Morning sunlight streaming in
Illuminating baby face
Pink lips parted just a bit
Crooked grin responds to kiss.
Red-tinged eyelids close over
Wondering blue eyes, searching
For a loving face, finding
Me, he's satisfied.
Rounded tummy pressed to mine
Full of morning's manna
Little body cuddled close
Filling heart of Mama.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
"Long Live Israel"
Magdi Allam, a recent convert from Islam to Christianity,
". . . explained his decision to title a recent book 'Viva Israele' by saying he wrote it after he received death threats from Hamas.
"'Having been condemned to death, I have reflected a long time on the value of life. And I discovered that behind the origin of the ideology of hatred, violence and death is the discrimination against Israel. Everyone has the right to exist except for the Jewish state and its inhabitants,' he said. 'Today, Israel is the paradigm of the right to life.'"
(Quoted from Yahoo News.)
". . . explained his decision to title a recent book 'Viva Israele' by saying he wrote it after he received death threats from Hamas.
"'Having been condemned to death, I have reflected a long time on the value of life. And I discovered that behind the origin of the ideology of hatred, violence and death is the discrimination against Israel. Everyone has the right to exist except for the Jewish state and its inhabitants,' he said. 'Today, Israel is the paradigm of the right to life.'"
(Quoted from Yahoo News.)
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Another Quote
We cannot kindle when we will
The fire which in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides;
But tasks in hours of insight willed
Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.
(Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3/22)
The fire which in the heart resides,
The spirit bloweth and is still,
In mystery our soul abides;
But tasks in hours of insight willed
Can be through hours of gloom fulfilled.
(Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3/22)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Quote from My Utmost for His Highest
“Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the One who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason—a life of knowing Him who calls us to go. Faith is rooted in the knowledge of a Person, and one of the biggest traps we fall into is the belief that if we have faith, God will surely lead us to success in the world” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, 3/19).
Lord, lead us to success in Your kingdom. Help us to desire that more than success in the kingdoms of men. Let us not worry about where we are going, but to be content that we are going with You. We know Who is leading, so we need not be afraid of the destination.
Lord, lead us to success in Your kingdom. Help us to desire that more than success in the kingdoms of men. Let us not worry about where we are going, but to be content that we are going with You. We know Who is leading, so we need not be afraid of the destination.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 18:2
A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. (Pro 18:2 NKJV)
Ouch. That hits close to home. Too often, I answer before I listen. And even if I do hear and retain what the other person says, I don’t acknowledge their input, for I am more focused on “expressing [my] own heart.” I am sure that leaves them feeling unheard, for my husband has expressed that in many ways. In fact, he’s the reason I even know that I do it. Lord, please make me aware when I am conversing with others. Help me to “delight in understanding” more than in finding that perfect way to communicate what I am thinking.
Wow. That word “expressing” means “to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively to reveal: - + advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly, publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell, uncover” (Strong’s).
What are You saying to me, Lord?
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pro 18:21 NKJV)
Oh.
He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. (Pro 18:13 NKJV)
That’s me.
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Pro 18:15 NKJV)
Lord, help me to speak much less and to listen much more. Let my heart stop trying so hard to express itself (which merely exposes my foolishness) and instead love to acquire knowledge by hearing what my husband, my children, and others are saying. In fact, please help me to stop listening to my own thoughts as much and instead be attentive to Your voice.
Today, in Your strength, I will close my mouth and open my ears. “Zip your lips, little Michelle, and put on your listening ears.” How many times in my life have I heard similar words? Have I ever truly heeded them? Oh, that today might be the day that I begin to hear. Jesus, may it be so.
Ouch. That hits close to home. Too often, I answer before I listen. And even if I do hear and retain what the other person says, I don’t acknowledge their input, for I am more focused on “expressing [my] own heart.” I am sure that leaves them feeling unheard, for my husband has expressed that in many ways. In fact, he’s the reason I even know that I do it. Lord, please make me aware when I am conversing with others. Help me to “delight in understanding” more than in finding that perfect way to communicate what I am thinking.
Wow. That word “expressing” means “to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively to reveal: - + advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly, publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell, uncover” (Strong’s).
What are You saying to me, Lord?
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pro 18:21 NKJV)
Oh.
He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. (Pro 18:13 NKJV)
That’s me.
The heart of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (Pro 18:15 NKJV)
Lord, help me to speak much less and to listen much more. Let my heart stop trying so hard to express itself (which merely exposes my foolishness) and instead love to acquire knowledge by hearing what my husband, my children, and others are saying. In fact, please help me to stop listening to my own thoughts as much and instead be attentive to Your voice.
Today, in Your strength, I will close my mouth and open my ears. “Zip your lips, little Michelle, and put on your listening ears.” How many times in my life have I heard similar words? Have I ever truly heeded them? Oh, that today might be the day that I begin to hear. Jesus, may it be so.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Crying Out
I cried out to God with my voice, to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah (Psa 77:1-3 NKJV)
“Days of trouble must be days of prayer, days of inward trouble especially, when God seems to have withdrawn from us; we must seek him and seek till we find him” (Matthew Henry, commentary on Ps.77:1-10).
Lord, I will cry out to You until You come and teach my heart to rejoice again in You. I am overwhelmed, but I will not distract myself from the pain. I will press in to You until I find You in this day, this house, these children, this work, and this body of flesh in which You dwell. Give me hope. Teach me patience. Pour Your love into my heart and my children’s.
“Days of trouble must be days of prayer, days of inward trouble especially, when God seems to have withdrawn from us; we must seek him and seek till we find him” (Matthew Henry, commentary on Ps.77:1-10).
Lord, I will cry out to You until You come and teach my heart to rejoice again in You. I am overwhelmed, but I will not distract myself from the pain. I will press in to You until I find You in this day, this house, these children, this work, and this body of flesh in which You dwell. Give me hope. Teach me patience. Pour Your love into my heart and my children’s.
Friday, March 07, 2008
A Home Educator's Prayer
Lord, You are holding everything in Your hands, perfectly in control. Please intervene on behalf of parents in California and in our nation. Please don’t let control of our children’s education pass from parents’ hands to the hands of the state. We have seen in socialist countries what that can do to a nation and to children. (In Germany, it turned them into Nazi Youth who supported the atrocities the government ordered.) That is diametrically opposed to Your way of training and educating children. You gave that right and responsibility to parents. We will stand before You and account for what we taught them and allowed them to be taught. Please wake up the church and parents to realize what a precious responsibility this is, and help us not to give up our rights without a fight. We stand in confidence before You, knowing that You are the one who can and will act on our behalf. Though we cannot move our government to act righteously, You can. Please be our advocate, and let those in places of influence be moved to correct this situation—no, let this even be turned from a defeat for home schooling into a great victory. Give us back the ground that the enemy has taken. Let this become a great defeat for the powers of darkness that would steal the hearts and minds of our children.
Sign this petition!
Sign this petition!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Imperfect Parenting
“It finally dawned on me that I had asked something of my parents that they could never be: I had wanted them to love me as only God can love me. And I wanted to love my kids as only God could love them.
“In short, either I was setting up rivals for God or I was trying to compete with God—both are efforts doomed to failure. I finally came to a major crossroads: instead of competing with God, I realized God had called me to focus my efforts on introducing my kids to God, even using my own failures and inadequacies as compelling causes for my children to find their refuge in him.
“What will it be for you? Will you try to compete with God, or will you work to introduce your children to the one true God?” (Gary Thomas, Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls, p. 44).
Lord, please help me give up trying to be the perfect parent, the perfect representative of You to my children. Instead, may I live repentant before my children to help them recognize that You are the only one who can love them perfectly.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. (Psalm 27:10 NKJV)
Though I do not want to, I know that I daily let my kids down in many ways. You, however, are the perfect parent that they need. Help them to find You and to be secure in Your love, and help me to forgive myself when I fall short.
“In short, either I was setting up rivals for God or I was trying to compete with God—both are efforts doomed to failure. I finally came to a major crossroads: instead of competing with God, I realized God had called me to focus my efforts on introducing my kids to God, even using my own failures and inadequacies as compelling causes for my children to find their refuge in him.
“What will it be for you? Will you try to compete with God, or will you work to introduce your children to the one true God?” (Gary Thomas, Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls, p. 44).
Lord, please help me give up trying to be the perfect parent, the perfect representative of You to my children. Instead, may I live repentant before my children to help them recognize that You are the only one who can love them perfectly.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me. (Psalm 27:10 NKJV)
Though I do not want to, I know that I daily let my kids down in many ways. You, however, are the perfect parent that they need. Help them to find You and to be secure in Your love, and help me to forgive myself when I fall short.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
End of Day
I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too ignorant to be human, and I lack common sense. I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One. (Prov. 30:1b-2 NLT)
Wearily I come
To the end of today.
What wisdom I had this morning
Has fled.
I come before the throne,
Empty and ignorant,
Passion’s fire died
To flickering flame.
Welcome as I am,
Asking to be filled
From the ever-flowing river,
To be cleansed
With fire.
Wearily I come
To the end of today.
What wisdom I had this morning
Has fled.
I come before the throne,
Empty and ignorant,
Passion’s fire died
To flickering flame.
Welcome as I am,
Asking to be filled
From the ever-flowing river,
To be cleansed
With fire.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Poem by Whittier
This morning found this amazing poem, and I just have to share it. How have I never before discovered this Quaker poet?
The Fruit-Gift
by John Greeleaf Whittier
Last night, just as the tints of autumn's sky
Of sunset faded from our hills and streams,
I sat, vague listening, lapped in twilight dreams,
To the leaf's rustle, and the cricket's cry.
Then, like that basket, flush with summer fruit,
Dropped by the angels at the Prophet's foot,
Came, unannounced, a gift of clustered sweetness,
Full-orbed, and glowing with the prisoned beams
Of summery suns, and rounded to completeness
By kisses of the south-wind and the dew.
Thrilled with a glad surprise, methought I knew
The pleasure of the homeward-turning Jew,
When Eshcol's clusters on his shoulders lay,
Dropping their sweetness on his desert way.
I said, "This fruit beseems no world of sin.
Its parent vine, rooted in Paradise,
O'ercrept the wall, and never paid the price
Of the great mischief,--an ambrosial tree,
Eden's exotic, somehow smuggled in,
To keep the thorns and thistles company."
Perchance our frail, sad mother plucked in haste
A single vine-slip as she passed the gate,
Where the dread sword alternate paled and burned,
And the stern angel, pitying her fate,
Forgave the lovely trespasser, and turned
Aside his face of fire; and thus the waste
And fallen world hath yet its annual taste
Of primal good, to prove of sin the cost,
And show by one gleaned ear the mighty harvest lost.
The Fruit-Gift
by John Greeleaf Whittier
Last night, just as the tints of autumn's sky
Of sunset faded from our hills and streams,
I sat, vague listening, lapped in twilight dreams,
To the leaf's rustle, and the cricket's cry.
Then, like that basket, flush with summer fruit,
Dropped by the angels at the Prophet's foot,
Came, unannounced, a gift of clustered sweetness,
Full-orbed, and glowing with the prisoned beams
Of summery suns, and rounded to completeness
By kisses of the south-wind and the dew.
Thrilled with a glad surprise, methought I knew
The pleasure of the homeward-turning Jew,
When Eshcol's clusters on his shoulders lay,
Dropping their sweetness on his desert way.
I said, "This fruit beseems no world of sin.
Its parent vine, rooted in Paradise,
O'ercrept the wall, and never paid the price
Of the great mischief,--an ambrosial tree,
Eden's exotic, somehow smuggled in,
To keep the thorns and thistles company."
Perchance our frail, sad mother plucked in haste
A single vine-slip as she passed the gate,
Where the dread sword alternate paled and burned,
And the stern angel, pitying her fate,
Forgave the lovely trespasser, and turned
Aside his face of fire; and thus the waste
And fallen world hath yet its annual taste
Of primal good, to prove of sin the cost,
And show by one gleaned ear the mighty harvest lost.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Standing
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Stand therefore [hold your ground] … (Eph. 6:12-13a)
I thank the Lord that my struggle is not with flesh and blood. I do not have to struggle, even against myself, but only yield myself to Him. He is my Master, and like a little puppy, I feel the touch of His hand and roll over in complete submission. He may do with me as He pleases. I trust Him without question. (Or at least, that is the desire of my heart. Make it true, Lord!) Sometimes He tickles my tummy and scratches behind my ears. Sometimes He spanks my little (well, maybe not so little) bottom. But always He loves me, and always I will come back to Him, trembling with eagerness to be near Him.
And as for the battle against the powers "of this present darkness," He provides all the armor I need. My task is not to fight, but to stand. I will stand my ground in His strength, confident that nothing can take me out when He is my Warrior. What is my ground? It is my confidence in Him. He is my Rock. He is my firm foundation. Nothing can shake me when I am standing on what is immovable.
I am so grateful for this encouragement today. I needed to hear it. For yesterday, as I read a couple of chapters is Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl, the Lord revealed so much garbage in my heart: a superior attitude and elements of a controlling spirit that I had not previously detected in myself. I was so grieved. As Paul and I drove around collecting gifts and party items for Rayne's birthday this weekend, I confessed to him and repented. I have been so resistant of his leadership. I have not realized what an amazing gift God has given me in being able to rest under his authority in my life. I have been striving to find God's will for myself, for Paul, and for our family, when all of that is not really my primary responsibility. It is my husband's! And my responsibility—which is to discover what he wants, to please him, and to pray for him as my heavenly authority—I have neglected. Instead, I have pushed him in directions that I felt we should go. Even if the direction might (at times) have been good, my attitude was not.
Paul was so gracious to me. He kept telling me what an incredible wife he has always thought that I am. He also kept saying that he feels again like he did when we were dating, when I just admired him so much. The difference, he said, is that now he is much less enamored with himself. Thank You, Lord, that You are now bringing me also to be less enamored with myself and my own spirituality. Thank You for bringing me to a place of being more appreciative of the spiritual (and natural) leadership of my husband. Please continue to give him wisdom for himself, for me, and for our family. And please continue to teach me to trust Your leadership through him. I am standing on You, trusting You to make me the bride You want me to be, both to my husband and to You.
I thank the Lord that my struggle is not with flesh and blood. I do not have to struggle, even against myself, but only yield myself to Him. He is my Master, and like a little puppy, I feel the touch of His hand and roll over in complete submission. He may do with me as He pleases. I trust Him without question. (Or at least, that is the desire of my heart. Make it true, Lord!) Sometimes He tickles my tummy and scratches behind my ears. Sometimes He spanks my little (well, maybe not so little) bottom. But always He loves me, and always I will come back to Him, trembling with eagerness to be near Him.
And as for the battle against the powers "of this present darkness," He provides all the armor I need. My task is not to fight, but to stand. I will stand my ground in His strength, confident that nothing can take me out when He is my Warrior. What is my ground? It is my confidence in Him. He is my Rock. He is my firm foundation. Nothing can shake me when I am standing on what is immovable.
I am so grateful for this encouragement today. I needed to hear it. For yesterday, as I read a couple of chapters is Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl, the Lord revealed so much garbage in my heart: a superior attitude and elements of a controlling spirit that I had not previously detected in myself. I was so grieved. As Paul and I drove around collecting gifts and party items for Rayne's birthday this weekend, I confessed to him and repented. I have been so resistant of his leadership. I have not realized what an amazing gift God has given me in being able to rest under his authority in my life. I have been striving to find God's will for myself, for Paul, and for our family, when all of that is not really my primary responsibility. It is my husband's! And my responsibility—which is to discover what he wants, to please him, and to pray for him as my heavenly authority—I have neglected. Instead, I have pushed him in directions that I felt we should go. Even if the direction might (at times) have been good, my attitude was not.
Paul was so gracious to me. He kept telling me what an incredible wife he has always thought that I am. He also kept saying that he feels again like he did when we were dating, when I just admired him so much. The difference, he said, is that now he is much less enamored with himself. Thank You, Lord, that You are now bringing me also to be less enamored with myself and my own spirituality. Thank You for bringing me to a place of being more appreciative of the spiritual (and natural) leadership of my husband. Please continue to give him wisdom for himself, for me, and for our family. And please continue to teach me to trust Your leadership through him. I am standing on You, trusting You to make me the bride You want me to be, both to my husband and to You.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Good Morning, God!
I didn't want to get up early this morning, but I did, and look what encouragement God had planned for me! I trust that you will be encouraged as well.
Coffee with God
Coffee with God
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Prayer for the Elections
For we can do nothing against the Truth [not serve any party or personal interest], but only for the Truth [which is the Gospel]. (2Co 13:8 AMP)
Serving a “party or personal interest” is not serving the Truth. Lord Jesus, in this year’s presidential elections, raise up those who will “not serve any party or personal interest.” Raise up those who will serve the Truth in every part of their lives. Let them be those who are incapable of doing anything against You, who are the Truth. Instead, may they honor and glorify You in their private and public lives. Raise up a man of righteousness to lead our nation. Raise up men and women of righteousness to surround him in his administration, in the Congress, and in the Supreme Court. Give us godly leaders to guide us through the days ahead.
Serving a “party or personal interest” is not serving the Truth. Lord Jesus, in this year’s presidential elections, raise up those who will “not serve any party or personal interest.” Raise up those who will serve the Truth in every part of their lives. Let them be those who are incapable of doing anything against You, who are the Truth. Instead, may they honor and glorify You in their private and public lives. Raise up a man of righteousness to lead our nation. Raise up men and women of righteousness to surround him in his administration, in the Congress, and in the Supreme Court. Give us godly leaders to guide us through the days ahead.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Out of Egypt
I called my son out of Egypt. (Hos. 11:1b)
This is referring to Israel, but it is also applied to Jesus (Mt. 2:15). How could it refer to Him, since the next verse (11:2) refers to Israel’s rebellion? Perhaps it is because, as the atonement sacrifice, everything what He did was not only for His sake, but for ours. He didn’t only die in our place, He also lived in our place. He walked the same paths that Israel had walked, but He did it in faith and love. He didn’t live a perfect life only to show us how to live, but also to perfectly represent us before the Throne. Since we could not do it right, He did! Thank You, Jesus. There are so many hidden treasures in Your word. Help me to see them. Transform me as I gaze upon Your splendor.
Jacob fled to Aram and earned a wife by tending sheep. (12:12)
Did You not do the same, Jesus? You came and “earned a wife” by tending sheep. You, the Good Shepherd, took care of the sheep that were placed in Your care. And in the end, You will receive the bride for whom You have worked. Even as Jacob had to serve an extra term for Rachel, You are yet waiting for the fulfillment of Your desire. But You will receive what You have earned. You will receive a spotless bride!
Two interesting things: 1) the reference for that verse is 12:12. Is not 12 the number representing the church? (The bride?) And 2) the root of the word translated “Aram” means “castle, palace.” Is this not the root of all our fairy tales? Jesus truly is our knight in shining armor, coming to rescue His princess from her childhood castle of bondage.
Then the Lord led Jacob’s descendants, the Israelites, out of Egypt by a prophet, who guided and protected them. But the people of Israel have bitterly provoked the Lord, so their Lord will now sentence them to death in payment for their sins. (12:13-14)
Yet another parallel. You were led out of Egypt, protected and guided by God. In contrast, You did not provoke the Lord, but pleased Him in every way. Yet the parallel resumes—You were sentenced to death—not in payment for Your sins, but in payment for mine.
This is referring to Israel, but it is also applied to Jesus (Mt. 2:15). How could it refer to Him, since the next verse (11:2) refers to Israel’s rebellion? Perhaps it is because, as the atonement sacrifice, everything what He did was not only for His sake, but for ours. He didn’t only die in our place, He also lived in our place. He walked the same paths that Israel had walked, but He did it in faith and love. He didn’t live a perfect life only to show us how to live, but also to perfectly represent us before the Throne. Since we could not do it right, He did! Thank You, Jesus. There are so many hidden treasures in Your word. Help me to see them. Transform me as I gaze upon Your splendor.
Jacob fled to Aram and earned a wife by tending sheep. (12:12)
Did You not do the same, Jesus? You came and “earned a wife” by tending sheep. You, the Good Shepherd, took care of the sheep that were placed in Your care. And in the end, You will receive the bride for whom You have worked. Even as Jacob had to serve an extra term for Rachel, You are yet waiting for the fulfillment of Your desire. But You will receive what You have earned. You will receive a spotless bride!
Two interesting things: 1) the reference for that verse is 12:12. Is not 12 the number representing the church? (The bride?) And 2) the root of the word translated “Aram” means “castle, palace.” Is this not the root of all our fairy tales? Jesus truly is our knight in shining armor, coming to rescue His princess from her childhood castle of bondage.
Then the Lord led Jacob’s descendants, the Israelites, out of Egypt by a prophet, who guided and protected them. But the people of Israel have bitterly provoked the Lord, so their Lord will now sentence them to death in payment for their sins. (12:13-14)
Yet another parallel. You were led out of Egypt, protected and guided by God. In contrast, You did not provoke the Lord, but pleased Him in every way. Yet the parallel resumes—You were sentenced to death—not in payment for Your sins, but in payment for mine.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thoughts on the Cross
What does the Cross mean? Yesterday I read a description of it in Richard Foster's book, Celebration of Discipline, which gave me a deeper perspective. But I want to know from You, Jesus, the One who experienced it. What do you want me to understand about the Cross today? I do not understand. It doesn’t seem like a few hours’ separation from Your Father would cause the agony you went through, both in anticipation and at the time. For You knew the end—You knew that You would conquer sin, be restored to fellowship with Your Father, and be raised again. And that not in a few years or decades or millennia, but in a few hours/days! I know that to You, the eternal God, a day is as a thousand years, so one day of separation You would experience much longer (but also much shorter). Perhaps what I am misunderstanding is that You are outside time. You were slain before the foundation of the world. You were physically slain within time, but were You spiritually separated from Father outside of time? It can’t be, can it, that there is an eternal quality to Your experience of separation from the Father? That would account for Your agony. Help me understand.
Yesterday, when Reesa went to visit her grandparents for a couple of days, I imagined what it would be like for our family if she didn’t come home to us. The sorrow, even in my imagination, is just too great to bear. (Yet I know that, were it to happen, You would bear it for us and with us.) I know that she would be restored to us in Heaven, but how long to wait! How many days that would have to be lived without her! Perhaps my faith in the reality of Heaven is not steady enough, but the thought of one day without her, not knowing exactly when we’d ever see her again, is unbearable. The sorrow of Your separation from the Father must have been infinitely more, but I can’t imagine it. Because You knew, didn’t You? You knew that it would be short, and that You would soon be together again?
Jesus knew … that he had come from God and would return to God. (Jn. 13:3 NLT)
-----
You know the insults I endure—the humiliation and disgrace. You have seen all my enemies and know what they have said. Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine to satisfy my thirst. (Ps. 69:19-21 NLT)
Yesterday evening I watched an episode of Andy Griffith with the kids in which a spoiled little boy dares Sheriff Taylor to put his father in jail. He is more concerned about not losing his bike than he is about his father going to jail. He has broken the law, but he is completely unconcerned about that and just wants to avoid the consequences. How am I different from that little boy? When I look at the Cross, my feelings are usually something like, of course You did that for me. I take it for granted, not comprehending how much my freedom cost You. I am more concerned that I not lose my peace or joy or comfort than I am about Your reputation, Your suffering for me. Help me to understand. Help me to identify with You in Your suffering! I don’t want to be a spoiled brat who is more interested in my toys than I am in You. I want to know You, to understand what You have done for me and why. I want to know what it was like for You to suffer in my place, not so that I can receive any benefit, but so that I can love You and thank you with a heart of real gratitude.
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (Php 3:10-11 NLT)
I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. (Lk. 8:47 NLT)
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But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns. (Lk. 22:53b NLT)
For one moment, one short (but eternal) moment, the power of darkness reigned absolutely. There was no God in the heavens watching over the earth. He had turned His back, for there was no goodness left on the earth. Even His beloved Son, whom He has sent, became “the actual embodiment of sin” (Foster, 144). All was dark, and the eternally glad heart of the Father, which until then had never been tainted with darkness, was filled with sorrow.
But they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Lk. 23:21 NLT)
Why the demonic frenzy of determination to kill the one they had so recently praised as the Messiah? The one who had fed them in the desert and healed their bodies? One day they loved Him; the next they mobbed him. What had changed?
“Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death … But the crowd shouted louder and louder for Jesus’ death, and their voices prevailed. (23:22-23)
They gave no reason; they simply yelled louder. All reason, justice, and compassion fled. Evil reigned, even over God. For this moment, He, who many times had easily evaded capture when the religious leaders had sought to kill Him (and many have done so since), submitted to the unreasoning mob—He let us have our own way. How many times do we pray that God would do things the way we think they should be done? For this moment, He gave in. He let us see what the end result of getting our own way would be: total darkness, depravity, and despair. Yes, God would be dead, and we would be given over to our lowest passions until we sunk lower than the animals, even to the level of demons. If God had not intervened, would we have sunk even lower than the demons? For they had been created to be His servants only, but we had been intended as His bride.
-----
Richard Foster said that the work of the Cross was finished before You died. I had always thought that Your physical death coincided with Your taking on our sin—almost as if my sin had stopped Your physical heart. But the three hours of darkness from noon to 3pm (Lk. 23:44-46) seem to be when You actually bore my sin. This was the “time when the power of darkness reign[ed].” For after that, the veil in the temple, which had separated me from being able to enter Your presence, was torn. As soon as You shredded it, Your work was done. I was cleansed from my sin and free to approach the holy God, made blameless and pure (1 Cor. 1:30).
What did You experience during those three hours? What about it was so dreadful that You begged to be spared the cup of suffering? For the true suffering must have been then, not later when Your body died. You gave up Your spirit triumphantly, like a woman having given birth. You had finished the work You were sent to do and were restored to oneness with the Father. You then went to the grave, shining light in a dark place that had never seen Your light. You preached deliverance to those who had died before You had come. You were then resurrected to show Yourself again to Your followers and went to Heaven to wait until the end of time, when You will return gloriously and establish Your kingdom on earth. But that was later. What happened to You during that moment when You said “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mk. 15:34), in the moment of Your ultimate suffering and the fulfillment of Your Father’s will? The moment for which You had come was upon You—You had taken it upon Yourself. What was that like?
Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (Mk. 15:37-38 NLT)
As You finished Your work, You died. The missionaries to the Auca Indians said that they were immortal until they had completed the work You had given them. Up to that moment, they could not die. As soon as they were finished, they would surely die. This was true of You. You could not, would not die before You had finished the work for which You had been sent. But the moment You had fully atoned for all our sin, You breathed Your last. There was no longer any reason to be subjected to suffering and death. Fully victorious, You released Your Spirit into Father’s hands (Lk. 23:46).
He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. (Isa. 53:3 NLT)
It was nine o’clock in the morning when the crucifixion took place. (Mk. 15:25 NLT)
Three hours before darkness fell, the nails were driven into Your flesh. What were those three hours like? During that time You were mocked. The fear of God had not yet fallen on those watching You die. Was it like the final waiting before a surgery or execution? Did You pray? Were You beginning, even then, to take sin upon Yourself? Or was it just a dry, dreary time of nothing much happening, just hurting, bleeding, experiencing the physical pain of a broken human body while everyone around You increased Your emotional pain. This was when You had no comforter, no sympathizer to lighten Your burden. You were completely alone and exposed to the eyes of everyone who hated You. Total humiliation. Waiting until the time came for You to begin the terrible work the Father had given You.
… he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death … “(Mk. 14:33-34 NLT)
What horrified You? What distressed You so deeply? What crushed Your soul with grief? Was it the anticipation of experiencing my sin? What was it like for One who is Light to be overcome by darkness? For One who knew no sin to become sin?
… it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down … he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! … the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. (Isa. 53:4-6)
-----
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me.” (Mk. 14:36a NLT)
Yes, Your Father could have taken the cup from You. He is unlimited in power and choice—but He chose not to take it away. It pleased Him (was according to His will and desire) to crush You (Isa. 53:10). You were abandoned—not by accident, but by design. Father actually intended to hurt You, kill You, despise You, and turn away from You. How could He do such a thing, even for a moment? To return to my original comparison, how could I ever intentionally turn away from my precious daughter, rejecting her wholly in front of everyone, and cause her pain so great that her heart would tear to pieces? Yes, I could then restore her, but would she ever forgive me? Could the deep wound of separation ever be healed? How could You forgive Abba for doing that to You? In fact, it doesn’t seem that You ever had to forgive Him. You fully cooperated with and submitted to His act of injustice upon You. What reward could ever make up for such a wrong? What could ever make what He did to You okay?
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. (Isa. 53:11-12a NLT)
-----
“The time has come. I, the Son of Man, am betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Mk. 14:41b NLT)
You were betrayed by everyone, not just by Judas. You were betrayed by Your disciples, Your friends, Your enemies, Your own mother, and by me. Most of all (but in a different sense), You were betrayed by God, Your Father, who had willed that it be so.
“My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away until I drink it, your will be done.” (Mt. 25:42 NLT)
Three times You prayed this prayer. You knew that Father could spare You, but You did not demand it. At the same time, Yours were not empty words. You must have been truly asking if there was another way. You continued to submit wholeheartedly to His will, crying out to Him until You knew that You and He were in total unity of thought and purpose. Then You went forth in peace, not defending or explaining Yourself to anyone, because You knew that You were safe in the Father’s hands. He would slay and crush You, yet You trusted Him (Job 15:13). You needed the justification of no one else.
Jesus remained silent … (Mt. 26:63a NLT)
Jesus said nothing … (27:14a NLT)
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. (Isa. 53:7 NLT)
-----
“Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” (Mt. 26:53-54 NLT)
You, the living Word, were the fulfillment of the written Word. You could do no less, for the written Word is the expression of who You are. You refused to deliver Yourself, though You could have. Everyone around You thought that meant You were defeated. You appeared weak and helpless. How could God be helpless? If You cannot even help Yourself, how can You help us? And if we do not have You for our help, where else can we turn? We are completely lost without You.
What we didn’t—couldn’t—understand was that this was our help. Our knight in shining armor had ridden to our rescue and, by His death, slayed the dragon forever. This idea was far beyond our comprehension. The only way we can understand it is by looking back at what You did. Though You predicted it through prophets for thousands of years, and personally for three years, we still did not understand. Now, two thousand years later, I’m still trying to comprehend it. Please give me understanding. I will wait on You.
"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." (Psa 46:10 NLT)
Jesus, I may not understand, but be honored in me anyway. You are my Lord and Savior.
Yesterday, when Reesa went to visit her grandparents for a couple of days, I imagined what it would be like for our family if she didn’t come home to us. The sorrow, even in my imagination, is just too great to bear. (Yet I know that, were it to happen, You would bear it for us and with us.) I know that she would be restored to us in Heaven, but how long to wait! How many days that would have to be lived without her! Perhaps my faith in the reality of Heaven is not steady enough, but the thought of one day without her, not knowing exactly when we’d ever see her again, is unbearable. The sorrow of Your separation from the Father must have been infinitely more, but I can’t imagine it. Because You knew, didn’t You? You knew that it would be short, and that You would soon be together again?
Jesus knew … that he had come from God and would return to God. (Jn. 13:3 NLT)
-----
You know the insults I endure—the humiliation and disgrace. You have seen all my enemies and know what they have said. Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poison for food; they offer me sour wine to satisfy my thirst. (Ps. 69:19-21 NLT)
Yesterday evening I watched an episode of Andy Griffith with the kids in which a spoiled little boy dares Sheriff Taylor to put his father in jail. He is more concerned about not losing his bike than he is about his father going to jail. He has broken the law, but he is completely unconcerned about that and just wants to avoid the consequences. How am I different from that little boy? When I look at the Cross, my feelings are usually something like, of course You did that for me. I take it for granted, not comprehending how much my freedom cost You. I am more concerned that I not lose my peace or joy or comfort than I am about Your reputation, Your suffering for me. Help me to understand. Help me to identify with You in Your suffering! I don’t want to be a spoiled brat who is more interested in my toys than I am in You. I want to know You, to understand what You have done for me and why. I want to know what it was like for You to suffer in my place, not so that I can receive any benefit, but so that I can love You and thank you with a heart of real gratitude.
I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! (Php 3:10-11 NLT)
I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. (Lk. 8:47 NLT)
-----
But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns. (Lk. 22:53b NLT)
For one moment, one short (but eternal) moment, the power of darkness reigned absolutely. There was no God in the heavens watching over the earth. He had turned His back, for there was no goodness left on the earth. Even His beloved Son, whom He has sent, became “the actual embodiment of sin” (Foster, 144). All was dark, and the eternally glad heart of the Father, which until then had never been tainted with darkness, was filled with sorrow.
But they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” (Lk. 23:21 NLT)
Why the demonic frenzy of determination to kill the one they had so recently praised as the Messiah? The one who had fed them in the desert and healed their bodies? One day they loved Him; the next they mobbed him. What had changed?
“Why? What crime has he committed? I have found no reason to sentence him to death … But the crowd shouted louder and louder for Jesus’ death, and their voices prevailed. (23:22-23)
They gave no reason; they simply yelled louder. All reason, justice, and compassion fled. Evil reigned, even over God. For this moment, He, who many times had easily evaded capture when the religious leaders had sought to kill Him (and many have done so since), submitted to the unreasoning mob—He let us have our own way. How many times do we pray that God would do things the way we think they should be done? For this moment, He gave in. He let us see what the end result of getting our own way would be: total darkness, depravity, and despair. Yes, God would be dead, and we would be given over to our lowest passions until we sunk lower than the animals, even to the level of demons. If God had not intervened, would we have sunk even lower than the demons? For they had been created to be His servants only, but we had been intended as His bride.
-----
Richard Foster said that the work of the Cross was finished before You died. I had always thought that Your physical death coincided with Your taking on our sin—almost as if my sin had stopped Your physical heart. But the three hours of darkness from noon to 3pm (Lk. 23:44-46) seem to be when You actually bore my sin. This was the “time when the power of darkness reign[ed].” For after that, the veil in the temple, which had separated me from being able to enter Your presence, was torn. As soon as You shredded it, Your work was done. I was cleansed from my sin and free to approach the holy God, made blameless and pure (1 Cor. 1:30).
What did You experience during those three hours? What about it was so dreadful that You begged to be spared the cup of suffering? For the true suffering must have been then, not later when Your body died. You gave up Your spirit triumphantly, like a woman having given birth. You had finished the work You were sent to do and were restored to oneness with the Father. You then went to the grave, shining light in a dark place that had never seen Your light. You preached deliverance to those who had died before You had come. You were then resurrected to show Yourself again to Your followers and went to Heaven to wait until the end of time, when You will return gloriously and establish Your kingdom on earth. But that was later. What happened to You during that moment when You said “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Mk. 15:34), in the moment of Your ultimate suffering and the fulfillment of Your Father’s will? The moment for which You had come was upon You—You had taken it upon Yourself. What was that like?
Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. (Mk. 15:37-38 NLT)
As You finished Your work, You died. The missionaries to the Auca Indians said that they were immortal until they had completed the work You had given them. Up to that moment, they could not die. As soon as they were finished, they would surely die. This was true of You. You could not, would not die before You had finished the work for which You had been sent. But the moment You had fully atoned for all our sin, You breathed Your last. There was no longer any reason to be subjected to suffering and death. Fully victorious, You released Your Spirit into Father’s hands (Lk. 23:46).
He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care. (Isa. 53:3 NLT)
It was nine o’clock in the morning when the crucifixion took place. (Mk. 15:25 NLT)
Three hours before darkness fell, the nails were driven into Your flesh. What were those three hours like? During that time You were mocked. The fear of God had not yet fallen on those watching You die. Was it like the final waiting before a surgery or execution? Did You pray? Were You beginning, even then, to take sin upon Yourself? Or was it just a dry, dreary time of nothing much happening, just hurting, bleeding, experiencing the physical pain of a broken human body while everyone around You increased Your emotional pain. This was when You had no comforter, no sympathizer to lighten Your burden. You were completely alone and exposed to the eyes of everyone who hated You. Total humiliation. Waiting until the time came for You to begin the terrible work the Father had given You.
… he began to be filled with horror and deep distress. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death … “(Mk. 14:33-34 NLT)
What horrified You? What distressed You so deeply? What crushed Your soul with grief? Was it the anticipation of experiencing my sin? What was it like for One who is Light to be overcome by darkness? For One who knew no sin to become sin?
… it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down … he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! … the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all. (Isa. 53:4-6)
-----
“Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me.” (Mk. 14:36a NLT)
Yes, Your Father could have taken the cup from You. He is unlimited in power and choice—but He chose not to take it away. It pleased Him (was according to His will and desire) to crush You (Isa. 53:10). You were abandoned—not by accident, but by design. Father actually intended to hurt You, kill You, despise You, and turn away from You. How could He do such a thing, even for a moment? To return to my original comparison, how could I ever intentionally turn away from my precious daughter, rejecting her wholly in front of everyone, and cause her pain so great that her heart would tear to pieces? Yes, I could then restore her, but would she ever forgive me? Could the deep wound of separation ever be healed? How could You forgive Abba for doing that to You? In fact, it doesn’t seem that You ever had to forgive Him. You fully cooperated with and submitted to His act of injustice upon You. What reward could ever make up for such a wrong? What could ever make what He did to You okay?
When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. (Isa. 53:11-12a NLT)
-----
“The time has come. I, the Son of Man, am betrayed into the hands of sinners.” (Mk. 14:41b NLT)
You were betrayed by everyone, not just by Judas. You were betrayed by Your disciples, Your friends, Your enemies, Your own mother, and by me. Most of all (but in a different sense), You were betrayed by God, Your Father, who had willed that it be so.
“My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away until I drink it, your will be done.” (Mt. 25:42 NLT)
Three times You prayed this prayer. You knew that Father could spare You, but You did not demand it. At the same time, Yours were not empty words. You must have been truly asking if there was another way. You continued to submit wholeheartedly to His will, crying out to Him until You knew that You and He were in total unity of thought and purpose. Then You went forth in peace, not defending or explaining Yourself to anyone, because You knew that You were safe in the Father’s hands. He would slay and crush You, yet You trusted Him (Job 15:13). You needed the justification of no one else.
Jesus remained silent … (Mt. 26:63a NLT)
Jesus said nothing … (27:14a NLT)
He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. (Isa. 53:7 NLT)
-----
“Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” (Mt. 26:53-54 NLT)
You, the living Word, were the fulfillment of the written Word. You could do no less, for the written Word is the expression of who You are. You refused to deliver Yourself, though You could have. Everyone around You thought that meant You were defeated. You appeared weak and helpless. How could God be helpless? If You cannot even help Yourself, how can You help us? And if we do not have You for our help, where else can we turn? We are completely lost without You.
What we didn’t—couldn’t—understand was that this was our help. Our knight in shining armor had ridden to our rescue and, by His death, slayed the dragon forever. This idea was far beyond our comprehension. The only way we can understand it is by looking back at what You did. Though You predicted it through prophets for thousands of years, and personally for three years, we still did not understand. Now, two thousand years later, I’m still trying to comprehend it. Please give me understanding. I will wait on You.
"Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." (Psa 46:10 NLT)
Jesus, I may not understand, but be honored in me anyway. You are my Lord and Savior.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Akiane
You have got to see this amazing girl! She is the world's only known child binary genius - in both art and poetry.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
All Hallow's Eve
Here is an interesting article I read about All Saints' Day. I appreciate the historical context without sensationalism. I am so interested in discovering how we as Christians can celebrate the Lord of light during this dark holiday. We have already done so (with more success) at Christmas at Easter. I can't help wondering whether there is an alternative to relinquishing Halloween to the enemy as well.
Is Halloween a Witches' Brew?
Is Halloween a Witches' Brew?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
A Great Quote
"The law is for the self-righteous, to humble their pride: the gospel is for the lost, to remove their despair." (Charles Spurgeon, All of Grace)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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