Church

If my church had a cute little vintage thrift store.... I would be the happiest person alive!

Alive?

And you has he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

Eph 2:1

I'm not going cut corners today but, I'm going to ask a question and then give some thoughts. Here is the question.. Are we living as if we're Alive? 

Here is the definition of Alive, from Dictionary.com: 

 

Alive Definition:

1.having life; living; existing; not dead or lifeless.

2.living (used for emphasis): the proudest man alive.

3.in a state of action; in force or operation; active: to keep hope alive.

4.full of energy and spirit; lively: Grandmother's more alive than most of her contemporaries.

5.having the quality of life; vivid; vibrant: The room was alive with color.



From the definition above that is a no, we are not living as if we are Alive.
I mean we're not going into action as much as we should, we are not full of God's Spirit, and the lot of this would be okay if we were at least trying to pursue the things we're without but, a lot of us don't even care to be alive, much less run with the amazing gift of responsibility of being made Alive!
I had a dream a while back pertaining to this, here is a part of it...

Last night I came home and went back through my journals where I wrote down my dreams, and actually there was a part where we were living like we were Zombies. I can't go into my whole dream so I'll just tell you this part... there was this pool where if you swim in it you will die. The water is a symbol of darkness... for many times even though we are changed we choose to swim in lies, our past, things in this world, etc.


The people at this pool were happy but, it was a fake happiness based off of self desires, and other things. The thing this people did not know is that they were dying....

Also this people was afraid because God was calling them to a destiny but, they didn't like the unknown they liked the light of their own darkness because it is what they know.... they long to step into that place of truth and light but, because of lies, etc. they keep to them selves.

A spirit like a Zombie is settling... we are alive but, dead instead of dead but alive!


Dead but Alive - is where, we are dead in the holy things but, alive in everything else... We are alive but for many wrong reasons.

Alive but dead- means alive in the things of Heaven, but dead to the human sinful flesh! We can be alive if be choose to pursue and lay our life aside...because life comes when you die... I know sounds crazy!
 (From a message I sent.)


When I first set eyes on this I was reminded of my dream. God has made us Alive but, if we don't keep in check the responsibility of the life that has been given to us, we become desensitized, dead to the things of God. We must turn towards God, and keep pursuing Him to gain understanding to what Alive really means... we've lost the revelation of the word! What if we really had the full understanding of what Alive meant, and we walked that out? Get that picture in the front of your mind... Heaven on Earth. Because with being Alive in Him, that opens the doors to practically everything God longs for, and what we should be longing for ourselves!

Those are my thoughts...
(Not saying that we never long for these things, I know in our heart of hearts we do... but, let's be honest with ourselves do we actually jump out of bed and say; "I want to heal someone today, or pray for an hour, and perhaps even longer than that!" A lot of the time we don't... and that's what I'm saying, that we would push a little harder at being Alive.)

Lovesick...

love·sick:  Adjective: In love, or missing the person one loves, so much that one is unable to act normally


Today I am so lovesick, its serious! As I began to do the dishes I began to have a conversation with Christ. 


"I am so lovesick, its... I hate to say it but ridiculous." (Me) 


"If you think that little bit that your experiencing is ridiculous, then imagine what I feel! And  I can't even express my love-sickness as I desire, because my people reject me and some don't even know who I am!" (Christ) 

I could feel and hear the frustration, and the passion He has for His Bride! I thought about what He said, and I suddenly felt His emotions...Imagine being SO in love with a person that you die for them and come back but, their so confused, hurt, abused, by the very guy who killed you... that they don't know how to love you anymore! Or rather... He has lied to them for so long that they don't even know who you are! 


I would die, if the people I love didn't know how to love me, or didn't even remember my name! Christ loves us SO MUCH... I am even more lovesick... and I so wish and pray that all us will get this...that HE LOVES US! He loves His people, even the ones who don't know Him and have ran away from His arms. 
I am now consumed with mourning for my brothers and sisters, for they do not know my Jesus like I do but, if they did.... oh how much joy, love, etc they would experience and encounter! 

(So one let Christ know how much you love and adore Him, and two simply share Christ love...not by shouting "Your going to Hell!" not by "Saying come to my Church!"... for those bring strings into relationships...there is plenty of time later when they begin to trust and know that Christ really does love them...when you can share that.  Just be there... like Christ is always there. For more people right now need the comforting, to be lead to the revelations, to be lead the teachings. ) 


Oh my... I am so lovesick right now!

Video- Dan Mohler

SO GOOD! Had to share!!!

A Dream! - Message to all!

So about two weeks ago, I had a dream. One of the craziest ones yet! I've had two others like this before... from God. The first one I had I was literally trembling... I had it when I was ten and then a second one this last fall! Then the one I'm about to share, like I said I had a couple weeks ago. There are a couple of other things God wants me to share and also I feel I need to cry out. So brace your selves, I'm about to get serious!
__________________________________________________

I was on a youth retreat, my youth group was there and some friends from another youth group and then some friends.
The hotel was the most beautiful- marble floors, glass rooms, and walls, inside fountains! I remember when we got there I went to my room and put my stuff down. Then I was trying to put earrings in and my bag fell... this girl from the group helped me.
Then I went down stairs and we as a group hungout around this beautiful fountain, pure clean water inside it... the fountain was in a glassroom, there were tons of people in this same area... so busy! Just pushing their way through people... Us as a group were just having fun and hanging out.
Something was going on at this Hotel and I knew it! The others didn't so much...
I kept noticing this woman around the hotel, watching me, us... mostly me. I knew this was more than a retreat for us and they knew I knew!
The top of this company/place, was a older man. He was planning something and I was going to find out what!
I knew I would be risking it... but I didn't care! I started being nosy, I started to find out things. Things they didn't want me too!
One thing was, the hotel had this grocery store, it was small and it was for the people who stayed at the hotel. The bread in this store was making people sick... REALLY sick!
I started to tell people they were slowly dying but, they were either to busy to care or just didn't listen. Then people of the hotel started watching me, a lot of people just went on in life not even noticing the things I was witnessing. Only those that wanted me quiet noticed...
Then I was in my room when men came in and took me to the grocery store warehouse.
They brought me into this open area and there was the woman- she stared at me for a moment when I started getting beat up by the men! I had soda in my hand... and I was trying to drink it.. they kept coming at me.
I remember, me being pushed into a corner. The woman watching me with a smirk on her face- She was the second in command of the company!
She kept saying "Don't tell anyone the things you have found out. If you do, we will kill you."
Then she told the men to stop. Then she said "And if anyone asked where you were tell them you went on a date with Marcus and your scares are what happened." as we were about to walk out.

Of course if my friends asked they would know that something was up by that reply because, I don't date.That's what I thought... I told the woman that too. She said "Follow me." I did. Men followed close behind to make sure I followed.
As we walked through the halls men in black suits were everywhere! I started telling the woman the delays of their plans... "They will know something is up!" - "Then keep it low key." - "They will find out about you and what your doing!" - "No they won't and if they do, we will know where to find them!"
The head joined us- "He asked "What is going on?" - "She won't stop ranting!" - "Then get her to!"
Then the woman says to me- "You'll probably want some rest!" The woman by this point was frustrated with me. She smiled a bit mockingly though when she said those words, as we went down a hall to a well guarded room!

The room was full of some of the strongest Christian youths I know. They were all trying to sleep.
A guard brought me in and said I was off limits to talk to and then he left.
I waited for someone to notice my scars and bruises... no one did, all were to tired. "Guys, they hurt me!" then one of the youth said "Shhh...you should be quiet. Aren't you tired?"
I was but, I knew I couldn't. I had to push and stay awake. I couldn't believe they all were sleeping, none of them noticing how beat up I was. They just wanted to sleep. We were about to die and they wanted to sleep!
I remember, just looking around not believing what I saw... Then I woke up.


The other stuff following later!

Beauty

Beauty is found in the tale of Beauty and the Beast! I love this tale... it shows true wealth, is pure character!

My favorite illustrated version is by Max Eilenberg, the illustration by Angela Barret. 

I wanted to share with you her bold words:

"Why should I," answered Beauty, "it would be very needless, for my father shall not suffer upon my account, since the monster will accept of one of his daughters, I will deliver myself up to all his fury, and I am very happy in thinking that my death will save my father's life, and be a proof of my tender love for him."

This reminds me of how we have the privledge of being martyrs for our God! 

The merchant was so afflicted at the thoughts of losing his daughter, that he had quite forgot the chest full of gold, but at night when he retired to rest, no sooner had he shut his chamber door, than, to his great astonishment, he found it by his bedside; he was determined, however, not to tell his children, that he was grown rich, because they would have wanted to return to town, and he was resolved not to leave the country; but he trusted Beauty with the secret, who informed him, that two gentlemen came in his absence, and courted her sisters; she begged her father to consent to their marriage, and give them fortunes, for she was so good, that she loved them and forgave heartily all their ill usage. These wicked creatures rubbed their eyes with an onion to force some tears when they parted with their sister, but her brothers were really concerned. Beauty was the only one who did not shed tears at parting, because she would not increase their uneasiness.


She was bold in her mission to save her family! How we should be for the body of Christ- she was placed in a hard situation but, found the good in it and stepped forth and took it as a responsibility of her own!

"No, dear Beast," said Beauty, "you must not die. Live to be my husband; from this moment I give you my hand, and swear to be none but yours. Alas! I thought I had only a friendship for you, but the grief I now feel convinces me, that I cannot live without you." Beauty scarce had pronounced these words, when she saw the palace sparkle with light; and fireworks, instruments of music, everything seemed to give notice of some great event. But nothing could fix her attention; she turned to her dear Beast, for whom she trembled with fear; but how great was her surprise! Beast was disappeared, and she saw, at her feet, one of the loveliest princes that eye ever beheld; who returned her thanks for having put an end to the charm, under which he had so long resembled a Beast. Though this prince was worthy of all her attention, she could not forbear asking where Beast was.


Many times the thing that turns bad for the better is a true women of virtue, of stregth, of dignity! Beast may not look like a prince but, in the end he was- A heart is what makes a prince, not riches, not looks but, a pure selfless heart!
What a beautiful picture is created when two unperfect but, trying souls make the choice to stay pure and selfless for each other till the day when they say "I do."
Purity is beautiful- and thats where we are right now as the bride of Chirst, He wants us to make the choice because being pure is freedom and sweetness to this dull world!
Salt enhances flavor, pepper dulls it out!

FASCINATE

Dear friends and family, we, me and my mom, are doing something we have never done before. We are going to be taking a road trip to Kansas City, MO. for a youth conference by the International House of Prayer normally known as IHOP. I had my heart set on this as soon as I saw the promo video, thinking "What a great way to get youth together and be a great bonding experience with God and each other!” As this generation rises to the higher calling of God and as things in this world begin to unfold I believe it’s time for us to start being that brother, that sister that God calls us to be to those people around us! I was at my youth group FURNACE and the Holy Spirit was there, and I mean there! The next morning in my prayer time, listening to Jesus Culture... praying it out, God said "What you saw last night is JUST the beginning of what I'm going to do in your generation. I have just begun to touch you and I'm going to touch you even more than that." I believe that the gates of heaven are soon going to be opened and that we as a people will never be the same again. Here is the link to the site: FASCINATE We will be leaving July 11th. The conference is from the 12-15 of that week! My mom will be car pooling there and back, possibly with other car poolers. (Still looking into that.) The overall cost is 450.00, which that include food, a share in room cost, and partly in gas, an the registration. Our plans in raising the money are: Huge yard sale! (Want to help with this and want more info email Kassie at: burkefamilylmail@gmail.com ) Arbonne fundraiser, through my mom. (Want more info email Kassie for details at: burkefamilylmail@gmail.com ) Doing yard work for neighbors and church members. (This is best done with a partner!) Want to be a chaperone email us at our email above. Want to GO! Send us an email at burkefamilylmail@gmail.com any high schoolers are welcome!

Things that Need to be Spoken... Part 2

Lately I've be really having trouble with self image and expression... I keep feeling as if people are not getting me. That all my work to show Christ through my life is not working...



Am I really as beautiful as people make me out to be? That has been a constant question.



After today... and being prayed for at our amazing church... called FIRE. :) I now realize that all those doubts and unsure questions are of the enemy! An that God is using me in ways and expressions already that I can't even fathom. Readers God has a destiny for you all we have to do is focus on him and pray an he will deliver you into your destiny. We just got to make him be first and foremost! I know its hard sometimes... I use to say "Yes God first!" but I was tempted... by the spirit of self gratification that is spreading over this generation. Here is a video I want to share:






Powerful video.. huh? I now am living full for Christ... no worries. :) Sadly I know some who are still looking to pop culture for fulfilment... I am being a friend to them and reaching out to them through my life by doing my best through Christ to be a example. That's what we have to be friends... we gotta love. :)



The Question..............

Girls I know its hard with people pounding on our door about fashion, how you look, culture constantly knocks at our door saying come on... that shirt isn't that low... or you look great walk out that door.. (us already falling into the first whisper.) Then if you say NO... culture beats you to a pulp. Trust me I know how it goes... Then when you try to stand again something else comes up. I know how important it is to be modest but yet I also know how important it is to look good for God. I use to be a fashion fanatic! Skinny jeans are in, I'm putting them on... that was me. I pushed the limits and made looking fashionable the prim to my looks. I wanted to be the most fashionable, I wanted to take the stage... all eyes on me, for my own gain. Girls its fine to be fashionable in a modest way. Lately, after a long while of thinking wearing pants was a literal sin and litrally fighting my own beliefs and trying to grab on to new ones with a legalistic spirit. I was wrong and I now know that pant/jeans are not bad as long as you wear them modestly. I definitly have to say pants can be a pain by modest standers, I feel I am constantly making sure my shirt is pulled down where with a skirt you don't really have the problem of your shirt riding up.
I am soon going to have a page on here how to dress modestly and fashionable... it is possible girls! :)

Another thing that was said over me at Church that I want to mention before I go into the next thing I want to say... is: "Let her be over taken by joy, let is be restored. Where ever she goes let them see the joy in her... let the joy in her make others joyful for you!" I have noticed I am alot more joyful lately and that even if something annoys me or I get frustrated... I always comes back to that joy!

Things that need to be spoken... Part 1

In this generation there is a group of people.... that is very law bound. In this generation there is a group of people who are very... on fire. Then there is a small group that is very much for both... Law and Fire is what makes the holy spirit dwell! We have to realize that God is both. He is not just a God that has tons of laws to preach to us day in and day out! He is also a God of Fire and anointing. The power he pursued in the past is not just the "God", of the times of old. That same power rains today.... and wants to be felt by our flesh, beaten' bodies! Isn't the same God people believes to be of the past was the one that says:

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Yes many laws were changed in the coming of the New testament! But guess what... Isn't Jesus the one who spit on the ground stired it into the dirt and then put it on the eyes of the blind man and then the blind man said he could see... John 9:6-7

And isn't Jesus the one who cast demons out of men and into pigs!?! Mattew 8:28-33

He also walked on water! Matthew 14:22-33

And the list goes on...

Last week I went to this youth group that has been very world directed. They were so concerned that they needed to save the world... that they needed to reach out in the area of entertainment that they could relate to the kids of the world. I stopped going there because I had a odd feeling about it... I kept getting this knot right where normally the holy spirit would talk to me and comfort me. Looking from the outside in.. I noticed why the spirit was so resistant of me going... He was protecting me from my own generation (You see at the time I was going through a hard time and I could of been easily lead astray.). Him knowing if I went I would get caught in that world focus, me getting caught in the spirit of self image and performance that was taking place in that one church group. I began to pray after that feeling, that not only there at that group but, to lift the hearts of my generation towards their higher calling that God has in store for them... That THEY will be able to see the light, the TRUE powerful light that God is trying to shine on this generation, that so many Christians and people are trying to push away!

My prayer started to be answered... I basically had a talk with God asking if I was strong enough in God yet to be around some of the people there... I decided to start to consider going back, after a okay from the lord. I prayed and waited... and to the wonderful mercy of God (!) last week the youth paster began to preach a new series called Elements... the series is about finding what is really at our core, foundation, an now not only is the sermon compelling to me, a homeschool girl who pours over the Botkins girls straight forward post and Jasmine Baucham's book, its starting to get to the youth there that God is a deep conversationalist! There is still a spirit of restraint there I can feel it in the worship that goes on there.

By going into this I wanted to point out God's other side that we, as people, normally try to get away from. That push on your heart, that voice that constantly says let go... is God's deep side trying to get to us. He wants to hold us and say "Let it go... tell me!"

(God wants to jealously dwell in us... he longs for our relationship. God doesn't like to be alone either, that's why he made us, because he wanted to have a intimate deep relationship with us! He loves you so.. don't push away!)

But we as Christian many times are afraid because we don't like the unknown... the other reason is God's spirit as been repressed so long that us as a people feel uncomfortable in a presents that is not a mortal or self gratifying one, I have to say that being a Christian its not about being "comfortable" its about being uncomfortable! Its about being EXTREME... yes I said extreme.

So many times people have said "You are so extreme!" Even Christians have said that about my beliefs in God! The same God they worship... apparently. I'm sorry, I don't know what bible some of you read but in my bible my God is pretty extreme! Think of the tower of Babel... the Flood... the Plagues on Egypt... etc. What about the verses that talk about the isralites and how they were so rebellious an nasty towards God... what about those?

Yes I might be extreme, I might be crazy, an I might make no sense to anyone in this WHOLE WORLD.

Its fine because I

1) was not made for world appreciation.

2) was made to be a beautiful instrument in the hands of God not a trophy on a shelf that collect dust.

3) am made to be a prophet to the nations through my life... not a teacher of world wisdom but of everlasting truth!

4) was made to BE a Christian... not a try to be, wanna be.

5) am to be a example to all the ones seeking Christ!

Which that last point brings up another point! If we are being "bad" examples and saying we are Christians but fluffing our worldly feathers flirtatiously then DUH! No wonder non- believers/ seekers are falling more for the world in Church then out... You cannot be for the world and for God! There is a verse that says:

"Anyone who isn't with me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me." Mattew 12:30

And don't tell me that that verse means something differnt then what you first believe when ya first glance at it!