Day 19 - Just Shut up and Listen

I can't tell you how many times I've been in a position where I have doubted my mothering skills, my ability to lead or my ability to teach. I was scared when I became a first time mom and petrified when I started the MOPS group at my local church. It was one thing to be a mom, but another to start a group and lead by faith. God had called me to be a leader of a mom's group, but how was I going to convince other busy moms of preschoolers to help build a program for other mothers of preschoolers at our local church? How was I going to find volunteers to help watch our kids and how was I going to organize a group that would support other moms during these difficult times of mothering?

There's a saying that Christians tell other Christians who doubt their calling...God wouldn't have called you to this ministry/task/roll/leadership responsibility, if he didn't think you could handle the task. I would say it to myself over and over again the next few years and a beautiful group was created at our church: MOPS (www.mops.org for more info on MOPS). As a result of God's plan, new leaders were created, moms came to MOPS for friendship and support, and volunteers came to watch our children so they could provide for this important ministry.

All of this happened because it was God's plan and because I was willing to be quiet and just listen to God.

My RAK to anyone who has ever doubted or been afraid to do what God has called them to do.

Father Tony's message at LA Congress, Just Shut-Up and Listen.

Enjoy!
Christina :-)

P.S. You gotta get through the first part of the lecture to get to the meat of the message :-). Sorry vegetarians...couldn't think of a better way to rephrase that considering my mind is on Spring Break too.

Session #7 - Just Shut Up and Listen – Father Tony
Day 27, 1995 – Enter Church and knelt down in altar as priest. 2000 – First LA Congress Opportunities happened to Tony, just because he’s willing to say YES to God.
God’s plans were different. God showed him a new world, where you can stand in an Arena, ready to celebrate God’s love. Tony is thankful for the opportunity to bring God’s word to everyone.
In June 19, 1954 – God blessed this world with ME. Some priests enjoy doing this so much, that every morning they get up and enjoy what they’re doing every morning. It’s the greatest gift that God has given him. Thankful for all the prayer and support from everyone.
Comedy: If you want collection to go up, preach about sin and turn off air conditioner. Babies need to bring the message of hope to people ;-).
Comedy: If we want the Church to grow, have to let it crawl…let it walk…let it run. If you want Church to grow, have to give more $. People say, let it crawl.
In the Beginning, God was feeling kind of lonely. Day 1 – Let there be light. The light was everywhere. God said, this sure is good. “BOOM”. Day 2 – God created the Sky and Vermement (that which is ???). God said, this sure is good. Sky doesn’t do anything. Etc. (Story of Creation – on youtube.com)
After a while it’s going to get boring for most of us – Similar to playing basketball with tree.
As much as he loved the things he created, he didn’t create anything that would love him back. Lord stepped down from space. Grabbed clay and breathed breath of life. Adam. Adam got tired ask God for someone. God grabbed rib, Eve created. Wo, Man. At end of 6th day, God declared that we were very good. Day 7 – God took the day off. (He knew he wasn’t going to rest again). You had dominion over the entire Earth. Only had 1 rule to live by. Decided not to abide by law. Kicked out of Garden.
Why did God made you?
God made me to know him, to love him and to serve him in this world and to be happy with him in the next.
Problem w/child: Just give one sermon w/your children and let it go. Don’t keep going on and on with the sermon, just one time and then let it go.
Sometimes in your life, God has said, just shut up and listen to what Jesus has to say. Christ message is powerful..don’t need to improve it, just have to use it.
Scripture: Abraham (ex. of being quiet and listening to God). Prophet Jermiah..God places his word on his lips. Jeremiah tries to find an excuse about why he should not be the leader. Say not, that you are too young. (Say not = Shut up) Because I’m going to tell you what to do. Lord infuses him with the Holy Spirit. Before this happened Jeremiah just needed to be quiet so he could listen to the Lord.
Blessed Mary. When Mary was visited by Gabriel. Mary – Huh. Gabriel – tells her what’s going to happen. Mary –how can that be, I do not know man? Holy Spirit will come upon you. Emanuel will save the world. Then let it be done to me according to your word.
With God all things are possible. If you shut your mouth than God will make it possible. Mary was willing to just be quite, the power was there.
God: This is my beloved son, with him, I am pleased.
God’s plan – Jesus’ crucifixion. Satan you got to go. The closer you get to God the greater prize he sees you. Once he gets you, he puts you aside and moves on to the next. You have to say, Satan Shut Up and listen to Jesus, He has something to say.
This is my beloved son, just listen to him. Jesus has something to say. How many times in our live has Christ tried to bring a message to us. We’re so busy w/our work that we don’t listen. You can get bogged down w/doing church work (worried about all the little details) that we miss the opportunity to listen.
“There’s nothing greater that God can do, but to put me on that altar. “
Challenge yourself not to get caught up with doing church that we miss the transfiguring moments. Sometimes, you just have to be still and let God nurture you. This is different from doing nothing. Wonderful to celebrate, but don’t get caught up in the moment when Jesus is nourishing us w/his body and blood.
Sometimes you miss what God is trying to say, that you just have to leave it alone.
When the weight on the world was on his shoulders, Jesus said, “My God, why have you forsaken me.” (Jesus was saying it for himself and human kind.) But your will, be done. At that moment, the world was saved.
How many times in our lives have we been spiritually dead. We’ve been alone in our room. Just need that moment when Christ says, I’m with you, no matter what. Don’t forsake me. I love you so much, I’m willing to die for you. Just want you to believe. The day is coming when I’m going to take care of you, all you have to do is listen. Hanging on this cross because all I have to say is I love you. I love you for who you are. No matter what the world says, I love you, just because you’re you. Just listen to me. Sit down and just listen to God. He is giving up a message of power and faith. If the wind and waves are listening to God, why aren’t we being quiet and listening? Imagine all the miracles that would happen in the world, if we would only stop and listen to God’s message.
Open your minds and hearts to what God is trying to say to you. Don’t allow world to sit still.
Pay attention to what Christ is trying to tell you.. just close your mouth and open your ears.
May you stand firm in faith, no matter what he has called you to do.