Desperate Actions

It happens often enough. Your favorite team misses the coveted playoffs and you know exactly what needs to be done to ensure that this doesn't happen again. It is an action out of desperation.

We see crisis we react but so often we react in such a way as to potentially cause more harm than good. When we are desperate we tend to think irrationally. Out of desperation, thoughtless actions are formed and retained which can become destructive habits. Ironically, it is because of desperation we remain in a helpless state even when trying to produce the exact opposite state of being. But being desperate is not entirely a bad thing.

What really brings about this overwhelming sense of desperation in the first place? Certainly when the clock is ticking too close to a deadline there is a sense of panic. When we encounter crisis we tend to take on a feeling of independence. We feel like we are in a place of having to handle things on our own.

It is in this moment that the enemy loves to confuse us and our greater purpose. Our adversary wants us handling every event, circumstance, crisis, or situation with a mindset of independence. God, however, counts on inter-dependence.

1 John 5:4-5
To depend on God is to operate in faith. The trials and testings that occur, whether self inflicted or not, will always bring us to this crucial point of trusting God on a deeper level.

Trust God, He is so worth it.

The Impact of Worship

Morocco was such a thrill. I love teaching and training musicians in worship and ministering to people through fellowship. I give and I receive so much at the same time. This year's trip was not as long as the previous time I had been. Nevertheless the images and scenery will always remain with me.

It amazes me how much building is going on in and around Casablanca. Housing developments, malls, theme parks, restaurants, hotels, resorts, and more housing, and yet, the average monthly income for someone who works in these malls is around $300. Who is paying for all this development? These malls are full of the high end merchandise. Some of these retail associates never leave from behind the counter because NO ONE goes in the store...no one can afford that stuff.

Not having enough can seriously influence how we live our lives. There is so much to have. David, in Psalm 4:6-7 says:

Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, more joy in one ordinary day...

This really is how many of us feel but certainly do not actually live. I want you to watch what happens when people worship; what kind of an impact it has on people's lives. These people are among the many who don't have much but they do know who they belong to, and that gets them excited.

Just a quick note, there was a young Moroccan woman who had a curiosity to see how Christians worship. She is not allowed to go to church so to get around the issue of attending on a Sunday morning, she attended this "Night of Worship," with a friend. She was truly touched.