Rallying for Jesus Christ

I, by nature, am not a political person. I guess I just have been disillusioned by the corruption and the negativity that I have not taken time to fully explore the process. Plus, I really get sick and tired of debate; it annoys me. However, I am finding that I cannot live with ignorance anymore because the ones that I have been called to minister to are being attacked on the political front. I am angry.

On Tuesday I took the opportunity to march on the Topeka Capitol in support of education. For those of you who are not aware, Kansas schools are in the most bleak financial picture. As a result many of us across the state of Kansas traveled to Topeka to let our voices be heard. Among the loud chants were, "SOS! Save Our Schools!" and "We want what's right not what's left!" It was a mixture of folks from the very old to the very young. Males and females. Teachers and parents. Conservatives and Liberals. Colby residents to Kansas City residents (Farthest west and Farthest east Kansas folk). Chipolte and non Chipolte eaters.

However, within all the diversity there was one unified thought and that was protecting our children; the ones who do not have a voice or a vote. At the rally there were immediate connections with other picketeers because we all knew why we were there. It wasn't to push our own agenda, it wasn't to stand in line and get a service, it wasn't even to protect our own ego....we were there to give of ourselves...to let the powerful stakeholders know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will be held accountable for their decisions that they make. Teachers by nature are not an aggresssive group of people, but when our little ones are hurt by greed we stand together with one loud voice.

I was surprised by this incredible unity that for me was more felt than heard. You could sense the vibe, the togetherness, the utopian feeling of all being one. Then I started thinking about John 17:20-23 "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who wll believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one. I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them eve as you have loved me."

When I think about that scripture, I sense the "oneness", the loyalty, the focus that pervades that word. There is mystery in this scripture. If any of you have any thoughts about this I'd love to hear your comments.

I also remember the other "marches" in scripture..one being the ark of the Lord as King David was leading the "parade". He danced before the Lord and for many of them in that parade there was a oneness, a focus, and a mindset that was deliberately put on God. I remember the Psalm "parade" that Jesus attended with people cheering and chanting. Ironically many of them were then calling for his crucification a short time later.

Sometimes I wonder if intercessory prayer is like "marching for a cause" in which we bear, prophesy, pray, intercede for those who are powerless, directionless, or without God. I think I need to pray over this some more..maybe I'll write more on this later.

Toodles,
Renee

My very first posting!!!

Hello Fellow Musers!

I'm not sure that muser is a word, but since I'm not being graded for this I am taking creative liberty.

I'm excited about sharing my thoughts, hopes, and challenges. My desire is to open conversation with other people about life.....the good, the bad, the pretty, the ugly.

So who am I? I am this very flawed human who loves Jesus Christ. My passion is to have an authentic life that is centered in Jesus (love). My passion is to have a personal relationship with Jesus that goes beyond the veil. My passion is to be honest and transparent with people, to risk being hurt in order to grow and mature. I also want to love in a selfless way, a love which is not consumed with me, but a love that chooses to lay down my ego at the door of relationships. I say want to because I am no where near that goal yet, but I can attest that I am a work in progress (thank goodness for Grace). I also love Chipotles. hee hee. (Hey, those of you that know me...know that last sentence was a no brainer, I HAD to put that in!!!!)

I attended a great worship service today. I heard from God today in a dramatic way. Our presider shut off the lights and it was completely dark in our sanctuary (there are no windows in there). She lit one candle and it was amazing how that one candle illuminated the room. I was able to see the flame clearly because it was so dark. Then she turned on the light and although the flame was still there, it didn't stand out to me because there was other light present-light coming from lightbulbs. That light was not "authentic" or "real" but man made . I felt there was a parallel between that experience and what we are seeing in the culture right now. As people we are being bombarded by fake light, the kind of light which seeks to distract us from intimate relationship with God. Our culture focuses on the right look, the right technology, TV, body image, celebrities, doom and gloom news, the right job, the right kind of reputation, and dare I say it? Even church.

When we immerse ourselves in this type of light, it can be difficult to see the real thing...oh you know God is there, but it's hard to see Him or to focus when we are distracted by other things. So my question that I'm posting to the cosmic void is this: What types of "light" interfere with your relationship with God?

The best thing is that even though we mess up a lot...I can testify that He is constantly seeking us all the time. That's why we have Jesus Christ. I have more to share on this experience, but that will posting #2. Love you all.

Renee
Jeremiah 33:3