That Name

The sum of all things is your holy Name, Jesus.

With that Name

mountains are moved;

chains of every description are broken;

raging seas are thwarted.

That Name

shuts the mouths of lions;

calls forward the heavenly armies;

the dead are called to live again.

Life.  Your Name breathes life.

I believe in that Name because of what it has done in my life

as well as in the lives of others.

I praise that Name for the everlasting love it provides

for those who seek it.

I have confidence in that Name,

not only for the words it speaks to me,

but also because it ushers me into the

glorious presence of that same Name.

I hear the words your Name speaks, 

and your presence is a reality;

a reality that I look forward to every day.

That name - the name of Jesus -

is not limited in what it can accomplish.

Try it,

use it,

test it.

Taste it,

breathe it,

live it.

Speak about the desires of your heart to that Name.

Let that Name prove Himself.

Don’t be afraid.  

That Name may be powerful,

but it is also very gentle.

Call out to that Name,

then be still … and listen.

Once that Name speaks to you,

you will never be the same,

and you will never look back. 

Jesus.

Name above all names.

Acts 2:21


copyright 5/31/2014 

Only Miriam

   

It is a hard thing for me to think again on the first time I saw Jesus. Things are so different now, I myself have so changed, that I shrink from what once was. 

  In my life, the rhythm of His step was so different from other men’s; ordinary men do not pace the earth in His manner.

  It was late afternoon and many shouted with pointed finger as they drug me through the streets that day. Some raised their hand in scorn among the murmurs of disdain. They dragged me toward Him but at that moment I already hated this Rabbi, for I was set to be judged. I felt so cold and I shivered.  But He did not turn His face toward me; He did not look at me.  

  He sat in the shadow of a Cypress tree within the temple court.  Many surrounded Him, many were there to view my shame. He stood as they dropped me into His presence.  He was as still as if He had been carved out of stone; like the statues in Antioch. I waited. Then, He looked at me and my soul quivered within. It was as if I had no secrets. I was afraid to meet His eyes.

My accusers then brought condemnation upon me, for all to hear, and I tried to bury my head in the stony floor. But there was something about His manner; I cannot say whether it was my aloneness, or His strength that drew me to Him. There was a kind of tenderness about Him. The crowd closed in around and terror seized me once again as I hungered for a hiding place, away from the angry, accusing voices. But He was still.  I curled myself up even tighter than before, as I waited.  But still no words came from him. So many eyes, so many faces. I was trapped with no hope of escape. Then He stooped beside me and began writing on the dusty floor.  The shouting slowly grew more quiet. Straightening to face the restless crowd, and with a voice so full of power, He said “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” And then He stooped again beside me and continued to write. I was trembling with a fear I had never known as I waited for the first stone to strike.

  I could hear the feet of those in the crowd shuffling away.  All the shouting voices were now silent as one by one, they left His presence.  I held my head and my breath for what seemed like an eternity when I heard Him speak to me. “Woman, where art thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee?”

I opened my eyes to see we were alone and I was astonished! Turning back to Him I softly answered, “No man, Lord.” Then He said, “Neither do I condemn thee: Go, and sin no more.”

As I stood, I remained fixated on His eyes.  I stared at Him with unbelief. I searched for words; words of gratitude. Finding none I said, “Will you not come to my house?” and He said,  “Am I not already in your house Miriam?”

I did not know what He meant then, but I know now.

But at that time, I asked again, “Will you not have wine and bread with me?”

And He said, “Yes Miriam, but not now.”

Not now, not now, He said.

The voice of the sea were in those two words and the voice of the wind in the trees. When He said them unto me, life spoke to death. For mind you, my friend, in truth I was dead.

I was a woman who had divorced my own soul. I was living apart from this self which you now see. I belonged to all men, and yet to none. They called me harlot, and a woman possessed of seven devils. I was cursed and I was envied. When He looked at me that day, all the darkness of my night faded away, and I became Miriam, only Miriam, a woman lost to the earth she had once known, and finding herself in new places.

"You have many lovers," He said, "and yet I alone love you.  Other men love themselves in your nearness. I love you for yourself. Other men see a beauty in you that shall fade away sooner than their own years. But I see in you a beauty that shall not fade away.  And in the autumn of your days, that beauty will not be afraid to gaze at itself in the mirror, and it shall not be offended.”

               “I alone love the unseen in you."

                I cried "Master"

                And He smiled.

                And then He walked away.

                But no other man ever walked the way He                                   walked.

                And on that day, He slew the dragon within me, and my only desire was to follow. Thus it was, and thus it is today. For you see, I know now what it means to have Jesus in my house.

Adaptation from Khalil Gabran's writings

 Based on John 8:1-12




                                   
                

  

What Your Hands Have Done

  I hear the sound of thanksgiving, and the sound of heaven's song as I contemplate the wonder of being granted, a speck in the sand, the honor of bringing glory to Jesus name. "What is man that you are mindful of him"? "O lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" Psalm 8:4,9

  There is a man that praises you today because you touched his body with your hands. Joy and gladness are given to those who seek you from the desire of the mind to the devotion of the heart to the depths of the soul. You hear the supplications of those who meditate on the goodness of what your hands have done. Even for only three of us who expectantly brought our petition to you on behalf of one who suffered, you said yes! And now he worships you for your unfailing love. For this miraculous event we raise our hands to You, because you have just begun to set your plan in motion for demonstrating your power to us, as well as those standing by. This world perishes from the lack of seeing who you really are. Love everlasting.

copyright 5/24/2014

Gods Voice

  If you can't hear God's voice, Turn the music down!

  We wander about this world as if in a daze. So full of noise and clamor, so full of stress and deadlines. Rushing here, rushing there, Mommy, are we almost there? Surely we know what we are doing, don't we, do we? The question is--- are we so full of this world, that we don't even recognize God's voice even when He is literally shouting to get our attention? The trumpet may give a clear sound, but if the noise in our space is so loud, we cannot hear the call, how can we respond? "Be STILL, and know that I am God"

Psalm 46:11

copyright 5/20/2014

Place Of Solace

Oh, that I might find my place of solace.

I look for it; I look for it, but it's not here;

I yearn for it, I yearn for it, but it cannot be found.

Not in the the ones who occupy this space,

nor in the goods or plunder of this place,

none of these can quench the thirsting soul,

that is ever seeking for more of His presence.

I must wait, I must wait. For when the trumpet calls,

then, I will enter my place of solace after all.


                                                                                 copyright 5/5 2014

Free Flow

  When we pray, "our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:9,10  How do we know how the Father's "will" is done in heaven? How can we possibly know the Father's will as the angels know it? What has to be, before we can even know God's will? 

  There is a connective energy that takes place between some people. We've all seen it or experienced it. It could be a husband or wife; a co-worker or friend. For instance, we may be talking to a friend and say, "I'm going to ask you something, and I want you to be completely honest with me, and before you can say another word, they respond with an emphatic YES! Now, you hadn't revealed what you were thinking, but they knew. Someone walks in a room full of people, and at one glance we can tell what they are thinking or how they feel. Do you think this kind of communication can exist between us and God? Of course God knows what we are thinking all the time, but can we actually know what God is thinking? It happens continually if we are listening, because He purposes His thoughts to be transmitted to us in order for us to get to know Him on a personal level. Amos 4:13 When we allow people into our inner space, the communication changes. It becomes open and free, because we come to trust that person with ourselves. We have a name for that, soul-mates. God wants to be our soul-mate. He wants to share His thoughts with us, for when we share our thoughts back to Him, it draws us a little bit closer. He draws us closer and closer until we are one, just like Jesus prayer to His Father in John, chapter 17. Read it, and feel the pull of heaven toward full disclosure; open, honest, yep, and the willingness to be vulnerable.

   1 Thessalonians 4:3 says it is God's will that we be sanctified. Sanctification is a ominous word that carries with it the connotation and dread of a lot of work to make ourselves perfect. You will be relieved to know, [I know I was] it means to be freed from sin. Who does that? Not us; that's Gods' job, not ours. What Jesus wants, is for us to be free in every way to communicate with Him openly. Read that again. What Jesus wants, is for us to be free in every way to communicate with Him openly. The closer we become, the more willing we are for Him to have all of us, with nothing at all to inhibit the free flow of love between us. A free flow of love between you and I with God. Think about it. What a glorious thought!


copyright 5/3/2014

Fire Power

  Moses has blown it. He is no longer the darling of the Egyptian court. He is no longer a decorated general or next in line to be pharaoh of the greatest nation on earth. Moses now finds himself alone under a vast expanse of crystalline stars against a very dark sky. A shepherd, the lowest of occupations, and resigned to be no more than that, he expects nothing.


  The first forty years of  Moses life in Egypt was made up of being adored, honored, and decorated, with a bright future, but Moses became increasingly aware that his own people were nothing more than a band of mistreated slaves. His birth mother carefully taught  him that God's chosen were indeed this band of God forsaken slaves, and Moses made a plan. He was going to do something about this outrageous circumstance, and he was the right man to do it. His education, his position, his popularity, and his miraculous Nile River rescue proved it. Now, however, after killing the Egyptian and running for his life to as remote a region as he could find, he settles down in silence, accept for the bleating of the sheep. Any illusion that he is anything more than one who herds the dumbest of beasts is whisked away into the far expanse of the sky. There is nothing new under the sun---until the bush. You know, that bush, over there, it's burning. How did that happen? How could it happen? Moses waits; he strains his eyes in every direction to see someone, any kind evidence to link this phenomenon to a plausible explanation. The bush continues to burn. He waits and watches, but it does not burn up. Slowly he moves forward until he stands in front of this ever-burning desert shrub. It speaks. He jumps. It's God!


Why did God choose a burning bush? Why didn't He just speak?
The voice of God would get anyone's attention, don't you think? 
I'm of a mind to believe the burning bush carried a message. It may have been a wonder at that moment, but later as Moses had time to mull over the events of his live, I believe he came to understand. When Moses was in his royal state in Egypt, he made a plan. His plan was to help God. His desire was good. His motive was pure. He would start a fire for God; do something for the mighty cause of Jehovah. However, all his efforts to produce fires for God only produced burnout. The burning bush was an example of a fire that never goes out. The burning bush was God. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness" John 8:12 Moses thought after his blunder in Egypt that his effectiveness was over. Yet it was not over! What Jesus starts can't be extinguished. Even if we can't see it in the present, it goes on until it accomplishes His purpose. [see Philippians 1:6] When Moses accepted God's way rather than his own, he witnessed, and took part in the fire power of God almighty. That light, that fire, that power has never gone out. It changed the world, and it's still burning.---In you?

Hebrews 12:29
Exodus: 2&3

copyright 5/2/2014

Affects

Everything in nature contributes to the success of something else in its ecosystem.

It is only man's choices that disrupts nature's balance. And that imbalance affects all of nature.

God contributes everything we need for spiritual success.

It is only man's choices that disrupts the spiritual ecosystem. And that imbalance affects all of mankind. 

Every choice has a ripple effect that extends far beyond our understanding. 

God is light. His light lives within us to contribute to the spiritual success of those around us.--What we do with that light affects everyone in our scope of influence, and sometimes even beyond...

Those left in darkness, affects the universe; the known and the unknown. 

Matthew 5:14,16
Luke 11:35,36
Ephesians 5:8,9 
1 John 1:5
Philippians 2:15

copyright 4/28/2014

Face To Face

If only I could tell,   

                                             the stories of my soul,

                                             to the One that I love best,

                                             to the One who loves me most.

                                              If only I could cling, 

                                              to my angels mighty wings,

                                              I'd catch the cresting waves,

                                              of the rising distant winds,

                                              and sail the starry path,

                                              through Orion's open gates.

                                              It is there, that I could speak,

                                              to my Lord's amazing grace.

                                              I would say the missing words,

                                              I would touch His loving face.
                                              
                                                    
          copyright 4/25/2014                                     

                                          

In The Midst Of The Fire

  We seem to believe all things can be explained by logic; that our reasoning powers are capable of deducing what can be believed and what is utter, uneducated foolishness. What is rational is tolerated, but if it cannot stand the test of logic it is not considered, nor does it exist. And something else I've learned, God does NOT reason the way we do. Shocker, isn't it? Not only that, He doesn't do things like we do either. He's always doing things we, or science, can't explain. I love it! Case in point--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

  In the province of Babylon on the plain of  Dura, King Nebuchadnezzar erected a gold image ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He then summoned all the provincial officials to its' dedication. At the sound of the music, from the many instruments present, they were all to bow down and worship this golden spectacle. The cost of non participation was being unceremoniously thrown into a very hot, fiery furnace. And of course, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood their ground. Not a muscle moved. And, as you might expect, they were summoned before the King. Up until this point, these three had been favored by Nebuchadnezzar, but this public humiliation put him in a rather bad mood. Then, on being given a second chance, these men responded without hesitation. "Oh, Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O King. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O King, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." WOW! Now what was a bad mood turned to absolute rage. How dare these sniveling Jewish delinquents talk to him this way! The order to increase the heat of the furnace by seven was immediately given. 

At this point, the idea to maybe do a little negotiating would seem the reasonable thing to do. And logic would say, "if I refuse to bow down to this ridiculous idol which doesn't mean anything anyway, and I die for it, I'll lose all my effectiveness. After all, God put me here as a witness for Him. How can I do that, if I die?" They had decided ere this that their highest calling was to serve a God like no other, who reigned within, and not made with human hands. He had stood beside them up until now, and they were not about to let God down. As they were being cast into the heaving furnace, the chosen men, because of their strength, withered and died before the all engulfing heat of the flames. Implicit trust in the God of the universe put Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fire, and it wasn't until they were in the midst of the blaze that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was revealed, just standing there talking to His boys. The ropes that bound them dropped off in the blaze, but these boys never even broke a sweat. Now Nebuchadnezzar's face looked quite different than before. A look of utter disbelief halted his rage, for what he was seeing was not possible, but it was, just the same. There were now four indeviduals in the midst of the fire, not three. In submitting to the fire, Christ is revealed. This story is not about the faithfulness of three men to God. It is however about the faithfulness of God to us. He awaits the few who are willing to be cast into the fire of affliction in order for Him to reveal Himself. The one who makes possible the impossible; the one who tosses logic aside for your and my saving intervention. To win the hearts of those who do not believe, the fire you see, becomes a privilege.  

Daniel 3
Copyright 4/22/2014

Empty Tomb!

                             JERUSALEM TIMES

                            Empty Tomb!

  Early this morning the Times got word of an incident that took place at a residences' burial tomb. It's hard to get a true picture with so many stories being spread around, but this is what we know as of now.

  

  It seems with the conviction and Crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, the whole city is in an uproar. With all the commotion it was feared by the local authorities, that a safe burial place was necessary. One of the residents, and purported follower of Jesus, begged for his body, so he could place Him in his own burial tomb. That being outside the city, both religious leaders and Pilate himself were worried about Jesus' prediction that He would rise the third day. Witnesses said Pilate put his seal on the stone that covered the entrance to the tomb. To be sure of absolute security, a post of 100 soldiers were stationed to closely guard it's entrance.

What we are learning now, is that the tomb is empty. Here is where the stories get confusing. The authorities claim the armed guards fell asleep and His disciples came and stole Jesus away.  This report seems unlikely since the penalty for such a snafu is punishable by death. And how could so many soldiers all sleep through the rolling of a stone of that magnitude? They are assembling a committee to look into it.  We just report the facts, you decide.

The second report is even harder to believe. Some of the soldiers leaked to a Times reporter that a bright light from an angel shone down on them, while he rolled the stone away by himself. Then, as the report goes, the soldiers were so afraid, they fainted. On awakening they ran for their lives as they realized that the one they were guarding had risen from the dead on the angels command to come forth. To add to this incredible story, Fridays' crucifixion that ended in an earthquake, opened many graves, and approximately 500 people who were once dead are now in the streets of Jerusalem shouting and dancing. I don't know about you, but for this reporter, well, maybe, just what if-----    

Based on john 27:57-66

copyright  4/19/2014

                 

                        

The cross of love

The cross of love

 Did the angels crowd the cross that day?
Did they draw nearer, or look away?

 How foreign to their righteous ears
 the mocking tones, and angry jeers.

 They knew Him as their God and King,
how could man kill the King of Kings?

 It was love that drew Him to this place;
 giving all who would, the gift of grace.

 And, for this I'm sure, the angels sing,
to see the joy salvation brings.



copyright 4/18/2014

Love so divine

  She didn't consider the cost of alabaster as extravagant. She didn't consider it a humiliation to break the jar and pour the perfume on His head, filling the room with a sweet fragrance. Nor were the whispers and open disdain around her enough to give her pause. Falling on her knees at His feet, Mary poured out her soul through her tears. With nothing but her hair for a towel, she gently wiped His feet dry. Her focus was on Jesus and nothing else; a demonstration of love from heart, mind, and soul. Such abandoned love shows what happens when externals cannot break through to disrupt a mind stayed on Jesus. Hers' was a blessing we miss as we muddle our lives with noise and clutter. We miss the glorious communion with the Lover of our souls.  
  To her, He was everything; to Him, she and we were worth the extravagant cost He was about to pay. He didn't consider the cost or the humiliation when He poured out His blood on Calvary--a sweet fragrance that fills us with unspeakable wonder that never loses its essence. Nor were the whispers and open disdain enough to give Him pause. With spikes through His hands, He gave His life willingly because of an all-consuming love that would not let go. And so, He poured out His life unto death that we might live. Oh, love so divine that it captured mine, and because He rose in triumph that Sunday morn, He saw the travail of His soul and was satisfied. Isaiah 53. 


Mark 14:3-9
John 12:1-8
copyright 4/18/2014

The Heart Of God

  This is something God gave me that He wanted me to share with you on my blog.

  I feel your loss, I see your tears, I know your despair, and I understand the crushing burden you are carrying. I'm so sorry for your pain and want to do something about it. You thought what you did caused all the bad things in your life to happen. You thought I was punishing you for some of the choices you've made. If you knew me, you would know I would not do that to you. The enemy of your soul wishes to crush the very life out of you, but I want you to experience freedom, light and love. Love so amazing---beyond anything you have ever known. I am right here beside you; I have always been here. I promised I would never leave you or forsake you, and I never will. I am holding out my arms to you--come to me. Don't hold back because you haven't been able to forgive yourself, I will help you with that. Right now is the most important choice you will ever make, just come. I forgive you, I accept you; you are so beautiful to me. Don't look back, just accept the love these open arms are holding out to you.

Today is a new and beautiful day for you; say along with me---I accept.

Jesus

copyright 4/14/2014

What Would Happen?

  What would happen, do you think, if I placed my sin into the out stretched hand of the Lord? If I did that, would it not then empty the hand of my enemy? Would it not render the devil impotent and powerless?

  What would happen, do you think, if I placed my loss into the hand of the One who arranged the starry host? Did He not arrange the stars so I could see Orion's opening, and take courage that I am almost home?

  What would happen, do you think, if I placed my doubt into the nail scarred hand of the One who saw my face when He decided that death was preferable to life without me?

  Do you think my pain is too much or left unnoticed in His hand? Is there anything at all that the hand of God cannot or will not do for me? Does that hand get too tired, or too busy, or too discouraged to keep reaching out to me?

  What would happen, do you think, if I put all of what is me into that hand? What then would the devil have left to attack me with? What would happen--- do you think? 

copyright April 4, 2014

The Rod Of God

I am old enough that spanking was not considered abuse when I was young. As sure as the sun rises, so did the willow switch in my mother's hand when I deserved it. [see Proverbs 22:15] Somehow I managed to survive with no apparent emotional scars. On the contrary, it was those moments of painful discipline that gave me the utmost respect for my blessed mother. It was she, not my father, who administered the rod of correction. I  never doubted that the rod was the result of love from my mom.

One of the most quoted passages in all of scripture is found in Psalm 2:3,4: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Now the staff is relatively easy for me to understand. The staff was a tall crooked neck walking stick that you took with you to traverse the rocky, steep, or otherwise difficult journey as a means of support; something to lean on. In biblical times, walking was the means of transportation, and the staff was indeed a comfort. On the other hand, there is the rod to consider. Loosely paraphrasing our text, even though I am in the midst of a very low point in my spiritual walk, that's heading for sure destruction, how you have disciplined [the rod] and supported [the staff] me in the past gives me the comfort and courage to go on.

I am not here to tout the evils of society, but the generation we now live in is a generation that will use any excuse, attaching blame to anything outside of self, so as not to have to accept responsibility. It was the alcohol, or it was the drugs, or it's really the way they were brought up--- Mom and Dad did it--- or the lack thereof. Even though our heavenly Father sees and accepts us right where we are, He never leaves us there. Our walk with God is always a progressive one. If you look back on your life's journey, I believe you will find that a loving Father did not allow you to be too comfortable for very long. He always seems find a way to make us uncomfortable enough to move us forward. Our tendency is to find a shady spot under a tree and fall asleep in the warm sun or to run and hide as Adam and Eve when confronted with wrong doing. When God calls us to face the sin we look for someone or something to blame. Adam said it's "the woman you gave me" actually blaming God for giving him "the woman." Eve said "it was the serpent, the devil who beguiled me." Gods rod is God's means of rescuing us from self-deception and destruction. In the hand of Moses, God's rod performed miraculous things, such as the parting of the Red Sea and supplying life-giving water. God's rod then is always used as a means to deliver from evil and lead us to freedom. It is more than a comfort to know He doesn't just leave us in the wilderness. He supplies and applies His rod and staff to bring us to the the promised land just ahead.

copyright March 21, 2014

Winning The Battle

How many people do you and I know who have simply worn themselves out over some sin that defeats them again and again and again? I've been there, have you? The enemy has achieved great success in luring us into battle. We seem to think we can muster up enough faith in our resolve, enough knowledge and enough strength to get the victory, only to find ourselves flat on our faces in the mud one more time; now a little more exhausted, a little deeper in the mire. But isn't that what we are supposed to do; "if at first you don't succeed try, try again?"

We have, not one, but two enemies in our battle with sin. The first is obvious---that would be the devil, the master deceiver and father of lies. He wants us to fight him, you know. He awaits with great anticipation our unspectacular efforts. If he can get us determined enough to get the best of him, he is assured of getting the best of us--- no matter how good our intentions.

When in my teens, I was taught that if I fought hard at overcoming temptation, Jesus would join my efforts and make up the difference---but I had to do my part. I believed this interpretation of scripture for a long time, but I found the fight didn't work for me. The more I tried to be "good," the worse things got. How about you? Now you see who the second enemy is---self. We can't seem to accept that there really isn't anything we can do. The question becomes "what is our part?" "Surely, there is something I have to do."

When Daniel was thrown into the den of lions, do you suppose he planned some strategy for fighting off the ravenous beasts? I think, probably not. He knew without a doubt that strategy or physical prowess, or any kind of effort on his part wasn't going to master such ferocious felines. 1 Peter 5:8 tells me the devil goes around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Hello! Is now the time to put your dukes up and start flailing away at the devil? Look at what the verse says again. "whom he may devour." It looks to me like there are those whom he may not devour. Who would those be? How do I become undevourable? There is One who is now fighting, and will always fight, and has already won the battle with our enemy. My part---give up the fight! Quit trying to be good. God, and God alone can win this battle. It's not even our responsibility to fight the devil, Jesus took that responsibility on Himself, because He knew we could not win. When temptation comes knocking, take a deep breath and confess, "this problem is yours Jesus, I cannot fight it, I will lose." "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe" Proverbs 18: 10 [KJV] Fill your life up with God. Focus your attention on Him, not on the temptations. It's kind of like going on a diet. More often than not the focus is on food, and before we know it, oops, we gain rather than lose. When learning to drive our vision is directed to the center of the lane we are in. If we look at the line at the side of the road, the tendency is to turn in that direction, and in no time we are in the ditch.

There is great relief in giving up the fight. Temptation only becomes a problem when we take up the fight again. The work in the Christian life is to fight against taking up the fight; that's the good fight of faith.

copyright March, 14, 2014

Just Wondering

   I wonder if birds know for whom they sing.
 Are they songs of praise or songs of being?

 Do you suppose the Grizzly knows
 that Spring will come to melt the snow?

 Does the Mountain Goat fear the rocky steeps
or the Eagle fear its windy peaks?

 Is their relationship to God beyond this world's earthly sod?
I wonder what they know that I do not..

copyright March 7, 2014

From The One Who Speaks

  It seems the world is becoming increasingly skeptical or is it just me. a cosmic distrust of leaders in city, state, or government. Ever on the alert for the cunning scam artist, we hold in check trusting anyone who is not a proven source. We have sayings for those we trust. "His [or her] word is good," "he gave his word," he is a man of his word." Which of course, means that you can count on that person doing what they say they will do. You can believe what they say for their "word" is true.

  The term "word" as used in Scripture is fascinating. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1  If we go back to creation, we find what Jesus did. He literally spoke us and all things into existence." and God said, 'Let there be light, and there was light" Genesis 1:3. Just as soon as the words came from the mouth of God, the light came forth; just like that. Wow, those are what you call some powerful words! What awesome energy comes from the words of God! When God speaks, it is so. Our Creator also tells us that "man does not live on bread alone, but on every 'word' that comes from the mouth of God." Deuteronomy 8:3 So you see, feeding on God's word becomes imperative for us to get to know and trust the One who gives life. It is He, the "Word of life" that has given us the power of His words.

  Every time you pick up your Bible, do you know what you are doing? Go ahead, and get a bible to hold. You are now holding in your hands what is called the "Word" of God. When God could no longer walk with us during the cool of the evening; when we could no longer sit at the feet of the Master Teacher, He took all the words we would ever need and put them in a book---words of comfort, words of encouragement, words of direction and correction, words of healing and power. What you are holding in your hands, as a gift to you, is all the creative energy that was present when He spoke light and life into existence. That book, with every promise it contains, is more powerful than any weapon of mass destruction man has ever created or will ever create. What you are holding is a weapon of mass redemption and answer to the smallest child's prayer. The greatest weapon against the forces of evil that you will ever hold is not a gun or the switch  for nuclear annihilation. It's a book of words--God's words that make it so; just like that!

copyright Feb. 22, 2014

IN HiS PRESENCE

  There is a voice of one I hear calling. The voice of one who holds me ever so gently as a new born babe freshly placed in it's mother's arms. The one calling says, "come close". "come close little one, and drink from the springs of life; more life than ever imagined, more love than one can hold." "The joy found there is the joy of freedom in waving fields of silken being."
  You fill me up, oh Holy Spirit. Where once the Ravens pecked and gnawed at my existence, rain now flows with the effervescence of peace and utter worth. The once lonely road now greets me with encounters of purpose and gifts of new beginnings. All these undefinable glories were purposed and arranged by you in advance of notice or thought.
  Oh yes, there are strongholds of mountain steeps and iron bars, but as my heart draws nearer to you so does my trust for the totality of my being. I find the rocky paths smoothed and gates of resistance tossed aside for acceptance and belonging. There is no fear or wanting when I greet the morning with your presence and acquiesce to your everlasting faithfulness. 

Isaiah 30:15 first part
Isaiah 45:2,3
Isaiah 55:1,2      

copyright Jan. 31, 2014

MY RIGHT TO FIGHT

  Jesus conveyed many hard to swallow teachings, both to His disciples and to you and me; but perhaps none so difficult as the one found in Matthew 20:26,27. Jesus said, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave."

  Why do you do that, Father? Why do you ask us, your followers, we who believe in you and have dedicated our lives to you, to demean ourselves? Do you want us to grovel, to sink to the lowest estate possible?

  When I think of a servant, I imagine being hired by someone rich and powerful; a person of influence who owns a mansion with winding stairways and crystal chandeliers. I could almost endure being that type of servant. In fact, it might be kind of fun. But a slave? Not so much. When I think of a slave, the picture quickly changes. I see creaking slave boats crowded with chained-together sweating human beings in rags for clothes, torn from family and motherland against their will; being forced into hard labor and to minister to their master's every whim. Stripped of any rights of their own, they are no longer an individual but a possession. The very thought incites rebellion within. Surely a good and loving God would not ask us to be a slave.

America was built on protecting the rights of it's people. Masses spent their fortunes and risk their lives to come to the "land of opportunity," the "land of the free" and if anyone dare attempt to take that freedom away in the past, we have risen up as a nation to fight. But what is it that Jesus is really saying? What is it that Jesus wants? Does He want to take away my right to choose? No! Does He want to take away my right to speak freely? No! Does He want me to give up my individuality? Absolutely not! What He does want me to give up is my right to fight. He wants you and me to give that right to Him. When I give up my right to fight the devil, it is then and only then He can do it for me. Have you ever gotten tired of fighting the enemy? Have you ever come to the place where you have said, " I just can't beat this problem I'm struggling with in my life; I might just as well forget this christian stuff. I'm never going to make it anyway"! And you are right. You will never make it, but Jesus will make it for you. It is when we give up ourselves and turn our right to fight over to Him that true freedom comes. "but" you say, "How about fighting the good fight of faith" 1 Timothy 6;12? The "good" fight of faith is the fight to give up fighting. The "bad" fight of faith is to take up the fight ourselves. And giving up that fight isn't easy. We pray in our prayers for God help "us" overcome. Our Father doesn't want to help "us" overcome, He wants us to allow "Him" to do it for us. He has been there, done that. We, on the other hand.... yes we become a possession, a possession of the richest, most powerful One in the universe. Once we are willing to give ourselves over to Him, He then begins the adoption process whereby we then become heirs. Heirs to all of what our heavenly Father has, now becomes ours also. Being a slave is not about what we do; it's about whose we are---a possession Jesus fights for. Think about it---no more fighting! There is no greater peace, no greater rest than abiding under the shadow of His almighty wings.When He calls you to rest, what will you say? You wanna fight?

Here are a few text you might want use through the week as a means of giving you a  more complete picture of what it mean to be a slave, a servant and a possession of Christ's

Ephesians 1:13,14 We are His possession
Philippians 2:5-11 Christ, an obedient servant
John 15:15-17 From servant to friend
1 John 3:1 From friend to child
Romans 8:14-17 Co-heirs with Christ

until then--

copyright Jan. 4, 2014

"WHATEVER"

  It was a festive occasion. Not unlike today, weddings were marked with eating and dancing, an abundance of  laughter, chatter, wine and sweet smelling flowers. The guests were not a few, as many were invited to celebrate this significant occasion. You can almost hear the exchanges of stories taking place through the crowd, and the laughter growing with each little secret someone knew about the bride or groom. Jesus was there. It would be the first public event He and His disciples attended together. Jesus' mother was there as well. Perhaps in some official capacity, since it was she who came to Jesus with the embarrassing dilemma. "They have run out of wine," she whispered in His ear, not wanting to make it public knowledge. She came to Him in a situation for which she had no answer. What she was expecting, I cannot say, because He had never performed a miracle before this time. But Mary knew Jesus, she trusted Him and trusted His judgement. She knew she could always rely on Him. His response was not one of irritation toward His mother, but one that implies a mutual understanding. "Why are you getting me involved? My time has not yet come"

  There are several points here worth noting:

    1] Mary never asked Jesus to perform a miracle: she merely presented a need.

    2] Mary counted on WHO Jesus was, not on what He did, because Jesus had never performed a miracle before this occasion.

    3] It appears that Jesus had some sense of a previously ordained schedule, for He stated that His time had not yet come. Perhaps the Father hadn't given Him the go-ahead as yet, perhaps His go-ahead came through Mary, but as of that moment, it seems this was not in the plan.

    4] Mary told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. She did not outline or even suggest what that was to be. Even if this were some kind of test of faith, Mary gave herself up to "whatever" "whatever" you decide, Jesus, is good enough. You see, that kind of faith, that kind of trust, Jesus finds very difficult to deny, even to the point of rearranging His schedule to accommodate such a request. When Jesus told them to fill the empty wine jars with water, and then go and pour it out to the guests who had run out of wine, what do you suppose those servants were thinking? A pretty sure guess would not be wine coming out of those huge jars. They were just obedient; which also took great courage and a measure of trust. Not in Jesus however, because they didn't know Him, but in Mary, the one who represented Him.[Which is material for a whole different blog] The one who comes to Jesus and presents his need without also telling Him what He ought to do about the situation is taking an extraordinary leap of faith, for few of us do that; then to put ones confidence in Who He is, rather than what He can do for me, makes that prayer the kind He wants to honor, even in miraculous ways.

The more I pursue having a relationship with Jesus; actually bringing Him into the right now of my life, making Him ever present, the more I am willing to accept whatever. Whatever He decides, whatever He wants will always be the right choice. It's the knowing of what kind of Father Jesus is, that causes us to reach out our hand to meet His outstretched hand, and makes "whatever" a place of rest.

Your assignment for this week; if you choose to accept it is:

List 5 ways to build a more meaningful relationship with Jesus, and each day apply one of them. Let me suggest that the 1st one be to make Him present. Not way off in the great beyond, but right there, with you, right now.

Here are a few text that may suggest some ideas for you.

1. Hebrews 4:7, last part. -  responding
2. 1st Peter 5:6 -  humble
3. Isaiah 55:1,2 -  listen
4.Psalms 119:105 -  His words
5. Mathew 5:14-16-  light
6. Philippians 4:4 -  rejoice
7. Philippians 4:6-7 - prayer
8. Philippians 4:8 - thinking
            

Meet me again next week.
Your comments and thoughts are always welcome


copyright Dec. 28, 2013