The Loft Student Ministries
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Temporal Glimmers
There I was, leaning over the bassinet with a big smile on my face, speaking in frequencies so high only dogs could hear them, animated in a way sure to be appealing to a 7-week-old baby girl. Admittedly, my only objective was to get a big gummy grin from that sweet little baby face. I was dramatic, persistent, and frankly, I was downright entertaining! There was just one problem. . . baby Lily’s attention was already spoken for.
Her gaze was locked onto the sunshine coming in through the window blinds. She was utterly transfixed by the soft glowing stripes on the wall – to her, they were fascinating! I thought to myself, “Though it’s lovely, how could a little splash of sunlight trump all the attention, care and love I am prepared to give her? I mean, I’m Mommy! I’m supposed to be her world!”
Still determined to have a little “mommy-baby” moment, I gently tried to turn her head toward me. . .resistance. I softly called her name, stroked her cheek, tickled her tummy. . .nothing.
Absorbing a twinge of disappointment, I wondered how many times we are transfixed by distractions of this world. How many times has God gently called our names? What have we missed because of “temporal glimmers” that capture our focus? Have we missed his encouragement, teaching, wisdom, leading, warnings? I mean, He is our heavenly father! He is supposed to be our world!
If you have a moment, reflect on the words of Marty Sampson’s song “You Are My World.” Respond to God’s voice when He calls. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (Psalm 105:4 NIV)
All I really wanted from Lily was her attention and a smile. Oh how God’s heart longs for the same from us.
H2O Worship
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Worship. Linger. Drink Deeply. Every 3rd Sunday @ 6 PM.
H2O is intentional. It is the unhurried, unscripted time we draw near to Christ in renewed worship and adoration.
Childcare from birth to 5 years is provided!
Waking Up Samuel
Two things are clear as the Bible introduces us to Samuel. First, God’s revelation rarely came to the nation during those sad years of passion-less regard for the Word of the God. Second, Samuel – the boy, not yet the prophet – with a preoccupation with the presence of God, ministered to the Lord.
Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision. 1Samuel 3:1
It is a story filled with irony. The Word of the Lord was rare. Vision was rare, but Samuel’s time in the Presence of the Lord WAS NOT RARE.
From his birth, his mother Hannah positioned him to value the presence of God. Every year, prior to his apprenticeship under Eli the Priest, Samuel accompanied his mother and father to the yearly sacrifice, clothed in a garment reminiscent of the priests, who served before the Lord.
When he became the young protégé of Eli, Samuel chose a life of close proximity to the Lamp of God and the Ark of the Covenant; two enduring Old Testament symbols of God’s presence. One night beneath the glow of the Lampstand, while lying near the Ark of the Covenant, Samuel heard the voice of God call his name.
“Samuel.”
Samuel heard his name articulated from the lips of the eternal God. The same voice that called light into being spoke his name, but while he spent much time in the Presence of God, until this moment he never heard the Voice of God. Only after Eli realized what was taking place did he instruct Samuel how to respond:
Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1Samuel 3:9
And Samuel’s obedient response one verse later culminated in the call both a priest and a prophet; the one, who would anoint the first King of Israel and later confront him for his sin. Samuel would later find and anoint a shepherd after God’s heart to be King, David the son of Jesse.
Every child needs the guidance of a Hannah, who can shape a his or her sense of potential and calling. Every child needs a Hannah, who will “clothe” them in the purpose and plan of God. We love Hannah, a woman whose own personal faith would outlast some of the sorrow of her early life. We don’t really love Eli, whose sons held no reverence for the holiness of God. Nonetheless, everyone needs an Eli, who can not only lead us before the presence of God, but can teach us to listen and respond to the voice of God.
It has happened to me twice in the last 5 weeks. The prompting of the Holy Spirit during intercession for Christian Life Assembly and for the people of Gibsonville led me to pause over the story of Samuel’s call; to reflect, to wonder about the activity of God in my church and my community, and with guitar in hand, to lift my voice devotionally in a personal song to Christ:
“Speak, Lord. Let Your Voice, speak to me. Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”
And it happened again just a few nights ago and, this time, I sensed the impression of the Spirit of Christ:
“I am waking up, Samuel.”
And my prayer comes with a yes and amen! Father, awaken again the prophetic voice in my church and in my generation to speak for you. Let the mantle of your calling especially fall on the those of my daughter’s generation. We clothe them in Your purpose. We lead them into Your presence. We help shape and form their lives to live for your glory, but only You can utter their name and bring them into a life-changing encounter.
Out of the Ashes
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. Psalm 113:7-8
Ash heaps abound. One of the aromas that linger in my memory from third world missions is that distinct wood burning smell; pots of water boiling over an open fire ready for the rice, refuse consumed in the trash fires, and ashes accumulate around the coals. There are ash heaps in the Korogocho slum of Nairobi, Kenya. There are ash heaps in Orissa, India. And among the ash heaps of the world are stories of compassion and mercy.
Summer, 1989, Guatemala City, Guatemala. The missionary warned our 33 member team not to let the windows down. We would definitely not be getting out of the bus on this trip. This was my first short-term missions outreach, my first time beyond the shores of the Land of Liberty. And for me, and the rest of our team, the missionary thought it in our best interest to stay in our seats as our team entered “the dump.”
The Guatemala City garbage dump occupied 40 acres along a ravine. This landfill, one of the largest and most toxic in Central America, houses over a third of the country’s waste, including trash, recyclables, discarded food items, used syringes, toxins emitted from discarded gas tanks, as well as other biohazardous materials. It is a place of the discarded and the dead. Corpses, both human and animal, decompose amid the waste, exacerbating already poor sanitation conditions.
Sadly, it is also the place of the living. The boundaries of the landfill are so heavily populated that they are considered a municipality of the city. Gretchen Knoth of COHA research reports that 30,000 squatters reside along the perimeter of the garbage dump. Considering that our host missionary would not allow our team out of that bus, I looked on with all the more wonder, awe, and appreciation upon the itinerant evangelists, selfless missionaries, and compassionate workers, who served the impoverished, set up medical clinics for the sick, and shared the love of Christ with perhaps the most hopeless people I had ever seen.
October 1999, Pimentel, Dominican Republic. Few things make me smile like the sight of seeing 200 or so wide-eyed, joyful Dominican boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 13 walking up the gravel road to CERINFA, a privately funded, American based Christian School. I don’t get to see that scene enough.
Their school day begins with breakfast. Americans affectionately call it the “most important meal of the day,” regardless of whether or not we actually eat that early in the morning on a regular basis. For these precious children, breakfast is the “life-changing meal of the day.” CERINFA is a restoration and nutrition center as much as it is a school. All of the children, who attend, come not from families, who can afford such an education. Few can barely afford breakfast or any regular meal for that matter. The children go hungry. The basic building blocks of nutrition are absent. Young minds meant to learn are stunted and the tragic cycle of poverty begins its grind over one more helpless generation.
CERINFA not only lifts children from the poverty of Pimentel. It places children at a desk to learn. It places them at a table for breakfast and lunch. Between full bellies and full minds, the children find full spirits through the message of Christ, which teaches them of God’s love and power to save and deliver! And these children will not only have their futures transformed. They will become voices of hope and life! Jesucristo es el Señor de Pimentel!
On that October morning, I heard the voice of the Savior whisper in my spirit as I watched the children walk up the gravel road to CERINFA and take their seats for breakfast:
I raise the poor from the dust. I lift the needy from the ash heap. I give them a seat among the princes of My people.
It was the voice of Christ. It was the Word of Christ. It was the heart of Christ. And the Son speaks words like these that we might become His hands and His feet to lift, to pull out the chair, to prepare the food and serve the Bread of life, and welcome new princes and new princesses to tables of provision and grace. There are many ways to take part in the great work of Christ, who lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the ash heap. We can give. We can go. We can pray. We can serve.
Let me share with you a few ministries based locally in North Carolina with a global reach into some of the ash heaps of the world. (They are also dear friends of mine!)
Vision India. Randy Johnson’s own experience in India captured him to serve. Almost 7 years ago, Vision India began an orphanage to provide a home for the children of Orissa, who faced lives on the street as beggars. Sadly, it is a path to exploitation through harsh child labor and sex trafficking. The House of Hope rescues children from a hopeless future. The ministry shelters, feeds, clothes, and cares for each child. And most importantly, the children discover the love of the one and only God, who sent Jesus to save them and bring them into His plans for their precious lives. In addition, Vision India supports church planting, native missionary workers, jail ministry, and many ministries to the children of Orissa.
Equip Kenya, under the leadership of Pastor Marchael Bullard, supports the supplying of “food, basic education, vocational training and improving housing conditions while proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ” and partners with a growing network of indigenous ministers under the leadership of Pastor Euticauls Wambua. One of the primary focuses of Equip Kenya is ministry in the Korogocho Slum, outside of Nairobi. Current estimates place as many as 700,000 people in this three square mile slum built on top of an active trash dump. But within Korogocho, Equip Kenya provides hope in Jesus Christ through the Kariobangi Baptist Youth Center and the Joy Dagley African Feeding Center.
The Pimentel Project, led for 15 years by my good friends Jay and Jeannie Brown, supports CERINFA under the ministry and leadership of Pastor Radhames Quezada and MIVA (Ministerio Infantil Viva El Amor). The Pimentel Project organizes and oversees child sponsorships, as well as short-term missions teams. In addition, the ministry similar ministry visions in Nigeria and Kenya.
Type A, B, C, or D?
“Are you an introvert or an extrovert?”
“Would you consider yourself to be a Type A, Type B, Type C, or Type D personality?”
These were the questions I was hit with on my first day in college at the beginning of my Intro to Psychology class. Not even one hour into my college career and I am already being asked to classify myself into certain specific categories. I must have been feeling pretty good about myself that day because my answer fell somewhere along the lines of, “I feel like I am a pretty good balance of all four of those personality traits.”
What was I supposed to say? Was I to permanently ally myself with one of these categories for which I would forever be associated with? Obviously this wasn’t the objective of the professor’s exercise. Instead, it was to understand how we all thought and reacted when placed in different situations.
Before we keep going I’ll go ahead and come clean: Introvert-Type B (whew that felt good to let out)
Knowing what one’s personality type is can help a person understand who they are and why they act and respond in the ways that they do. It can also give a person a sense of security knowing how they will be able to react when different situations occur in their lives. In more or less words: it’s comfortable.
I’m sure this is how Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John felt with their Type D personalities. Before they came to be known as the disciples, these four were perfectly content and comfortable with their lives. They had their daily routines which probably didn’t allow many “out-of-the-ordinary” or “living on the edge” experiences. Yet on a day where the only thing out of routine was the lack of fish attracted to the fishermen’s nets, Jesus presented them an opportunity that a typical Type D would’ve ignored and gone about their business. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) And you know what? They did.
You know what’s interesting about Jesus calling these disciples? Instead of phrasing his words in the form of a request or suggestion, he commanded these young men to follow him. In other words, it wasn’t a “Hey, if you feel like it…” or a “I’ve got a proposition for you…” or even a “If you invest with me…” type of situation. It was a direct, strait-forward command that requires a specific response and action to follow. In that moment, it didn’t matter to these four young men that they had perfectly comfortable lives setup so that they could always predict and be prepared for whatever life threw their way. Upon being called, Matthew records, “Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (4:22)
God’s calling in our lives needs to have the same impact on us. When we are called, it isn’t a request/suggestion, but a command. There have been too many times where we (mainly I) have decided that God’s calling wasn’t necessarily for us. We have thoughts like: “Maybe I didn’t hear him right” or “Maybe he has me confused me with someone else” or “Maybe it’s the slice of pizza and glass of milk I had just before I went to bed talking to me.” But when we hear His calling, we shouldn’t be intimidated by the fact it’s going to require us stepping out of our comfort zone, but rather we should be excited and inspired that He would choose us for His divine plan! When God calls, don’t feel confined to a box that says your personality type only allows you to do so much before it’s uncomfortable to step out and follow God. Instead, we must step out in faith knowing that God has called us to live a life full of His plans for our lives.
When God calls, I know I must check my “Introvert – Type B” classification card at the door and allow Him to use me.
Toward Love and Good Deeds
Welcome to my first post as a contributor to the Christian Life Assembly “Spirit-Formed” blog! I’d like to start by telling you a little about myself.
My name is Connie Awtrey. I work full-time as a Data Analyst, but I have many other interests which range from singing to visiting some of the many local frozen yogurt places with friends. MMMmmmmm!!! I also enjoy playing guitar and flute on the CLA worship team, walking our doggie (Mozart), baking, song-writing, and doing voice over work.
My husband, Chad and I recently welcomed our baby girl into the world, and I absolutely LOVE being a new mommy! In fact, I can already tell that the content of my posts is likely to be inspired in part by my beautiful daughter, as well as my devotions, life experiences, observations, and the leading of the Holy Spirit. My hope is that through my posts I can encourage you as we help “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb 10:24 NIV).
Listen to Him!
I don’t always listen very well, and yet, I’m hearing all the time. The drone of everyday life can be measured in decibels.
In the morning, it begins. The normal din of noise begins to reach my ears. My wife’s blow dryer chimes in at 80 decibels. The cars leaving my cul de sac take off to work at 70 decibels as their automatic garage doors close at 50 decibels behind them. Just beneath my Starbucks order, the conversations take place between sips of lattes and 60 decibel conversations between friends and acquaintances.
I’m hearing right now. A storm moves through our area with a pretty heavy downpour splashing our roof at 60 decibels. Beneath that, our air conditioner chimes in at 40 decibels, and my wife and daughter catch an episode of Barefoot Contessa. Ina’s got a tasty recipe for oatmeal cookies with 1 cup of cranberries. 75 scrumptious decibels. And the clicking of my keyboard as I type my article? 35 decibels.
Hearing is automatic. I don’t even have to work hard. I’m naturally pretty good at it.
Listening? Physically it’s all the same, but, in spite of my ability to hear without much effort, listening is a struggle, in part, because I’m hearing all the time. Listening requires the same ears to catch the vibrations in the air, channel it into my ear canal, cross my ear drum, trigger the movement of tiny bones, stimulate the cochlea (which is too complicated for a right brainer like me to explain), and somehow register in the brain. I hear the clothes dryer, the running water from the faucet, the feet of my daughter climbing the latter to her loft bed. But I listen to a sweet, grooving bass line. I listen to my daughter’s whispers. I listen when someone answers my question.
And I think the difference is focus or intention. I’m hearing all the time, but I listen when I really want to listen. Granted, some things demand my attention; thunderclaps, a siren in the distance, my wife’s protest: “Are you listening to me?” So listening demands my attention and to listen, sometimes I have to pull away from other things that I’m hearing.
Jesus frequently withdrew from the disciples to spend time with the Father in prayer, and in Mark 9, He took Peter, James, and John, leading them up to a high mountain, where He was transfigured before them; awash in the fullness of His immeasurable glory. Elijah and Moses suddenly appear, speaking with Him. And Peter, James, and John experienced the full glory of Jesus in a limited moment in time.
Consider Peter’s response.
“Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Mark 9.4–5
Have you ever NOT known what to say? Peter speaks for the others and offers to build shelters for Elijah and Moses. “Guys, you’ve obviously had quite a trip. You might need a place to rest, a place for us to hear what you have to say to us.” Why did Peter say that? Verse 6 is kind of telling.
For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Mark 9.6
Sometimes we talk when the moment calls for something else. Sometimes we need to shut our mouths and open our ears. Heaven just touched Earth to the point of sensory overload and Peter tries to compensate for his fear with something clever sounding. But talking wasn’t appropriate. Listening was.
AND God’s voice thundered in an overshadowing cloud “This is my beloved Son; Listen to him.” Mark 9.7
Listen to Him! It’s that 2nd person command. “Give your attention to Him! Take it in! Take it seriously! Obey!” God’s love for the Son compels us fix our attention upon Jesus and listen to what He is saying. When a thousand other things can be heard, don’t merely hear the voice of the beloved Son. Listen to Him! Listen to the One loved by God, sent by God, and speaking for God!
For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. John 3.34
How do you listen and not simply hear? We hear ambient, droning noise all the time, but listening to the beloved Son requires…
Captive Attention. Moments with Jesus are usually arresting and require other things to be put on hold. I’ve found that I reveal the value I place on my time in Jesus’ presence by my attention span. Does Jesus merit pieces of me or does He garner all of me in those moments when He speaks.
Closer Proximity. A still, small voice requires me to move in closer. I need to shut out other voices and quiet my heart from the droning of everything else. I hear the voice of the Son when I press in closer. Do I need to plan a fast? How can I protect my quiet time in private devotions?
How will you listen and not simply hear the Son of God?
Jared Anderson and Desperation Band really capture this well in Coming Your Way on their Everyone Overcome album.