Get MAD!!!!

It is difficult for me to put into words what it is that the Lord is stirring in me these days.... Last night God revealed a little bit more to me...

Darlene Zschech, a worship leader from Hillsong Church in Australia, is in town for a concert this coming Tuesday, March 8th. She is leading worship for our church tonight in our Wednesday service, but last night leaders within the church were allowed to attend a smaller worship service with a Q&A afterward. During the question and answer portion, Darlene was asked how she goes on stage to lead worship when she is in the midst of a trying time in life. Her response was powerful.... Some years ago, she and her husband had been blessed with a pregnancy after many years of prayer. When making plans for a concert tour, she visited her doctor to make sure everything was alright with the pregnancy for her to travel. At that visit, they got the horrible news that their baby had died. She had to go through the ensuing process with the baby and go on tour 48 hours later.... Allow me to interject a personal comment here. When Carrie and I were fearful that we were losing our baby, I distinctly remember being upset with God that He had not healed this issue or that He had allowed it to happen. I've been told before "It's ok to be mad at God. He can handle it.".... Darlene's response was different. She said "I was mad at the devil!" and as a result "We had some pretty intense worship times."

I think this is powerful. Her response shows faith. She knows in the depths of herself that God is good and that he only means good for his children. This stirred in me a desire to see Christians, and especially men, get mad at the devil. The Bible does not condemn anger as sin. It does caution that "in your anger do not sin." This tells me that we need to be aware that anger, or intense passion, is powerful. But we do not need to run from it. I know that I've been trained growing up to not get mad. Turn the other cheek, right? Yes, if it is your brother who does you wrong, but what if the devil does? Get MAD!, take a stand, and when all else is done... STAND.

Purpose

Some of my favorite movies all have one characteristic in common. Somehow the good guy (or bad guy) has the foresight to out plan his opponent. Like in Ocean's Thirteen, they are getting double-crossed but in the end you find out that they have double-crossed the double-crosser from the beginning. It's difficult to put this idea into words but watch the movie and you'll get the idea.... Anyhow, this characteristic is one of my favorite about God right now, His omniscience. (He knows all)

My church does a 21 day fast at the start of every year as a dedication of the first of the year to the Lord. When the fast was over this year, I decided to keep fasting as a regular practice in my life. So at the end of January, I looked on the calendar to pick out a day in February to fast. I was going to choose the day of our doctor visit for the baby (a Monday) or one day the weekend prior, to be praying for a good report (which we got by the way), but didn't. I was praying during the time that I was looking at the calendar and chose February 16th, a Wednesday. I'd like to say it was clear to me that God wanted me to choose that day, but it was not. I just kinda chose it randomly. So this past Wednesday rolls around and I really didn't have specific reasons for fasting. But here is what happened and how I was blown away by God's omniscience.

The evening prior, I had a conversation with the pastor I am interning under. A week ago he had asked me a "Challenging Question" about what I wanted to do with ministry. What burdened my heart? After much prayer and thought, I had arrived at an answer. I want to serve men. I want to see men live life fulfilling the roles which God intended for them. For them to find their purpose in life and for them to be the leaders they were created to be... So after our discussion, he recommended I contact those at church involved with men's ministry (obvious suggestion, right? but I honestly hadn't thought of it.... this displays a truth: sometimes we don't see the most obvious courses of action right in front of us and this is why we need relationships!!, but that is for another blog posting). On Wednesday, I shared my calling with the second in command at the Dream Center. Through that conversation and his encouragement, God began to open my eyes to possibilities and to give me ideas for moving forward with a men's program at the Dream Center. Later that night at the Wednesday night service, I ran into the pastor over small groups at our church. We chatted a bit and I let him know about what I felt was my purpose. He also excitedly encouraged me to get in touch with the man over the men's ministry at the church. Ha!

So in a 24 hour period, I went from not being sure of what my purpose or calling was to having opportunity laid out before me on TWO fronts to make it a reality much sooner rather than later. I'm excited to get a men's small group started up at the Dream Center in the next couple weeks. I've already got a few guys in mind that I would like to have be a part of the foundation for this ministry. The idea is simple.... change the men in the community and you change the community as a whole. And I'm also excited about getting involved with the men's ministry at the church.

God knew what February 16, 2011 had in store for me. I'm so thankful that I went through with my fast and dedicated that day to the Lord in that special way. Man oh man did he honor my small sacrifice!!

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord...." Jeremiah 29.11

My Valentine

Chris and I had a pretty low key Valentine's Day on Monday. As mentioned in the previous blog, we went home to Louisiana this weekend and then had small group on Monday night so we're actually waiting to have Valentine's Date Night this Friday. However, we did decide to exchange cards Monday night. While reading our cards, we quickly discovered we had written almost the exact same thing to each other. (warning: mushy alert) The first similarlity was "that we were perfect for each other" and the second was "I can't wait to see what awesome plans God has in store for our family". As many years as I prayed for a husband, God in is awesome power far exceeded my expectations in blessing me with Chris. As 2011 unfolds, Chris will embark upon a new ministry position and we will welcome Baby Wolfe. We have so much to praise the Lord for and wait in eager expectation for His plans to made perfect in us.

ps. I had to post a picture of my Vday flowers. Lavendar roses w/ daisies!! So beautiful and a little hint of purple for his LSU bride;)

"... Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn you and continued my faithfulness to you." Jeremiah 31:3

60th Wedding Anniversary

This past weekend, Chris and I made a quick trip to Louisiana to visit our family. Our spring is so busy, it was the last opportunity we had on our calendar to travel down there before Baby Wolfe arrives. While there we had the privilege of celebrating the 60th Wedding Anniversary of my grandparents, Godfrey and RoseLee Waguespack. While Chris and I were on our way to the restaurant to celebrate with my family, we started talking about what 60 years of marriage truly represents and what a treasure it is in this day and age. Two things came to mind in thinking about my grandparents and their marriage.

The first is COVENANT. Paw-Paw Godfrey and Maw-Maw Rose have a marriage that represents God's covenant to his children and the covenant between a husband and wife. God never intended a covenant to exist without Him in the center and 60 years ago when they committed their lives to each other, they also committed their marriage to the Lord and vowed to keep Him as the head. What an example they are to all of us today. Without a doubt, there have been many hard times as well as many joyous ones, but through thick and thin they have never waivered from the covenant they may to God and each other.

The second is GENEROSITY. I don't really think I have ever met two people who know the definition of selfless generosity more than my grandparents. They have both worked very hard throughout their lives and were able to provide for their family, but would never have been categorized as "wealthy" by the world's standards. God does, however, bless each one of us with time, talents and treasures and instructs us to give of those gifts to others. Paw-Paw and Maw-Maw have lived every day giving of themselves to others be it family, friends, neighbors or strangers. They have been to countless doctor's appointments, ball games, recitals, and more. They've always made time for you to listen and give advice or just provide a warm meal. They've assisted in moving you from here to there and helped you build all kind of things, but most importantly they've prayed countless prayers for each member of our family every single day. I don't know of anything that represents a generous heart more than that.

Thank you, Paw-Paw Godfrey and Maw-Maw Rose for being a shining light of a Godly marriage to our family and to our world. You've given us a lasting legacy that we will forever cherish. I love you so much!

"They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." -Isaiah 61:3

Challenging Thought #1

I've been asked to come up with the answer to a tough question. What would I do if I could do anything? Seemingly this is an easy question. It shouldn't be so hard to state what it is that I want to do with my life. It's the old, "If I had a million dollars..." statement. But I run into barriers. Perhaps you, the readers of this blog, can relate. I easily imagine that money is not the issue, that God will provide a way if that is what He is calling me to do. But otherwise, I find myself acting like Moses when called by God to go before Pharaoh. For those not familiar, Moses kept making excuses for himself as to why he could not do this task, why he could not confront the leader of Egypt.  His primary excuse was that he was not good enough. He didn't feel like he had the ability needed. He called himself "slow of speech." And this is the same barrier, or excuse, that keeps coming up in my mind... I don't feel like I have the necessary ability for the dreams I am coming up with. I think it is helpful to keep God's response to Moses in mind when dreaming of the future.

"The Lord said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'" -Exodus 4.11-12

I've thought that I would like to minister to men. But when I think about that, I think that I do not have enough to offer. My knowledge is raw, my speaking ability is poor, my sphere of influence is small,  etc.... But God would say to me, "Who gives the ability to minister to men? Who gives you knowledge, speaking ability, boldness, and influence? Is it not I, the Lord?"  Amen!

Challenging thought #1: If you could do anything at all with your life, what would it be? Don't allow barriers to creep into your thoughts. Make the assumption that Almighty God would work it out.

Healthy Baby

Carrie and I had a check-up yesterday morning. We were 23 weeks and 1 day along at the time and the baby was measuring exactly 24 weeks. So our little one might come a little before June 12th (due date). Everything looked great. While doing the sonogram we actually saw the baby yawn. :)

We are continually grateful to the Lord for healing the tear that could have caused us to lose the baby. The remaining spot is a fraction of the size it was to begin with and we are believing that it will be completely gone by our next visit in 5 weeks.

"You are my servant. I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." -Isaiah 41.9-10

Opportunity

Have you ever prayed for God to give you an opportunity during the day? Perhaps an opportunity to be kind to a stranger, or an opportunity to pray with someone in need, or an opportunity to share Christ with someone. I pray this from time to time but it has not been until recently that I've actually been able to recognize the opportunity as it happens and act upon it. You see, I often recall on my drive home or as I lay in bed at night that I missed the opportunity. In fact, I didn't even see it. God was faithful in providing the chance but I was not sensitive to His guidance to realize what was going on.

I prayed that prayer yesterday morning and today Reginald (see "Whispers" post) stopped by the office again. We talked for a while and I really feel like he is starting to open up to me a little more. He talked to me for the first time today about getting off the streets. It was a small acknowledgment but it was something... There were two other guys with him today, John and Red. I asked Red why they called him that (his hair is red) and he told me that if I made him mad he turns red. :) Actually though, I didn't meet these guys until I told Reginald that I wouldn't give him any money unless he let me pray with him. His face lit up and he said I could. Then he yelled at the other guys standing by the street "Hey guys! Come here! Chris is going to pray for us!" So the four of us stood in the parking lot and held hands while I prayed for them... Please pray for Reginald, John, and Red. They are dirty, scruffy, and smelly now but that does not define them. God can free them from the bondage to alcohol and drugs that keeps them on the streets. He can get them back on the right path. And I'm believing that He will do it!

These are Jesus' words.... One day, while in a synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth, he read from the scroll of Isaiah..."The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4.18-19