"Sex God" Chapter 1

Okay, so the title of this chapter is "God Wears Lipstick". Why Rob Bell titled it that you'll have to find out for yourself by reading the book.

However, just as I was anticipating GOD to speak, HE did. I have to add it wasn't in the way some of you may be thinking. The two things that hit home in my heart last night while reading chapter one may not even connect to the whole picture of the book. It did, however, speak to me.

I have grown and learned so much while spending almost a year away. And I have been doing a lot of observing since being back. Some questions have come across my mind like: Why do people tend to compete with one another? Why do we compare ourselves to others? Why are we afraid to take risks? Why are we afraid to let people see who we really are? Why do we let past hurts and fears get in the way of doing things GOD would want us to do? Why are we selfish, thinking of our hurts and fears more than putting others first? Why do we just NOT take the time?

One of the paragraphs that spoke to my heart last night said:

Moments when all of the ways that we divide ourselves and rank each other and convince ourselves of how different, better, and unalike we are disappear, and we are faced with the fact that first and foremost, we are humans. In this together. And not that much different from each other.

How true is that, we are in this together and we need one another to journey through this life. It is what we were created to do. That paragraph had this footnote in the back of the book:

The word community comes from the word common. Community isn't really created- it's discovered. We discover what we've had in common all along. We don't make these bonds from scratch, we merely become aware of bonds that have been there all along.

This idea of community has really come up a lot the past few months. Maybe it is because I was a part of an amazing community through my small group years prior to going to Korea? Maybe it is because I really didn't have a sense, feel for community while I was in Korea? Maybe it is just because I am excited and aware of the new community and opportunities that GOD is placing before me at the moment? Maybe it is because I am longing for more community, connection with others in my life? Or maybe it is because I have been listening and hearing the cry of others for community?

What ever it is, when thinking about community I think about how we are all created differently, yet the same. How we all long to be accepted and known for who we are. To be a part of something where we can just be ourselves. I heard it once said that we are all born with the need to be loved, and we never out grow it. We also are all created by the same Creator and in HIS image. Wow, enough said. I know that I have only just taken a part of the chapter and I am not really sharing ALL that has been in my heart, but just giving a little taste of what I felt like I should share. GOD didn't create us to experience this life, this adventure on our own, but to experience it with others. So why do we continue to disconnect ourselves and not take risks?

The other part that spoke to me later on in the chapter said: Because with every decision, conversation, gesture, comment, action, and attitude, we're inviting heaven or hell to earth.

Now that is a pretty powerful and true statement!! He went on to tell of a woman who is bringing heaven to earth because, She and her family have taken kids who were discarded because of their perceived lack of worth and said, "No, you are not to be rejected and turned away. We are going to love you as an equal, as a human, as one of us."

Now that is reflecting the image of GOD. Rob Bell continued with; And when you see it lived out like this, you're seeing heaven crash into earth.

I know this spoke to my heart because GOD has really been putting the whole 'Orphan' thing on my heart and in my thoughts again. As you may have noticed the link titled James 1:27 to the right of this blog. I have been praying about helping a friend start an orphan ministry of some kind at church. And it got me thinking about two friends whom are missionaries working with orphans and I added them as links as well. Hopeful one of those places, if not both, may turn out to be the place I serve the LORD next summer. Though that is still in prayer and will all be a part of HIS Perfect Plan, in HIS Perfect Timing.

I have also found it interesting being places this week where there have been families that have 7 or 8 children. I know this because all the children were calling one person mom. Yet the children were of different races or didn't look alike. This has happened twice, I am guessing that they were foster families or adoptive families. Just interesting that GOD would put them in my path with what my thoughts have been.

I just know that by GOD speaking through the book in this way that I am exactly where I am suppose to be at this moment, seeking HIM, while HE guides and directs in the way HE would have me go. HE has been confirming this idea in my heart about orphans for over 10 years now, and actually longer if I count all the tears I have shed during my teenage years. I still don't know what it will all look like, and I am SURE it will be much different than what I think.

An added side note, is that I find it interesting that I felt really led to share the scripture reference for Our Daily Bread from yesterday in a Google email I sent. That scripture was Philippians 1: 1-11. I felt like it was what I wanted to say to so many others. Then tonight I went back to read an update from a friend of mine who teaches in Germany. And what I reread in her letter was exactly what I was thinking and trying to convey when I shared the scripture last night in my email.

So here are her written words: Since being home, it has been wonderful to see many of you personally. I am reminded again of the blessing it is to have a place to call “home” where I am loved by so many. You are truly a blessing to me and I am grateful that God has placed you in my life. I pray that I may be a blessing to you in return. Paul’s greeting in Philippians 1:1-11 is my heart’s thought as I think of you all. No, I am not imprisoned, but you are partakers in the ministry to students, missionaries, and unbelievers around the world. Thank you!

I just thought she expressed it better than I was trying to. I just want to PRAISE GOD for speaking in three distinct thoughts in the past twenty-four hours.

I have to add that GOD continued speaking through "Living the Message" and "Our Daily Bread" for today.

We can not compensate for neglecting those nearest us by advertising our compassion for those on another continent.....The check for the starving child must still be written and the missionary sent, but as an extension of what we are doing at home, not as an exemption from it. And: We have the good news...And we should assist in delivering it by word and deed to people around us who need its life-giving message.

I am sorry that these thoughts don't seem to connect and in a way are random. However, I just know, sense, and feel GOD moving right now and want to record thoughts for myself to go back and reflect on. And well, if someone else reads it and gets something from it too then PRAISE JESUS!!