not tolerated. The cleansing procedure if this occurred was stringent, for lack of a better word. In these end times, death is every where around us in the form of sin. Christ said we are the light of the world. We are not to have even a little darkness in our light.
4. The Bible says that if we believe in Christ, out of us would flow streams of living water. No death or dead stuff should come from us. We should not be associated with the sin of this world, for we are in the world but not of the world. We should be the very essence of our society, just as salt adds taste to food. Everything coming from us should be alive, vivacious and joyful. This means that our work, marriage, academics, family, relationships etc. should be alive, excellent and beautiful, not mediocre, dead and dull. Are we living lives full of joy, life and excellence? Do people see us and want to be like us, or at the very least, give glory to God? Are we attractive to others because of our lives?

Just The beginning

For starters, I know quite a lot of you may be wondering what on earth a shofar is and why I chose to use it in a name for this blog. Well, let me try and explain this as well as I can.
The shofar is a trumpet. It is usually a ram’s horn. In the Old Testament (of the Holy Bible) Joshua, Gideon, and Joab, to name a few, used the shofar to lead the children of Israel. It was used to announce, to alert or warn of danger, to call to battle, or to call to action. It is still used in Judaism to call the people to accountability on the day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).We read in Zechariah 9:14 that the Lord Himself will blow the shofar to call His people. In the New Testament, we read that angels will use the trumpet to announce the warnings for the ‘end times’ and, ultimately, Christ’s return.
Today, the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, the Bible, call out to us in much the same way as the shofar: God’s voice warns us, alerts us to danger, calls us to action or to times of rest, and, most importantly, calls us to accountability. The shofar sounded to announce the coming of the Lord. When it sounded, the people were to assemble, confess, and repent. When it sounded, the people were to worship. The shofar announced the Day of Atonement and Jubilee. It sounded in the midst of battle.
I t was a call to gather God’s people, a call to repentance, a call to enter into battle. God’s voice came to the multitude through the prophets in the days of old, but now the Lord speaks to each believer through the Holy Spirit.
Well, much as I would love to say I wrote that, I didn’t. It came from one of my favorite novels, And the Shofar Blew by Francine Rivers. Powerful book, but that is not the subject of discussion.
Now the part of the whole shofar revelation that gets me is that God still speaks. If He still speaks, what is He saying now? If the Shofar were to sound in the ear of your heart right now, what would it sound about? And since it is sounding in your heart right now, what action are you taking in response? Remember, it is a call to action, so don’t hear it and sit on it.
Well, a while ago the shofar sounded really hard to me and on the pages of this blog I hope to share some of that with you. If you hear the shofar now, don’t hesitate to share the message with the rest of us. For now, I would just like to say that in all your ways, Love…..