funny - Acquire the Fire - Let Your Voice Be Heard

From: Heatheroo
Description:

Isn't it funny how Christians beg God to break them, beat them down, crush them and humiliate them? I went to a small group a couple of weeks ago and we were talking about prayer. One of the guys there mentioned this and I thought, "Oh yeah, that is kinda wierd." I didn't think much of it, because I understand the logic behind the request. Christians want their own will and their own flesh to be broken so that God can live in and through them. But, the thing is, God doesn't want a broken and bleeding body. He doesn't want children to who flinch when he speaks because they are waiting for the blow from his hand.

I was praying the other night and I ran out of words. It was odd- I think I ended up praying in the spirit, but I wasn't speaking in tongues (which is normally what happens). I had the coolest feeling... Anyway, I started asking- "What do I need to pray about? How do I need to pray?" I've felt God withdraw His presence from me. He is now like a soft, invisible wall that I can lean against, but I can't see it or anything. I want Him to be like a blanket, surrounding me completely. A picture of a really pretty rose bush popped into my head. I began to think how a rose bush is carefully tended to grow and bloom to it's fullest potential. It is fed on a regular basis and watered daily. It enjoys the sunshine and has to endure wind and rain. When it starts to get wild or grows in a way that the gardener doesn't like, it gets pruned. Bees come and pollenate the plant, and then you get beautiful, sweet-smelling flowers.

I felt that I needed to ask God to tend to me like a gardener would a rose bush. God doesn't want to crush me, he wants to prune me and let me grow. He wants to feed and water me when I need it, and let me soak up his Son. He has to let me endure hardships to strengthen my roots and help me to grow better. He wants to love me and nurture me, not beat me down and dominate me. All this time I have been asking his to force me into obedience so that I could do his will better. Now... Now I think God would rather grow me so that I can do His will.

Another way I could put it is with horses. Today, most riders want a horse as a partner, not a robot. Today good trainers slowly teach the horse everything it needs to know in such a way that the horse has little to no stress in the breaking process. The result is a horse who is willing to do what it is asked because (a) it knows what it needs to do and (b) it trusts the trainer. However, all of that time and patience and energy can come crashing down if the rider is what's called heavy handed. If the rider is always jerking on the horse and kicking it's sides and slapping it with a crop, the horse will start to tune the rider out and will no longer have any desire to do what it's asked. A good rider will whisper as quietly as possible before resorting to the shouting methods of kicking, jerking, and slapping.

So, why would God treat us like a robot? If even flawed and sinful human beings know what it takes to foster and nurture a caring, loving relationship with people and animals, would not God do even better? How many of us would love someone who was always yelling and screaming at us to 'do this' or 'do that'?? I sure as heck wouldn't! In fact, I would probably at some point turn around and smack that person so hard their would fly around backwards!! (Ok, so not literally... Focus people!! lol) We love God so much because he loves us so much more than we can fathom.

Yes, part of love is discipline. I'm not afraid to correct a horse- even going so far as to have it's nose on my knee and making it go in circles as fast as it can. Yes, I have used a crop, not that I like to. Yes, I've used spurs too. God will as well, when need be. But God will always, ALWAYS give us more than just one chance to get things right before he begins to think about correcting us. And he only corrects us as far as we need correcting. If a simple look will do the trick, he'll glance our way, and on from there. But for the most part, all God really wants to do is water us, give us the food we need, let us soak up his Son, and prune us on occasion to bring out the absolute best and most beautiful in us.

I think it's time for us to stop asking to be beaten into a heaving, bloody, bruised and degraded piece of met and start asking God to water our roots so that we can grow in His soil and do his bidding with a willing and happy heart. God won't ask a rose to produce a daisy, and he won't ask you to do anything that is not within your power and ability to do. Trust God, because he is worthy and deserving of our trust.
Blog post
1 year ago
Views: 336

funny colors

From: chiklover17
Description:
1 year ago
Views: 397

ATF: Why should you go?

From: momonikey
Description:

Hey,

If you are wondering why you should go to Acquire the Fire then read this!!!! First of all go to AcquiretheFire.com and click the read more button to see what it says!! its funny i know. Anyway i went to Atf last year around this time and it was....... WOW there is no word to describe this feeling. My life changed a lot i noticed that i was not the same!!!(in a good way though) If you are ready for.....lets see ummmm THE BEST CONCERT IN THE WORLD THEN GO!!! This concert is the best one that i have ever been to!!! Now if you going like i am in a a couple days then you should be SUPER excited.... I know i am!!! My Friends say i am getting annoying thats all i talk about!! My friends from church though they are with me!! thats all they can talk about too!! Last year got me soooo excited for this year!! No matter how old you are you should go you will have a blast!!! just dont forget these things!!! 1.Go 2. Dont forget your bible 3.be ready for everything in store 4.your love for god!!!! remember this and you will be fine and have a blast!!

So tttyl
Blog post
1 year ago
Views: 279
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Jaybird970

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Since: 1 year ago

josiegurl

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Goodification Man

From: imsteelman
Description:
Just some videos that me and my youth group have made. The music video will be updated with video from ATF
1 year ago
Views: 351

imsteelman

Views: 239
Since: 1 year ago

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