THE SENTIENT LIFE: September 2012

September 8, 2012

TEACH US TO PRAY

“@jamesmacdonald: The disciples watched Jesus for three years and didn't ask how to preach or how to heal - they said, 'Lord, teach us to pray.'"

It's easy to want to share in the glory of preaching and healing--to get lost in wanting others to clap for us and praise us. Never forget to humble yourself in prayer. None of this is about you, or me. Give it all to Him. Let us pray.

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WHAT IS COMPASSION? WHAT IS EMPATHY?

From the People Of The Second Chance live on Twitter:

m@ (@mattschaar)

9/4/12 7:45 PM

@Ryan_Smith Compassion, I think, is the first step: seeing that someone hurts. Empathy is the process of understanding why. #potsclive

POTSC (@POTSC)

9/4/12 7:53 PM

"The more we know, the better we forgive. Those who feel deeply feel for all living beings." - Madame de Stael #potsclive

Kaela Bostic (@ms_kaela)

9/4/12 7:18 PM

empathy is not comparing our experience to someone's hurt, it's offering a shoulder when someone needs it the most. #potsclive

Ryan Smith (@Ryan_Smith)

9/4/12 7:19 PM

empathy is not about fixing anything but about listening. #potsclive

m@ (@mattschaar)

9/4/12 7:17 PM

@POTSC Empathy -- my favorite topic! It's holding space for someone to grieve, to share, to love -- without trying to "fix" them. #potsclive

Michael Dudiak (@MichaelDudiak)

9/4/12 7:18 PM

@POTSC Empathy is not --> about you! Empathy is not --> about expectations.#potsclive

Ben Moore (@pastorben52)

9/4/12 7:14 PM

@POTSC I think it means to accept someone in who they are, honoring them and their emotions and giving them a safe place to share #potsclive

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September 6, 2012

THE PURPOSE OF PAIN

Want a purpose driven life? Learn to embrace the pain.

We are here to grow, to change. Joy never changed anyone. But pain? It will make you figure out who you really are really quickly. It just feels slow.

Pain: It sucks. It hurts. Everyday you may even think its gonna kill you. But if you fight through it, if you hold on just one more day, one of these days you'll see...and holy stars is it beautiful in the end.

Embrace the pain.

Embrace the change.

That's why we're here.

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For S----

So something so God has been happening, and I'm just so lost in His wonder that I don't know what to do next. Or right now even?

You see, there's this girl on Twitter I recently started following and I can't stop praying for her. I know without a shadow of a doubt I can somehow, even just a little bit, be a wounded healer here. I just don't know where to begin.

It was easier with L--- because she sought me out. But S--- is different...I don't want to force God's love on her. I just want to show it to her and watch her light up.

I'm worried about you S---. You are so much more amazing than you will ever know. And I know it's true. These are not "just words". I am not saying this to be nice.

This is going to sound a bit, or a lot, crazy, but God is showing me you as He sees you. Not as you see yourself or even as the world sees you. For some other worldly and mystical reason, when I see your picture on Twitter or when I read your tweets, I can only see what God sees, and all I know is that I'm supposed to help you:

Help you know and believe that you are who He says you are and nothing else or anything less.

Help you see who you really are by seeing yourself through His eyes.

You are extraordinary S---. He keeps reminding me to tell you that. And I am beginning to believe I found you so that I can keep reminding you until you believe both God and me when we tell you that you are beautiful, and special, and priceless, and important. You matter.

You are loved and worthy of love.

Life won't always be and feel like this. You are meant for more. You are meant to shine your light on this world. Yes, we said light. It may be dim now, but it has the potential to illuminate so many people.

S--- you have the potential to be a wounded healer. God has given you the authority of empathy. If you allow Him to rescue you now, you can rescue so many more in your future.

I need you to know I am here for you. I will do my very best to always be here for you. I love you because God loves you. If you will have us, can we try to help you through this storm?

Think about it. Pray about it. Trust me, I know this is all kinds of crazy, but I feel in my core that I found you for a reason. Please, when and if you are ready, can we figure the reason out together?

You know where to find me.

With All My Love and His (From One Who Is Wounded To Another),

Me

Shall we start your second chance living? *wink

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OPEN ME by SHAWN MCDONALD

This song has gotten me through more sleepless nights than even I can count or imagine.

Tonight is one of those nights.

Lord, open me.

Regardless. Always. Forever.

I long to love You to folly.

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September 5, 2012

RESISTANCE

I just HAVE to share that the posts I am most fired up about--the ones I know are important--are the exact ones during which I am suddenly being endlessly attacked by so much resistance, either of technological origin or something or anything else.

It's unbelievable how intense everything gets.

You wouldn't believe it if you saw it: me praying out loud, "Please, please, please, please, please, please God. Come on, come on, come on, come on. God help! Help!" over and over and over until it posts successfully.

My word it's exhausting work.

Thank God I trust Him just enough to know it's important enough to endure.

Right?

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STORYLINE

I vowed a couple years back that I would attend and participate in Storyline by Donald Miller in Oregon before I die. I haven't given up on this dream, but this should hold me until God's stars align: