Reporting for Duty - Part 1

Identity - We all have one. And out of 6.76 billion people on earth, no two are exactly alike. Out of the 50 million+ babies in the US that have been killed before exiting the womb, they all had their own. Out of the 11 million children who have died from starvation, dehydration, and other preventable diseases, they all had their own.

We are all part of the puzzle that makes up God's character - all our good parts. The evil parts all come from the fall, and make up the opposite of God's character.

It is so easy to misunderstand the identity God gave us - how do we know who we really are, not who we think we are, or who I wish I was, or who I want myself to be, but who did God put me on Earth to be?

I think these few steps can be helpful. They are not complete, by any means. What are your ideas and thoughts?

Grab your journal or a pen and paper and take this short journey with me...

• Find the meaning of your name - God often gives people their names for a reason, and does the same today. behindthename.com, babynamesworld, thinkbabynames.com, zelo.com, are a few to get you started. Each may give slightly different meaning, so check them all out.
• Identify your spiritual gifts - God will give you your strengths for a reason.
• Identify your favorite historical characters (from the Bible and other history), stories, movies, books, etc. And more importantly, identify why you like these. This will give you insight into who you are deep down.
• Identify your favorite scriptures - what sticks out, what really means something to you
• Write down what you want people to put on your tombstone - what do you want to be known for.

Some verses for thought: Eph 4:10, Titus 2:14, Daniel 11:32, the entire book of Ephesians.

As you go through this, remember, some people around you just need someone to believe that God can live in them and transform their lives - be that person for them! Phil 2:13, Heb 13:21

Oh, and one other thought: Often, God will reveal the answers to these questions about your purpose through crisis.

Further reading: No Great Leader initially set out to be a leader

Reporting for Duty - Part 1

How important do you think it is to know your identity?

When you go to the airport, if you aren't sure who you are you're sure to get a pat down, an odd look, and maybe a little jail time. In life, you're sure to confuse and frustrate yourself and the people around you, not accomplish your purposes that you've been put here for, and maybe a little jail time.

To me, it is all very pie in the sky talk - Know yourself, what is your identity? Who are you in Christ? What is your calling? I'd rather talk concrete stuff, like how many calories in a Jamba Juice (answer: 400+, a lot!).

Since I really believe that we all, every person on Earth, myself included, have a specific purpose and mission to fulfill, it becomes vitally important that we know who we are, who our Commander is, and what our mission is.

Can you imagine a platoon of soldiers going to battle, and no one knowing who they were (gunner or runner? Strategist or sniper? Major or Private First Class?), what their mission is (shoot the bad guys? Save the hostages? Don't get killed?) or who their commander is (that guy or this guy? Me or you?). It would be a slaughter! They would loose the battle and maybe the war!

Newsflash: We are at war. Time to get ready.

How do you discover any of these elusive elements? They seem so slippery - once you catch them, how do you keep them from falling back into the sea of oblivion?

That's what I'm going to try and work through in the next few posts. I don't have it figured out yet, but hopefully my ramblings will help you discover yours. Part 1 is Your Identity, Part 2 is Our Commander, and Part 3 is Surrender.

First up next week - Your identity - Why it matters, how you figure it out.

What are your thoughts?

Faith - surreal or practical?

And without faith it is impossible to please {Him,} for he who comes to God must believe that He is and {that} He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6

Dr. Henry Blackaby has said that “whenever God reveals something, He expects us to believe Him and adjust our lives accordingly.”

Practically, what does this act of faith look like? It means

• We trust Him implicitly for all our needs because He says He will provide Phil 4:19
• We approach crises with the assurance that God will bring good from them Rom 8:28
• We overcome anxiety during stressful situations because God instructs us to bring our requests to Him Phil 4:6
• We never worry that we are alone because God said He would never leave us or forsake us Duet 31:6
• Despite what happens in our lives, we will never doubt God’s love because He has told us that He loves us with an everlasting love Jer 31:3
• We will choose not to worry when things are rough, because Jesus promised to care for us more than the birds and flowers, besides, it’s a waste of energy. Matt 6:31-34
• We give generously because he promised to provide for all our needs, and in giving we can experience His joy and grace Heb 13:3, 2 Cor 8:1-2
• We put others ahead of ourselves, knowing that God is justice, and we will reap what we sow Eph 5:25,28,33, Matt 22:36-40, Matt 23:11,12, Matt 20:26,27

How do you live it out on a daily basis?

Love is never alone....

With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought it appropiate to share a poem by a truly gifted and anointed girl, Akiane (see her site here, www.akiane.com - you'll be amazed at her paintings and poetry).

Love

Love is never alone
Love is always crowded
Love is the shared self

We cannot own our love
And we cannot teach our love

The longest breath of love
is the shortest distance to heaven

The deepest life is love
The deepest love is an embrace

Love is not rest
Love is peace
Love is the purpose

-Akiane, age 11

"Angel of Louisville" John Breaux killed in Lafayette

Our community lost a treasure on Friday, when John Breaux was killed in an auto accident. If you don't know him, or don't recognize his face, you are missing out on one of Colorado's truest servants. If you do know him, you'll be saddened by the news of his passing, but excited for where he is now.

I only knew of him, and saw him in passing at church and on his bicycle through town.

More eloquent than I am is my sister, Maria who posted about John Breaux. Also at the LD blog.

His story, as reported by:

• The Denver Post - "Angel" killed on roadside in Lafayette
• The Daily Camera - 'He was our goodwill ambassador' (videos)
• Colorado Daily - ‘Treasure of Louisville’ killed on U.S. 287 (photos)
• Tributes

How has his selflessness impacted you?