In the Name of Love

The name "Love, has become a journey I am embracing in the perspective of seeing the Almighty God through new lenses. Many have embraced the idea, "God is love", but if "God is Love" than that would be a noun. "Love" would be a name of God. Take a moment to look at the list of names of God you may have, or perhaps just those that come to mind.

He is Holy.
He is Awesome.
He is Almighty.
He is Faithful & True.
He is All Sufficient One.
He is Alpha & Omega.
He is Love.

And so on... (more names here)


In 1 John 4:8 and 16, God is called "Love". This "Love" word translates "Agape" in Greek. You are probably familiar with "Agape", but here are some translations:

KJV (116) - charitably, 1; charity, 27; dear, 1; feast of charity, 1; love, 86;

NAS (115) - beloved, 1; love, 112; love feasts, 1; love's, 1;

Interestingly, the most common translation has to do with charity, or giving compassionately. Love gives. 

"And we have known and believed the [agape] that God has for us. God is [agape], and he who abides in [agape] abides in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16

So God being "Agape", has really changed my view. The audacity to believe that "Agape" could abide in me? That I could abide in "Agape"? What's more, is this:

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the [agape] of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5

So the Holy Spirit has already poured out "Agape" in us who believe in Jesus Christ, God in flesh, who was crucified, died, buried, and resurrected... and alive!

Ok... one more verse... as if it couldn't get better...

"...If we love [agape] one another, God abides in us, and His [agape] has been perfected in us." 1 John 4:12

Can you imagine? God's love perfected in us? Astonishing. 



This name of God has become such a new view for me, because it effects every area of my soul.  

My heart (emotions) needs to feel His agape toward me.
My mind (understanding) needs to be transformed by His agape.
My will (desire) needs to be for His agape in a focused manner.

Surely, if He sees me through the eyes of love, what an example that I should follow, and look at Him through eyes of love!

I encourage you, if you needing to know how God feels about you, to meditate on these passages, and pray in and to the God, whose name is Love.

- gina

The Power of a Focused Life

The Power of a Focused Life is not about being determined, or driving. In fact, its kind of the opposite. It's about living life on purpose instead of just letting life "happen" to you. One thing I learned early on in my life was that if I didn't schedule my time, someone else would.

This week I had the privilege of speaking to our interns at Convergence House of Prayer on the topic of the Power of a Focused Life. [Mike Bickle has some great teaching on it here.]

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from various leaders, and myself, on the topic:

"Money is Power, but Time, is Life." - John Maxwell

"If time is eternal equity, where are you investing it?"

"To squander time, is to squander destiny." - Mike Bickle

"What would you die for? Then why don't you live for it?"  Francis Anfuso

Remember the parable of the talents? This parable is a great picture of a squandered life. In fact, Proverbs 29:18 says: "Where there is no vision, the people perish", or are "unrestrained". Casting off restraint, is like a ship floating around in the ocean, with no direction, no anchor, and no map! In other words, lack of vision, or focus, equals a squandered destiny.

I used to think that when I received a dream from the Lord or a prophetic word than, "so let it be written, so let it be done." In other words, there was nothing left to do on my part. If God had a specific plan for my life, than it would just unfold before my eyes and bam! There I would be. It didn't quite work out like that for me, and then a few years ago I had to pull out my 15 years worth of journals and dig to find what promises God really had spoke to me. I began to lay out all the promises, dreams, and prophetic words I felt were really and truly from God, and pray into them.

This meant I had to take much time, process, pray, write, and evaluate my life. Were there things I was spending my time on that didn't "feed" my destiny? What things that are in my heart were really put there by God?

Personally, about every three months, I look at my schedule, evaluate how I am spending my time, and shift things that are not working for me. Perhaps I will specifically address that in another post, but for now I will leave you with those thoughts.

I am attaching a document I gave to our interns to help you take a look at where your time goes, what your life vision is, and how to make your weekly schedule "feed" your bigger picture life vision and goals.

I hope these tools are helpful to you!
Blessings!
- Gina


The Power of A Focused Life Processing Sheet

Bible Study Planning Worksheet

Weekly Schedule Worksheet

Parent Ponderings

My whole life I have noticed how children behave, I know you have too. Admit it, when you see a child  behaving in public, especially if the behavior is unruly, you can't help but stare. There is something about children that captivates us, we watch their every move. The cute little things they say, the way they look at the world, they are amazing!

It is funny though, before I had children of my own I use to think that kids were a reflection of their parents. That if a child acted a certain way, he must have been taught that behavior by his parents. Buuuuuttttttt... then I had kids of my own. When my kids were very small I remember thinking how embarrassed I was when they acted unruly in public, because everyone was looking at me thinking, "That mother doesn't discipline her kids!" Inside I was filled with worry and embarrassment about what people thought of my parenting.  It was not all in my head, I want you to know, I actually was un-invited to playgroups and one home-school co-op because of my children's behavior! That was so hard for us because we felt like we were really disciplining our kids and couldn't understand why they acted like they did in public.

Recently, I have been going through the book of John and meditating on the phrases of Jesus when He speaks of "His Father". This particular verse I have heard many times, but not in the context of what I had been meditating on.

"Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner." John 5:19

Isn't it interested that Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing? Can I take this out of context for a minute, just for contemplation? Even Jesus imitated what He saw, and isn't that the point? Children imitate what they see, we can all agree on that. What I am not eluding to is that if my child is throwing themselves on the ground, that means they saw me do that!

What I am wondering though, is what does it mean? What about when you see a child with excellent behavior? Does that mean their parents are "excellent"? I know there are other contributors to child behavior, but my contemplation is specifically about what behaviors children get from their parents. What thoughts do you have on child behavior as it related to parent behavior?

- Gina

God is in the Theory of Music

Music Theory? Or God is the theory in music?

Are you as in love with the number seven as I am? There is just something intriguing about the number.

I always wanted to open a cafe and call it "Cafe Seven". I don't know why. Then I started finding 'sevens' everywhere.

Of course we know that God made the earth in six days, and rested on the seventh- creation=seven. 

In the Book of Revelation there are seven churches, seven spirits, He holds seven stars, the seven seals, the seven trumpets, and so on. Seven is used over 700 times in the Bible. It is used 54 times in the Book of Revelation alone! (more on that here) But seven in music? YES.

Piano Keys clipart
from Clker.com

Take a look at a piano keyboard. The first white key is the "C". This is the grounding for where form begins when positioning your hands on a keyboard. Your right thumb on the "C". If you count the white keys from "C" to "C" you get seven. There are seven white keys in an octave. There are also seven FULL octaves in a Full Size 88-key Keyboard!

When forming a Major Chord, place your thumb on the middle "C". Using your index finger, count (on the black and white keys) 1-2-3-4 then stop and let your index finger rest there. Then continue with your pinky, 5-6-7, and let your pinky rest there. You have a Major "C" Chord.

4+3 = 7. Every major chord = 7.

Do the exact same thing again, except rest the thumb on the "C" and count 1-2-3, then 4-5-6-7, and you have a C minor. 3+4 =7. Every minor chord = 7.

Isn't that fun?! God is so amazing!

FREE Children's Resource Friday- Prayer Leading Guide

In this Friday's Free Resource for Children's Ministry, I'd like to introduce you to a Prayer Leader Guide for kids. You may already be doing this with your kids at home or in church, but if not, I love to share this with you, and if so, perhaps a new resource for you to use?

Here is my son when he was just 7, praying during our Kids Prayer Meeting. The first obstacle for kids to overcome in prayer is language. How can kids get scripture hidden in their heart, so they are actually using biblical language to pray from, while applying it to their life at the same time? That's right, by "Pray-Reading" the Scripture.

Here's an easy way to work the muscle of Pray-Reading Scripture- and even better, is that by working this muscle, children will be memorizing scripture in a way that applies to their lives, making it more real to them!

1. Read the passage to the children and explain that this is scripture which is a prayer written by the Apostle Paul. That there are many prayers already in the Bible that we can pray as well. 
2. In this passage, Paul was praying for the Church in Ephesus, but we will use it to pray for (your Pastor, Parents, etc. whatever you choose)
3. Let them read and fill out the booklet, take it up to the microphone, and pray through as directed.

As always, I would love to hear what you thought and how it worked for you!
Enjoy,
Gina


Prayer Leader Booklet

Update on My Music

Hi there,
So this website was primarily designed as a place for me to post my writing, art, and music, but the music has been a little slow going. Mostly because I have been having throat issues for the last 2 years.
    Currently, I am on a vocal rest for two months, after just having my tonsils out. I am preparing though, in two months, to start my first recording project. It has been a dream of mine since I was 16 years old. I have written over 40 songs, and lacked the courage to sing my original music until the past few years.
   I'm excited about the future of my voice - now that those nasty tonsils are gone! And very excited to get a little EP out. I would love to have your prayers and support. Please tune into my website and listen to the music I post in the meantime, and keep checking in with me. I appreciate your encouragement so much!

- Gina

Personal Update

Hi there,
Just a note to let you know I have taken a couple weeks off my blog,
I have been working very hard finishing another Children's Curriculum called "Discovering God's Heart", a journey through the Song of Solomon for kids. It is almost complete, and will be available soon!

I also am recovering from a tonsillectomy and I thought I would be doing a lot of blogging while I was down, but turns out, its hard to think when you are groggy on medications after a surgery!

Just know, that I am working behind the scenes on more resources to make available very soon,
blessings,
Gina