Press on in Honesty and Holiness

May 22, 2020May 22, 2020Leave a comment

Last night my three-year-old threw spaghetti across the room and when asked if he threw his dinner — he lied. He looked in my face and said, “no.”

Of course I saw his sauce slinging action and the messy red noodle sprawled out across the ottoman. But, somehow in his mind he thought he could get away with it.

Obviously we took the time to explain to him the difference between lying and telling the truth. Even though it is exhausting a lot of the times, it is so important for parents to take the time and explain these truths to their children.

This spaghetti incident made me ponder the question — how often do we present falsehoods to our Heavenly Father, hoping to get away with it?

We know full well — that our Maker sees us; yet we choose to cling on to that sin nature. We hide like Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden after they sinned – our postures noting “nothing to see here.” However, God knows – he sees our hearts and it grieves him when we decide to blanket ourselves in dishonesty.

No one is perfect. I mess up time and time again; and it’s beautiful that our Maker still loves us despite our failures. He loved us enough to die on the cross for us and the sin we carry. He loves us as we are; however, he calls us to live holy and pleasing lives.

Let’s make it a practice to come to the Father in honesty and humility acknowledging that apart from him we can do nothing. May we digest the truth – the only good in me is Jesus!

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

Our Heavenly Father loves us with an everlasting love. He will always embrace us and petition us to press on in his honesty and holiness.

Hallelujah in the Waiting

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020Leave a comment

You are the God that moves mountains. You are the King that reigns in gentleness but also authority. We look to you when times appear bleak. We look to you when we feel like we are waiting for answers.

We avert our gaze from the things of this world and focus on the glory that shines from your face. Looking at you sets our minds at ease. You are our banner that flows forcibly in the wind. When we want to surrender, your strength sustains us.

Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel—he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! – Psalm 68:35

Move in mighty ways, Dear Lord. May we see your hands extended in these days – showering your children with love, blessings, and power.

We will walk forward in faith fully trusting in your divine direction. You lead your people into abundance. May we sing to you and lift our voices loud with utmost affection. You are the God who still moves and preforms miracles.

We see you in the clouds, God. We wait for your direction and shout “hallelujah” in the waiting – for you are always good.

He Captures My Heart With Lines of Love

August 19, 2015August 19, 20151 Comment

Words – His are beautiful. I gawk at the prose. These sentences are the only ones truly that can send chills down my spine and empower my footsteps. He captures my heart with lines of love, and once I digest his manuscript, I will never be the same.

It alters me – for the better. My complexion is clearer, eyes brighter and my mind fully aware of the riches rooted in such a Miracle Maker. You’ve heard it said time and time again – the Bible is God’s love letter written just for you! And how silly not to open a love letter and take in the beautiful text that tells you of its steadfast love for you.

The start of the chapter of John in the Bible is simply stunning. It states,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” – John 1:1-4

God is the Word. Let’s think on that for a moment. He is the Word – how powerful. By taking in his breathed lexis – we are getting to know him, his person, completely. How amazing that God has served as scribe and is holding out his love to both you and me. This should set a fire in our bellies and the sense of affection should permeate our bodies like a brewing blend of loose leaf teas.

The longer the tea bag sits in the cup, the stronger the tea. The more God’s word saturates our minds, the clearer our grasp on what’s important to Him and the stronger our prayers. – Joni Eareckson Tada

The more I read of my Redeemer’s goodness – the bigger sense of affection for him seizes my spirit. My whole soul is held captive by his glorious nature; but, this captive is not imprisoned in the worldly sense. She does not wear stripes and sit in chains. She is made free in him – because God is life. She is given wings and a new celebrated name – Child of God, Crown of Splendor, Beloved Daughter, His Workmanship…

I want to delve into the richness of my Savior’s Words – much like I would study my favorite author’s quotes and manuscripts. God, the Father, is the divine author of life and salvation. He is the reason for my waking breath in the first hours of sunrise. He is the cause of my humble strides on concrete streets.

How glorious the poetry of the King! May his truths take root in our hearts and minds; and, may a desire to absorb his faithful, freeing Word pervade our lives!

For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ – Acts 17:28

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.