Press On

We watched him step after step, mile after mile press on and persevere.  We cheered, we high-fived, we prayed.  We listened as they called his name and we watched him cross the finish line.  26.2 miles - he ran the race.  It didn't come easy, much as life doesn't come easy. 

Blessed is the man who perseveres...-James 1:12a

Life is a marathon; each step requires thought, time, energy, strength and the will to persevere.  And there are obstacles at every turn; threatening to pull us down, discourage our steps, make us quit.

...Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3

Perseverance (verb)- to persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly.

There are days I don't want to get out of bed.  But I do.  With my eyes fixed on Jesus, one foot after the other, I press on.  Considering Him and all that he endured, considering His power bottled within me-The Holy Spirit, considering it's Him NOT me, making each step more possible.  I can persevere.

...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31

God help me to live in such a way that I can say as Paul did "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).  Help me to throw off everything that hinders me from running the race you have set before me; be it money, time, worldly perspective, or myself.  Keep my feet from the entanglement of sin.  I am far from perfect and I need the guidance and help of my perfecter - Jesus.  Help me, everyday, to press on.  I will not find my crown here on earth, there is no earthly prize set before me, but there will be a heavenly reward for my earthly perseverance in the faith.  I want to finish, I want to fight, I want to keep the faith.  Jesus, help me.

Tears for Jesus

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these". - Matthew 19:14

"Mom, when will I get to see Jesus?" - he asked

I'm not sure, buddy - what I do know for sure is if we love Him; when we die we will be with Him in heaven, but if God decides it's time for Jesus to come back it may be sooner. 
Really, only God knows.

His head sunk into cupped hands, and salty tears stained his cheeks. 

Why are you crying sweetheart? - I asked

And from the bottom of his longing heart he replied - "because, that's a long time"

A response of childlike faith, and a heart that truly desires fellowship with our savior. 

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 18:3-4

God, through the working of the Holy Spirit who is living inside of me - convict me of pride and empower me to be humble.  Implant the desire for intimate fellowship with You deep within my heart.  May my heart be full of anticipation, ever ready for Jesus to return.  And in the waiting help me to be faithful and obedient.  Lead me, I lay myself down.

Subtraction

As I walk down the road of life I carry the luggage of me.   Memories of heartache, of regrettable past choices, and of questions unanswered fill these bags weighing down the steps of my journey.  Fear of life's unknowns are heavy shackles which encumber each step.  Dirt from the road clings to my skin, stirred up amidst my struggle for control.

"Enter through the narrow gate.  For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But, small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it." - Matthew 7:13-14

The gate is narrow and the luggage of me will not fit.  So, I drop the bags - they will not fit through the gate.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:18
"We live by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 

By faith, not by sight.  So, through faith I face the unknown and each step is lighter as the shackles crumble.

"...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."
- Luke 9:23-24

Take up my cross;
Die - everyday,
Deny myself - everyday,
Follow Jesus - everyday.
Save my life by losing it - relinquish control. 

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

And so I take myself away.  Before my arms stretch from beneath the warm sheets, before my feet hit the cool wood floors I pray that it would be You living in me.  You in my words.  You in my actions.  You people see.  You, take away me equaling just you.

Partly cloudy with a Guarantee of Sunshine

The hopelessness of loss casts a grey shadow over life's sky.  The numbness of the monotonous day-to-day, leaving life void, and nagging for purpose. 

There is a light that shines to fill the void and transform the grey skies to blue.

He is not here.  He is risen! - Luke 24:6

Death has been swallowed up in victory.  Where, O death is your victory?  Where, O death is your sting?  Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57

Feeling hopeless? - God Wins, and His word shines for you (Psalm 119:30)
Numb? - God Wins, and He wants your day-to-day no matter how monotonous (Colossians 3:23)
Desperate to fill the void? - God Wins, and He will fill you with peace and joy (Acts 2:28, Romans15:13)
Searching for purpose? - God Wins, and He has a plan (Philippians 2:13, Jeremiah 29:11)

The grey doesn't last forever. 
Good triumphs over evil. 
In Christ- death is nothing to fear.  
And He's coming back.
The End - God WINS
Are you on His team?

God, thank you for the victory we have in Jesus.  Please continue to work in me to will and act according to your good purpose as I strive to glorify you in this life.  May I walk and live with the knowledge and hope of your victory and your return.  May I be a light to others.

"Good" Friday

Overwhelmed with sorrow, distressed and troubled; He knelt in prayer.  Yet, He found no comfort or support in his friends.

 - "are you asleep?  Could you not keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." - Mark 14:37b

Betrayed by one who had walked beside Him for all of His ministry.

- Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them; "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."  Going at once to Jesus, Judas said "Rabbi!" and kissed him.  The men seized Jesus and arrested him. - Mark 14:44-46

Deserted and alone.

-Then everyone deserted him and fled. - Mark 14:50

Seated in a court of liars, spouting falsities, ruled by unjust judges plotting his death

- The chief priest and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.  Many testified falsely against him... - Mark 14:55-56

Spit on, blindfolded, punched, mocked, and beaten.

- Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, stuck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him. - Mark 14:65

Disowned by his friend.

- He [Peter] began to all down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I do not know this man you are talking about." - Mark 14:71

Flogged, struck, and mocked.

-He [Pilate] had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified....They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him.  And they began to call out to him "Hail, king of the Jews!"  Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him.  Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his clothes on him.  Then they lead him out to crucify him. - Mark 15:15-20

Nails pounded through his wrist and feet, Hung on a tree- shaped as a cross, crucified with thieves.

-And they crucified him...They crucified two robbers with him -Mark 15:24,26

Death.

-With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. - Mark 15:37

I find little no "good" in the above events.  I can not imagine a day so full of pain, desertion, embarrassment, turmoil, and temptation.  And yet he endured it.  There is a hopelessness and a void that comes with death; the broken heart of his mother, the despair of his friends and disciples who did not understand his words spoken only hours ago- predicting that death would not be the end.  -"In a little while you will see me no more, and then in a little while you will see me..I tell you the truth you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices, but your grief will turn to joy...I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. - John 16:17,20,22 

And there in lies the good.  A promise of hope, a guarantee of victory, everlasting joy.

Father this day I remember the death of Jesus, your atoning sacrifice, who made a way for me.  Me, a sinner; I am a member of the crowd screaming "crucify him," I am a soldier who spit on him, I am a witness who lied about him.  I am unworthy.  May the words of his pain, and his endurance pierce my heart.  I am humbled, and I am grateful.  Your love for me is unfathomable. 

Today, Tomorrow and Water

The wind blows sweetly, budding flowers push through the dirt to face the sunshine, the bird's song fills-up the background, trees awaken from their winter drab with buds of green and red.

Spring has sprung.
It's a time when we are motivated to plant, to play and break the cycle of our winter hibernation.
To live.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.  

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. - Psalm 1:1-3

This is your season, this is my season.  The moments, the days, the years; they will slip away if we let them.  Leaves without water - wither.  

...Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 

- John 4:14

Do you know the One who gives living water?  Do you want to - because He wants to know you.  

And if you know Him; are your leaves full?  Is your life fruitful?

Are you living for today or for eternity?  

Take every moment

You know that you own them

It's all up to you

To do whatever you choose

Live like your dying

And never stop trying

It's all you can do

Use what's been given to you

Live like your dying....

God, you have not promised me tomorrow - but you've given me today.  And I praise you.  

You've not promised me a life of ease, but you've given me grace, forgiveness, love and guidance.  You're promises of peace that surpasses understanding, rest when I come to you, a Spirit of power of love and of self-discipline are made real in my life daily.  May my words be full of grace seasoned with salt, guide my feet in the path of righteousness and forgive my sins.  

The heart of the matter

It's a fast-paced, provocative, self-centered culture we live in.  Our minds and hearts are bombarded daily with temptations of entitlement, bigger, newer, more, happier, easier.  Unconsciously they seep in.  The billboard display, the junk-mail, the neighbors, the catalogue, the TV show, the car-dealership, the advertisement, the song on the radio.  Almost unknowingly we start to believe the lie, we allow the seed of discontentment to take root and it begins to grows.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  - Proverbs 4:23
 
How's your heart?  Is it bleeding from the tares of division?  Do you believe the lies?  Have you heard the truth, do you believe it?  When you walk is your guard up?  Are you filtering the lies from the truth? 

Teach me your way O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. - Psalm 86:11

I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:10-11

...But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.  And in on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. -Philippians 3:13b-15

They will be my people and I will be their God.  I will give them a singleness of heart and action... - Jeremiah 32:38-39a

Verse after verse; conviction, after encouragement, after promise.  The heart of the matter is our heart.  A heart, full of God's word, seeks to know more.  A heart reverently fearing the creator is undivided for Him.  A heart that knows the way of the Lord leads the feet in truth.  The heart is our wellspring, our "continual supply" of life. 


God as I wade through this world give me a singleness of heart and action.  I want to be a mature Christian who holds your views and has your heart.  Make clear to me the areas of my life I need to surrender to you, forgive the sin in my life and do not let me stray from your commands.  Make my life abundant -full of love, grace, forgiveness, peace, joy, contentment and truth.  Thank you God for your provision and love, I trust in your promises and lean on your mercy.

Like a Christian

"Mom, will you be there when I die?"  somber and serious his dark brown eyes peered into mine awaiting my answer.  I questioned what he meant and he explained further "in the crowd mom, will you be there watching me in the crowd, you know when people make fun of me and when I die like a Christian."  My heart sank deep into the pit of my stomach, tears welled up and spilled over.  I grasp his precious face and said - That makes me very sad to think about; I hope you don't have to die that way, but mommy would be very proud of you, and I know you would be with Jesus if you died that way.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. - Philippians 3:10-11

"I claim to be a man of faith and prayer, and even if I were cut to pieces, I trust God would give me the strength not to deny Him and to assert that He is." -- M.K. Gandhi

Could I endure my child suffering harassment, persecution and even death in the name of Christ?
Do I really want to know Christ by sharing in his sufferings?  Could I be cut to pieces asserting that He is?

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power...put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. 
- Ephesians 6:10,13-18

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13

God, Wearing your name, being a "Christian" means daily I lay my own life down and I allow you to strengthen me, to make me strong, to equip me through your word.  I hear the words of my son - unafraid, undeterred to be for you, even if at the cost of his own life.  I hear an eagerness to accept you and make his life for you.  "I choose Jesus" - he said Sunday.  And God I praise you!  It is about YOU.  I choose you too, again and again I choose you, and your way.  Forgive the times when I don't.  I pray for your mercy and favor in this world.  I pray for a hedge of protection around my life and my family.  I pray for the Church - that it may be one in Christ and in you just as Jesus prayed.  Father, Give me courage to be different, strength and endurance in times of trouble and through it all peace in Christ. 

Reaction

I make choices everyday.  Coffee or tea? $4.58 from Starbucks or home French pressed?  Apple or Orange?  Self-controlled or Edgy?  Positive or Negative?  Time wasted or Time spent well?  Relationship focused or Task focused?  Information in, choice made.
And the absence of choosing is in itself is a choice.

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. - James 4:17


It's much more than apples and oranges.  The good I ought to do.

Where do I begin?

Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Come near to God and He will come near to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded...Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. - James 4:7, 8, 10


Submit (verb) : to defer to another's judgment, opinion, decision; to yield oneself to the power or authority of another.
I begin by actively putting my will, my plans, and my opinions on hold- until they are congruent with Gods.  I yield myself to the unfathomable power of the creator of the universe.  I will run with purpose away from the web of lies and temptation the devil spins in this world.  For when I flee the world and draw near to God He promises me He will come near to me.  When I see me for who I am, so small compared to Him, and truly humble myself before Him, He will lift me up.

Do you see the reaction?

He asks us to react.  To be faithful, to choose Him, to defer our ideas to His, to be humble before Him.
And
He will draw near to us, He will lift us up.  


God, forgive me when I choose my own way.  It is a daily process to submit myself to you, sometimes a minute to minute process - Come near to me as I read your word, and stay with me.  Hide your word in my heart and fill my mind with your priorities, opinions and actions.  Give me a meek spirit that I may continually walk in humility before you.  Thank you for your promises, and your faithfulness to carry them out in my life.   Help me react.

Believe

The song echoed in my heart, the lump in my throat produced crocodile sized tears which streamed down my face.  And it wasn't the song, more, the realization of the reality of the words.  Stop and listen....

Take a look at the mountains
Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of Me

Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am

And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one

I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you, yesterday and todayAnd tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more

We "know" God loves us...But do we stop to relish in the amazing love of an infinite, all powerful creator and God?  My eyes well with tears now as I breath in the love of God and I allow myself to believe.  Really believe.  With all His heart God loves me.  More than the big and beautiful stars he designed, more than the sun which gives us light.  I am His own unique design, and He loves me. 

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. - 1 John 4:16

Am I relying of God's love?  Am I living in love? 
Too many day's I rely on my to-do-list, my plans.
It is not the daily tasks that complete me.  I could never do enough. 
I am completed only in His love, and forgiven through Jesus and his sacrifice.

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  - 1 John 4:9-10

How could my response be anything but to love Him too.

We love because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

God make me complete in you again, as I recognize how you love me.  May each day I stop to praise you for the way you love me.  Perfectly, forgiving, merciful love.  I am unworthy, just a single grain of sand in this amazingly beautiful world You've created.  I have sinned, I have a tarnished this life.  Yet you give me Jesus.  And in his sacrifice I am made clean, spotless before you, and complete.  I want to love you - may my life be filled with obedience in response to your love.

Owie

His eyes welled up with tears, his leg banged up and bloody.  The blood disappeared under a transformer band-aid, and with a strong will he dammed up his tears.  Heads bowed and hands folded we gave his hurt and his worry to God.  And we imagined together a place where band-aids are rendered useless, where our bodies will be ever strong, without pain, without injury, always perfect.

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. -1 Corinthians 15:42-44

This body; full of weakness, perishing a little bit hour by hour, imperfect and experiencing pain.  Clumsy  full of mis-steps and misguided choices. 

No tears in heaven no sorrows given
All will be glory in that land
There'll be no sadness all will be gladness
When we shall join that happy band.

No tears (in heaven bear) no tears (no tears up there)
Sorrow and pain will all have blown
No tears (in heaven bear) no tears (no tears up there)
No tears in heaven will be known.

--No tears in Heaven (Skeeter Davis, 1967)

A perfect body; never withering, in a glorious place surrounded by the presence of our Heavenly Father.  Full of grace and gracefulness.

God, thank you for the temporary status of this body, and for the promise of a life everlasting with you in heaven.  Thank you for the health you've given me - what a blessing, may I use my body to glorify you and do works that reflect you.  I seek you to cover my worry, and my pain - I know you will take care of me and I trust in you.  Until the day you bring me home may I find joy, and peace in this life you've blessed me with - tears pain and all.                                                                                                                       

Joe-Christian

While perusing one of my favorite blog sites I read an article about being an "awesome-christian."  As if there's some attitude + servant hood formula that equals a gold-star from Jesus.  What's my ruler, my scale, my gold-star standard?  How am I judging my heart, and to what am I comparing my service? 
Is it?
Me vs. Joe-Christian.   Because if it is; My attitude compared to Joe's, well there's no comparison.  I'm serving more than Joe.  I'm in the Word just as much, maybe more than Joe.  I might even follow the law of the land more closely than Joe.

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.  Why do you look at the speck of saw dust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? - Matthew 7:2-3

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. - Proverbs 16:18

When I begin to compare my life to others; I'm not only judging their walk, but I'm neglecting to examine my life against the ONE standard that matters.  I forget that the grace credited to me was not earned, but a free gift.

For who makes you different from anyone else?  What do you have that you did not receive?             1 Corinthians 4:7a

So, when I compare my life to the ONE from whom I received the gift.  It's laughable, the idea that my life could equal much of anything against His.
His life was perfection.  Given fully in obedience to serving, healing, helping, teaching, guiding, loving.
Mine full of imperfections.  Divided attention at best, as the battle of self against spirit wages.

God, please bring to the forefront of my mind areas of pride, and feelings of self-righteousness that I need to release.  May I have an attitude of humility and gratitude to you for the gift of grace.  Give me peace and joy in the relationships I have with others.  Equip me to be a servant of others and a light for you.