It's that time of year where many people begin spring cleaning, organizing their closets, throwing out things they don't use, etc. I am one of those people. I love to organize, I love a good system. However, I don't just wait once a year to "spring clean" my house. I do it year round. Some call me crazy, but I have found it to be a outward expression of what I am doing inside.
First off, let me paint a picture for you. Growing up, I was not always the tidiest kid, but I was the most organized. When my mom used to tell me "Go clean your room"; I tried really hard to do what she said. So, when I began to pick up toys, books, clothes, etc to put them away...I couldn't. I couldn't just surface clean...I could not just put my toys on shelf that was not organized, I could not just hang my clothes on a the rack without an organization system, I could not even hang my clothes on just any hanger...it had to be a certain color.
Why you ask? Well, you see, when I opened the drawer...it was unorganized and messy, just like my floor. By putting my clothes or toys or whatever in that drawer was only moving the mess somewhere else. Now, many people would never see that mess because it was hidden, but I always knew it was there. I began to get very frustrated and overwhelmed.
My solution... Well, I began to dump everything out of my dresser drawers and began to organize the contents...you can only imagine how my mother reacted when she walked in to check on me and my room was more of mess than before I started. But, after it was all organized dresser drawers and floor, the burden was lifted...I could relax again...I could enjoy my room.
You may be asking yourself, why am I telling you all of this...to prove I am crazy...to prove I need professional help...to share my quirks.... I am sharing this story because it is tells a lot about how we should live our lives as Christians
Many Christians, surface clean their lives. What do I mean by that? They put on show...they make Christianity a religion rather than a relationship with their Creator and with their Savior. They go to church on Sunday, they may read their bible, say prayer each day, go to Christian events, fellowship with other Christians, but behind closed doors...they don't really have a relationship with their Savior.
To be true followers of Christ, true disciples we cannot just surface clean our lives...we have to get down and dirt and clean the inside of our lives first...the part that no one sees except you and God. Just as I have to organize my dresser drawers before I can pick up my clothes off the floor we need to organize our heart, thoughts, our body, etc before we do anything else. We need the clean up the baggage that we carry inside of us before we can move forward.
Why you ask... When our hearts our focused on God, when our thoughts are organized and focused on the plan God has for us...it make life much more peaceful and joyful. Now, let me just say this. Living for Christ, being a disciple for Christ does not guarantee a perfect life with no pain, trials, or heartache...if anything it will guarantee a life filled with trials, storms, giants, and heartache.
All my life, I have had to deal with change, battle giants, survive treacherous storms, and overwhelming thoughts of temptation, just like many of you. But, there has always be one thing that has never changed...the love and faithfulness of my Jesus. And, the stronger my relationship (having all my dresser drawers in my heart organized) with Him during those times the easier it was to getting through those tough times and more joy it produced.
Being a Christian is more than just a religion...it's a relationship with your Savior. And, with every good relationship takes work. So, have you cleaned out your dresser drawers in your heart lately. I promise it will help get through that tough time or if you are currently on a mountain top it will help you stay there and even prepare you for the valley ahead. Lastly, it will create a joy in your heart that you have never felt before and make your love relationship with your Savior so much sweeter.
Tips on 'Spring Cleaning' Your Spirit
Ask for Help - Cleanse Your Heart
Psalm 51:10
Hebrews 10:22
Deep Clean from the Inside and Out
Luke 6:45
Philippians 2:14
Take Out the Garbage - Renew Your Mind
Romans 12:2 -
2 Corinthians 10:5 -
Clean Out Your Spiritual Closets - Repent from Hidden Sin
Psalm 32: 3-5
Get Rid of Old Baggage - Release Any Bitterness and Forgive
Hebrews 12:1
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let Jesus Be a Part of Your Daily Life
1 Corinthians 1:9
Psalm 56:13
Don't Take Life or Yourself Too Seriously - Learn to Laugh
The lyrics of this song truly wrap up who I have become and who I strive to be each and every day. I hope you enjoy. Keep the Faith.
Infiltrate, By: Worth Dying For
I'm a part of the Fellowship of the Unashamed.
I have Holy Spirit power.
I've stepped over the line.
The decision has been made.
I'm a disciple of His.
I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low
living, sidewalking, small-planning, smooth-knees, colorless dreams,
tame visions, worldly-talking, cheap-giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, position, promotion, applause or popularity.
I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience.
I'm uplifted by prayer, and labour by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my God reliable.
My mission is clear. I cannot be bumped, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed.
I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of
my adversaries, negotiate at the table of my enemy or ponder at the
pool of popularity. I won't give up, shut up, let up until I've stayed up, stored up, prayed up, preached up for the cause of Christ.
I am a DISCIPLE OF JESUS.
We will fight for You
We will die for You
We will go
For You
Do you have questions
about the WR??? We have answers. Please
feel free to comment if you have any more questions.
Q: How much does it cost to participate in The World Race?
A: The World Racers, on average, will raise $14,300 through the process of
support raising.
Q: What does the cost cover?
A: The funds that you raise cover all team costs once the trip
begins.
This includes:
Food, lodging, and air, land & sea travel. It also covers administrative
costs, setup costs, coaching costs, debrief costs, and training prior to and at
the start of the Race.
It does not include:
Personal spending money, travel to the training, travel to the start point,
return travel home from a major U.S. city at the conclusion of the Race,
medical insurance [required], and vaccinations
With the exception of personal spending money, you are permitted to raise
additional funds to cover these costs and be reimbursed.
Q: What qualities are you looking for in World Race participants?
A: We are looking for Racers with good attitudes, limited emotional baggage,
and a willingness to change. We are looking for people who are passionate
about seeing God's kingdom manifest itself in the world. While ministry
and travel experience are helpful, lack thereof will not exclude you from
possibly participating in the World Race.
Q: What is the application process for the World Race?
A: You start right here [link to application] by filling out a short form
about yourself. After that, you fill out a complete application online
(with application fee). We prayerfully review all applications, and if
you meet the above criteria, we will call you for a telephone interview.
The entire process could take less than a week if you choose to move quickly!
Q: Do you accept married couples?
A: Yes. Each person must fill out a separate application.
Q: Does the "race" element get in the way of the ministry?
A: No. The race only happens 3-4 times throughout the 11 months or each time
participants land on a new continent. Its purpose is to introduce Racers
to culture, transportation, food, and the heart of the new society that they
find themselves in, all in the spirit of friendly competition.
Q: How are teams chosen?
A: At training camp, World Race staff will assign participants to teams.
Q: How can I find out more about the World Race?
A: All information about the program is on the website. If you have specific
questions, you may send an e-mail to info@theworldrace.org.
Q: Should I purchase international health insurance to go on this
trip?
A: All participants are required to have health insurance coverage for all
international trips. It is important to know that most regular health insurance
plans do not cover you overseas.
Q: Can people visit participants on the field?
A: While the love, encouragement, and support from friends and family is
greatly encouraged, our experience has shown that it is actually detrimental to
a World Race experience to have visitors on the field. We encourage
Racers to maintain a connection back home, but often the homesickness that
accompanies the end of a visit becomes a large problem not only for the person
who received a visitor, but for the rest of the team as well. All
visitors must be approved by World Race Staff.
I
wanted to share with you an awesome blog that a former racer wrote, if you have any questions or interested in the Race...shoot me email and we can talk!!!
Maybe you're sitting behind the
computer screen contemplating reasons why you should go on the World Race. Here
are 10 reasons for you:
1.You learn who you are. Going on the World Race
introduces you to the person that God wants you to be. You won't necessarily
be the Jack Bauer or Indiana Jones of missionaries, but you'll definitely learn
what the heart of God is and how He wants to use that to show you who you need
to be in the Kingdom. And let's face it - you're more than just another
employee slaving away in a cubicle, or a student going blindly into the 'real
world' after college.
2.You get to see the world. Surely somewhere within you there's a desire to see
the world. Most people think it's only a fantasy or a fairytale, but
let's be honest, with God anything is possible. The World Race takes you to over ten
different countries across four different continents... and God pays the bill,
not you. Plus you can tell everyone you've been to Africa.
3.You can't be labeled a boring
Christian. Most people think that
Christianity is kind of a drudge and there's propaganda everywhere claiming
that. Well, thankfully, you don't have to be a boring Christian.
Twenty-four hour bus rides through the African bush is anything but boring, and
feeding orphans and widows is a lot more adventurous than people give it credit
for. But there's only one way to find
out.
4.You will change the world.
This isn't meant as a joke - you
really will change the world. For each life you touch and empower with
the love of God, they in turn will touch a life. It's just like the
pay-it-forward principle, only with Jesus and love. It's pretty cool.
This gets engrained into your everyday life when you go on the World Race. Maybe along the
way you'll change the life that's going to find the cure for AIDS.
5.You learn to hear God's voice.
Seriously, God still talks.
There are a lot of rumors going on out there that He has a British accent and
that He even talks in Spanish. Moses and Jesus weren't the only ones who
had an 'in' with God; you do too. Going on the World Race perfects your ear for
His voice.
6.You get to learn the things you
didn't learn in Sunday school.
What if, hypothetically speaking, they didn't teach you something in
Sunday school? Would you know what is? Because on the World Race, they know what you
didn't learn... and they're willing to teach it to you.
7.You'll raise the dead. You really will raise the dead... literally and
figuratively. There haven't been any reported cases of World Racers
raising the literally dead yet, but maybe you will be our first. It's
been prophesied... are you it?
8.Learn about the Matrix. Maybe the Wachowski brothers were onto something when
they created that infamous movie back in the late 90's. What if you
really are living in a reality that isn't really reality? If you've ever
wondered if there's something behind everything you see, you should check out
the World Race - swallow the red pill
and see how far the rabbit hole goes.
9.You learn what community really
is. Relationships can only go so
far with people when you're sharing just a dorm room for nine months.
Community runs a lot deeper than a dorm room. Living life with a group of
people united in purpose and Truth changes things - like the world.
Explore the heart of Acts community and see it come to life through
relationships that you'll maintain even after the World Race.
10.Pursue the dream God's planted in
you. Sometimes there are dreams we
have in life that get crushed by your typical 9-5 obligations. The World Race helps awaken your
wildest dreams and plants a picture in how they can fit into the Kingdom.
Do what you love doing while seeing God's Kingdom come to life through your
life.
So what's it going to be?
You're sitting on the edge of something great and it's as easy as applying.
This is more than a mission trip. Go on the World Race and change your life
and others'. There's something more out there... are you willing to look
for it?
Merriam
Webster defines "radical" as: "of or relating to the origin: fundamental" and
"forming a basis or foundation." The foundation of Christianity is Jesus Christ
and His command to "love one another as I have loved you." In the Gospel
of Matthew, a Pharisee tests Jesus with a question: "Master, which is the great
commandment in the law?" Jesus replied, "...Love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself. On these
two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Love is the
foundational virtue in Christians' relationships with God and with other
Christians and non-Christians alike.
But "radical" can also mean "extreme," and Christians are explicitly called to
an extreme, or radical, love, which, following the example of Jesus on the
Cross, has at its core an authentic forgiveness that is to be extended towards
EVERYONE. It extends to those that are
socially unaccepted in our societies and even our enemies. Understanding
that love and forgiveness lie at the heart of Christian faith helps illuminate
why Christians respond by "turning the other cheek" rather than violence and judgment.
Consider this past case. When a New Jersey high school held a mock
hostage emergency drill for their students, it chose to portray the terrorists
as a group of fundamentalist Christians seeking justice after the daughter of
one of its members had been expelled for praying before class. Students
were further told that the terrorist group, called the New Crusaders, had
already gunned down several students and had taken hostages in a classroom.
While the incident provoked the anger of many Christians, no violent protests
were held and no death threats were issued. Instead, Christians wrote
letters to the editors of their local newspapers and parents voiced their opinions
by writing to the school's principal and the city's mayor.
Perhaps the best recent example of "radical Christian behavior" was on display
in the wake of the Amish school massacre last fall, when mentally disturbed
milk truck driver Charles Roberts stormed the West Nickel Mines Amish School in
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and tied up and shot 10 girls before killing himself.
What the nation saw in the outcome of this unfathomable rampage was a Christ-like
love and forgiveness. While undoubtedly overwhelmed with feelings of
anger and sorrow, the entire Amish community immediately forgave Roberts for
his crimes. How did they do it? As one Amish leader explained, "We
forgive because God has forgiven us. God extends his forgiveness to us in
Christ, then, we must receive it. Once we do, we must share it with
others."
For Christians, forgiving one's enemies is not to agree with what they do, or
to be deluded into thinking they are nice people when they are not. It
means hating the sin but loving the sinner. Anyone would hate what
Roberts did. His actions were evil, and love does not diminish our hatred
of those acts. In fact, Christians are called to hate the sin specifically
because we should love the person. And our hate for the sin will deepen
when we realize what it has done to a person whom God loves and values beyond
our comprehension.
After
the school shootings, many seemed surprised that the family and friends of the
victims were able to forgive someone who had committed such appalling acts of
violence. Some even suggested that it was wrong for them to show so such
forgiveness. But the community's response was the essence of Christian
living.
The same applies to loving the socially
unaccepted. What are your thoughts...what
do you do...how do you speak of those who are homeless, infected with AIDS, poor,
prostitutes, homosexuals, outcasts, foreigners,
mentally, physically, and/or emotionally handicapped. Scripture tells us, "Pure religion and
undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows
in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells us, "If
you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you
will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When
God commands us to "love one another as I have loved you," He means exactly
that. Is it radical? Yes. Is it a threat to America...the World?
Hardly. However, Adventures in Mission's World Race is trying to change that. These rare breed of individuals are going out
to all nations spreading the Gospel and pouring their Christ-like love to
ANYONE and EVERYONE.
On the World Race, you are given a unique
opportunity to see, hear, live, and change lives. Through this race, I hope to become an
activist for those who have been forgotten and unloved by society. I encourage you to ask God, how YOU should
respond.
