The Table is Set – The Feast is Ready

September 14, 2015September 14, 2015Leave a comment

The table is set – the feast is ready. Mouth watering at the rich, buttery food in bowls of bounty at the polished farm table, you wait for the dinner guests. The night is cool and the breeze wafts through your long locks like a narrow comb.

But, where are the guests?

Stars illuminating the night sky – almost as much as the moon, you reflect. The invitations were mailed and the blessing was inscribed with flowery language that mirrors promises. It was clear – this feast would bring a blessing.

Yet, why were there no guests holding hands open for the food prepared that fully satisfies?

With wedding dress of intricate flowers etched on the exterior of your garment, you wait. Surely – a multitude will come and sup with the Father – the Savior Supreme. For it is written in God’s Word:

Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! – Revelation 19:9

Nevertheless, only the echo of silence pervades the light speckled sky. Your mind races to the watchmen of old – those that fixed their eyes on the walls.

Were you placed here to usher in the wedding guests? Would they listen? Maybe a simple invitation was not enough for the occasion; but, rather a blast of the shofar, given to you for such a time as this!

You shout – and pray for others to take notice of the feast prepared in the presence of our enemies. For God, is waiting to anoint our head with oil and overflow our cup with blessings!

How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. –Psalm 36: 7-8

Come sup with the Lord of Ages! He is calling for you to sit at the table and partake of the food he has prepared. This substance is filling and forever satisfies.

He awaits to crown your head with splendor and make you his watchmen on the wall. Pull up a chair. Sit at the table.

The Foliage of His Faithfulness

July 27, 2015July 28, 2015Leave a comment

Strapped to my back is a parcel. It’s worn and dusty. Looking out at the tree line, I see it – the dark spaces that lie within that timber. Should I venture inside the hunter green forest with the tattered satchel on my back and shoes that have carried me thus far?

My possessions are damaged. They are not sufficient for sustaining me in an ominous forest. But, my soul calls me to step closer to the trees that hold game birds – big and small. My heart pounds to break free, move forward and leave my self-sustaining articles behind me.

The trees call out and sing in a chord and harmony unknown to man. It is peaceful, whole and jubilant. Confidence beacons me to trust not in my own possessions – but in the breeze that fills my lungs and gives me sweet breath.

This spirit that sweeps over my body is all sustaining. He propels me forward into the unknown with the courage of a lion to walk in power knowing the muscle in my body is not from my greatness but from a Creator that becomes truly all powerful in the acknowledgment of my weakness.

“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The God Who lives forever is the Lord, the One Who made the ends of the earth. He will not become weak or tired. His understanding is too great for us to begin to know. He gives strength to the weak. And He gives power to him who has little strength.” – Isaiah 40:28, 29

My little eyes to see— turned into saucers of his grace and provision; guide me forward into the foliage quite scary to the simple observer. And I step out in my weakness knowing that he who is in me is fiercely able and resilient. He leads me into the shrubs knowing full well that I will experience the foliage of his faithfulness.

Lead me on a journey to understand your full-bodied nature, sweet Lord! Let me stroke the mane of your endless splendor and witness the stride of your unmatched glory. It is you that gives my body life. Take my satchel of worldly things – and take this explorer to the mountain top to truly observe and absorb your wonder.

When My Tears Get Heavy & Emotions Run Wild

July 6, 2015July 6, 2015Leave a comment

Tears. Those salty drops of water that express sorrow and joy! Although, I hate to experience them, I know they are necessary. They are the outpouring of emotion – both good and bad. Appearing out of the blue, these saline conduits of human sensation can take you by surprise.

Dripping down the face, they carry a deep meaning – we are fragile and can sense heart breaks, merriment and failure. With empty hands we wipe these tears from our flesh face and realize the depravity of our human state. We are affected by this world – this sphere of gritty pleasures and brokenness. It takes hold of our heart and pulses in intensity.

Even the Psalmist writes,

Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away. -Psalm 31:10

These tears and grief want to consume us. But, Dear One – don’t let the sorrow of our flesh state invade. Don’t let it take root in your heart and spread like an unruly virus. When, you feel alone, remember that – our God is right there saying,

“For I hold you by your right hand–I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” – Isaiah 41: 13

On my knees with damp face and bellowing body, I realize that I need to weep over the greatness of my Savior. Yet, I focus on my life so much that his goodness is out of my sight. Redirected vision is needed.

Focus from myself pushed aside, let me rejoice, with tears in my eyes, over the sacrifice of Christ –at the crude cross of Calvary. That cross held the bleeding, weeping body of my Redeemer. He endured pain, torture and ridicule for me. This picture of salvation should bring tears to my eyes.

God, let me remember when my tears get heavy and my emotions run wild – that you were the sacrifice. You died to save me from such suffering, and came so that I might ‘have life, and have it abundantly.’ Earthly circumstances are fleeting, they ruffle our feathers – but the cross of Christ is lasting.

May my tears be shed in jubilation, not out of selfish distress; but out of wonder and admiration – for you have conquered the grave and risen — leaving the burial cloths in the unoccupied tomb!

Joy – The Kind That Slaps You in The Face

June 16, 2015June 16, 2015Leave a comment

Joy – the kind that slaps you in the face with its wet, cool goodness on a steamy summer day. Lapping up the earthy stream from the water hose, I want this joy to infuse my being with nourishment and rejuvenating relief.

He stills my spirit and waters my weary heart. Like a child that cannot wait one second to plunge into the deep blue pool, I want to drive into the joy of the Lord. Discarding the life preservers on the side of the concrete oasis, I will trust in Him – to protect, defend and enable me in depths of life.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”—Nehemiah 8:10.

He fills our hearts with not just gladness – but complete delight. That is the kind of joy I want to feel. The sensation that encapsulates the deepest happiness and comprises the guttural laughs of relatives reliving precious memories late into the night!

“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” – Psalm 4:7

True pure pleasure comes in the presence of Christ. The pleasure that you felt as a child, running soaking wet through the sprinklers in the lawn! That fresh cut grass sticking to your toes and calves – clinging onto your body as you run from tree to tree.

May your goodness and joy cling hold of my life today and always, God! Cover me with your brilliant blooms of new life and enliven my spirit. I don’t want to splash in the warm puddles, heated by your favor and blessings; I want to dive headfirst into the wonder and majesty of you.

As I enter into your beautiful presence, fill me with your complete joy.

Fear – The Nasty Poisonous Berry

May 14, 2014May 14, 2014Leave a comment

Fear. It rears its ugly head in our lives so often. It’s fear that tells us that we are not good enough or will never measure to the standard of perfection.

It’s fear that is that snake in the garden handing us that apple of pleasure. It whimpers ‘eat,’ knowing full well, that we are protected and under the power of God’s grace.

Fear is a nasty poisonous berry. It hinders and destroys us from blooming fully and assuredly into the beautiful flower that God has called us to be!

You see, God waters us every day with his loving kindness. His Word is the Miracle Grow to our lives; but, we can so easily get entangled and chocked by the thorns of fear.

We can choose to listen to the thorns around us and forget that Jesus wore that crown of thrones for you. He choked that weed, took your fear and replaced it with his grace and mercy. He did this all at the foot of the cross.

You can grow fully in Him, if you follow his Word. He has spoken everlasting promises over you, sweet one – promises that no eye has seen nor ear has heard. He has handed you the keys to his kingdom and said ‘love me and others.’ How beautiful.

Don’t let fear steal your perfect joy. Don’t let it rob you of your eternal riches. Look at that snake in the face and say, ‘Christ died and took my thorns of fear and insecurity. He replaced it all with grace, hope and anticipation.’ How great the love the Father has lavished upon us!

Stuck In The Smelly Belly of The Whale

March 25, 2014Leave a comment

I am not my own. This is a phrase that should pervade my spirit from day to day. Yet, it is so easy to act like we are the captain of our ships.

It’s easy to grab the reigns – to be a Miss Bossy Pants and exude the attitude of ‘let me lead!’

However, in the long run, that’s a Jonah attitude. And, I surely do not want to be stuck in the smelly belly of the whale. I want to obey and let his light shine in me.

God’s way is higher and his direction is key. So often we lean on our own devices. We whine, cry and make ourselves feel miserable because life is not fair. We let the green eyed monster of jealousy and that soothsayer, pride, abound in our souls. How ugly!

I want my confidence and assurance to be found in Christ and Christ alone. I cannot boast about my accomplishments or ideas – for it is Christ who lives in me. What a hollow existence gloating in moves made without acknowledging the Giver of All Good Things.

Life is not a walk through Candy Land. It is full of hardships, failures and grief. But, there is joy in the growth. There is contentment in the love that the Lord offers. And there is peace in reliance of his faithfulness and direction.

I am not the Captain of my own ship. I have a choice – to let him lead. I’m just a sailor – confident in the one who steers the ship of my life. Where you lead, I will follow. Whether the sea is rough or calm, I will praise you – for I am your vessel.

Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the Lord. – Jonah 2: 8-9

Read Jonah’s FULL prayer, here.