tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85384250333761470932024-03-13T14:59:47.368-07:00Expansion"Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out the curtains of your dwelling; do not spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes. For you shall expand to the right and to the left, and your descendants will inherit the nations, and make the desolate cities inhabited."
Isaiah 54:2-3Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-86732893078350326012010-11-08T18:21:00.001-08:002010-11-08T19:06:55.840-08:00Redemption Part 2Here I am back tonight with redemption on my mind yet again. Safe to say I am stuck on the story of Lazarus of the interaction of Jesus with his sisters Mary and Martha. Jesus knew Lazarus was sick and yet stayed two more days in the place He was before He went to Him. The Bible says that Jesus and Lazarus where friends and He spent time with both Lazarus and his sisters. Mary and Martha sent Jesus a message telling Him that Lazarus was sick and yet He stays. Why? What is it that caused Jesus to "ignore" the plea of two sisters whom He knew and loved?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, 'Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.' When Jesus heard that, He said, 'This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was."</span> <br />John 11:3-6<br /><br />The Bible doesn't really say why Jesus stayed and didn't go right to Lazarus, but I have to believe that what Jesus says in verse 4 is the reason...that God might be glorified. The story goes on to tell of Jesus making the trip to Judea to see His sick friend...only He arrives to late. Martha comes out to meet Jesus and has a conversation with him that has moved my heart: <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Now Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Now even now I know that whatever You ask of god, God will give You. Jesus said to her, Your brother will rise again. Martha said to Him, I know hat he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day. Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." </span><br /><br />This exchange hit me so differently then ever before. She believed in the power of God and the ability of Jesus to do something in the middle of a hopeless situation, but she didn't really believe that hope could hit her reality and change the circumstances from hopeless to miraculous. Jesus challenged that. How many times as Christians do we know the right answer, but we don't really expect it to hit our reality? I know I have done it. I grew up in the church and know all the right answers, but it comes down to what do I believe about Jesus and His willingness and ability to redeem? The story ends with Jesus calling out to the dead man who had been in a tomb for four days, long dead and beginning to decay, and he walks out of the tomb alive and healthy. <br /><br />What dreams, hopes or expectations have died in your life? Those places where you have gone before God and from the place of pain asked Him why he didn't show up? Had He just been there the thing that was most precious to you wouldn't now be laying in a tomb dead and decaying past all hope of resurrection. I know I have those places. God did you even care? Why didn't you show up? In the middle of my pain, His still small voice comes through and asks do you believe? My Christian response is yes I do...but then to still hold onto what is dead. If I really believe Jesus is who He says He is and that He is the resurrection and the Life then its time to roll back the stone and give Jesus access to the grave yard and believe that what once broke my heart will be for the glory of God and yet again live. He is the resurrection and and Life. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />That used to be easy for me to agree with. Its the normal Christian response. But what circumstances in my life have I cried out to God for His intervention and He seemed to not respond to me? The longer I walk with God and realize that my desire isn't to have a label as a Christian, but to truly walk as a little Christ. Those areTrina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-31072449846412655122010-10-04T21:32:00.000-07:002010-10-04T21:59:51.786-07:00Redemption Part 1It has been a long time since I put my thoughts out for all to see, but tonight there are thoughts and questions rolling around in my head. The confines of my journal seem to small for these thoughts. If I was going to guess (and I do like to take a stab at what is under the wrapping paper of a long awaited gift!), I would have to say that God it trying to teach me something. I am not the oldest of old, but have lived long enough to have realized that when God speaks you should take note. <br /><br />Redemption is one such thought. I grew up in the church and for my 26 years of life have a good handle on how to come across as a well polished Christian. But the last few months have challenged that polished exterior and I have been thinking as to the truths I have known my whole life. Do I really understand them? Are they something that I have personal revelation or are they a regurgitated thought I once heard and try to pass off as a personal belief?<br /><br />How does the redeeming work of the cross intersect with the reality of my life? I wake up, drink coffee, get ready, go to work, come home. Where in the course of my day do I come in contact with redemption? Is it a thought or Christian concept that is an idea but not a reality in my world? <br /><br />I started asking myself the questions, Do I walk in the redeeming power of the cross? Is redemption an idea I believe rather then a truth I walk in? When there is the need to redeem do I take God at His word? To be honest, hard questions for me to ask, being the church girl who should have figured this out years ago...but here I am asking. <br /><br />John 11:17-37 is the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Amazing to me to watch the redeeming power of God grab them from the place of concept to the place of it intersecting with their reality. <br /><br />More to come on this thought...Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-89545406005664569662010-05-25T04:25:00.000-07:002010-05-25T05:11:14.833-07:00Generations DeepKing Solomon is someone who intrigues me every time I read about him. A man who at a young age was given the Kingdom of Israel and expected to fill the shoes of his father King David. In 1 Kings 11 Solomon allows his heart to be drawn away from God by the gods of his many wives. I could spend a lot of time and thought on that, but this morning verse 38 is what grabbed my heart. The Prophet Ahijah meets Jeroboam and tells him he will inherit part of the Kingdom from Solomon because he had not been faithful to the Lord. Jeroboam was an ordinary guy who was serving the King as an officer over the labor force when God comes to him and gives him the charge to lead Israel. His mandate was this. <br /><br />1 Kings 11:38<br />"Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you." <br /><br />1) Heed the Commands of God. Hearing God and taking heed to what His is speaking for the times and seasons marks the life a leader. God is not detached from your life nor is he indifferent to what he has called you to do or the work of your hands. Success comes when you learn to listen and heed the voice of God. <br />2) Walk in the Ways of God. It is not enough to just hear God, but the word has to be mixed with faith and activated in your life. Knowing the will of God is half, but the other is walking it out inside of your daily life. Life is built by the decisions you make daily and you are constantly choosing to walk in what you know God to have spoken. <br />3)Do what is right in the sight of God. There are voices that come from multiple sources trying to influence your leadership. What is popular or politically correct is not always what is right in the sight of God. Hear God, make the choice to walk in His ways and be ready for the world to try to sway you to what is right in their sight rather then the sight of God. <br /><br />God will establish you and produce something that will last for generations. What you do today will matter in the lives of your children and grandchildren. God took the Kingdom away from Solomon's son and not Solomon himself. The legacy you leave behind for those who follow after you matters.Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-59312082966402996622009-12-30T06:18:00.000-08:002009-12-30T06:19:46.260-08:00Thoughts of the Day<meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="OneNote.File"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft OneNote 12"><p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">2009 is quickly coming to a close and 2010 is just days away.<span style=""> </span>Pastor Steve asked the question at the beginning of the year that is now coming back for review in my heart, he asked, "What history will you make in 2009?"<span style=""> </span>Now that it is over there is the reality slap of looking back and asking that question in light of the facts and events of 2009.<span style=""> </span>What did I build?<span style=""> </span>What personal growth happened in my life this year?<span style=""> </span>Who did I touch?<span style=""> </span>Did compassion mark my life and actions?<span style=""> </span>What books did I read?<span style=""> </span>What relationships was I intentional in investing in? Who did I share Christ with? Did I open up my home?<span style=""> </span>Did I feed the hungry?<span style=""> </span>Was I a comforter to the broken hearted?<span style=""> </span>Did I encourage and uphold the weak? </p> <p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">Question after question rolls through my heart as I look out the window into the early morning hours.<span style=""> </span>Snow covers the ground and I know now is the time to evaluate the past year and begin to make the plan<span style=""> </span>for 2010.<span style=""> </span>A plan involves strategy, timing and hearing God.<span style=""> </span>As King David asked time and time again during his recorded life "Lord, shall I go up? Will You go with me?"<span style=""> </span>King David knew that without God going with him his efforts where in vain and any plan he made without the imprinting of God would end in disaster and barrenness. </p> <p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;"> </p> <p style="margin: 0in; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">I am prone to be the one who is landlocked for fear of failing, coming up short or missing the will and plan of God.<span style=""> </span>Play it safe and do what you know you can accomplish so there is no chance of failing - that is the tendency I resort to. Last night I sat at the table in my room in the dark watching snow fall in soft waves as I brought this place in my heart before the Lord.<span style=""> </span>How do you know what you are born to do? The place of dreaming and asking God His plan for my life has been mainly nonexistent for me.<span style=""> </span>I believe I have not had the courage to look into what God has for me and believe that He could do it with my life.<span style=""> </span>I who is broken and ashamed of places I have failed … and failed repeatedly.<span style=""> </span>Could one such as I make a difference?<span style=""> </span>Could it be possible to make a mark on the world that washes up on the shores of eternity?<span style=""> </span>To live for something greater then myself, my own gain and agenda?<span style=""> </span>On such questions I ponder in the back of my mind while my present contends to keep me living in status quo to preoccupied with the trivial pursuits and routine tasks of life to take action on such thoughts.<span style=""> </span>But why not?<span style=""> </span>If God's Word is true, as I believe it to be, then Paul rightly and accurately portrays the nature and character of God when he writes in Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will being it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."<span style=""> </span></p> Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-22460495675940217562009-10-11T22:44:00.000-07:002009-10-11T23:06:13.855-07:00Church TodayToday started like most Sunday do. Get up, find some breakfast and coffee if your lucky enough to have time and rush out the door to the house of the Lord. I love Sundays. I am always amazed that I walk into church and find myself in the presence of the King of the WHOLE universe! I mean think about that for a second - like REALLY stop to think about that! I have access to God Almighty anytime and anyplace I want to. Today, I was excited to join other believers in worship and be challenged by the Word of God that constantly comes to adjust and change my life. We are currently in a series called The Paramount Family and today was about God's heart towards the single parent homes. It was great. At the end, all of the single parents come forward and the church surged around them to ask first for some practical needs that we, as the church body, could meet and then to pray for and bless them. I prayed for a young mother of 3. When the Bible talks about it being better to give then to receive - it speaks truth (as the Bible always does). The single mother gave us a list of needs with everything on it from her children needing winter coats, a car payment needing made and a need for a day job so she could be home with her children at night. It changed my life to watch the 12 or so of us that had gathered around her dividing up the needs and all coming on board to help her and bless her. I looked around at all the pockets of people meeting both the practical and spiritual needs of the dozens of single parents and thought "Now this is church!"Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-29395509062942683762009-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:002009-05-25T00:24:04.217-07:00Clear or Murky?This week is the start of a new season in my life. I am starting a new job. One that, to be honest, I don't really know what to expect. There are many "new" things I will have to adjust to in the upcoming few weeks. Things like working for the State. I have never worked for the State or any form of government before...that is new. I have an "office cubical" for a work station. Also, very new. I will also be working in an office with people. This one might sound simple to you, but I have never been in this situation before. I have spent the last two years working for a family excavation company and was largely the only one in the office. My dad would spend some time in there drafting up estimates, but mainly...just me.<br /><br />This week is the start of a whole new dynamic in my life and one quite frankly I am looking forward too. Its not because I love new things and am easily board, but because I love people. The last few years I have developed a deep love for people. Now, people are also the hardest part of my life to be sure, but I love them. I am amazed at how much God loves each and every person. Often I am very distracted when I am at a store or a restaurant and I start thinking about all the people that come and go around me. I wonder about their family. Did they laugh today? What is their story? Are they loved? Do they love? Do they know the purpose of God for their life? Do they know Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life? Are they hurting? I will walk through a store and at times forget why I am even there because I get so caught up in thinking about the people I see.<br /><br />My new job is going to present the opportunity to love people in my work place like I haven't been able to do for the last two years. With that exciting thought I also have to think about how well I represent Jesus to them.<br /><br />Proverbs 25:26<br />"A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well."<br /><br />According to Proverbs I will either be clear water that they can drink from or a polluted well. With all my heart I desire that people would find Jesus as a result of my life...and that is determined by the conduct of my life on my first day of work and all the days that follow.Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-9357168688059841712009-04-05T21:58:00.000-07:002009-04-05T22:28:30.015-07:00LostOver the course of the Define Conference that The NXT youth church hosted I had an experience that was a "moment" in my life. What I mean by that is that there are times when the Holy Spirit drops something in my heart that is a loving rebuke yet has quite a sting to it...I call them "moments". The bible tells us that God corrects those He loves and as I look back on this experience I see that because God loves me is why He would come to confront and correct me. <br /><br />You see, I was entrusted with a key. Not just any key, but one of great value - the master key. This key would open every door in the building and gave me full access to all areas of the church<br />and as the main administrator and coordinator for the Conference having all access was crucial.<br /><br />It was Tuesday night and I had been at the church since I had gotten off of work that evening setting up and tying up all the lose ends that needed to be done so things would go smoothly the next day. Time had raced by and it was after 2am when we battened down the hatches to all headed home for a few hours of sleep. <br /><br />On my way home I realized that I had left my phone on my desk at the church. I turned around to go retrieve my phone since, after all, I had the master key. I reached down and picked up the key only to fumble it and drop it...not a big deal right? I spent the next 2o minutes in the dark parking lot of the church trying to locate the key. Unable to find it I drive home, pull out my caving headlamp and search for another 30 minutes. Still no key so I call it a night and head to bed for 2 hours of sleep. Morning comes and I again search for the key, my roommate looked for it and throughout the course of the morning there were 6 different people that combed through my car looking for the lost master key. The key was gone.<br /><br />Let me tell you the sick feeling in my stomach knowing that I would have to tell Pastor Taunia that on the very night she entrusted me with the master key I lost it. All morning I stressed over the lost key - even in the crazy stuff that needed to get done for the conference it was this constant nagging in my mind ... where is the lost key and what will Pastor Taunia say when I have to give an account?<br /><br />During my worries over a lost key the Holy Spirit dropped in my heart a very clear thought. The thought was this: "You are more worried about the lost key and how you have to face Pastor Taunia and give an account then you are over lost people and that you will face Me and give account for your life and time." Talk about the wind getting knocked out of you. The story of the 1 lost sheep came to mind and how the shepherd left the 99 to go and find the one. As I sat there stunned at my shallowness - I was way more concerned at how losing the key would effect what my pastors thought of me and my leadership then I was with the lost people I had contact with every day. The lost key was consuming my mind - lost people did not.<br /><br />I was adjusted in my heart that morning and I had to ask myself, "why do I do what I do? What is the reason behind all this administration stuff and all these tasks?" People. It all comes back to loving what God loves and giving your life for something bigger and greater then yourself. The rest of that day at the Define Conference I tried really had to take time for the people that came across my path...because after all people are what count.Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-68600727413545619502009-02-15T14:57:00.000-08:002009-02-15T15:08:23.590-08:00If Today Was Your Last<p class="MsoNormal">February 9, 2009 </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">I spend the better part of this afternoon in the ER with my grandpa.<span style=""> </span>And in the course of blood test, doctors coming in and out, nurses doing what they do I had an abundance of time to ponder the thought of the fragility of life. <span style=""> </span>There is nothing like staring death in the face to have the reality of life come to the surface.<span style=""> </span>There was a magazine sitting on the counter of the ER room that highlighted some of the Hollywood stars and what their 2008 year was like.<span style=""> </span>After an hour or two I picked it up and flipped through it and was shocked at what was “important” in the eyes of the world.<span style=""> </span>I continued to look from the magazine to the tired pain filled face of my grandpa and was so disgusted with what culture was trying to pass off as the “important things in life”. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">Growing up we didn’t have cable TV in our house and movies were the rare occasion when I was a young child.<span style=""> </span>Mom and dad would be out for the evening and inevitably my sister, brother and I would talk the babysitter into letting us waist the evening and watch a movie or two.<span style=""> </span>In the moment it would be great fun, but about the time mom and dad were supposed to be home it was the mad dash to finish the chores, clean the kitchen, read our proverbs and be in bed on time like we needed to.<span style=""> </span>I remember the feeling of having done what I wanted to do and not what I needed to and when time ran out … time just ran out.<span style=""> </span>Mom and Dad were home and we had to give account for our time and what we did…or what we didn’t do. <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">When you are looking at the end of your life and all you have to look at is what is behind you and the days you have already lived things like fashion, the perfect body, popularity, positions, vacations, cars, houses…everything that most of us spend our life trying to obtain are worthless, empty and at best a vanishing vapor.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">James 4:14 “Whereas you don’t not know what will happen tomorrow.<span style=""> </span>For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">Before we left for the hospital grandma made the statement that God knows the day that is our last…on the tail of that she said “I wonder if we would live different if we knew the exact time and day that we would die?”<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>That thought has been the fuel for the majority of my pondering today.<span style=""> </span>If I knew that in exactly two years three days and ten hours I would be dead…how would I live?<span style=""> </span>What would I do with that time? Who would I talk to?<span style=""> </span>How would I treat people?<span style=""> </span>What would I do with my money? What would be the legacy I would leave behind?<span style=""> </span>Would eternity be marked in anyway by my life? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">In Rick Zachary’s book The Master Of Relationships he makes a profound statement on what really matter in life - “There is only one thing I can give that will increase the kingdom, and that is the soul of another human being.”<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";">The truth is I don’t know when my last day is…but I do know that it is a day that will come sooner or latter.<span style=""> </span>What will I spend my life on?<span style=""> </span>I am the one who will stand accountable for the days of my life and what I did with them.<span style=""> </span>How about you? If today was your last would you be satisfied with the work of your hands and what your life represented? <span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-81484293680303983392009-01-28T05:54:00.000-08:002009-01-28T05:56:06.514-08:00Courage<p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Psalms 31:24<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Courage</span><strong><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">:</span></strong><span class="sensecontent"> <span style=""> </span>mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="sensecontent">I have found in the last few weeks as the church as a whole has been engaged in prayer and fasting that there are things in my life that have taken some courage to face and conquer. <span style=""> </span>God is layer by layer working through some issues in my life that have been tackled before, but like a wave of the sea that comes in and then rushes back to the depths of the ocean, I have faced them with force, but lacked the courage and perseverance to follow them through to the end.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="sensecontent"><span style=""> </span>I read the story of David and his defeat of Goliath and the Bible never states that David was less then courageous in the midst of facing the biggest giant to date in his young life. <span style=""> </span>But I have to wonder if there was a moment or two that David despite any fear or intimidation he may have felt had to gather his courage to face Goliath.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="sensecontent"><span style=""> </span><i style="">1 Corinthians 16:13<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="sensecontent"><i style="">“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="sensecontent"><i style="">Joshua 1:6-7<o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="sensecontent"><i style="">“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.<span style=""> </span>Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you: do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” <o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="sensecontent">I find that there is the strength and grace to fully slay the giants in life when I am willing to gather my courage and face them head on with the intent to destroy and remove them…not just cause them recede for a time.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-32421257270081921942008-12-27T12:51:00.000-08:002008-12-27T12:52:00.785-08:00To Do Or To Be...That is The Question...<p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Revelation 2:2-7 <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil.<span style=""> </span>And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for my name’s sake and have not become weary<b style="">.<span style=""> </span>Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. </b><span style=""> </span>Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lamp stand from its place-unless you repent.<span style=""> </span>But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolations, which I also hate.<span style=""> </span>He, who has an ear, let him hear what the spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life; which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Life gets busy; from Monday morning to Sunday night the list of things to do and places to go seem to be never ending.<span style=""> </span>And all of them are good things.<span style=""> </span>Meet with girls for discipleship, study for Life Group, leadership meeting, volunteer in the youth admin office, youth church…etc.<span style=""> </span>All are good, but what is the toll taken on my personal time with Jesus?<span style=""> </span>There seems to always be so much to do for Him that the person of Jesus Christ becomes neglected and pushed to the side in an effort to do it all. <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">There are a few main goals in my life that flavor everything I do (or at least I would hope they do) and one of them is to build the local church.<span style=""> </span>Why?<span style=""> </span>What is the driving force of this goal?<span style=""> </span>This passion that consumes the majority of my weekly free time, vacation time is taken for camp and youth events, money is saved to help kids go to camp … what drives this in my life? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">The cliché response would be along the lines of “because I love Jesus so much”.<span style=""> </span>But I have to take a step back and honestly look at my life in light of Revelations 2.<span style=""> </span>Jesus is having this conversation with the Apostle John about the church of Ephesus of all the great things that they are doing and accomplishing…yet as they got so caught up in doing everything for Jesus they forgot Jesus.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";">Do I spend more time doing then being?<span style=""> </span>On average I would have to say that I get so consumed with the task that I forget to sit at His feet and have a real relationship.<span style=""> </span>It would be time to pay attention to that. <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-19018940028261754912008-12-20T14:48:00.000-08:002008-12-20T14:51:22.983-08:00Labor<p class="MsoNormal">Proverbs 13:11</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I have often thought about leadership and what it means to be a leader.<span style=""> </span>In my mind one of the definitions of leadership is "to gather". To gather people for a specific cause or vision and then take them to that place.<span style=""> </span>A football coach gathers a team in order to win the trophy…he first casts the vision for what the end goal is – to lean the game, work as a team, refine the plays and ultimately to win the trophy or title.<span style=""> </span>So he gathers in order to win.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What would happen if I went out to gather a football team?<span style=""> </span>For those of you who know me also know that it would end in disaster – I know little to nothing about the game of football.<span style=""> </span>Even with no knowledge of the game I am a persuasive person and would have a good chance at gathering the team..but it would be gathering by dishonesty.<span style=""> </span>I can’t teach what I do not know.<span style=""> </span>The truth is I could gather them, but I can’t teach them the game much less lead them to victory.<span style=""> </span>If I want to be a successful football coach it would take dedication on my part to learn the game, master the plays and excel on a personal level so I could lead a team to victory.<span style=""> </span>It would take a whole bunch of work and labor for me to lead a football team to victory. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As I sat in the airport last Saturday morning I was pondering this verse in regards to my leadership in the youth ministry.<span style=""> </span>As a leader I am gathering students to the cause of Christ and teaching them how to be successful in all aspects of their life; how to work as a team, how to respond inside of different situations they face on a daily bases and ultimately how to live a life that hits the mark daily and holistically. <span style=""> </span>Much like a football coach teaches his team and leads them to victory, I pastor young people.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Am I the pastor that gathers by dishonesty?<span style=""> </span>Numbers aren’t the goal – disciples are the goal.<span style=""> </span>And just as I cannot lead a football team to victory because I have never invested the labor (hard work) into learning the game – I cannot gather, lead and teach young people how to be a disciple unless I am willing to put in the labor (hard work) to first be a disciple myself. <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">People are undisputedly the greatest wealth of all nations, states, cities, families and churches.<span style=""> </span>We often have things a bit backwards – we pursue gold and material possessions at the cost of the relationships in our life.<span style=""> </span>Parents miss years with their children as they pursue a career and turn a blind eye to the greatest wealth they possess…their children.<span style=""> </span>What is the wealth we are building?<span style=""> </span>What wealth am I building in my family?<span style=""> </span>What wealth am I building in ministry?<span style=""> </span>Am I putting in the labor necessary to cause actual increase? <span style=""> </span></p>Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-2755619211388627972008-12-13T07:21:00.000-08:002008-12-13T07:33:55.198-08:00Is There Not A Cause?<p class="MsoNormal">1 Samuel 17:</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath…and…said, ‘I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.’ Then as he (David) talked with them (his brothers), there was the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, coming up from the armies of the Philistines; and he spoke according to the same words.<span style=""> </span>So David heard him.<span style=""> </span>And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were dreadfully afraid…Then David spike to the men who stood by him, saying, ‘what shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?’ …and he (Eliab) said, ‘Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your hear, for you have come down to see the battle.’ And David said, ‘What have I done now? <b style=""><i style=""><u>Is there not a cause?’</u></i></b>´</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We tell the story to our children.<span style=""> </span>We daydream about the battles of the great King David and secretly wish we had it within us to be a giant slayer. We sigh and wonder what it would have been like to have lived in the days of warriors – of giant killers.<span style=""> </span>So we daydream and we wish only to turn out the light after the bed time story missing the fact that not much has changed in the last few thousand years. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>David’s giant was one of physical stature - beefy arms, hugs sword, 9 feet tall; the giants of our day may look a bit different but they are no less real and no less defying God and His people.<span style=""> </span>The apostle Paul states “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.”<span style=""> </span>Eph 6:12</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Too often I find myself in the place of fantasy wishing to be someone of significance like David was, someone who made a difference – yet I find that it often never hits my reality.<span style=""> </span>What if I took the Apostle Paul’s words literally and recognized that there are giants that roam this land that go unchallenged.? Goliath mocked the Israelites 40 days before someone had the nerve to stand against him.<span style=""> </span>Is it possible that I was I born for more then just living a comfortable life?<span style=""> </span>Can life truly be comfortable and what God intended under the rule of giants like fear, divorce, rebellion, selfishness, drunkenness, sensuality, immorality, perversion, abuse, lust and dishonesty? <span style=""> </span>As I ponder this question I can’t help but look back on human history and notice the repercussions of being ruled by an oppressive source.<span style=""> </span>It always ends in death and destruction.<span style=""> </span>Who will have the nerve, the gumption, the backbone and the passion to stand up to the giants of our day?<span style=""> </span>Are there those who like David will look beyond their own life, safety, comfort, even ability (David had never fought a giant before) and see what needs done?<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style="">Hebrews 10:39 “But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.” </i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In his willingness to stand up to Goliath and believe the promises of God I have to wonder what battles were never fought, wars that never raged … simply because a shepherd boy took God at his word and was willing to stand up when everyone else cowered…even at the risk of his own life.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The obstacles are the giants of the land.<span style=""> </span>The prize are the souls of a generation.<span style=""> </span>The warrior…is me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">BECAUSE TRULY…</b> <b style="">IS THERE NOT A CAUSE? <o:p></o:p></b></p>Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-32193676081715282642008-11-21T06:08:00.000-08:002008-11-21T06:09:23.269-08:00Integrity<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>The content of my thoughts has been about “Integrity” the last two days.<span style=""> </span>Wednesday night Pastor Danny knocked it out of the park as he wrapped up our Crossing Over Series.<span style=""> </span>He dove into the story of the Children of Israel and their first attempt at taking the city of AI.<span style=""> </span>They had just had the amazing victory at Jericho and in the mist of that maybe a bit over confident in who <i style="">they </i>were rather then in the God that was the reason for their victory.<span style=""> </span>Long story short – they get “their butts handed to them” in the battle against AI. <span style=""> </span>The after math leaves Joshua on his face before God seeking the reason behind the defeat.<span style=""> </span>I find it interesting at this point of the story that Joshua assumes there is a reason behind the defeat...you see, Joshua knew the law of cause and effect.<span style=""> </span>He knew God has brought them out of Egypt; he knew that God was able to provide for their needs; he knew God brought them over the Jordan River on dry ground and had promised them the land and he knew that it was the hand of God that delivered the city of Jericho to them…Joshua knows that character of God…and know He didn’t bring them into the Promised Land to be defeated.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is were we meet Achan.<span style=""> </span>The one guy who caused the defeat of Israel because he took what didn’t belong to him at Jericho.<span style=""> </span>Jericho was the tithe city (the first of 10 cities that they conquered) and God required all the spoil to be set apart for Him…and Achan decided he wanted some of it.<span style=""> </span>The results were devastating.<span style=""> </span>Men lost their lives, 36 men didn’t return to their wives and children…because Achan wanted the robe and gold that he saw in Jericho.<span style=""> </span>The integrity of the whole was compromised because of one team member…</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In light of this story I sat in Church and had to ask myself: What does my integrity cost my team? What does it cost my family? What curses have I brought on my life simply because of an area that lacks the utmost integrity? To be honest, the question would rather be avoided, but change doesn’t come when you avoid conviction…it comes when you respond and become a doer of the Word. <span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Proverbs 11:1</p> <p class="MsoNormal">“Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.” </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Lord delights in integrity in the area that no ones sees in your life.<span style=""> </span>What you do when no one is looking.<span style=""> </span>For the last four years I have asked God to establish character in my life and establish in me that character of Christ. I have found that I have to be willing to look at and adjust the little places and things that are “no big deal” to me…but are a big deal to Him.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What are the places in your life that need to be looked at and measured up against the integrity of God?<span style=""> </span>How do you spend you time?<span style=""> </span>Your money?<span style=""> </span>What do you do with the wrong change someone gives you at the store?<span style=""> </span>How do you account for your private time on a computer when no one can see what you are looking at and reading?<span style=""> </span>Who are you when no one is looking?<span style=""> </span>Achan thought that is greed and sin would only affect him…wrong.<span style=""> </span>It caused a whole nation to be defeated.<span style=""> </span>I am excited to see what blessing and breakthroughs are on the other side of the adjustment of the integrity for my life personally, for the team that I labor with in the Kingdom and for my family.<span style=""> </span></p>Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538425033376147093.post-14291809287291192702008-11-16T15:38:00.000-08:002008-11-16T15:39:14.115-08:00The Beginning<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p>I have been thinking this last week about what Pastor Frank said about you having to cross thresholds to move into a new season <span style=""> </span>What threshold is God asking you to walk over so you can move into the next place God has for you?<span style=""> </span>For me, this new blog is part of the process God is moving me into.<span style=""> </span>You see, I am a worker.<span style=""> </span>I like to get in and get the job done and move on to the next thing as quickly as possible.<span style=""> </span>Even when I read I am always scanning ahead to see what is next and inevitably miss what I am trying to read at the moment. <span style=""> </span>In the mist of that I find that I often miss what God is trying to teach me through the experiences that come my way because I am just trying to get the next thing.<span style=""> </span>I am ready to become a student of the Word and of the Holy Spirit and let what He is teaching me penetrate and become part of who I am not just slid off with no assimilation.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is so much that God has done and said in the last two years of my life and I always think “tomorrow…I will spend some time to really process what God is saying and doing in my life…” The problem is tomorrow seems to be the elusive phantom that never gets within my reach.<span style=""> </span>Life gets busy and time seems to be gone before I can grab onto it.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Just over three years ago I spent 4 months in Alaska and there are things still rattling around in my spirit that need to be processed and pulled out to the surface of who I am. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">More then anything in life I want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ – A doer of the Word not just a hearer.<span style=""> </span>So, regardless of who reads this or who does not…this is my processing ground for what God is weaving into who I am…this is the expansion season of my life. <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></p>Trina Gorsethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07277135112950072771noreply@blogger.com0