It's not just about the sale

This is just tooo cool - I have to share! And it's not about what happens to me - it is about what happens afterwards and how it all fits together :-)

Ok, so it all started a couple months ago. A man at church knew that I was looking for a car to buy. He recommended a large dealership here in Chicago, and specifically two dealers that he had a good experience with previously. One of the men, Bob, is a Christian and the other one, Joe, is not (not their real names). My friend called ahead and 'introduced' me to these two men. I did not tell him what to say - but he explained the whole 'missionary' thing and I figured, well, might was well milk it for what it's worth at this point! :-)

So I arrived and quoted my very low budget and they just looked at me. Then said they would be right back. They came back and offered me a great deal on a great looking car (the make/model will remain anonymous --- keep reading to find out why). So, I bought the car and loved it. Before I left, the non-Christian dealer, Joe, looked at me and said "Erin, there is something different about you. I mean, I can't put my finger on it, but there's something special". I answered "The Lord has changed my life. He is Who you are seeing. I take no credit!". He just smiled and shook his head.

Within two weeks, all sorts of things were going wrong with the car, including the catalytic converter (have no idea), water pump (for what?) and the transmission (I know this is important!)... The guys were so apologetic and so kind and allowed me to return the car, which is super nice because usually a used car is sold 'as is' and sorry ma'am if you have any problems. I spent a lot of time with Joe discussing the problems as they came up, and he kept saying "Erin, man, there is something about you."

Well, I still needed a car. So I spent hours (yeah, I take awhile to make big decisions sometimes) in the dealership deliberating on what car, how much to spend, etc. They ended up giving me such a fantastic deal on a Honda Civic with very low mileage - they only made $28 on the deal!
I knew that they had actually lost money, because of all the time spent the past two weeks on the situation and because the first car was a total loss.

I was about to leave and I was contemplating about how gracious they had been and how I really felt that God not only guided me there to purchase a car, but that He is pursuing Joe's heart and that He wants Joe to know how important he is to God. So, Joe and I were about to close the deal and I was about to leave. We were walking past a brand new, white Hummer in the showroom.

God told me what to do.
I said "What?!"
He said "Do it".
Sigh.

"Hey Joe," I said. Joe turned around.

I put my hand on the Hummer and said with a lot more confidence than I felt, "I really appreciate all that you've done for me. I am going to pray that God will let you be the one to sell this Hummer."

Joe just chuckled and said "You do that."

So I get in my newly purchased "pre-owned" car and started talking to God. "Ahhh! How could you make me say that?! Joe sell the Hummer? It is a huge dealership - lots of employees. That is such an expensive car. How SOO specific is that?! Ok, Lord, it's Your reputation and glory on the line, not mine! I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is an eternal purpose in my buying this car. I know that You are chasing Joe. I know that You want him to know he is important and valuable in Your sight. So, well, God... pllleeeeaaase let him sell that Hummer!"

And that's how my prayers went over the last few weeks.

Folks, I talked to Joe today.

HE SOLD THE HUMMER!!!!!
Wa-hoooo! Go God! Get the Glory!!!

ahhhhh.

It's so funny because I called Joe today with a question about my car and I wanted to say something about the Hummer and was thinking, "Man, I am going to sound foolish". Well.

"So, Joe, don't forget that I am praying that God will let you be the one to sell that Hummer." Cringe.

"Erin! I sold it on Saturday!"


Ahhh, may I become more of a fool, for the glory of God in His pursuit of peoples' souls.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." 1 Corinthians 1:25

Video

To all my dear subscribers...

I don't know why, when I post a video, it won't show up in your email of the blog.

Here is the link. It is such a powerful song and music video. I played it about 20 times yesterday. Refer to the lyrics on the previous post.


http://vimeo.com/channels/failusnot

You Fail Us Not

In the midst of questions without answers, You are there. Your presence presses in and captures my soul. You pursue my devotion to the innermost parts of my being. My brokenness turns to praise and my searching turns to contentment.

The lyrics and the video below are perfect for where I am right now in my journey. I saw this band, 1000 Generations, a couple months ago and was taken to an intense time of worship through their God-honoring songs.

Failure doesn't phase you. Worry doesn't win. Lost doesn't leave you afraid to start again. Our sin doesn't shock you. Our shame doesn't shame you at all.

Mistakes do not move you. Terror doesn't tame. Death doesn't doom you to life in the grave. Our suffering doesn't scare you. Our secrets won't surprise you at all. At all.

There is nothing above you. There is nothing beyond you. There is nothing that you can't do. Whatever will come, we'll rise above. You fail us not, You fail us not. No matter the war, our hope is secure. You fail us not, You fail us not.You fail us not.

Hatred doesn't hide you. Evil doesn't ail. Despair can't disguise you and tell you that you fail. Our doubt doesn't daunt you. Our darkness won't defeat you at all. At all.

There is nothing above you. There is nothing beyond you. There is nothing that you can't do. Whatever will come, we'll rise above. You fail us not, You fail us not. No matter the war, our hope is secure. You fail us not, You fail us not. Whatever will come, we'll rise above. You fail us not, You fail us not. No, You fail us not. You fail us not.

You’re bigger than the battle. You are bigger than the battle. You are bigger than the battle has ever been.

http://1000generations.com/

PS - I this band is even sweeter because the pianist and vocalist are married :-) And, I don't know why the video shows up twice.

Clip of boys singing praise

This is my first time to post a video, and I must be doing it wrong. Am trying again here. This is the clip I referred to in my previous post. Our boys are singing "Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty. Holy, Holy is He!.... Holy is the Lord, God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory."

If the video does not show up for those of you who subscribe to this and get the post automatically, it will work if you go directly to http://erinrigsby.blogspot.com
It's a grrrreat clip - so I want to be sure you can watch it!

Renewed Fear of the Lord God Almighty

Last night a friend and I were talking about how we want to live with expectancy and to live intentionally. We were reflecting on how fast time goes by and, before we know it, a week is gone and what eternal significance do we have to show for it? Did we love on people God brought across our paths? Did we show patience to people who were maybe having a bad day? Did we stop and help someone else, even when it was inconvenient? And what makes something inconvenient? Pretty much the fact that, in our selfish minds, wherever we are going or whatever we are doing is more important than others needs.

We talked about how our culture really affects us. I am fascinated by cultures and find myself analyzing what I am seeing or experiencing through the eyes of an American, or a Nigerian, or perhaps a wealthy person versus a poorer person; a single person versus a married couple. Chicago has so many cultures within cultures, that I am never without a loss for material.

It can be downright confusing sometimes, for me, as many times I find myself unsure of how to respond - do I respond like I did in Nigeria or do I respond like other Americans? Is a situation I may be in because of a healthy cultural influence or is it negative? Is it sinful or is it Biblical? I am not thinking of one thing in particular, but every day things - the more we are looking for culture, the more it is revealed to us. The more we question our motives, our spending, how we relate to others, how others relate to us... the more aware we are of how complex we are.

After getting off the phone with my friend, I was really missing Nigeria and all the kids there, thanks to all my analysis of culture. I spent a lot of time looking through pictures, thinking and just feeling homesick for a place that seems so far away now. Then I went to bed. Which I KNOW is not good for me - to dwell and reflect on Nigeria right before bed - because almost 100% of the time, this results in really sad dreams about my life in Nigeria and then I wake up in a cloud of sadness. I am praying for self-discipline in this area, to fill my mind with joyful, peaceful and encouraging things before I go to bed.

So I woke up this morning, in desperate need of some encouragement from the Lord. I went to Jeremiah 10. As I read the chapter, my heart was sobered. Read Jeremiah 10 here. God was talking to Israel (and talking to us) about the necessity of being separate from the evils in culture. The people of Israel had been making their own idols, out of wood, silver and gold and then worshiping these powerless things. God calls the customs worthless and He calls the people senseless and foolish. The people will be shamed, will be mocked, will perish in judgement. Ouch.

The LORD Almighty goes on to say, through Jeremiah, that He is the King of Nations, the True God, the Living God, the Eternal King. The Israelites were choosing to worship things that were dead, things that had been formed by human hands, things without any power.

We are senseless to not inquire of the LORD. As a result, we will be scattered and will not prosper. God will remove His hands from us, if we continue to worship false Gods. He is a jealous God and He WILL NOT share His glory.

Not applicable enough? Ok, verses 23 and 24:

I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps. Correct me, LORD, but only with justice - not in Your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.

A renewed fear of God was put into my soul this morning. I so easily build up idols in my life. I allow things, people, memories to control me, to demand my worship. I give power to situations and circumstances and to Satan, when they are worthless, and that makes me a fool. I was corrected in my thinking, as God reminded me that I am right where He put me. He directs my steps. My life is not my own. My life is a tiny blip on the radar of eternity. He is pursuing my complete, total, abandoned affection. He wants ALL of me.

Like with the children of Israel, God allows us to choose how we will respond to adversity, to suffering, to persecution, to sickness, to poverty, to injustice. Like with the children of Israel, He will respond to us in relation to how we respond to Him.

Will I respond with complete commitment and worship of Him? Or will I spend my days on my own worldly pursuits, giving pieces of my worship to people, in response to the cultural temptations and influence, to the newest fad or sensation?

"Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things, including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance— the LORD Almighty is his name." Jeremiah 10:14-16

This 1 minute clip was recently taken of our older boys in Nigeria, during a spontaneous time of worship.

They are singing... "Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty. Holy, Holy is He. Holy is the Lord, God Almighty, the earth is filled with His glory".