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.

When I Rise – Give Me Jesus

September 18, 2018September 18, 2018Leave a comment

The sleepy sun rises in the distance – over the hills, meadows and tall buildings. The warmth of its glow tickles our skin and quickly welcomes us to a new day on this earth. Every single day we have an opportunity to make a mark, imprint on a life and breathe his glory in this rocky terrain.

However, what we set our minds on – impacts what air we will expel onto others. Do we start our days with doubts and worries of events in the future? Do we dread the routine of life to miss out on the opportunity that presents itself to us like crackling fire works?

We must start the day with an outlook – one focused through heaven’s spectacles. May we truly ask for the eyes of Christ each morning. I pray for us – in the morning, when we rise – that we seek Jesus.

“In the morning, when I rise – give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus,

You can have all this world – just give me Jesus. – Songwriters: C.S. Brown

Give Me Jesus lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

It’s a precious time – one so intimate and necessary. A time in stillness and quiet when we can truly listen for our Father and set our minds on things above for the day.

Just as an athlete has a regimen of weights, cardio and diet, our fuel comes from the pages of his promises. We desperately need to be centered in his righteousness.

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. – Proverbs 8:17

He has lined his children’s trail with precious gems. However, they are hidden riches and he calls us to search for them, seek them out – and share them with others.

Seek God – sweet one, from the tranquility of your home, from the stillness of your work-space or in the quiet in your car. Open his words and let them change you from the inside out.

He is waiting to speak to us – and show us the path he has ahead of us.

If we seek, we will surely find.

The Shape of True Love

February 13, 2018February 13, 2018Leave a comment

Child, look in my eyes – you are my romance. My heart swoons over you, my creation. I cannot help but marvel at the handiwork of my hands. Beautifully crafted, uniquely you. I made you, stamped you with your precise facial features for a purpose.

You are a ravishing beauty – never forget that! I love you with an everlasting love and call out to you daily with poems of wisdom and words of affection. Read my letters, they were written for you.

The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. – Zephaniah 3:17

The flowers bloom for your pleasure, sweet one. They were created by my hands to make you smile. I love to see you enjoy life and love others deeply. Stop to smell the buds of spring opening in the shimmering sunlight. They are my fragrant bouquets for you.

Your reflection of my nature is heartwarming. It is glorious when you choose to show my goodness to the world. I carry your picture with me and close to my heart. My chest swells with delight over your desire to pluck precious stones out of rubble.

You should never feel unloved, my love – because you are the apple of my eye. My love for you surpasses the vastness of the mighty ocean. It outweighs the total mass of the planets in the galaxy. My love for you was written in red. It was carried to the cross and completed in death.

The shape of true love isn’t a diamond. It’s a cross. – Alicia Bruxvoort

I am here, sweet one. Risen and alive – pumping love for you. Don’t fixate on the commercialized notion of love. Sweetheart, focus on true love. The kind that never fades, tarnishes or shrivels up. That’s my love.

Walk in assurance today – that you are deeply, madly loved. Feel my arms wrapped around you – my creation. Hold your head up high. You are enough.