I Have Nothing To Give...Except A Massage

Teaching how to massage the neck  

Right now I am in the Dominican Republic teaching the nationals how to massage. Being able to help provide jobs for the people of the Dominican Republic has been an honor so far (day one of five). Some of these woman don't have any skills, so the only other option isn't favorable and for some even unrespectable. To provide them with a way out of bad situations is humbling.

Learning how to effleuarge

When I decided to go to massage school 3 years ago I had no idea that my education could be used like this. At best I only saw it as a way to make money so that I could go on the mission field. Ha! Oh how we limit God.

Yesterday I taught that we all have something to give. That we all have something. In the Bible a widow had nothing… but a small cup of oil (2 Kings 4:1-7).  She didn’t see what she had as significant. But the prophet told her to use what she had. And when she used what she had in her hand God touched it and a miracle happened (do yourself a favor and go read the story).

They are doing so well learning the techniques.

I kind of saw my massage education like this. I didn’t think that this could be something God could use. It's silly I know…to think that God can't use something! But we do it all the time. For some reason we have been taught that God only operates when we are going something "spiritual". But that is not the case.

I told the people here that if all they can do is just make the best banana soup then that is something God can use. It's doesn’t matter how small. God can make it great.

We all have something to give. It might seem small. It might even seem non-spiritual. Just give God what you have and he will cause increase. He will make things happen that you would have never dreamed! I used to say that I just did massage to get overseas. That I didn’t really love it like I love to minister. Now I see that they are one. Massage doesn’t have to be a separate thing. It's all apart of what I can give God. And it's a beautiful thing.

I'm so excited to use my gift...clearly! 

I'm so excited to see what else God is going to do with what I have in my hand. As I read this back to myself tears start to flow. The goodness of god is so great. Even when I believed that what I did for a living wasn't that special (a lie) God never doubted (truth). He Is a master at taking the things we thing aren't great and making them grand!

What do you have in your hand to give? It's really a easy question. What are you good at? What do you like to do? Whatever It is give it to God. The outcome might be quite hilarious!

Whatsoever Think.

I had 34 students at the night class! this is only half the room!

A Response: Why People Don't Sing In Church Anymore

We all have passion and one of mine is worship. Bring up worship and we could talk for hours. Bring an instrument and you will make this girl happy! We will worship for hours. I love being able to worship the creator of the universe. It makes my heart so full!

Recently I saw a blog about why people don’t sing in church anymore. I found the title interesting so I clicked on it. After reading it I was so upset and baffled that I went to my room and worshiped God and prayed “God where are your worshipers?”.

Worship is not a song. Countless blogs say why people don’t sing in church. In my option if our focus is to just get people to sing, making worship just a bunch of songs to be sung, then we are worse than I thought. When worship becomes just another song it’s likely you’re lacking relationship with the one that your called to worship.

Worship is and has always been a lifestyle. Singing songs to God is just one avenue. You can worship him with your life, money, relationships…well everything! Worship looks like a lot of different things. The woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet and then wiped them with her hair was a act of worship. She did it because she was so in love with him. Some might think it’s over the top. But Jesus loved it.

I have traveled around the world and been in countless worship serves. I don’t speak all the different languages but that doesn’t stop me from giving my god adoration. People say songs now days are hard to sing, cheesy, aren’t the “original” songs and unbiblical. So they don’t “sing”. Haha have you gone through a hymnal lately (I love hymns don’t get the wrong idea)? Just saying… There shouldn't be any excuses.

I have been around lots of people like this: “Oh I wish they would play that one song, then I’ll sing". So here is my question: Is your worship to God dependent on what song is being played?

I’m ready for a generation to rise up and truly worship God selflessly. No matter the song or circumstance, that they consider it all joy to exalt him. I’m ready to see worship like it was in the tabernacle of David. There were people worshiping all the time with excellence and with a heart toward God (proof that excellence in worship is ok).

My heart burns for God. I long to worship Him not only on Sunday mornings but every day! We should worship because of who God is, plain and simple. He alone is worthy of all our praise. He the reason we even have songs.

I will be His worshiper and I will be a voice to this generation. It is time for the true worshipers arise. I see a people who will hold nothing back because they are so in love with Jesus.

Whatsoever Think