In the Beginning

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

At first glance this seems like such a simple verse. If I fear the Lord I will gain knowledge, but the foolish are stupid and rebel against authority. Oh but these words are rich in their meaning.

Look at the word fear. In this passage it does not mean that it is something that I am frightened of. Second Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given us this kind of fear. But, if we believe in our hearts (faith) that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead we have a reverent respect and honor for the Lord. We have a reverent fear of who He is, what He has done, what He is doing today, and what He will do in the future. His majesty is beyond any earthly kingdom, authority, and power. His holiness is beyond any earthy sanctuary. He is! He was! He is the Great I AM. In His hands is the gift of life. At His voice the heavens and earth declare His glorious name. He holds the stars in orbit, the sea from rushing the shore, and the mountains from falling down around us. He cares for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. He knows each and everyone of us by name. He is the Great I AM and worthy of our fear and trembling.

This reverent fear, resulting from our faith in understanding the miraculous birth of Christ Jesus, is the beginning of knowledge. This is not the world’s view of college degrees, doctorates, and PhDs. This is the “wisdom and knowledge” of God. This is the beginning of understanding, in the smallest degrees, - God. It is the first fruit. It is the byproduct of the first step of faith – believing Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection.

Who, although being essentially equal with God and in the form of god, did not think this equality with God was something to be eagerly grasped, or held onto, but stripped Himself of all privileges and rightful dignity, so as to assume the guise of a servant, or slave, in that He became like men and was born a human being. And after He appeared in human form, He humbled Himself still further and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!(Phil 2:6-8)

This small step of faith is just the beginning, the first fruit. As you let God into your life you begin to know more and more about Him. This knowledge will increase your love and reverence for Him. “Who am I that you, O God, are mindful” of a wretched man such as I?

In the beginning God…

In the beginning of life - there is death. In the beginning of the knowledge of God - is life. In the beginning of faith - is God. Take hold of Him. Learn of Him. Learn from Him, and grow in reverent fear of the Great I AM!

Am I a Samson?

Teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (NASB)

The Sunday school lesson this past Sunday was on the story of Samson. How he was set apart by God, how he was to conduct his life, how God would use Samson to free the Israelites from their captives, the Philistines, and how Samson, though chosen, chose not to live his life in accordance with God’s instructions. After reading this story the question to myself was, “Am I a Samson?”

Over the past three weeks two colleagues have passed away, unexpectedly. And yet one colleague has been graciously spared of death twice in nine years. With each death I am reminded that I do not know the day of my death. I am not sure I want to know. I am also reminded that I serve a risen Savior. I am reminded that I have a hope and a future. I am reminded that I am a wretched man, a man of unclean lips, and that I am not worthy to even enter the presence of the KING. And yet, he offered me eternal life. How have I repaid that debt?

Am I a Samson? Am I doing what I want to do and calling on God in my times of need? How am I repaying my debt? Am I trampling over the grace that was given me? Am I reading the Bible and only consuming wisdom and not tasting the knowledge, the beauty, and the love that God has for me?

O Holy Fire of conviction let not my heart walk away from this lesson unchanged. Sear the gapping hole in my heart that bleeds through and weakens my strength for service to You, and burn within me a reminder that I am a child of grace, that my life is not my own. Create in me a child like heart of unconditional love whose only desire is to please You, my KING.

FEAR

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:21)

A common theme I keep hearing in the classroom is almost one of a lack of perseverance and a frustration with the cyclic struggle of good verses evil. “I try but immediately fail. I get discouraged. I want to do what is right, but I often fail. I am a failure.”

One of my favorite movies is “We Were Soldiers” staring Mel Gibson who portrays Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore. While I was doing my own internet based research on the movie I discovered this quote from an involved soldier named, Bill Beck who was a gunner Sergeant and one of two gun-teams that single handedly drove back the Viet Cong and prevented a devastating blow to the American Forces. He was quoted in a report saying, “Fear, real fear, hit me. Fear like I had never known before. Fear comes, and once you recognize it and accept it, it passes just as fast as it comes, and you don’t really think about it anymore. You just do what you have to do, but you learn the real meaning of fear and life and death.”

The first part of this statement is Fear. The innocence of birth is not born in fear. Fear is not known until there is a greater understanding or experience in ones young life. Simply stated, fear is a learned behavior. Why are people afraid of the dark? It could be from a nightmare, a perceived real event in the mind of a child; or a frightening movie or event; or stories heard from others. Why are people afraid of heights? It could be they have heard, seen, or read the effects of falling from such small or great heights.

Yet, we who are created in the image of God, “were not given a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:7) We were given power to overcome fear, we were given love to override fear, and we were given the intelligence to recognize fear.

The second part is he tasted and recognized real fear. He recognized a fear so strong and real and yet never known to him before. A frightening awareness of his perilous surroundings; alone, out numbered, and far from friends or family. He tasted the loneliness of fear.

The third and important thing that I think all Christians should take to heart is, he didn’t “think about it anymore” and he just “did what he had to do” and he “learned” what fear was. He didn’t continue to wallow in self-pity and despair. He didn’t continue drinking from the bowels of fear. He didn’t feed his mind with continuous thoughts of death. Instead, he continued to “do what he had to do.” He moved on. He held his ground. He tightened his belt, dug deep into the trench, and he fought. He fought back against the real enemy. He fought back against the “real fear.” In the words of Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim 4:7) He didn't give up, he fought!

Just like Sergeant Bill Beck, Christians are in battles and skirmishes every minute, every hour of every day. Sgt. Beck didn’t get discouraged that one bullet strayed and missed it’s mark. Sgt. Beck didn’t weep and gnash his teeth in disbelief that once again the bullet did not befall the greatest of enemies. Instead, he hunkered down, aimed intently at the enemy and continued squeezing the trigger. His months of training overriding the core element of fear; which left unbridled will run rampant and destroy any good thoughts or trained efforts of success.

As soldiers in God’s army our mission is to “not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” We are trained in the simplest of defensive and offensive battle tactics. “Study to show yourself approved unto God…rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim 2:15) We should study and know our battle plans, our enemy’s tactics, how to defend against attacks and how to confront the enemy head-on.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension (untruthful or dubious assertion) that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor 10:5) We destroy and throw away any thoughts that argue against the word of God; thoughts that deceive the Christian into thinking that the life led by the Spirit is difficult and full of pitfalls. We recognize those thoughts that desire we conform them to this world and we remove them before they take hold in our hearts. We “take them captive” and hand them over to God, the Chief guard, to take care of and toss to the deepest depths of the sea.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Do not give the devil a foothold.” (Eph 4:22-24, 27) Do not give up. Do not give in. In the words of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, “there is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success.” Are you doing what you “just have to do?” Are you sitting in the school of learning offered by the Comforter and Teacher? (John 14:26) Are you applying what you have learned and have been taught? Or are you hiding in the trench in fear that you may not hit the enemy and you are doomed to death? Choose this day who you will fear; God above or fear itself?

Death Rags

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But Lord, said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” (John 11: 38 – 43)

It seems strange to be reading the story of Lazarus several weeks before Christmas when the birth of Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate this season every year. However, without His birth, there would not be a story of Lazarus, except for how he lived his life, died at an early age, and left a family behind. Yet, with the birth of Jesus we have this miraculous story of how this man Lazarus died, was buried for four days, and God raised him from the dead. A lot of preachers and Sunday school teachers tell how this story symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Yet I see something else in this story.

I see the love Jesus, who is God in human form on earth, has for all creation. He was deeply moved at the sorrow and grief experienced by the family and friends of Lazarus. He loves each and everyone of us with a love that only a father can have.

I see a Savior who has come to lead us out from a darkened world. A Savior whose love can free us from the bondage of drugs, sex, alcohol, pornography, filthy language, hatred, pain, sorrow, or whatever ugliness we have sold our souls to. A Savior whose power can roll away the stone of bondage, free the chains that bind us, the "rags of death" that constrain us, and the cloth that blinds us from seeing God's love for us. “For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death…in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me.” (Rom 7:11-13)

Yet the story doesn’t end there. Jesus sent others in to free Lazarus. He allowed others the joy of seeing the restoration of God and smell the fragrant aroma of life. He allowed others to share in the wondrous feeling of seeing someone dead in sin, come alive, and to see that person as they discover they are a new creature, alive in the power of God through Jesus Christ. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1-4)

Once alive and free Lazarus had the choice of living as one who is alive and free, or as one still bound to the chains of death; forever remembering the things in the tomb that caused his death, or forever remembering his life anew. “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it be so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”

In remembrance of the Christ child, what life are you living? Are you still stuck in the tomb? Are you willing to step outside the tomb, reach for His hand and say. “Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised him from the dead”(Rom 10:9) Do you long to live outside the darkness? Do you long to feel the radiant presence of the King? Choose this day whom you believe and forever celebrate the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Emmanuel; God with us.

Captive Heart

Ezekiel 33:11
“As I live” declares the Lord God, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”

I watched the History Channel last week while I was home sick. It had a documentary called Stalking Jihad. It told the tale of two American missionaries to the Philippine Island, Martin and Gracie Burnham, who were taken hostage by al Qaeda terrorist Abu Sayyaf on May 21, 2001, and the American government’s effort to locate and free them. The kidnapping took place months before the events of September 11, 2001. Once these events occurred, the pursuit of the terrorist holding the American hostages took a more fervent role.

The documentary focused on the efforts of the American government, but continued to relay the human struggle of captivity. Of all the captives taken that fateful night, only the missionaries remained unharmed. The other captives were raped, killed, or eventually released for ransom. The documentary showed the Burnham’s struggle for survival. I was awed by their faith, by the respect they had for the terrorist, by their willingness to share their food or care packages that found their way to their remote locations, by their continued prayers at night, and their continued trust in the Lord. My only thoughts were, could I be as faithful if I were placed in a similar situation?

Having read this passage in Ezekiel I now see a different side to this story of captivity. For over a year, God gave the terrorist, the wicked, a chance to “turn from his way and live.” The Burnham’s submission to captivity, their love in sharing, and their prayers in captivity, all were opportunities for the terrorist to turn from their wicked ways; to see the everlasting Light and Truth; and to know a loving God who cares for all of His creation.

It is easy to pray for someone who appears to be God fearing. But it goes against reason to pray for the wicked; to pray for anything but his demise. It goes against reason to pray for the bully, the child abuser, the murderer, or the person dabbling in witchcraft. Why waste “the fervent prayer of a righteous man” on such as these? They have chosen their path of life. They have seen the evidence of God in all creation and in their surroundings.

But according to God’s very own words, He takes “no pleasure in their death.” He is the Creator of all creation; heaven and earth; man and woman; birds of the air and beasts of the field. It all is His creation – the work of His very own hands. He loves it all!

Even a human artist loves his creation, his artwork, his music, or his poetry. As imperfect as the human artist is - he still loves and admires his creation. Nothing is more pleasing then to see others admire his handiwork, or see the joy on their face as they understand the depth of love that went into each creation.

Yet God’s love is perfect. God’s creation is perfect. God’s pleasure is perfect. God’s sorrow is perfect. God “takes no pleasure, no delight, in the death of the wicked.” He desires that none should perish, no not one.

We believers, saved by this same God, need to truly understand God’s heart here. He loves the wicked as much as the righteous. He loves the murderer as much as the redeemed. He loves the drunk, the child abuser, the selfish, those lost in a false religion just as much as you and I.

How dare we not pray for them! How dare we keep God’s love and not share it with them! How dare we remain silent about the greatest gift of all - LIFE over eternal, never ending, tormented death!

O Heavenly Father, I am continually awe struck by the depth of Your wisdom and love; and the understanding of my wretchedness. Precious Savior and Lord, write these words on my heart, my head, my hands, my feet, and my lips. May all my thoughts and actions reflect these written words. That You “take no pleasure in the death of the wicked", but rather "they turn from their way and live.” For I once was lost, but have been found, You saved a wretch like me. Open my eyes to see Your love for the wicked. Open my ears to hear the cry of their heart for You, O God. Open my lips and speak loving words of salvation that draw them to You, my Savior and Lord.

(A brief video interview of Gracie Burnham http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3001437239292144492 )

Got love?

I know a love that is so cold.
It harbors itself within the fold.
Thinking life is mighty fine;
With workings of the joyous kind.

Yet deep within the heart is collow
For this love is awfully shallow.
The err that brought me to my knees
Struggles to yield and joys to bring.

If this love is born of err
How can it grow ever fairer?
Twas grace that taught this heart of mine
It led me to this Savior divine.

O mighty Savior draw me near.
Let me see within the mirror
The wretched state of my affairs
How tainted and filthy I appear.

May my heart soon behold
The dark within that I’ve been sold.
Regardless of the gifts I bring
Forever ugly tis this being.

May the darkness ever behold
Never once to grow cold.
Remind me always of my shame
And grow my love for You - I claim.

Luke 7:47

Wrong Turn

John 11:32-33 When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.

I am not known for my navigating skills. Even with the best directions I will second guess them, make a wrong turn, turn to early, miss a turn, and invariably end up back tracking. Even with the new modern GPS technology I will still take a wrong turn. Nothing is more frustrating than having that little voice say, “Recalculating, turn left, then turn left, then turn left again” just to place me back on track and heading back in the right direction.

I find this same struggle true in my life and walk with Christ. I have made promises that I will honor God and seek His face in the morning, that I will pray more regularly, that I will not be selfish, angry, or even prideful. I will once again surrender to His Lordship and authority, allowing God control of my life, thoughts, and actions.

And yet, I have made a wrong turn once again. I did it even with the Bible; God’s written directions. Even with the Holy Spirit; my Guide, my Comforter, and my Teacher – those spoken and whispered words forever implanted into my inner being. I did it again.

And "when I saw the place where Jesus was and saw him, I fell at his feet," and wept. (John 11:32 –Mary’s name was replaced with “I”.)

There is nothing more deeply moving than seeing and knowing “the place where Jesus was.” Knowing the undeserved penalty He paid for my life. Knowing that, He died for me. Knowing that, God raised Him from the dead, for me. Knowing that, He sits at the right hand of God, interceding, pleading, providing, and protecting me. Knowing that, He holds back the mighty hand of spiritual wickedness that yearns to be loosed upon this earth. Knowing that, He waits at every corner and every turn; every hill and valley; every pit and alley just so I may seem Him and realign my direction and steer towards the mighty hand of love, grace, freedom, wisdom, and strength. O what a wretched man I am that I can’t even stay the course.

O, Precious Father, my heart weeps upon seeing you. My heart has tasted the depth of Your love. My lips have sampled Your bread of life and spring of living water. And I am saddened once again at my wanderings and miss direction. I am humbled and fall once again at your feet. O Father, it is You I want guiding me. It is You that I want directing my path. It is Your light that I need to see. It is You who should be driving and not me. Precious Father, take control.

Naked

This past week I have been in awe at the beautiful colors of fall; subdued red with a hint of purple, bright orange, and vibrant yellow. All contrasted against green, brown, black, and grey backgrounds. When a tree is green the evidence of the intricate branches beneath are easily hidden. Yet as the leaves change colors the contrasted dark branch is vividly seen against such a canvas of beautiful colors.

This morning I watched this beautiful golden yellow tree at the entrance to our subdivision loose a golden leaf. I then noticed the entire floor area beneath the tree was completely carpeted with these golden gems. The green ground beneath was unnoticed by the mound of yellow that blanketed it. As the gentle morning breeze crept in, the tree began to sing softly as another, and another, and yet another leaf was removed from its branch; its own shedding of tears at the loss of its beauty. My heart was saddened at such a thing of beauty being stripped of her royal colors and her nakedness exposed to all who passed by.

O, but one day, she will be a thing of beauty. She will be a tree that gives endless life. She will bear fruit in every season. She will be the shade at the right hand of God. She will adorn the streets of heaven and her beauty will evidence the power and majesty of God. Her leaves will sing praises in the wind and will magnify the radiance of God himself. Her roots will bury deep next to the water of life, flowing down from the very throne of God. She will be renewed; a creation of beauty, a creation of glory and whose lips will never cease praising God, “Holy Holy Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come. Who reigns forever, and ever, Amen.”

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for the murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”(Rev 21:1-8)

Darkness

The dark clouds are in the sky once again. Their dominating presence holding back the bright warmth and dawning of a new day. Their pockets carrying cold rain, bitter blistery wind, and booming thunder. It is cold. It is wet. It is frightful.

Tear drops of rain begin to fall against the grey back drop, rushing downward and spilling across a dry, parched ground. Rain drops whose rhythmic drumming awake the sleepy, send the tired into deep slumber, and cause the timid to hide in fright. The darkness seeps into the house, creeping into the open windows, crawling under the door, boldly entering in from the skylight above. It invades a home. O that the night will come quickly so the darkness will be chased away by the radiance of the light; artificial light that fades in the morning. Artificial light whose power is limited by its source. Artificial light whose brightness dims with each passing moment.

But you, O Lord, keep my lamp burning. You, my God, turn my darkness into light (Psa 18:28). You descend from the heavens. You hold back the clouds. You restrain the falling rain. You hold back the night. Your radiant love is mighty and powerful. It burns as bright as day. It is as a mighty flame. No one can extinguish it and it can not be hidden. It is for all the world to see. O Lord, Your love has no limit and knows no bounds.

It reaches to the bottom of the deepest well. It penetrates the darkest forest. It climbs the highest mountain and swoops among the lowest valleys. It quietly seeps through the tiniest of crevices, and under the door of the darkest heart. It gives sight to the blind and warmth to the weary traveler. My God is mighty to save. My God turns my darkness into light. My God lives and reigns forever. He will never leave me nor forsake me.

He will turn my darkness into light. He will cause me to see and know the things of heaven. He will restore my spirit. He will refresh my soul. He will pick me up when I have fallen. He will gently lift me from the deepest pit. He will bandage my wounds and love my broken heart. He will quench my thirst and He will feed my hunger. My God is…the Lord, and there is no other. “He” forms the light and creates darkness, “He” brings prosperity and creates disaster. “He” is the Lord, who does all these things. (Isaiah 45:6-7)

The River

Nothing seems as pleasant and peaceful as camping in a secluded spot next to a rolling stream or river. Ears are cleansed of the city noise and all your senses come alive in the beauty of your surroundings. Ears hear the lullaby music of the night owls and the early morning serenades of the birds perched on the tree tops. Eyes witness the clear night sky, the twinkling stars overhead, and witness the graceful stroll of a deer, or a hawk in flight. O what beauty surrounds us! Tall stoic trees, young budding flowers, and streams full of life. Sunsets whose colors of bright orange fill the sky with beauty on the horizon. Sunrises whose golden yellow glow evidence a new day.

But what is the source of the river? Where does it come from? What keeps it full and flowing? Without this water, the landscape is dry and barren. The life of all that depends on it - is gone. Beauty is replaced by ugliness. Existence is marked with difficulty and struggles; decisions of existence are either life or death. Only seasons of green exist as the area is blessed with a down pouring of rain. It is obvious that all of life is dependent on the source of water.

For everyone who confesses Jesus is Lord, and believes in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, living water resides in them. They have the “river of the water of life” flowing in them. It is the source of peace, it is the source of life, and it is the source of eternity. Never fading, but ever flowing. It satisfies. It cleans and cleanses. It washes away the dusty travels of this world. It satisfies your thirsty soul. It produces food for your spirit. It springs forth and overflows in abundance and is shared with others. Shared plates of love, shared buckets of tears, shared moments of learning, shared lifetimes of mentoring, shared words of prayer, and shared moments of faith. O may the flow of living water continue in each and every one of us.

“Son of man, do you see this? Where the water flows, the water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows, where the river flows everything will live. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:8-12 – italics are my words)

O, are you keeping this water to yourself? Are you damming it up with the excess baggage of guilt, unforgiveness, selfishness, gluttony, or self control? Are you holding onto salts of sorrow? Are you keeping the living fruit to yourself? Or are you sharing this fruit with others? Are you helping to heal broken hearts or lives? What are you doing with this source of eternal life and love? “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her. “(Psalm 46:4-5)

O, Heavenly Father, living water and life, I am reminded of your words, “Those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of your wing.” Come and satisfy this thirsty soul. Come and give your bread of life. Come and produce in me, springs of living water; water of love to share with others. Come and remove the baggage that keeps Your free flowing water from ebbing from me. May your water abound. May it overflow. May it create a fruit worthy of sharing. May it abound in faithfulness. May it be as clear as crystal; pure and flowing from the throne of God. Not my will, but thine O Lord – flow through me Your love for all the world to see.

Vine of Love

Vine of Love – pure and true
I long to rest in strength from you.
The night is cold and full of fright
I cling to you til morning light.

The morning dawns and shines above.
It fills this branch with warmth and love.
Each ray is filled with warmth so sweet
It seems so easy to rest at Your feet.

Cling to me so I can see
The love you have that sets me free.
Free to sway in the wind
I twist and turn and sometimes bend.

The wind so breezy and so light
It never stirs a sense of fright.
A strange, yet, natural movement it seems
But one that God has gifted me.

A storm has come, its over-head.
The thing I feared and often dread.
Draw me close, that I might see
What you have in store for me.

My eyes are blinded. I cannot see.
I fear my branch might soon break free.
If only I can hold on fast
To the Vine that held me last.

Bring me close. Please hold me tight.
I pray the storm is just one night.
The rain has gone, the wind has come
I hunker down for another one.

The lightening flashes across the sky
It makes me tremble, I start to cry.
The thunder crashes from up above
It covers the whisper of God’s love.

The tears they sting and cause me pain.
I alone have nothing to gain.
In your strength and love I'm secure.
You are close and love me dear.

Vine of Love - I call to you.
Vine of Love - I cling to you.
Vine of Love - Draw me near.
Whisper again so I might hear.

Vine of Love – It’s you I hear.
Vine of Love – I feel you near.
Vine of Love – Help me see
That what’s been done was good for me.

John 15:5

Fall

The temperature has dropped, the wind has picked up, and the dark morning clouds have rolled in. Fall is here. Fall always seems to bring in new sunrises. Bright pink, soft red, vibrant orange and soft yellow, all hidden behind varying shapes and shades of dark foreboding clouds that seem to hover on the horizon in an attempt to hold back the new day. Yet never daunted by the clouds, the sun rises. It marches forward, pressing against the clouds. Bright pinks begin to line the outer lining of the dark clouds, as if caressing and teasing the clouds; encouraging them to roll on by so that the full radiance of the sun may be seen and felt against the cold damp morning. The dominating orange and soft yellow begin to press forward, marching onward, undaunted by the looming clouds and bursting forth as one of royalty. It reaches past the clouds, gracefully gliding to the highest point above, and dancing between the wisps of the small thin white clouds. Yet, it never rests. It will continue its march of royalty as it continues onward until it reaches the next horizon where it will seem to rest once more. While out of sight, it never sleeps or slumbers. While out of sight, it never fails or falters. While out of sight, its beauty and radiance never fades. While out of sight, it continues the never ending journey.

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned; (Rom 5:12) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. (Rom 8:18-19,21-23)

Cries In The Night

John 6:35, 58
Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.

When my son was a newborn baby I spent many hours awake in the middle of the night caring for him. I knew he was a gift from God, because of the difficulty I had in becoming pregnant. The circumstances surrounding my pregnancy evidenced God’s hand in the event. As if I needed more confirmation, after becoming pregnant God spoke to my daughter, who was five at the time, before our first sonogram and told her she was going to have a baby brother.

After he was born and brought home, I recall many long nights and days of sheer exhaustion. Of holding this tiny crying bundle for hours into the night, rocking him, and singing softly to him. I recall when his cries would subside that my own were now echoing in the night. “O Father, I have had enough. I can’t do this anymore. O Father, please help me. You gave this child to me. You know that I am exhausted and I need some sleep before work. Please Lord, Please. Comfort this little gift and allow me to rest.” The nights that I cried out to God, He answered. He gave “rest to the weary and strength for the new day.”

Six years later I took my first overseas mission trip. The days and nights were long. The work was exhausting, but rewarding. Having had this past experience of physical exhaustion with my son, I called again on God the Father to provide “rest for the weary and strength for the new day.” As faithful as ever, He provided.

Three months later I struggle with staying up past the chores and doing my Bible study, or getting up early and having my quiet time with God. I know that I need this time with Him. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry.” My soul is hungry and thirsty for you O God. Come and feed this hungry soul. Come and feed this weary body. Come. Feed me once again, for I need You.

O taste and see that the Lord is good. Give Him the opportunity to prove He will provide. He does give good gifts. He knows our needs. He will fulfill His promise. He will complete His plan and purpose for your life. O taste Him. He is the bread of life. Taste Him. Let Him satisfy your hunger. Taste Him, He is good. He will strengthen your faith. He will love you. He will be Your shelter, your place of rest. He is faithful and true. He is the bread of life. Feed on Him and be filled. Feed on Him and be satisfied. Feed on Him and live a life separate and set apart from the world. Feed on Him and discover He is real. O taste and see the Lord is good. He is the bread of life…forever.

Seed of Love

While driving home tonight I was blessed with one on one time with my ten year old daughter. She talked about her school day, her friends, her likes and dislikes, and other girlie things. She talked about growing up and wanting a horse. She talked about singing and a singing competition and who she would like to sing with this year. Then the conversation lead to difficult people and how others can “stand being around them.” Not to be confused with “cannot” stand being around them.

My reply started with the verse in Romans 5:4-5, “…suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” God will plant a seed of love in your heart and He will grow it to the point where you can love others. You can love the unlovely, the friendless, the mean, the selfish, the hurting, and those that are difficult to be around. Yet you will still have enough love left over for those you truly love. God’s love is everlasting, it is faithful, it is true, and it is pure.

She said, “Yeah I think that God has given me a love for horses.”

I told her that is where this “seed of love” begins. God gives you a small seed of love. He waters it, cultivates it, and begins to create in you a love that is more than it once was. Through the caring, nurturing, and giving of that love God will branch it out to others. Pretty soon, you will have a love so deep, so wide, so high, and so long, you will not be able to contain all the love that “God has poured into your heart.” It will grow to a size you never imagined and it will accomplish things never thought of. You will discover a love and a passion for things once feared or forgotten. You will discover a love that will stand firm in the face of persecution; that will bring boldness to your determination of faith; it will cause you to forget the things of the past and press on towards the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus. You will accomplish simple tasks with joy, you will accomplish difficult tasks with determination, you will accomplish God’s purpose for your life, because His sacrificial, undeserving love has been poured into your heart and it compels every action, every breath, and every step you take.

Matthew 13:32 says, “It is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” Are you allowing God to water the “seed of love” in your heart so that He can use you for His utmost glory?

Heavenly Father, may we fall on our faces before Your endless love. Cause us to look deep into our heart at the “seed of love” You have placed in us. Lord, open our hearts to your nurture, care, and love so that You may grow in us a “mustard seed” of love for others to perch on. May this “seed of love” persevere through the heartaches and difficulties of life. May it deepen its roots and take hold of the everlasting living water that sustains us in the storms and deserts of life. May every stretch of our branches remind us that it is You growing inside of us and You who loves others through us with such compassionate determination and faith. To God be the glory for great things He has done.

Peek-A-Boo

2 Corinthians 3:16 -18
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

While working in the baby nursery I watched as another worker played peek-a-boo with a small baby. Using a light weight baby blanket, she would gently cover the face of the child, slowly draw the blanket down his face, then smile real big and say, “peek-a-boo.” The baby would wiggle and smile and the worker would do it again. Yet, play this game with an older child, or a toddler and they can pull the blanket off themselves. The older child will continue placing the blanket over their face, because this is a familiar game; one that brings such sweet rewards of a smile, a laugh, a giggle, a hug, or a word of affirmation. O the joys of childhood.

We live in a world that continually teases us. Like the blanket placed over our face in a game of peek-a-boo, the world entices us with God’s beauty and creation of man. It lures us into a love relationship outside of marriage. It teases us with the profits that only money can buy; a bigger home, a boat, a trailer, a fancy car, or whatever appeals to our eyes or inward passion. It plays with our pride as we look in the mirror, or get a big promotion, or score a winning field goal or touchdown. It enjoys playing with our emotions - be happy with money, with alcohol, with television, with ungodly music, with drugs, with people, or with whatever hobby that brings us joy. These things are dangled in our face everyday, as if to say, “Come. Play with me. I am better than church. I am better than that dusty old Bible over there. I am better than those old fashioned hymns. I don’t hurt your knees or waste your time like praying does. I can offer you pleasure – now, in this moment. Come. Play with me. Peek-a-boo, here I am.”

Like the nursery worker who pulls the blanket off, God has given His Holy Spirit to those who have turned to Him, confessed that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Jesus from the dead. We are given the Holy Spirit. We are offered this freedom from the “blankets” of this world. We are given a Spirit of freedom that brings joy, peace, and hope. The “blankets” of this world are removed once Jesus Christ is revealed to us. We are given the opportunity to turn to Him, smile, and say, “Yes Lord, I believe. Yes Lord, you are the one for me. Yes Lord, take me, I am Yours.”

Will the blankets ever return? I say they will. They will come back in abundance. They will tease and taunt you your entire life. But the Holy Spirit, this freedom, if allowed, will remove these blankets, these distractions, and cause you to reflect the Lord’s glory. This Spirit of freedom will transform your thoughts, your words, your heart, your eyes, and your hunger for the things of this world. He will please you with the things of Heaven, the things that delight God Himself, and the things that will last through all eternity. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Come. Play peek-a-boo with the heavenly hosts. Allow God to transform your life and restore in you a childlike pleasure of pleasing your Heavenly Father.

Anniversary of Love

Song of Solomon 8:6
"Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal over your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame."

There is a great void in the heart of one who has lost a loved one. “Many waters cannot quench love, rivers cannot wash it away” (Song 8:7), but it would seem as though the tears that are shed could fill many waters and rivers by themselves.

The expanse of this void is great. It would seem that at every turn the empty darkness is there; through memories, through certain smells, through familiar activities. It is there through family members, through friends, and co-workers.

The pain that is felt is deep. It is felt to the very core of your being. At times it would seem that your grief could cover you in a dark abyss with no hope of getting out.

Beloved child of God, there is hope. For, “Everything written in the past was written to teach us, so that we might have hope through endurance and encouragement of the scriptures.” (Rom 15:4) What a wonderful Heavenly Father we have. He wrote to us before this moment in our life. He tucked the notes away and placed them where we would find them; notes of love, hope, and strength.

In the darkened sorrow of our grief God’s love is ever present. As we blink through our tears, God’s love is seen in the distance. God’s love burns for His creation that is tormented in the pain of despair and loneliness. God’s love burns bright for His child through the outpouring expressions of others.

God’s flame of love grows bright; it becomes a mighty flame of warmth and love as the Heavenly Father kneels down and wraps His arms around His grieving child and whispers, “Hush child. Rest my child, be still, and let me hold you in the stillness of this moment. You are precious in my sight. You are my pride and joy. Rest my love. For there is no greater love than My love. Rest my child, I know your pain. The love you have known is great, but My love for you is greater, it is an everlasting love and I will never leave you. (Jer 31:3) It is in these moments that I would have you know the depth and breadth, and height and width of My love.”

“For My love burns bright, it is a mighty flame. No matter how dark and deep your pain, My love will shine through the darkness. It will erase all the shadows of grief; it will remove the storm clouds of fear. Its warmth penetrates the very core of your being and into the sunken heart of despair. My love is greater than death itself, for no grave can hold back the love that I have for you.”

“Grieve no more my child, for I am here. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Though My thoughts are not your thoughts, I have a plan and a purpose for your life and a reason for your grief. (Isa 55:9-10) Rest my child, for in the morning your strength will be renewed. Rest, I am here."

Father in heaven, help me to see the light of your love in this darkness of pain. Grant me the willingness to remain out of this despair and rest in You, for you are my strength. Awaken me each day with the whispers of your love and the warmth of resting in You. You are my hope, my joy, and my peace. Rain down the radiance of your love and fill me inside and out with Your presence. Carry me Lord, for the load of this pain is too heavy for me to bear. Carry me, for I cannot see through my rivers of tears. You, Lord, are my Rock and my Redeemer, my God in whom I trust.

The Perfect Gift

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

I recall one of many visits to my grandmother-in-laws southern home; sitting on the rocking chair front porch with my in-laws after a family meal. The conversations would sometimes last for hours. They would begin while there was still some daylight, but would end near dark.

This verse causes me to reflect on those shadows that form as the sun fades and how they continually move until they disappear all together. They are never still. Think about it a moment.

This verse says, “the Father of lights; with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” God does not change. He is faithful. He is consistent. He is dependable. He is reliable. He is Holy. He is the same as He was yesterday. He is the same today and will be the same tomorrow. His words written two thousand years ago are just as reliable, dependable, and valid today as they were back then. What He promised is still true today. “For everything that was written in the past, was written to teach us, so that through the endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, you might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

Unlike the shifting and continually changing of the shadows, God’s promises are promises you can depend on. The prophecies written and unfulfilled you can trust they will be fulfilled. His words of love, encouragement, strength, patience, gentleness, and kindness are available today and tomorrow and forever; “with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” He will not change.

It is His desire; He longs to give you, every good and every perfect gift. He desires to show you that He is real. He longs to express His love for His creation; “for we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Eph 3:20).” He wants you to know Him. He longs to reveal Himself to you.

Do you know him? Do you desire to know this God who “gives every good and every perfect gift?” Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord;’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” Simply pray this scripture to God and confess Jesus as Lord of your life. Discover God – with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Discover His strength. Discover His love. Discover His passion for His creation – you and me. Discover a purpose for life. Allow God to infiltrate your heart and show you that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will be with you always, even to the ends of the earth. His love is deep. His love is wide. He longs for you and He loves you.

Awake in me…

Song of Solomon 5:2
I slept but my heart was awake.

No more needs to be said to the sleepy heart. Wake up! Wake up and hear the voice of the Savior. Wake up, and come into His presence. Wake up, and see it is He that brings what you need. Wake up! Call to Him in the dark, in your moments of despair and loneliness. Wake up! Tell the world of His saving grace. O sleepy heart and lazy body, wake up!! Spend those precious moments with the King. Wake up, and be refreshed in the morning. Wake up!

Heavenly Father, though my heart is awake and listening to you, my sleepy body longs to be in your intimate presence. Precious Father, cleanse me of the dirt and mud that clings to me and weighs me down. Remove the clods of pride, gluttony, selfishness, and laziness that have found a finger hold on me. Open the water falls of heaven and bathe me in your refreshing rain of forgiveness. Wash me clean and fill me with your bread of life. Quench my thirsty soul with your living water. Fill my dark heart with your love so bright; a flame so warm that all the world may know You. Fill me to overflowing so that I may carry Your love, Your light, wherever I go.

Petals of Love

The smallest flower, so feeble and hidden among the greater flowers of the garden, was often overlooked by the passerby. Daily it would gleam the nourishing rain from off the other flowers. It would stretch to reach the warmth of the sun from between the greater giants of the field never once knowing the loving protection the giant’s presence provided.

Slowly and reservedly this little flower grew. Its color and beauty too dull to be noticed among the other bright vibrant flowers, but it was there. Ever growing, ever stretching, and ever reaching. Reaching for a place in the garden where it solely received a clear path of rain and sun. It’s smallness ever present in its outward appearance. As small and unlovely as the flower seemed this never deterred the flowers desire to receive the fullness of the unobstructive radiance of the sun, the clear freshness of a summer rain ,or the early morning dew.

The life long struggle of this flower produced an inner strength and beauty. Though never picked for display by the gardener it served as a tower of strength and encouragement for the other newly found buds. The buds who struggled in the darkest of places, those left in the shadow of others, and those who seemed unlovely.

The older flower would whisper words of encouragement and strength. It would capture the harsh beating rain and shelter the newer buds from its onslaught. It would gingerly drip the freshness of the rain on them so as not to overwhelm their weaken structure. The older flower would cover them from the harsh rays of the sun, yet allow the blessed beams of light to penetrate and rest upon the strongest parts of their limbs. The older flower would shield the younger bud from the strong and mighty winds; protecting it.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness. (Jeremiah 31.3) Thank you Lord for allowing me the privilege of growing in Your garden, of learning to look for and desire the fullness of Your love. Lord, may I always be what you would have me to be; one full of love and tenderness. One full of strength and inner beauty. One who knows the mighty gifts You have granted. May I always be willing to share your love with those around me. May Your tender mercies forever fertilize the life in which I live that I may grow and be worthy for use by You and for You. You are my rock and my fortress; my God in whom I trust.

JUNK

Ezekiel 16:4-14
On the day you were born…no one looked on you with pity, or had compassion for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. Then I saw you…and said to you, “Live!” I made you grow…you grew up and developed and became the most beautiful of jewels. Later I passed by…and saw you were old enough to love…and you became mine. You became very beautiful…because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign Lord.

Hurricane Ike is pushing its way through Houston, Texas and on towards Dallas, Texas. Reports are already coming in of people stranded, tossed, battered, beaten, and tormented by the effects of the storm. Pleas for help are being reported to every 911 center in the area. For some, rescue is immediate, but for others it will be many more hours before rescue teams can enter the ravaged areas.

As I watch and listen to these reports, I am reminded of the day my Heavenly Father rescued me. When I was born, “the Father of this world” despised me. There was no compassion or love in his heart. There was only hatred and contempt. So he tossed me aside. He left me - alone. He left me to fend for myself.

As the King of Heaven and Earth traveled by, He saw me. He stopped, reached down and picked me up. Holding me in His arms He breathed His breath of life into me and said, “Live!” Everyday He watched and whispered words of encouragement and love. He “made me grow.” And when I was old enough to understand all that He had done for me, I was “old enough to love,” and He “took me” for Himself.

I became beautiful because of the splendor and majesty He has lavished on me. I have been made beautiful and perfect in His sight, in His timing, and with His provision of beauty and grace. When I was naked and alone, He clothed me. When I was tired and weak, He lifted me, carried me, and encouraged me onward. When I became dirty from my daily travels, He washed and cleansed me; making me beautiful once again. I became beautiful, because of – Him.

O Father, Savior, and King, I am overwhelmed with the selfless love you have shown toward me. Despised by this world - you have loved me for all eternity. A wretched lump of life, yet beautiful and perfected by Your Might. You have fed me at your banqueting table, clothed me with your righteousness, and adorned me with jewels of trials and temptations, and pearls of patience. I am “very beautiful” because of Your splendor, love, and care. Sovereign Lord, I am full. I am in love with You. I am Yours. Use me…

Here is a video on GodTube that is similar... http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ee73e63418003b47d7d5&msg=Your%20email%20has%20been%20successfully%20sent%20to%20your%20friend.