I BELIEVE IN DISCIPLESHIP

I believe discipleship is faithulness. It doesn't wait for tomorrow or until prayers are answered. It is faithful in the moment right where you are like Zachariah and Elizabeth serving in the temple with unanswered prayers. 

I believe discipleship is scary, messy, and full of unknown factors. It takes risks and is dangerous. It is moving forward when things don't make sense and others judge you like Mary and Joseph saying yes to a journey full of suffering and pain in hope of a better future. 

I believe discipleship is sitting in the Father's house discussing the Scriptures, asking questions, and challenging the status quo like Jesus as a young boy growing in wisdom and stature with favor before God and man.

I believe discipleship is obedient in the moment like John baptizing Jesus fulfilling righteousness now even as he felt unworthy.

I believe discipleship begins the minute you see Jesus. You get up and go where He goes like John's two disciples the moment they heard, "Look, there is the Lamb of God" and Jesus, "Come follow me and see."

I believe discipleship has movement. It doesn't sit and stay. It gets up and follows Jesus as He goes about the day. It is failing and getting up. It is learning as you go just like the disciples traversing with Him so long ago.

I believe discipleship is life on life. It is a journey not a class, Bible study or course. Look at the disciples, Jesus took them along and trained them through life on life in the little moments learning how to handle the highs and the lows.

I believe discipleship sends even when you don't know what you are doing. It recognizes that the best lessons are caught more than they are taught. It is full of many failures that builds character that strengths us for our tomorrows.

I believe discipleship carries authority and casts out demons only to release the person to go bear witness immediately to their town. Allowing the changed life to be the billboard that transforms an entire decopolis.

I believe discipleship asks some to stay and releases some to go. Jesus didn't require the man released from demons to stay and learn through life on life because he had already experienced enough life to know the radical miracle of peace which surpasses understanding actively at work in him. His transformation would communicate more now. 

I believe discipleship understands that with one you listen, another you tell, another you show, another you remind, and to another you read. 

I believe discipleship will read the mood of the people and seek to meet that need. Jesus modeled reading the crowd. He spoke to them in the ways they would understand. He saw the one and met the one right where they were at while teaching the crowd so the ones who had ears to hear would understand.

I believe discipleship is fighting for justice when accusers abound like when Jesus crouched and drew on the ground.

I believe discipleship doesn't shame. It is willing to bow and draw in the dirt while those present consider their own sin and gives them opportunity to walk away.

I believe discipleship breaks rules and tradition. It talks theology with women and even shares a cup of water with a Samaritan. 

I believe discipleship does not look at gender, tradition, culture or race as reasons not to discuss theology as you pass by the way. It meets each person right where they are at. 

I believe discipleship allows women to run and tell others immediately about what they have seen and heard becoming eye-witnesses so all in town can come see and believe for themselves. 

I believe discipleship releases. It never hoards. It gives and gives trusting the Holy Spirit will have His way and guide in all truth as the believers walk along the way. Consider Jesus sending the disciples out among wolves.

I believe discipleship is exhilarating because it can see a new life transformed like the demonic in his right mind, the healed mother from fever, a brother risen from a tomb. 

I also believe discipleship is terrifying because it can see new life transformed like the demonic in his right mind, the healed mother from fever, a brother risen from a tomb. 

I believe discipleship is never neat and tidy. It waits. It longs. It hopes. It dreams. 

I believe discipleship celebrates with songs and thanksgiving when one grasps a simple truth and walks forward in understanding. 

I believe discipleship is intentional and unintentional. It is full of preparation and study of the Scriptures in times of peace so a truth may be activated when least expected. 

I believe discipleship is gathering where other believers gather to be strengthened and encouraged to spur one another on.

I believe discipleship happens where ever I go or I am because HE IS moving in and through me even when I am unaware.

I believe discipleship does not have a time table, schedule or meeting place. IT IS because HE IS I AM. 

I believe discipleship is presence. Presence is powerful and can speak volumes even when words cease.

I believe in discipleship. Do you? 

By: Tara Rye

What is worship?

Sometimes, I get bored with my Bible reading. And sometimes I have thoughts like "I have studied that story so much. What is left to learn?" I know some people might think it wrong for me to admit these thoughts. But, I don't think it is wrong at all. God knows them anyhow. 

This morning, I had no responsibilities and no meetings so I decided to just sit in my next story for the What is Christian Discipleship series? 

I have found reading the Bible story from someone else's perspective can radically change my mindset. Suddenly, what is old becomes fresh and knew.

This morning, I thought about this story from several perspectives. A friend in a far off land hearing it for the first time. A stranger grieving over all the evil happening in our culture and wanting answers. A woman feeling belittled by men because she is simply a woman. A foreigner longing for inclusion.

Oh my. Somehow this old familiar story grips my heart now.

So in case this is you. John 4:1-26 is the story of the Samaritan Woman. 

God really hit me with what worship is and what it is not.

Worship IS NOT:

Focused on gender.

Focused on race.

Focused on our story.

Focused on culture or cultural debates.

Focused on a location or building.

Worship IS ABOUT:

God's living water.

Ever flowing.

Eternal life.

Thirst quenching.

Knowing who you Worship.

In Spirit.

In Truth.

The Messiah.

Going.

Testifying.

Hearing.

The Savior of the World.

Suddenly, my morning Worship in the Word was radically different than I anticipated.

Father, help me/us to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Help us to stop focusing on the things that distract us and create barriers. Help us to focus on the heart and the inward condition of our own hearts so that it is You, Jesus, who we point others to. In Jesus Name, amen.

It is so important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, so we can be transformed! 

Shalom y'all!

Death Doula: Grounding in Peace

There are certain things that ground us. It can be the sound of someone's voice. It can be the familiarity of our surroundings. It can be a song or a pet. It can be holding the hand of a loved one. It can be a favorite verse or story of the Bible that reminds of God's ever present help. It can be a prayer that gives you hope in the moment. The things that ground us give us peace.

I bought this blanket in Kenya for Papa. It is a Masai Warrior blanket. I had no idea how much this blanket would mean to Papa. I bought it because he is always cold. But the fact that it is a traditional warrior blanket encouraged his heart. He asks for it all the time. At times, it is almost a demand. "Give me my warrior blanket." Now it is "my blanket." It brings comfort, warmth, and a vision of strength. It grounds Papa. I had no clue when I bought it what it would mean. 

Papa comes home from the hospital today. I have known this day was coming. We moved Papa, Mema, and Aunt Janie here to help them in this season of life three years ago. It has been so much fun. It has been so hard. It is beautiful. We have learned so much.

We have been silly and danced to oldies music. You might find us "Celebrate Good Times" with a conga line while we are"Staying Alive". Or find us pushing through to the theme song of ROCKY. You might laugh at our morning stretches as we wake up to "I'm so Blessed" and Papa seems to think they are saying, "Taco Bell." Sometimes, we are "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay," when we need a more mellow day. We are always singing about the "Goodness of "God" and praying with the song "The LORD Bless You." 

In all of this, it occured to me this week when we were told Papa was going on hospice that I am a Doula. 

When we had to choose a hospice care team to join us in our home, it became quite clear. As I did my research, I noticed that one company truly gets it. They are holistic in their approach. They do all that the other groups do in the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual help, but they add music, art, and massage therapy as some of their touch points. They get it. They want someone to have joy in this transition.

This is when it hit me. We have been acting like a Death Doula. The hospice team is a Death Doula. Just as a Doula helps a mom give birth, what we have been doing as a family is helping our family birth into eternal life.  

We pray, we touch, we sing, we laugh, we cry, we encourage, we remind, we wait, we help...

We make sure the heart, mind, soul, and spirit are ready to move forward. It is really quite a beautiful gift. 

So we begin a knew phase in our birthing journey. For those that have done this before, thank you for your role model. For those that will follow, embrace the gift of being a Doula. You can be the one who brings true grounding by helping your loved one walk into eternal life.

A person can only receive what heaven gives him (John 3:27)

There are so many rich lessons we can learn from John the Baptist in John 3:22-36. But what stopped me this time was the reminder that "man can only do what they received from heaven."

This phrase slays jealousy.

This phrase celebrates whatever God is doing.

It doesn't have to be big. It can be small. It isn't about numbers. It is about obedience.

I don't have to stop someone from serving. I need to celebrate what God is doing.

Each man and yes, woman, "can only do what heaven has given them." Nothing more and nothing less.

This phrase slays comparison and if I dare say competition between denominations, churches, cultures, and people groups. 

This phrase, "man can only receive what heaven gives them" is a reminder to focus on Jesus. Yes, "more of Him and less of me." I must celebrate His work and what He is accomplishing in others and in me. The focus is on Him and His work. Not ours. 

Wozer! This is so good. As I prayed for what story to do next in the, "What is Christian Discipleship?" series, this was not what I thought would be the next story, but oh my! I am so glad the Bridegroom slowed me down to listen to His voice. I believe this story will be digging deeper roots in me!

How to create a story in motion

I was asked today if I would share how I create story in motions. I share in this video why creating a story in motion is beneficial and how I do it. I would love to hear from you if there is something you do different or find beneficial! 🙂

He stooped to draw in the dirt

I have been asked to teach on John 8:1-11 and this morning as I studied it once again, I was caught by the beauty of God once again through His Son. 

This controversial passage has been debated on whether it should be in the final canon of Scripture. One thing is certain. The character of Jesus depicted in this story is consistent with the whole counsel of God. It teaches and convicts.

It is when the religious leaders bring the adulterous woman to Jesus to be stoned. These accusers were eye-witnesses who caught her in the "act" of sexual sin. 

After asking my typical questions, I was caught by the word "stooped." Upon hearing their accusation and question, Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dirt as if He didn't hear them. 

A holy pause.

A humble position.

Something powerful happens in intense moments when we just add a holy pause and humble position. 

It allows the emotional or intense one to hear the echo of their own words.

It allows the one receiving contempt or accusations to see the posture of the one who can condemn them. 

He was bent low just like her.

When the accusers continued to press in asking questions. Jesus stood up. He met them eye to eye. Face to face. He wanted His words to be on their level. "He who is without sin may cast the first stone." Jesus faced the evil in them head on. It deserved face to face confrontation because they were not considering their own sin in this offense.

Then he "stooped" again now covering their shame as well as hers as He drew in the dirt. Allowing them to save face.

One by one from the oldest to the youngest they left. Jesus didn't watch. He just drew in the dirt feeling the effects of a crowd's noise slowly becoming silence.

Then Jesus raised himself up and asked, "Woman, is there no one to accuse you?"

She said, "No one."

Do not miss this. Jesus was the one who could accuse her. He is who they brought her to. 

But she felt safe with Him. 

Why? 

It was His posture.

He stooped low. He didn't stand over her. He knelt down to where she sat and in his stooping he covered her shame.

He knew her sin. He told her, "to go sin no more." Yet, He didn't stand over her condemning. He knelt in the dirt with her.

Do you understand that this short story is a simple telling of what God did for mankind.  

The Creator of heaven and earth stooped down to come to earth to be on our level. 

And as the accuser comes to accuse us, our Creator, stands up and faces off our accuser. 

Our Creator then stoops again with us until we understand that no one can accuse us because He has covered our shame.

Now go and sin no more. 

It is so important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, to be transformed.

Shalom y'all!

Mighty Throng of Women

"The LORD announces the word, and the women who proclaimed it are a mighty throng." (Ps. 68:11).

I have been reading through the Bible since 1992 and God still surprises me with His Word.

Today, I am caught by the fact that this passage says women!  Wait!  Women are the proclaimers of the Word given by God. Hmmm.

I had to go do some research. Does it really say women in the original language?

First, we need to know that the author is King David. This is a Psalm talking about God leading the nation of Israel in victory.

Second, we must note that God is the One giving the word.  The word here for word is good news or the word we get evangelism from.

Third, a battle has happened. The enemy has scattered and God has protected the vulnerable ones.

Fourth, it is the women who proclaimed this good news.

So, why are women the proclaimers? 

Well, consider when the men went off to war, the women stayed home waiting for their return. Upon their arrival the women would set up the celebration and declare the good news. This might have included songs, dance, food, and praising God for what He had accomplished. They would go out celebrating and declaring to everyone about what God had done to bring back their men and that the enemy scattered.

The women would be the frontline in declaring the good news of victory.

With that said I still wanted to know if the Hebrew text said women. It did. In Hebrew this word was feminine plural and a feminine suffix. It was meant to be women. Some translations will use the word "those" but it was meant to be women.

"The LORD announces a word and the women who proclaimed it are a mighty throng."

Immediately, my mind goes to Matthew 28:1-10 and Luke 24:1-10. God chose women as His first messengers in spreading the goodness of Jesus.

I am a part of the mighty throng of women who proclaim the Good News of the victory we have in Jesus.

This verse so ministered to me today. I hope it encourages you or causes you to go encourage the women who are faithful around you.

It is so important to be in the Word, to be with Jesus, so we can be transformed.

Shalom, y'all!