Discipleship

“Go into all the nations and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Are we inviting people into a lifelong journey of following Christ or offering them a ticket into eternity? The decisions made by adults, young children or young adults to say a prayer of penance often leaves them with the impression that there is nothing more to being a Christian. In this, we have failed to communicate the message of grace and hope that Jesus brought. It’s not that we simply need to explain better what people are committing to, we need to do a better job of making disciples instead of converts.
Take Jesus’ example: He came alongside twelve men for three years, using every part of life to impart on them the way they are called to live. He taught through his life, the community around them and the environments they were in whether city or rural. Jesus called people to “follow Him” literally, where He went as well as how he lived. Today, our call as disciples is much the same: to walk as Jesus did, teaching those around us through our life and situation how to be followers of Jesus.
There’s nothing wrong with encouraging a commitment, but that commitment is a springboard into a life of following Christ; it’s not the final moment. Unfortunately our society, in pushing for decisions, has encouraged neglect of a new believer once they have made a decision and leaves a hungry child starving for the pure milk of the Word. As believers, we have been commissioned to “disciple” those we are doing life with. We ought never to assume that our job is over because they have made a commitment through prayer. That person is an infant of faith. What would happen to a newborn child if they were left to fend for themselves immediately after entering this world? What were the purposes of Paul’s letters if not to disciple the churches of Galatia, Ephesus, Corinth and so on? He did not simply leave them with the message of hope, he discipled them. True, you may not have opportunity to disciple all whom you are privileged to introduce to Christ, but in sharing the gospel, communicate that this decision is one to follow Christ for the rest of their life; introduce them to a “full life” in Christ, one that comes through being discipled and grown in one’s faith. Do not leave them to starve for faith and hope. Upon introducing someone to faith, give him or her the tools to continue in their faith and become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Freedom

Freedom that comes from a life with Christ exalts the God who gave it to you. If you cannot live in freedom from what he has saved you from, others cannot see the greatness of God. It is in witnessing the transforming power of Jesus Christ in a sinner’s life that others will seek to follow. When you take pride in the work of Christ in your life, you exalt Christ. Praise him for the work he has done to set you free from the sin in your life; do not hold onto the chains that bind you but instead embrace the mercy of God and stand on him rejoicing in who you have become because of him! You are a new creation, the old has gone!! The new has come!! Walk in that truth! Embrace that promise! To ignore this is to stomp on the gift of grace in your life. Jesus died that you might be free! Not so that you could continue to feel sorry for how awful you are! Take hold of what God is extending to you and live in such a way that exalts God for his gift!

Exhortation

Where is the balance in a fervent attempt to compel people to completely turn from the corruption of sin and the compassion to do it in a way that they will respond with open and willing hearts? This has been an all too familiar struggle in my life and unfortunately one that has flared disruption and even contempt from some of those I have been responsible for raising up in the truth. A zealous and fervent spirit can quickly offend to the point of hurt or anger and it is not the desire of our Father for us to bring about this emotion in people. In fact, this situation can very possibly do more damage than good. Raising an awareness of the effects of sin in our lives is essential to a life devoted to abiding with and becoming more like Christ (Phil.2:5-11). As teachers and leaders it is vital that we invoke this searching of the heart in a compassionate form that exemplifies the heart of Jesus in our own lives. It is better neither to ignore the effects of sin nor to highlight them to the point of damage, for neither the former nor the latter will result in a deeper relationship with the Lord for the man/woman we are guiding. We must allow ourselves to burn with fervency for the changing of hearts and lives while harnessing that passion into compassion and love to see that person overtaken by the truth of the freedom that comes from a “full life” (John 10:10b) in Christ. The fervency and zealous passion that we feel towards the need to turn and run from sin needs to be harnessed into prayer; our emotions can overflow before the Lord as we break for the state of those we know and even those we do not know. Righteous anger will pour out of our mouths and as the tears begin to flow, we must release these emotions before the Lord that He may receive the brokenness that we feel for those in our path. Most importantly, the anger we feel must not be revealed to those we are broken for unless the Lord opens that door. Love draws people to the Lord and anger, even righteous anger, can easily be perceived as judgment. Although we are not responsible for the perceived emotion that others feel, we are responsible for acting in a way that glorifies the Father who sent us and who empowers us. We have no right to address any issues except by the authority that has been given us through Jesus Christ. Although you may see the truth of a situation, you may not be the one chosen to communicate that truth. Beware of your own ambition! And do not think of yourself so highly that you forget whom it is that you serve.

Canada...again??

Although I assumed my leaving last April was for good, the Lord showed me this past summer that the time to return would come and here it is. I know not for how long only that I am committed until the end of this summer. The Lord has been gracious in calling me back up here for this season, and He has already unveiled some of His reasons for calling me to this place once again. I am thrilled at the opportunities that the Lord has placed in front of me and look forward to this time. I have the great privilege of working with the staffing team to prepare and hire the staff for this summer and then will move into the Head Counseling position once again for the summer. The Lord has been quite specific in His design for me here, and I believe He has a specific place for me this fall as well. I will be excited to embark on that journey as the time draws near.
For now I am in a place of contented peace, knowing that my Lord has drawn me up here for this time and will complete in and through me the work that He has set forth for me to do. I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom as I seek a place to live over the next few months. For now, the Badkes have opened up their home to me, and I have been so blessed to be here. Although I am unsure where the right place is for me the next few months, I trust that the Lord has a place that will suit and ask that you would uphold me in prayer as I seek that out.

Many blessings!

"Forget About Your Worries, Mandie!"

One of my favorite quotes from my nephew, Carson. He's taken to shouting this throughout the house at times and reminds us all of the carefree, worry free life of a child in a good home. It's a great reminder to the adults of the world that our God is bigger than the worries in our lives. The enemy works hard to make this life more difficult than it needs to be. Trust in the one who gave you your life...release your doubt and fear and worry and put absolute trust in the Saviour of the world. Matthew 6:25-33 "Do not be anxious about your life...but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

We got snow this weekend, and it was Brady's first experience!! Check it out!

Heading North!

I really didn't expect last night to be as hard as it was. We had our end of the season banquet last night, and I said goodbye to all of the girls. They were so bummed to hear that I was leaving...I was so blessed by that. I think I got a little more attached than I realized (I tend to get attached pretty easily).
I think God accomplished much more than I could put into words. I have been praying and desiring the opportunity to minister to those who do not know the Lord, and here in Redding God gave me that chance. I have had some wonderful conversations and know that the Lord has used me in ways I probably will never know. I went down to LA last weekend with one of the players and the Head Coach to watch the state tournament and go to Six Flags, Magic Mountain. We had such a blast! And the best part of the whole weekend was the conversations I was able to have. I so enjoyed talking with Sarah and hearing her dreams and being able to challenge her and love her in that. Last night reminded me how hard it can be to say goodbye, because although I've done it many times before, I've always said goodbye to people I will see in eternity. This was different...I said goodbye to girls that I may not see again.
I've struggled a lot with the decision to move back to Washington and really have no idea how long I will be there. I anticipate it will be for December only, yet I do not know God's plan. I am praying for courage to take steps toward what is next and faithfulness to serve God in the places I find myself. If you would join me in those prayers I would appreciate it.

Volleyball in Redding

Well, we just got our team photos done, so I thought I would post a picture of the team I'm coaching this season! We got there just in time for sunset!