(Re-blogged from Capturing Courage International)
The son had asked for the inheritance from his father and had gone his way. Into the city and to nightclubs he had squandered his father’s wealth and lifetime earnings ending up broke and starving and sharing food alongside pigs at their trough.
Coming to his lowest point and to the end of himself he reasoned that being a servant on his father’s farm would be better than the pig pen where he now was and so he begins the trek home.
On this International Women’s Day what comes to mind is the power of a dance, of stepping forward and of stepping back, of engaging forward and of making way.
It doesn’t matter if we are men or women we must all learn to both step up to the plate, and to step back as we make way for others.
If we are only ever stepping forward we end up stepping on others toes. No one else has a chance to speak; there is no give and take.
I was privileged to attend The Justice Conference via a satellite site this last weekend.
“Justice is rooted in the character of God and flows from the heart of God.” Ken Wytsma
Chocked-full with those leading the way in various dimensions and expressions of justice I came away chocked-full myself with new wisdoms and continued clarity to my own thinking and life and ministry.
In the past I’ve worked through refusing injustice in my own life personally. Since then I’ve journeyed others through the labyrinth of advocating justice within their own lives. Today as I work alongside indigenous pastors I’m joining conversations of justice at the rural indigenous church level.
“Justice is not just about solutions per se, but for us as peace workers it is an invitation to the table.” Sami Awad
We all have disqualifications we’ve been holding up between ourselves and our futures.
For some they are the lies of the past that still overshadow the present and rob from what might be.
For others they are failures and regrets and guilt that just can’t be shaken.
For a few they are the torches of hate we’ve taken on and directed at ourselves.
I’ve watched numerous biographical movies and read many biographical books of those arrested under communist regimes. There is always one point that remains the same from story to story. It doesn’t matter which continent or country in every story the one under arrest must agree to their guilt by signing a paper indicating, ‘Yes this charge against me is true.’
Of course, the charge is never true. And much, the entirety in fact, of the person’s time in prison is spent by the prison authorities working to obtain this agreement of their guilt. All of the tortures and atrocities are meant to break a person whereby they end up saying, ‘Yes what you say about me is true.’
It is as though the regime, the authorities, have no clear way of determining punishment until the agreement is made.
But isn’t this the same in all our lives?
Isn’t this but an extreme example of the same battle each and every day where we must choose to stand up for who we are, truly are, or give way to the barrage of lies about us.
We give the second witness that determines our future. We either agree to the lies or we stand in the truth.
There is no two ways about it. It truly is one or the other.
Which are you agreeing to today?
Peace is a powerful thing. Rather than a passive, as some would think it, lack of action peace requires intention and application.
Peace renders chaos and terror null and void. Peace removes authority unto destruction. Peace calms the storms and our hearts.
I’ve lived in places that contain a spirit of fear, peace removes this.
I’ve known relationships intent on chaos, peace calms this.
Next week, for three days I’ll be making myself available for complimentary coaching, consulting or prayer ministry sessions.
I am making these sessions available to 12 individuals on a first come, first served basis.
Each session will be for one-hour.
Again, this opportunity is on a first come first served basis so if you are interested please contact me below and let me know:
1. What kind of session you would like, coaching, consulting, or prayer
2. Best day and time for a session
3. Second best day and time for a session
4. And a brief summary of what kind of help you are looking for; what do you want to go away with.
I look forward to speaking with and serving you.
NOTE: All sessions are kept in the strictest confidence.
