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.

Give it away

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

He couldn't understand why he had to give up his Wii time with daddy to go shopping.  Bundling for the cold to brave the over-crowded store.  An attitude so sour it made me pucker.  So gently I explained.  A big-brother with a sick baby sister.  A big-brother whose baby sister is going to die.  A big-brother whose Christmas could be sad.  a big-brother whose mommy and daddy can't afford Christmas.

And then he understood.

Freely you have received, freely give. - Matthew 10:8b

A Christmas for a big-brother, a Christmas for four who planned to go without.  $50.00 for groceries, a warm coat, new shirts and a few toys.  A meager gift compared to the first gift of Christmas.  But one that would bring joy and maybe a little hope.

...It is more blessed to give than to receive. - Acts 20:35b

An empty pocket, a full heart.  So it is!  Much more blessed to give than to receive. 

God, I have received much from you.  Foremost, your overflowing grace and love that comes through Jesus.  Thank you for loving me, thank you for forgiving me, thank you for blessing me.  Thank you for giving us the resources to be able to give to others.  I praise you for the hearts of my children that want to serve and understand you.  May you give us opportunities to teach and lead them.  We give you the glory, may our works reflect your love.  Thank you for loving us first.

Baby Story

 There was nothing super-natural about my children's conception.  There was no stress of treacherous travel just days before their birth.  No fear for lack of money.  No worry of a place to stay.  Their births both routine in a hospital sterile, and warm.  And each child was celebrated!  Surrounded by family praising God for the miracle of life, and the gift of a child.

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus"..."the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:30-31,35

A super-natural conception

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David...He went there with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 

Hectic, tiresome, dangerous travel

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in the manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. - Luke 2:4-7

No birthing coach, no take-home outfit, no hospital, not even a cradle

There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby...the angel said to them "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good new of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you; You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger"...So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby who was lying in the manger. - Luke 2:8-16 (paraphrase)

Not celebrated by family, but visited by lowly dirty shepherds, strangers straight from the field

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. - Luke 2:19  

Not forgetting a single piece of God's unfathomable plan, not questioning the details - but simply treasuring up the miracle of God's love and provision. 

God, as the Christmas season comes to a close help me to treasure and ponder the way that you gave Jesus to us.  Give me understanding of your heart as I raise the children you've blessed me with.  Let me marvel in the miracle of life.  Let me trust in your provision.

The "C" Word

If you add up all the symptoms and plug them into symptom checker, web MD, google, the search engine of your choice etc. you'll uncover the same results.  And I've been plagued by the thought that cancer may be a reality for my friend.  So we cried, we prayed and we talked about it.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.- Romans 12:15

We are all dying.

What is your life?  You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. - James 4:14b

When I overt my eyes from the clutter of ME.  I see!  I'm not so big.  And with the realization that we are all dying whether by age or cancer, the real question is what does God require of me, the mist before I vanish away?  How do I want to spend my time?

You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden...in the same way, let your light before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise God in Heaven. - Matthew 5:13-14 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. - Matthew 22:37-39

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where  thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is there your heart will be also. - Matthew 6:21

Forget the insignificant and really love God, which will flow into loving others.  A life filled with good deeds that reflect the ONE true good, the ONE true light. 

God, May my deeds point to you, and may I be building up treasure in heaven.  You've given me this heart, this body and this life - it is all on loan from you.  May I be a good steward and may you welcome me home someday. 

Truffles

The ingredients all the same, yet each one unique and filled with imperfections.  My hands stained, and sticky - palm to palm I rolled the truffles and they took shape.  The chocolate filled spoon cradled the imperfect sphere- back and forth, covering, until all it's imperfections disappeared.

The Lord formed man from the dust of the ground and breathe into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. - Genesis 2:7


..the gift is not like the trespass.  For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!  For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. - Romans 5:15, 19

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is format he west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. - Psalm 103:11-12

My life, from dust, shaped and formed.  Imperfected by my own choices and wavering heart.  Perfected in his blood that covers me completely and makes me perfect again.

God thank you for the life you've given me.  Thank you for Jesus and the forgiveness I have in Him.  I am covered, perfected in you and I praise you for your love, your patience and your power.  May I honor you by living a life full of worth.  May I always be mindful of my imperfections compared to you.  Thank you for covering me.

Footsteps




Image from
http://www.bowsart.org/images/fullsize/footstep.jpg

Their strides were long, their shoes too big.  The path they walked, the narrow one; straight, 

consistent, guided by ONE greater than themselves.  I watched them love.  I watched them work.  I watched them forgive.  I watched them laugh.  I watched them hurt.  I watched them grow.  My shoes got bigger and I grew too.  I didn't always follow the path their feet lead, and they let me make my own mistakes.

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.  You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things... -Colossians 3:5-8

“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 a few find it. -Matthew 7:13-14

How blessed am I!  I once sat in Sunday school under a grandmother's teaching, today I sat under my grandfather's and marveled as he quoted verses from a memory filled with scripture.  I listened as my dad interpreted scripture, and watched my mom, brothers and sisters flip the worn pages of their Bibles.  How blessed am I!  

 My son, do not forget my teaching,  but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. -Proverbs 3:1-7

Raised to see and enter the small gate.  A witness to their examples- striving to walk on the narrow road.  Submitting to HIM.

God, thank you for the blessing of my family.  May I follow in their footsteps of faithfulness.  I submit my life to you, that you may make my path straight.  Daily may I lay my will down so that I continue on your path, not my own.  I trust in you.  I am thankful for your word that guides me, and grateful for Jesus making a way for me to know you.  May I raise my children to know and follow you.  May my footsteps be worthy to follow.

Garbage

We lock it away in bags, it rots away in pits.  We rid our homes of it because it stinks.  But how often do we take out the trash that can clutter our minds, deceive our hearts, and stink-up our life?  I'm not talking about banana peels.

...But each one is tempted when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived , it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grow gives birth to death. - James 1:13b-15

Our own evil desires.  My own sinful nature.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from the nature will reap destruction, the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. - Galatians 6:7-8

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. - James 1:21

Take out the trash.  Rid my mind of the temptations of my sinful nature.  Filter the things I allow into my life, and fill my mind with the seed of the word;  so that what I sow is of eternal value, making my life something worth reaping.

God, thank you for your word which is the wellspring of life.  May your spirit guard my heart and mind, and may I be mindful of the things I allow into our home and in my life.  I want to be a person filled with your word, planting seeds of your goodness in the world.  Guide my life.

Confession

I clenched my teeth, struggling to keep my jaw from dropping, as the words - "I don't believe Jesus is the Son of God" dripped with conviction from her lips.  My heart sank for her and we sat in silence.

Jesus answered. I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6

I am sub-consciencely aware I walk among those who don't know Him.  Sadly, I confess, I don't consciencely acknowledge it often.  Do you?  We hear their voices, and see their faces; we bump into them at the store, we pass them on the street.  They are our friends, they are our neighbors, they are our co-workers, they are our families.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  The he said to his disciples, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. - Matthew 9:35-38

Am I working for Him?

God, forgive me for not asking to be a part of your harvest.  Shine a light on those I can be a witness to.  Soften the hearts of those who need to know you and give me the words to speak.  You are the good news, the healer of bodies and souls, our shepherd.  Guide me as I seek to follow you.

Why

It plagues me; the grimy muck of this sin filled world.  Hearing about it, reading about it, taking care of kids because it was thrust upon them.  And doubt begins to seep into my thoughts.  I question God and I ask why.  I seek answers I'm not meant to seek.  When my focus is in the gutter of sin it is not on the goodness of God.  When my counsel is of this world I'm deceived.  For the "truth" of the world is no truth at all.

Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm... - Job 38
The Lord said to Job:
"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?  Let him who accuses God answer him!" 
Then Job answered the Lord:
"I am unworthy- how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.  I spoke once, but I have no answer-twice, but I will say no more." - Job 40:1-5
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm...
"Would you discredit my justice?" - Job 40:8

With a hand covering his mouth and a tongue utterly unworthy to answer God. 
Speechless. 
All the turmoil, all the questions; Job was ready to give God a real piece of his mind.  And yet in the whirlwind of God's presence - silence.  For mearly witnessing God's presence, and hearing God speak of His power and his infinite presence was answer enough.

God may I be quiet and revere the qualities that make you, You. 
Eternal-All knowing-All powerful-Fair-Just-Loving
May I be fearful of your power and respectful of your name and your word.  You require more of me, and I will not question you, your justice or your goodness.  I repent for the doubt I allow to creep into my heart and I praise you.