Calling Me

Treasured within the recesses of my mind
is your holiness.

Treasured within the recesses of my heart
is your gentleness.

You take my hand and lift me over mountains,
You set my feet in the way of living light.

Can it be,
it's all for me,
this love you give,
for me to live,
Where you are.

Calling me, calling me
away from pain.

Calling me, calling me
 from fear and shame.

You keep calling me, calling me 
from afar,
to where you are.

I hear your voice,
no longer far,
I feel your touch,
now here you are.


7/26/2016

The Little Sparrow

Have you ever wondered why Jesus chose to use the illustration of birds, in Matthew 10:29, to depict His constant watch-care over us ?   "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's notice."

Of all the birds He could have picked from, why the sparrow? Why not a peacock, or an osprey, or the meadowlark, or even a tiny hummingbird?

Then I got to thinking... The peacock has his audacious plumage to draw attention to himself. The osprey's majestic wing span, and grand abilities to dive as far as 100 feet above the water to snatch a fish, makes him stand apart. The meadowlark's cheerful, loud, clear whistle makes him easily recognizable. And its the hum and speed of the hummingbird's wings that makes him so outstanding.

But the sparrow?  The sparrow is like the quiet middle child that rarely gets noticed, without distinguishing features or amazing abilities.  I realized that the sparrow would be God's perfect choice to relay His promise that He will never overlook us.  

In this simple illustration Jesus invites us to see who is actually important to Him. And that would be everyone. Even the ones who have a tendency to slip through the day unnoticed.  Unnoticed by everyone, except by Him.

7/25/2016
  

Spotless

When we enter heaven we will be changed into perfection. We will posses no deformed limbs, spots or wrinkles. Even our emotional scars will dissolve. 

In Old Testament times, the lamb brought for sacrifice was required to be without spot or blemish. That lamb represented the perfect Christ, without defect in any way.  And many times, we have made reference to Jesus as our spotless lamb because He was without sin. But I realized a staggering truth this week. 

It suddenly hit me that, after the sacrifice had been made on the cross, Jesus returned home with scars. As a result of our sin, we have forever blemished the perfect Son of God.  

Jesus didn't just take on our sins while He hung on the cross. He took them on for eternity, on His hands and feet and in His side.  What great love He has for us, that He would assume our penalty so that we can have the privilege to stand in the presence of the Father as spotless children. 

7/10/2016

Living Water

Is the living water hidden?
Is it out of reach to the thirsty traveler, 
deep within a forbidden well?
or is its exhaustless pool cupped in the hands of  Jesus?


7/8/2016

Flawed

I’ve often wondered why God used someone as flawed as Samson to accomplish His work. I also wondered why his story was even a part of scripture when it was so evident he was not the poster boy for Christian behavior, morally or otherwise.  Not only that, but the Holy Spirit even included Samson in the Faith “Hall of Fame” in Hebrews 11, on account of his incredible faith.

The other day, a friend and I were talking about people who preach Christ yet do not have the same beliefs as we do. They even have what we consider sketchy characters. I can even use myself as an example. 

There was a period of time in my life where I wanted to serve God, but was woefully lacking in moral behavior.  Regardless of my shortcoming, and beyond all understanding, He was still able use me in positive ways. How? Why? I don’t know. 

So how is it that God can use such flawed individuals to share His love with others?  We pondered the question for while and then my friend answered me with this:

“If God waited until people were good enough before He could use them, He’d forever be working alone.”

So, that’s it, I guess.  The privilege of working for God even with our list of inadequacies and sinful tendencies is truly a gift from God and an indication of His never-ending love for His broken children. 

Glory be to God who is willing to work with all of us who are totally unworthy of His notice.  Unworthy and yet used for His purpose as we continue to grow in Him. 

Awesome!

7/2/2016

The Place Where I Am Going

And Jesus said to His disciples,

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were no so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

In other words:

Do not let the troubles of this world worry you. You trust God, don’t you? You can surely trust me as well. I know I must go away from you for now, but I have a surprise for you. It is something I have been planning for a long time, something for you to look forward to as well. It is a place where we will always be together. 

Where my Father lives is very large. Large enough for all of us to live. You know how much I love to build things. I even chose to be a carpenter while I've been here with you. Well, not only will you be able to build yourself a home in the country, but I am going ahead of you to build you a house in the city, myself. That’s right.  And not just a house, but a personally designed mansion, just for you!

I am so excited to be able to promise that I am coming back to get you to take you home.  I want you to be with me, and I want to be with you. You even know the way. Just follow what you have seen in me.  Remember how I have represented the Father and that will lead you to my Father’s house.

6/27/2016