Fury Swept Through Me

My temple walls cracked, but on the foundation I stayed.

Everything was shaken and fires filled my hall.

Broken glass just scattered, but I stood beside You, standing tall.

Fury swept right through me and I had peace in the midst of it all.

Jesus secured me in the finest season.

He's the reason I’m still standing, without Him, I would fall.

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" 1 Corinthians 3:16 NKJV

"..and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." Mathew 7:25 NKJV

"So put on all of God's armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing." Ephesians 6:13 NIRV

You Called

When I had turned away, my brazen heart shouted in anger.

Yet, in the distance You called.

Hearing You and moving it from my head to heart, is something of a miraculous feat.

But, You kept calling.

Though my bones melted and my heart fiery cooled, still You called.

Why would You want me? I never sought or looked for You!

Again, You called. In the stillest voice You called.

On a precipice of my demise, You called. On the shores of the Jordan, danger and success loomed. Faith and obedience moved us on.

Though Your grace we can answer, yes Jesus yes.

Whatever You ask, I'll do. I am Yours

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 51:17 NIV

The Nameless Thief

Humanities interconnection is real.

We all have the same desires.

We all have the same needs.

We all desire love and intimacy.

We all have the same frail failures. We have sin.

Thankfully, we have a solution for sin and with it, it brings true intimacy with our Father, our Creator. Jesus knows. He knows us yet forgives us. What's amazing is that even those nailing Him to the cross could experience this joyful forgiveness. Even one of the guilty thieves that died next to Jesus experienced this amazing forgiveness. Moments earlier, the nameless thief—who is now our brother—cast his fair share of insults toward Jesus. Yet, in an instant, he knew true forgiveness. He knew the power of Jesus over sin.

Don't let life end without knowing Jesus. And if you know Him, share Him.

Crawl To China

Often I speak to the wind. No one hears but my Father.

Do you do this too? He hears and knows all.

All of a sudden the crazy person talking to air is not as crazy as we think. Passing by strangers on the street, especially the homeless, I often wonder.

“Father” I ask. “Are they here to prove out our Christianity?

Sure we can’t afford to feed their addictions. And we can’t fix there plight, can we? No, but we know one who can. So, even if we don’t have food on hand, remember we can offer them Christ.

I’ve talked to several homeless people over the years and shared with them Christ's redemptive work. I’ve share Jesus' power to change a life. Surprisingly, just like the middle or upper classes of society, most are uninterested. But, most will at least listen. It’s not in our power ever to change a person anyway. Yet, perhaps we can peak their interest in one who possesses power to change life. And that of course is Jesus.

Words from a song I love say’s this:

Crawl To China     by Tourniquet

Is God asking you to crawl to China - or just to cross the street?
To trudge through the desert through Arabian heat
Or to accomplish the impossible - a Herculean feat
Or maybe just trade in bad thoughts obsolete

Is it the concentration camps at Dackow?
Is it Joan of Arc revisited?
Niagara Falls in a barrel?
Or to mend a broken relationship instead?

Crawl to China
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/tourniquet/crawl_to_china.html ]
He is faithful - it remains in His hands
From the cold barren Arctic to the war stricken lands
From the place in your heart where despair takes it's hold
To the lairs of the demons where deceptions are told
Is God asking you to crawl to China or just to cross the street?

Crawl to China

With emotional rigor mortis freezing your step
You won't be going far at all
It feels pretty safe but the danger is real
You won't grow until you face the fear that you feel

Crawl to China

Thriving on the Rocky Crag

On a windswept rocky crag a lone tree thrives. It's not by its might or by its power, for it doesn't not direct the wind or rain. It's not by its will, for its placement is divine.

We do not pick our place in time.

We do not chose our relatives.

We do not chose our gifts or talents.

But we can chose what to do with all of these.

We live now.

We love now.

We serve now.

Tomorrow may be too late. Will you thrive by giving yourself away? Jesus did.

Plain Truth

The simple truth, is plain truth. Simply put, Jesus is LORD and our Lord. What other truth really matters? If He is the same yesterday, today, tomorrow, and forever: He is immutable truth.

The truth of it is, our God is expressed in love through Jesus Christ, and He is also the God who judges the nations and someday the world. Of course He judges individuals too, both here and now and in eternity. And if we're found in Christ, the curse of our law breaking is laid on Jesus.

Yet, our God is not mocked and the things we do bodies are judged in our bodies. Paul even said some took communion in a sinful state and some got sick and even died. Well how does all this come to play with the curses of a fallen world? I don't know, but He does and He sorts it all out for His will and our good. I mean DNA flaws, imperfect parents, disease, and a whole host of problems are brought on by the curse of sin. Even Christians have to deal with all this. I mean “it rains on the just and unjust” and all creation suffers from the effects of sin. When death entered in, no man was exempt. Yeah, a couple guys escaped it—Enoch and Elijah—but everyone else, including Jesus goes through it. Someday one group of believers will escape it too. I would love to be in that group. Wouldn't you?

Caught with our Sword on the Ground

Holy God over creation, I praise Your name and lift my prayer to You.

Help me keep in step with Your Spirit.

  For when I walk with You, fleshly desires fall by the wayside.

Help me never to think keeping the law or rules is what made me right with You.

  Only Christ's blood could do that.

Father, let no one bewitch me or fool me into thinking I can be righteous apart from Jesus. Grow me up in Christ, push me toward maturity. Spark the life of Your new creation inside, ignite it by Your Spirit. Fill me up again, empowering me for service. Help me see those waiting and wanting new life in Jesus.

To Abraham You promised to bless all the nations of earth. By believing in Jesus work on the cross, I became and heir of Your promise. Thank You for sealing us with Your Spirit. Thank You for the comfort of Your word.

My struggle against sin has never been bloody Lord. Sometimes I don't take the way out of temptation, forgive me Lord. Help me to hate sin. I know we're wrestling dark forces, it's foolish to be without Your armor and to be caught with our sword on the ground. Hone and sharpen me Lord in Your word.

169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word. 
170 May my supplication come before you;
    deliver me according to your promise. 
171 May my lips overflow with praise, 
    for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous. 
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord,
    and your law gives me delight. 
175 Let me live that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. 
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten your commands.

Psalm 119:169-176 NIV

The Salty Life

Hold me in hope

Hold me in love

Love me in grace

And see me through the Son

See me through the night

See me in Your delight

And let us live out Christs' life, being salty through this life

May the church give out Your love

May we stretch out pasted all pride or insecurity

May we seek the lost and share loves finest cost: Jesus

May we live the love of God, Lord expand our boarders as we grow

Press us on to maturity

Grow us in Your grace

And, help us one day to finally see Your Face

Awe Struck

Awe struck! I'm amazed how He loves us. Look out at the night sky. Myriads of stars speak of His vast glory, yet we are the apple of His eye. Beyond that, the God of all creation wants an intimate relationship with those that will. We can come boldly before the throne of grace, all because of Jesus...

On Your terms we come Father, we come for help and healing. Our family and friends need healing. Some are for physical needs. Some need spiritual healing--their sin. You are the God of all creation and we ask in Jesus name for both. Fix our friends and family, please save them.

Use us to share Your word  and light Your path. Set us on hills and make us bright. Help us to shine Your light, not hide it. Help us to know Your word and share it. Help us to live and give Your word. Father thank You, for Yours is the Kingdom and power now and forever more!

The Psalmist's Quesions

"Who probes minds and hearts?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?

For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God?

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?

Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory.

Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalm excerpts varios

Pruning Time

When my thoughts race to and fro, You are there.

When I'm out of words and lost in time, You are there.

When I feel disconnected and cut off, You are there.

You tell us to abide in You Jesus, yet if were fruitful-we'll soon be pruned.

You tell us we were wild olive branches grafted in, let the life giving sap flow.

If we are fruitless in either case, we have no connection to the root-Jesus.

Father, help us wayward gentiles put on white garments for your wedding. 

Help us Ephesians find our first love, and may it never be lost again.

Keep us from ever being the Laodiceans.

Help us remember grace is sufficient and His mercy endures forever!  

Dying Servant

Hold my dying friend Lord, He's been Your faithful servant for 25 years just in our body. He served well, deserving of double honor. May you give him that honor as he comes Your way. Give him mercy and please make the end quick and less painful. 
Comfort his family Father, and use Your body to meet their needs. For You are gracious O Lord! Your mercy endures forever!

Enthrallled

Simpler times pass through my mind,

We were young newly weds…each enthralled in one another.

We had no clue how to do marriage, but we loved each other and our God.

I'm suppose to love her and give my self up as Christ commands. I often fail, yet occasionally get it right. My wife is more giving than I. I’m selfish, but I try to love, or let Christ's love live through me. I’m supposed to be the spiritual leader of the home. But she loves with out effort. I will give an example from today’s mother’s day.

I bought my wife and mom flowers for the day. We were all eating at my sister in-laws. Her sister had no gift for her mother in law; so my wife gave her flowers to her sister. She then gave them to her mother in law and everybody was happy.

I was proud of my wife, giving up her gift, just to make another happy. I’m blessed with a giving wife. We are coming up on 28 years of marriage in a couple weeks. It’s not been easy, but well worth it, we are still both growing in grace and knowledge. Thanks for a good one God!

Gold Refined

The owner of time mocks it's passing and the fool thinks he can keep it in check. Time will accomplish it's purpose and yet it will not heal all wounds.
His wounds remain.

God gave wisdom, yet some took a pass.

In times passed God looked past our ignorance, but don't think that will always be His stance. For Christ came and most ignored it. When He comes again missing it will be impossible.

Foolish bible scholars still set dates for His coming. It must break His heart to see such pride. Jesus didn't know His return date, so why would we? 


Remember, Christ warned the seven churches and only commended a few. So think of His closing words.

18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 
Rev 3:18-22 NIV

The Willing

Who will pray for a condemned city like Abraham?

Who will interceded for a nation like Moses?

Who will “go” like Isaiah ?

Who will be the “watchman” like Ezekiel?

Who will follow like the twelve?

Who will love like Jesus?

Who will have ears to hear and eyes to see that God still loves the world?

Yesterday's Relationship

Give me hope in You, when I forget to hope.

You are the God of the living. You are.

We never really die when we know You, for You are. Just help me die to self.

Holy God of all things living, thank You for new life!

My heart, mind, and soul are Yours LORD.

Help me to recognize it and more importantly, give it and live it.

Pour out Your Spirit a fresh and new on Your child.

Take the coal of Christ's blood and touch my unclean lips.

Forgive my sin again and create the clean heart a new.

I'm never satisfied with yesterday's relationship, Lord.

Let me see Your mercies new everyday.

Help me to give mercy too.

Escape

Sleep escapes me and words roll through my mind.

I read of a lost world tonight (Genesis 7). The deluge of old came flooding in and judgment hit the ancient world. It was Noah’s flood.  Sure they were warned, and sure Noah proclaimed coming judgment while building an escape vehicle. But, only his family listened.

I imagine Noah felt strange building the first ocean liner on dry ground. I imagine his family wondered if he had lost all sensibility. I imagine after decades of this, scoffers and ridicule were quite the norm. But, imagine when clouds formed and rain started dropping for the first time.  I wonder what everyone was thinking then.

Type in “flood myth” on an internet search and you will find just about every culture has one. Myth, in college didn’t mean it wasn’t real, it just meant it was a legend. It turns out this one was real. It’s endorsed by Jesus. But, the sad thing is, just as it was in the day of Noah, so it will be today. Everyone will be working, marrying, and going about business and calamity will come again. Just like before, there is an escape vehicle, an ark if you will. That is Jesus himself.

Jesus took on the judgment of God on Himself. He bore humanities judgment, yet, just like before (in Noah's time) most scoff. They say where is His coming? They hear about all the date setters and the failed attempts to predict the unpredictable and just laugh.  However, Jesus’ soon return has been eminent from the inception of the world. It was planned in the mind of the Father. Just as Christ was slain before the foundation of the earth, in the mind of the Father, so the end was know too. Jesus is the beginning and end. He is the alpha and omega.

Of course, I’m rambling now. But, I’m thankful to know such a person as Jesus. He is the Theanthopos (God and man). Only He lived life to the fullest, doing so in perfection to the Fathers standards. Only He was the unblemished lamb, which suffered a criminal’s death on a cross of crucifixion (predicted before it existed). Only He rose again to life, by His own accord and was witnessed by over 500 people. Only He left on clouds and will return someday soon.

Yeah He's coming, and it’s been a while; but we’re one day closer than yesterday. Maybe I’ll sleep now. Maybe, you won’t. Maybe sin’s keeping you awake? Maybe something is gnawing at your soul. It does at mine at sometimes. But know this: Jesus is the forgiver of sin.