Pulse of Faith

Ups and downs, peaks and valleys. Season-cycles of want and plenty, ease and trial, celebration and mourning. The pulse of life...the pulse of faith. Life is full of rough river crossings and the valleys can feel void of God. But, here are two verses of encouragement for you today. Sweet words dripping love, straight from the very heart of God.

But the land you are crossing the Jordan

to take possession of is a land of

mountains and valleys

that drinks rain from heaven.

[Dt 11:11]

We should expect mountains and valleys. Though a land of promise, the landscape is not unchanging. With plains and plateaus, cliffs and coves, it is all God-watered. He provides for us in every terrain. The earth "drinks rain from heaven." It soaks up God-sent, sustaining water. By God's strength, and in obedience to His commands, we are to own both wholeheartedly.

It is a land the LORD your God cares for;

the eyes of the LORD your God are continually on it

from the beginning of the year to its end.

[Dt 11:12]

I consider this the most reassuring verse of the two. The Lord's hand covers the land. He watches. Year round -- no matter the season. Beginning to end. He sees. He sees and He cares. God moves with the pulse of your life. He has delivered and He sustains.

When life resembles a ride through the Rockies, may your faith, powered by the Spirit, climb up to meet the mountain and hold steady in every valley; knowing our unchanging God travels the landscape with you. Receive this word, originally given to the Israelites, as a lens to view God's relationship with His beloved children. And may your courage be refreshed by heaven's showers of grace.


Loving Father; You rain down grace through all our ups and downs. Keep the pulse of our faith steady and strong to match the demands of life. In Christ I pray, Amen.

"I have told you these things, 

so that in me you may have peace. 

In this world you will have trouble. 

But take heart! 

I have overcome the world."

Jesus of Nazareth

[Jn 16:33]

Word-Crafting

Words
…..Written
……….Read
……………Spoken
………………..Heard
…………………….Deliberated
Influx of flowing words


Crafting
…..Gathering
……….Selecting
……………Sculpting
………………..Assembling
…………………….Polishing
Outpour of flowing words

Turning, churning thoughts
Weaving, molding expressions
Forming, stringing words
The craft of contemplation

"Let Us" Patch

I've determined a new theme for the Book of Hebrews: The Great Let-Us Patch. "Let us" is used 14 times in reference to one's relationship with God and the congregation.

Chapters heavy in this imperative are 4, 10, and 12. In Hebrews 10:19-25 alone five "let us" admonitions are given.

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. [Heb 10:19-25 emph added]

1. Draw near to God with assurance, cleansed of sin
2. Hold to our hope
3. Provoke one another to love and action
4. Faithfully meet together
5. Fill each other with courage

Slice it, dice it, toss it; it comes down to two essentials:

• Draw near to God
• Draw near to one another

Elsewhere in Hebrews, we are exhorted to:

• not fall short of receiving His promise (4:1)
• make every effort in obedience (4:11)
• hold firm to the faith (4:14)
• approach God with confidence (4:16)
• mature in the faith (6:1)
• throw off every sin (12:1)
• persevere (12:1)
• fix our eyes on Jesus (12:2)
• be thankful and worship (12:28)
• choose loyalty to Christ (13:13)
• praise God continually (13:15)

This book is a call to faith. When the call gets fuzzy or faint, take a stroll through the "let-us patch" of Hebrews. Cultivate the heart of this walk in Christ-Discipleship  -- you're sure to harvest a ripe faith. (I've provided a handy link below.)


Author and Perfecter of our faith; Your Word truly feeds our faith, making us strong to heed the "let-us" commands in being all You would have us to be for You and others. I praise You, Supreme Lord, and give thanks that we may draw near to God because of You.



Link to the "Let-us" commands in Hebrews

The Lead You're Following

For this God is our God for ever and ever; 

he will be our guide even to the end.

[Ps 48:14]

When travelling hundreds of miles from home and trekking through unfamiliar territory, my senses tend to go into overdrive in an effort to avoid frustration.

Before pulling out of the drive I take every known precaution trying to avoid getting lost.. I google directions to every destination. Print, organize, and study each one. I was feeling confident in my preparations to get where we were going – as far as it depended on me.

Bright and early Saturday morning we organized our caravan. I took third position, directions at the ready.

When the leader of the caravan took a route different from those before me I reached for my phone to call Coach. I was reaching for reassurance that we were going the right way.

Not quite in full-throttle panic-mode, I was worried nonetheless. (After all, there were others following us.) My mind kept reaching for something with the answers and the outcome. I tried to relax, release control, and merely follow. Admiring the scenic view and keeping eyes peeled on first position was a means of distraction.

I had to be able to trust while “driving blind.” I rationalized that he had the tools and the plan to lead the way. When you’re in a situation of doubt, it helps to have someone to look to that will keep you on track. Someone with common goals and a shared destination.

Do you know your way? We don’t always. When we don’t, those are precisely the times our fellowship is vital.

We were made to be in relationship. Relationship with God first. And then with others. We thrive best in community – particularly a community of fellow-believers in Christ that know The Way.

Do you know the pack you’re travelling in? Do you trust the lead you’re following? It’s my prayer you do. There are times we travel in unfamiliar areas (not always a physical location). When you have to depend on someone else, I sure hope it’s one you can trust to keep you on the Highway, headed in the right direction. Traveling alone we are subject to a potential to get lost and experience detours that delay and frustrate. We may get where we want to go eventually but without the peace of mind we gain surrounded by companions.

We worked as a team everywhere we went over the course of the weekend and bonded for it. And I learned better how to follow.



Help us, Lord, to encourage one another along The Way, knowing when to lead and when to follow, ultimately trusting in You as our Guide. Amen.

Carried Away

I'm currently in the Book of Jeremiah in the Bible reading plan I'm following this year. Reading of Judah and their captivity in Babylon my heart sunk at the thought of innocent children being carried away. I pause in prayer. A prayer for the children of our nation. That they might not be held captive. Held captive -- spiritually, mentally, emotionally -- by hollow trappings of this world that masquerade as glitz and glam. Held captive by the darkness of evil. Especially darkness of a sin not their own. A prayer they won't become shackled by drug dealers, porn peddlers, hype mongers. In the course of time becoming trapped by want for more. Followed by debtors. Or tirelessly serving master idols of fame, power, and wealth.

I think of the innocence and purity of my two. It would be ignorant to believe that there are those younger that haven't already been exposed. (I loathe that word!). Exposed to harmful influences that can't be undone. Exposed to those things that would capture their hearts. Hold it tight in destructive grasp. Greedy to feast upon their very souls. Snagged by the very bogey-monster their young fears imagine. Darkness crashing in when fairy tales should still be dancing in their heads.

Exploited. (Another detestable word!) The numbers of children exploited daily an absolute horror. Even in civil, developed neighborhoods of comfort. In their very own homes they are surrounded by images and messages that tempt them away from a godly way of living. They are assaulted on every side by would-be captors. Attempting to capture their attention, hold them mesmerized and distracted. Leading them astray then binding them with guilt and shame.

We must extol the real value of holiness. The pleasure and freedom that lies within its borders. Teach them the joys of purity and that choosing freedom over weighty snares, while difficult, is worth fighting for. It is a continual battle to counter lies with truth of the blessedness of living counter-culturally. But fight we must.

I once lived in the dark, dreary cell of must-have. Caught up in the belief that chasing after worldliness brought happiness -- only to find it led me further away from our Shepherd's still waters. I have seen ugly places and lived bound by the snares of sin. They're not pleasant, child-friendly places for one's heart to live.

Prayer to the Omnipotent God to empower parents brings comfort and hope. We need not live in fear but full of faith and action. Informed and aware of the dangers with a determination to keep captors at bay. Pray our kids are carried away by none other than the Spirit.


Father; May we endeavor to teach of the trappings of this world. Remove the veil that blinds us to truth. To see the real danger hidden beneath the hype. Protect our children from being exposed and exploited. Grant us the endurance to remain vigilant in watchfulness, steadfast and consistent in guarding those You have entrusted into our care. In the Name of our Lord, Jesus. Amen.

The Perils of Recordkeeping

She came into the office complaining of unfairness. I was sympathetic to her plight and in complete agreement; however, I am powerless to change a thing. I tuned my ear the rest of the day to the many and varied references to this popular opinion.

Fairness - we practically demand it, crown her an American Idol.

But is that what we truly want? Is true justice what we really desire?

I dare not. I fear real justice.

When my children were younger they often bellowed, "Unfair!" I've not heard that cry in awhile. Not because they don't think it but probably more because they don't want to hear my schpeel. Their rivalry has waned to where their petty comparisons seem fewer. I can't say a certain level of maturity cures us of this. We just reach an acceptance of its inevitability.

But I do have one that dabbles in record-keeping. I like to think it's an unnatural tendency, for the image we bear is quite the opposite. For those in Christ God leans toward forgiveness over fairness.  Once forgiven, always forgiven. Mercifully He keeps no record of wrong. Even though He Himself suffered cruelly at the hand of "Unfair."

What's unfair is having the only perfect and sinless man take the death sentence for the sins of others. Far more unfair is that I am declared "not guilty" of my sins. That is hardly considered just by our standards. My commuted sentence is worthy of reasonable objection.

Blessed are they

whose transgressions are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

[Rm 4:7]

The greatest gift of the grace and mercy of our God is forgiveness. It is conditional, however.

But if you do not forgive men their sins,

your Father will not forgive your sins.

[Mt 6:15]

If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just

and will forgive us our sins

and purify us from all unrighteousness.

[1 Jn 1:9]

When the subject of fairness arises (and it's sure to) our tranquility is dependent on forgiveness. Received and given. To protect our hearts we must not keep a score card of offenses, lest we are willing to track our own wrongdoing.

Unfairness and forgiveness. Action and conscious reaction. Malady and remedy. When fairness is lacking forgiveness must follow.

Believe God for justice. Leave it in His Hands. Only He can judge rightly and administer correctly. For He is perfect, righteous in all His ways.

We must reach into eternity with confidence equality resides there. Beyond sins bounds.

So many of us carry scars from gaping wounds inflicted by unfairness. Jesus bears the greatest scars of injustice. For all wounds of injustice.

There is a difference between what is fair and what is right. Sometimes we can try to do both and it may still be perceived as unfair. That is certainly when I hope for forgiveness. And discernment in recognizing I need extend it.

Fairness cannot be expected in this life -- it can only be taught and given. Let's try do both today. And thankfully, should we fail, divine forgiveness is available.


God of Grace; It is by Your grace we can forgive our offenders again and again, without keeping record, as Jesus taught. May we one day stop counting to the 70 x 7 but forgive every offense as it comes. Root out all unforgiveness that robs us of the peace and forgiveness You have for us. Because of Christ, Amen.

"Yet you say, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' 

Hear, O house of Israel: Is my way unjust? 

Is it not your ways that are unjust?

[Ez 18:25]

Light of Lights

Light of lights! All gloom dispelling,

Thou didst come to make Thy dwelling

Here within our world of sight.

Lord, in pity and in power,

Thou didst in our darkest hour,

Rend the clouds and show Thy light.

Praise to Thee in earth and heaven,

Now and evermore be given,

Christ, who are our sun and shield.

Lord, for us Thy life Thou gavest,

Those who trust in Thee Thou savest,

All Thy mercy stands revealed.

~Thomas Aquinas

1225-1274

Yet Another Day

Soccer game
Banking
Groceries
Laundry
Sheets
Sweep/mop floors
Clean Bathrooms
Clean out fridge
Vacuum
Dust
Mow Lawn


Come the end of yet another day and all is done. (And some Saturday To Do lists can be rather lengthy.) God be praised! He did it...again! He's given strength, energy, health, time, motivation, and the resources to get it all done. Enabled me to rise-up to the challenge. He provided what was needed for yet another day.

Her thick accent echoed in my head; "God has chopped it all up. He made smaller pieces for me to handle. He never gives more than I can bear." She is deep in difficult mire, dependent on God to carry her through. And she has praise to offer as testimony of our great Promise-Keeper.

He is more than able to meet her challenge. He is more than able to meet my daily grind. He is able to answer your every call this day as well.

At day's end, when time for rest has come, I exhale in Him, the One that never ceases to amaze. In awe I worship the God that is able, the God that is willing, the God that cares enough to involve Himself in the lives of those that love Him. I praise His faithfulness to provide and make it possible to manage yet another day.


Faithful Father; You carved a way for me through this day like a pass over mountainous rock. Like that Horeb-bush that burned with the Presence of the Lord but did not burn up. Make me that vessel -- for You, for Your kingdom, for Your glory -- committing each thing I do to You, by Your power and in Your will.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him,

and I am helped.

[Ps 28:7]

Wedding of Grace

The glorious Holy Spirit settled thick like the morning fog that visibly blanketed the landscape. The air rich with His presence.

Somedays we just seem to be aware of the Lord's presence more so than others. And her wedding day was just one of those luscious days.

Time slowed. The pace evocative of the grace and peace of a floating swan. Not a wrinkle nor shadow cast. Pure joy filled each precious moment.

The delight of her proud father evident as he escorted her down the aisle. I'm confident this immense pleasure is shared equally by her Heavenly Father. The look on the waiting groom's face indescribably filled with adoration. The smile on our Heavenly Groom's face wider yet.

..."as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,

so will your God rejoice over you."

[Is 62:5b]

The day was filled with tremendous love and joy....and thankfulness. Thankful for God's blessing upon the Bride and Groom and their families. Thankful for His design, provision, and union. Thankful for the rare time of shared celebration with so many we love that He has brought into our lives.

I found myself ultimately thankful that the LORD, my Maker, is my Beloved Husband. That I have the high honor to be the Bride of Christ.

"For your Maker is your husband—

the LORD Almighty is his name—

the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;

he is called the God of all the earth."

[Is 54:5]

CRAZY!!!   THE LORD ALMIGHTY, is my Redeemer and  my Husband! Does that not cause your heart to beat uncontrollably and your mind to race wild?! It was hard to stay seated and keep from shouting out thanks on behalf of all the single women present. I had to fight hard the urge to loudly proclaim this blessed promise to ensure they truly knew the love Christ has for them.

Rest came easy at day's end. The sense that all is well drifted over and lulled sweet sleep. Content in the arms of the God of all the earth. Assured that He blankets His creation with His Omnipresence.

Holy One, Lord Jesus; Your love for Your Bride, the Church, is unmatched. Help us to live as one walking down the aisle to be eternally united with You, our Maker.

Fatherly Praise

"But you are our Father,

though Abraham does not know us

or Israel acknowledge us;

you, O LORD, are our Father,

our Redeemer from of old is your name."

[Is 63:16]

Ageless words from Isaiah drip sweet like honey. A precious reminder in the still quiet of daybreak that brought forth praise of my Redeemer From Of Old, Jesus Christ.

This important truth sometimes slips from the forefront of my mind. The reminder kindles a spirit of thankfulness. Thankful I am not kept by race from being brought into God's family. That I may call upon our good and merciful God as “Abba, Father” without exclusion. Thankful for this extravagant gift.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

[Gal 3:26; 4:6]

The unity God created was divided by walls greater than those surrounding the Holy City. Jesus came to restore unity with all men to their Father God. The Berlin Wall comes to mind, along with the sights and sounds in the media of it being torn down. Jesus “destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility”. He removed division and reconnected the displaced joints, gathering all nationalities into God's covenant for salvation.

Praise Him today. Although Abraham did not know us, we have a shared inheritance. Although we were not recognized by the ancient Israeli nation, we are part of the family of God in Christ.

"Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, 

      and sing praises to him, all you peoples."

[Rm 15:11]

Abba Father; Thank You for removing the barriers and providing The Way to You. In Christ, Amen.

Always Learning

The digital dash read 8:56 as I whipped in the lot. I had already called ahead, expecting full well to be late. All glory to God, I was 4 minutes early.

Earlier, the house was abuzz with the typical frantic energy of the first day of school. Everyone out the door, I followed. I was 10 minutes ahead of schedule so that I could make a pit stop on my way to work. After completing my errand I realized I had to turn around and head back home. “I can still make it,” I breathed.

I found it odd that the bus stop was void of students and reasoned the bus must have come early. Then I noticed a teen racing to catch a bus long gone. “Poor kid! Not quite fair to pick-up early on the first day,” my mind grumbled. I was certainly thankful that my son chose to head down earlier than needed. If he hadn’t, he’d be the unfortunate one making a mad dash.

I turned my mind back to the task at hand, planning a quick entry and exit.

No sooner did I hit the top of the landing, there was a knock on my door. I opened it to a precious, albeit downcast, face. “Can you give me a ride to school?”

“I’m sorry, sweetie. I already left for work once and had to come back so now I’m running late. School is nowhere near my work. I would have to go in the opposite direction to give you a ride.” She turned to slump down the stairs. My heart could hardly bear it.

“Wait! Come in. Let me call my boss and tell him I’ll be late and I’ll get you to school.”

I had nearly blown it. For a moment I had misaligned priorities by making my job more important than her wounded, fragile spirit. It would have been understood if I didn’t allow her problem to inconvenience me. I could have justified that she should suffer the consequence of missing the bus and learn a valuable life-lesson. I could have hardened my heart and said; “Tough, kid. Work it out yourself!” I owe thanks to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.

On our commute I made an attempt to encourage her and redeem her day. “God has made a way for you. He worked things out by providing a ride. You can start this day over and have a fresh start from this moment. It’s all good.” I explained how fortunate I was to have a Christian boss that was compassionate and merciful, that he would understand. I could see her stress melt, her mood lift. “It’s the first day of a great year!”

I was blessed to speak God’s glorious name to tender ears and to see the face of a child of His turn from sorrow to joy.

The car pool line was empty. The lanes were clear of traffic. I missed every light and sailed straight through in record time, feeling God’s pleasure in my change of heart.

I surprised my boss that I made it...with time to spare. Why, I even surprised myself today. I could have been the one to "miss the bus." I could have slammed that door shut and went on my way. But God is training me to be a student at the Master's feet. He's teaching me to look and listen. To look through His lens and to listen with His heart. A valuable lesson learned in God's classroom of grace.



Thank You, God, that I was the one that learned something this first day of school. Thank You for providing for Your child and giving me the opportunity to be a blessing and receive a blessing.

Four L's for Today

I have 4 L's for you today, as invitation to commune with God. Sure to bring blessing to you both this day.


Listen

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,

you who seek the LORD...

[Is 51:1a ESV]

"Listen to me, you who know righteousness,

the people in whose heart is my law;"

[Is 51:7a ESV]

Lean in and listen with your very soul -- won by the Nail-Scarred One. Listen to Him speaking through His Word. The "holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."




Look

..."look to the rock from which you were hewn,

and to the quarry from which you were dug."

[Is 51:1b ESV]

Look to the Rock. Behold The Incarnate Creator God. Gaze into His will, His Word. Step into this day, heart and mind planted firmly on the Solid Rock, to steady your footing and direct your path.



Linger Long


Bask in glory, soak in the grace of Jesus, Our Righteousness. Wait expectantly, He will not delay. And when you rise from this blessed time of communion, He will have equipped you in your pursuit of holiness.



I listen, look, linger long before You, Father, Savior, Counselor, in loving devotion and pursuit of Your righteousness. Amen.

Creation's Purpose

I will put in the wilderness the cedar,

the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive.

I will set in the desert the cypress,

the plane and the pine together,

that they may see and know,

may consider and understand together,

that the hand of the LORD has done this,

the Holy One of Israel has created it.

[Is 41:19-20 ESV; emph. added]

Feast the eyes on summer's blossoms about you
and see the gift.... their purpose.
They exist that we may know God,
God as Creator.

Isn't it in the wilderness,
and especially the desert places,
we need not to just see God, but to know God most?

And what can we know of God by these trees?

The Creator is also Sustainer.
By His trees He provides;
growth, beauty, flowers, fruit, shade,
and a place of rest.


And what do we learn of the way He has created us?

He made us to thirst that
He might satisfy.

He made us to hunger so
He could fill.

He made us wonder to
impart understanding.

He made us seekers that
He be found.

Weak,
that He exhibit His strength and power.

And transformation by grace,
through Christ-faith,
takes the sin that made us inglorious
to be Reflectors of His glory.

God has placed,
from horizon to horizon,
the common bush.
That the created might;
consider,
understand,
know,
and see,
the glory of The Creator.

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

[Is 40:28-29 ESV; emph. added]

Personal Songs of Thanks to God

Ever felt intimidated to pray aloud before others? Record your prayers in a journal? Afraid you need to use special language made up of fancy words or have knowledge of some arcane phraseology?

Don't believe the lie! God wants to hear your voice. Your thanks. Your praise. It's not just the words, it's the person He listens for.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song
I give thanks to him.

[Ps 28:7 ESV; emph added]

Your song. No one else has one like it. It is as unique as you are. As unique as your circumstance. As unique as your relationship with Him, for He has acted as personally to you - in your life - as the next person.

You don't need some esoteric code...especially to impress others. It's your heart He sees, not just your words He hears.

Yes, there are times of sorrow when our heart is hurting and the song weighs heavy. Never so heavy that it can't drift heavenward. Note that these beautiful words of worship are encased in a Psalm of Lament. Your personal song of praise zooms God into focus, makes the bitter sweet, and exults the heart...yours and His. It transforms lament into worship.

Bless the Lord with your song of thanks -- it's sweet music to His ears.


Heavenly Father; Composer, singer, eloquent poet, I'm not. Merely a child that loves You and turns face and voice Home with a song of thanks in my heart. Don't let timidity silence these lips in praise of You. Let nothing steal away what is rightfully Yours. Amen.

Prime Choice

Have you noticed how many blend varieties there are of ground beef lately? The time spent making my meat selection at the market the other day was not only delayed but complicated. There were rows of various fat-to-meat formulas to choose from, it made my head spin. Of course, I wanted to make an informed and wise decision -- wanting the best for the sake of my family's health and a tasty meal.

Brain input requires even greater consideration. The best standard of measure is Philippians 4:8:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.



It's the equivalent of choice meat for your mind. Use it to weigh Top Choice, Grade A1 quality content. I highly recommend memorizing this morsel. You can learn to discipline your mind by applying it when determining what you feed your mind. It will help you to choose between good, better, and best. World vs. Heavenly content.


Dear Lord; Train us to discipline our minds by Your holy "whatever" standard -- desiring only the absolute best input for our minds.

Ancient Alarm

Words storm, blaring off the page - an ancient alarm to rouse and startle a sleepy soul. God's recorded voice -- warning signals reverberating through time.

History testifies to God's faithfulness to His Word. History, the seen for a faith in matters unseen. History, the visible that girds belief of the invisible.

History, when aligned with His prophetic Word, tells of God's dealings in response to man's actions. History should serve as our warning from past judgments delivered.

God gave prophetic warnings. Left unheeded, the forecast came to be. That same forecast, come and gone, now a matter of factual record, stands for us today. And the devastating resulting events sounded an alarm. Do they fall upon deaf ears? Hardened hearts?

A particular chapter of God's judgment I read over and over this week was Isaiah 5. Judah failed - mainly in their relationship with God. He spoke through His servant, Isaiah.

"Now I will tell you

what I am going to do to my vineyard:

I will take away its hedge,

and it will be destroyed;

I will break down its wall,

and it will be trampled.

I will make it a wasteland,

neither pruned nor cultivated,

and briers and thorns will grow there.

I will command the clouds

not to rain on it."

[Is 5:5-6]

God had gone to great lengths to restore the relationship He cherished. He did so with Judah then. He has done even more so in the coming, dying, and raising of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He reasonably expects sweet fruit from His vineyard -- not "sour grapes."

"So man will be brought low

and mankind humbled,

the eyes of the arrogant humbled.

But the LORD Almighty will be exalted by his justice,

and the holy God will show himself holy by his righteousness."

[Is 5:15-16]

We extol the grace and love of God, and rightfully so. We tend to neglect His holiness and justice of equal and infinite measure. The Lord Almighty, Jesus, will be exalted by His justice. He has told us when He judges His decisions are right for He stands with the Father.

It can't be rightly denied that God has acted justly. Continues to act justly. Will forever act justly. It is of great comfort to our peace to know, also, that God responds to injustice.

"Woe to those who call evil good

and good evil,

who put darkness for light

and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet

and sweet for bitter."

[Is 5:20]

Judah was guilty of corruption, of perverting truth. Our nation is in just such a woeful state. Would you agree? I am of the opinion that we are of similar guilt, of making the Great Exchange. World-view over Biblical-view. Man's reasoning over God's wisdom. Lie for Truth.

I read further in Baker's Commentary that Isaiah spotlighted six woes: social and economic elitism; drunkenness; corruption of justice; corrupt religious values; they exchanged godly wisdom for the folly of man; further drunkenness. Two guilty charges that stood prominently above the rest before my eyes:

"Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes

and clever in their own sight.

....for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty

and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel."

[Is 5:21, 24b]

Sound all too familiar? Does it resemble the reflection of your neighborhood? Personally, I am guilty of being just such a sinful creature.

Empires have risen, empires have fallen. Look closely into history in the Biblical record. Hear those sirens yet? Sirens to blaze a fear of God? God never acts outside of His character. He can't. And it is well within His pronounced will to reveal His glory to bring people to Himself to exalt and revere Him. To see His justice, His holiness, His righteousness, in perfect balance with His mercy, grace, and love.

He gave fair and repeated warning that bore no fruit. Doesn't a warning once given still stand? Shouldn't the result carry even more weight? Is what happened in ancient history alarming enough to wake from a long slumber?



Holy God of Glory; Jesus is the Hedge around Your Vineyard, the Church, and I give thanks. Forgive us for rejecting You, Your Word, Your Beloved Son. I offer praise for Your grace and Your mercy. Help me to remember there will be a judgment by the Perfect Judge of All Righteousness, Jesus Christ. Help us to have a humble and proper fear of You, at the same time being confident of our salvation in Christ and Your faithfulness to Your Word of Promise. In the Name of Jesus, may more hear daily; take heed; then turn to warn and perpetually share the Good News. Amen. 

Punctuate Your Day

They will celebrate your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

[Ps 145:7]

Celebrations - they're the exclamation points of life! They punctuate what's important to us. Namely, relationships.

My weekend contained a family celebration. I never tire of them. Graduations, weddings, birthdays; they might be the excuse, but isn't it the person we celebrate? Occasions provide the avenue to accentuate the person. And because of the relationship we celebrate them and share in their special life-moments, accomplishments, victories, and gladness.

As a child of God, don't we have something to celebrate? Rather, Someone? To celebrate Who He Is and what He has done? And not only to celebrate our Father but celebrate with our Father? Celebrate the reconciliation of a once broken relationship.

He celebrates over us.

The father portrays God in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. He calls for celebration at the lost son's return home. And God does the same over each child's repentance.

And as Christians? We have opportunity to celebrate Christ every Sunday with the practice of the Lord's Supper. We celebrate the Person, the relationship we enjoy, His sacrifice, His victory, His resurrection, His gift. Our celebration of the Trinity is worship and adds an exclamation point to each and every day.

We have a standing invitation in Christ to continually add celebratory moments to our lives. Accentuate your relationship with your Heavenly Father: add an exclamation point to your day by celebrating God.



Our Gracious Father; Let the joy of the Spirit spill over, bringing celebration of Christ into my heart today.

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

[Ps 95:1]

The Shell Game

As I spun through the lot, headed for home after a quick-stop at the grocery, it caught the corner of my eye and I smirked. "You're not foolin' me," I thought to myself.

I noticed the renovation was complete. A local fast-food joint that had been under reconstruction for weeks was finally done. I wasn't impressed.

I had gotten a closer look (quite by accident) at the method to their over-haul as the work was underway. I took particular notice of their short-cuts. The construction of this face-lift was no more than a hollow shell. It was made to look good on the outside without changing anything on the inside. It reminded me of the Disney movie set I once visited. Impressive on the exterior. No more than propped up beams on the unseen-side.

They wanted to give the impression that the place had changed. All it really got was an external refreshing. The outer appearance - the shell - got buffed and polished and renewed, while all remained quite unchanged on the inside.

Let that not be our method, ladies. To the crowds and Disciples, of the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus strongly rebuked otherwise. He emphatically expressed His great displeasure in seven harsh woes directed toward those that "preach and do not practice" so that their "deeds are seen by others."

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.


"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." [Mt 23:25-28]

We can easily become consumed with our outer shell. Not so with God! God expressed His character and His dealings with man up-front and early-on. Into the first few chapters of the Bible we learn that He views the inside of man. (This could be both a curse and a blessing. Merciful and shameful. A word for and against.)

The world is filled with every imaginable service to change the appearance of our every extremity. We are confronted with continual temptations, to the point of distraction and unhealthy esteem, to enhance and improve; buff and polish. It's "Shell Game for Dollars"....multi-billion dollars.

But does it drape us in a superficial cloak of pretentiousness? Or worse yet, guise an empty shell?

To those around us, possibly. But not to God. You see, we only fool ourselves -- and the mirror.

They are His eyes we want to please. And the Unseen looks upon the things not visible to the human eye.

God wants to renovate from the inside out. And now -- He will deal with our outer appearance later.

No facade. No outer guise. The real thing. Deeper than skin.

When He changes us, it is visible on the outside, too. In a different way. But noticeable by others, nonetheless!

That's the beauty!

And just what do people see:

• Our fruitful-ness (the Blessed Fruit of the Holy Spirit)
• Our hopeful-ness (our hope in God and the truth of His Word)
• Our other-ness (our love for each other)
• Our separate-ness (that we are set apart, living holy lives unto God)
• Our different-ness (as worldly non-conformists)

When God changes us on the inside, it is noticeable on the outside, too. Oh, it may not be in the endless ways we can alter everything from our toenails to our profiles, but it is far more significant! It doesn't happen all at once either. It's the slow process of sanctification. Others might not see the lasting transformation immediately but we'll sight sporatic glimpses of it here and there. This is where we trust the eyes of our Maker.

Don't buy into the delusional shell game.

Man might be in the business of revamping the looks of the outer shell. Only God can reconstruct us internally and make it truly, substantially -- eternally -- new.

Vollied Thoughts

With daughter away on adventure, son has unrivaled Mom-time. I asked of him what we could do together in these span of days and he chose tennis. He usually does. It’s one of the special things we do together.

It started in our driveway when he was young. A few years ago, he graduated to the courts. Over the past couple years; we steal a date here, a half-hour there -- whenever the two of us can have some one-on-one time.

Well, we made it three times this week. The heat kept most wise players away, so we had choice pick of a shady court to ourselves the first two times out. We could just play with reckless abandon without concern of infringing on a more serious neighboring match.

Then there was Thursday. The hottest day all week. I expected the same deserted courts. We pulled into the lot and I soon realized we would have to share a court. We strolled past the other polished players with all the right moves, the latest gear….the spotless game. Our selected court buddied-up to two men. I was instantly intimidated. I started to cower, thinking of excuses or a way out. Beg son for a “rain-date.”

While insecurity in skill did play a small part, it wasn’t embarrassment I mainly feared. I’m quite use to that. Why, you might even go so far as to say I live there. I paused in fear of judgment. Here we came with our casual street attire, old equipment, worn balls, lax attitudes in pursuit of entertainment. My thoughts and nerves rattled over our unconventional appearance. What would they think?

A mental siren brought these errant thoughts to a screeching halt. “Hold up! There’s more to you than this game. Remember who you are. Whose you are. Gain strength and stand secure in your identity, not what others will gather at a shallow, outward glance.”

How often do I cower at the risk of the opinions of others? How often do I become uncomfortable by allowing perceived assumptions rob me of the abundant life I’ve been given in Christ? I was ready to forego a blast tossing lobs at my son because I didn’t look the part or measure up to an imagined standard.

I don’t have to fit the mold to enjoy a particular activity. I don’t have to model perfection before others. Before God, even.

The truth in God’s Word of who I am is teaching me that I can always overcome negative thoughts and feelings when I remember my Creator, the image I bear, and the value He has assigned to my life.

I might be unconventional, but feeling secure in my relationship with Jesus Christ makes me a winner with an advantage.



Lord Jesus; Thank You for the confidence I have in You.

When Your Heart Aches

What do you do when your heart aches? Breaks? And your mind screams from the nonsensical?

A dear one’s pain so great, the intensity ripples a blow so hard as to make it seem like your heart is a constricting, cramping muscle experiencing the likes of a charley-horse.

Does the Holy Spirit in those of the Body connect us in such a way that when He grieves, we all do? When one heart takes a beating, the Connect reverberates a throbbing echo?

The loss is not my own directly, but another’s. But my heart aches so for this precious family. The pain must provoke faith-action. Pain without action is merely emotion, dead faith. One must move from emotion to compassion.

Compassion does. Compassion comes alongside and suffers with the afflicted in active kindness. Compassion reaches out and touches the hurting.

Jesus taught us compassion. Showed us compassion. Demonstrated it most profoundly on the Cross. God showed it is not sorrow that sits idly by, feeling only. It enters into and shares in the mess.

My heart pounds hard and heavy upon heaven’s door. A heart beating hard for the compassion of Christ. It is His heart that is breaking. Him dwelling within that aches and knows the needed response. It is His love coursing through these veins to be poured out on those He mourns with.

And what of my mind demanding rational explanations? Racing for reasons of practicality, simplicity. But life is messy – to say the least. The answered "Why?!" the one missing puzzle piece. Mike Sparks made a comment relating to a Bible lesson he was teaching, but applies here; “I’m ok with life being complicated.” We don’t always have simple answers, simple solutions.

I reach for whatever truth I can get my hands on. I remember an economics process learned in a college class; “First In – First Out”. A verse I read fresh just that day readily available. With it comes a string of pearls illuminating what my head knows but my heart doesn’t yet feel. With them the fact Jesus is the only Truth I need know.

Our hearts ache. Our Body aches. Time will come for us to act. To minister. To share the beautiful compassion of the Lord that loves them so. Until then, our prayers weigh heavy.

Heaven’s door open,

Divine Ears listening,

God's Hand strong enough

To lift,

To hold,

To carry.

The compassion of Christ complete,

Replete with active love

To soothe the aching heart.

A U. S. Birthday Plea

Today, let’s look up beyond our flag

To the God of our fair land

And bow in humble prayer.

Sons and daughters of our Founding Father, God

Unite in heartfelt prayer for America to

Keep us independent of the world

Ever-dependent upon God.

May we rise once again

To be a world leader

In morality, character, and ethics.

May we cease our wandering in relativism

Buried in materialism

Lost in self-service.

As our nation grows older

Pray we’ll grow wiser

In the ways of Christ.

Remember to give thanks

For the abundance of God’s steadfast love

And blessings of His faithfulness and grace.

Celebrate His favor this far

His truth freely spoken here

And the glory of His Wonderful Name.

Consider:

Join in the beautiful and powerful

Prayer-song of Casting Crowns:

“If We’ve Ever Needed You”

from their “Until the Whole World Hears” CD

Previous 4th of July Post:
Praying A Psalm For America

A Deadly Sting

The summer sojourners sing out from the trees. By the sound of it, the species of insects seem limitless. I settle down on the back deck for an evening read and quickly get lost in the Text.

For sin is the sting that results in death,

and the law gives sin its power.

[1 Cor 15:56 NLT]

I subconsciously rub my calf to ease phantom pain as I turn this verse over and over and over again in my head.

Beneath my fingertips, a tell-tale scar -- all that remains of an old wound. The mark a result of a bee sting. The left-behind stinger festered beneath layers of flesh, gradually turning into a full-blown staff infection. The poison spread down my leg, eventually making my entire body quite ill.

The doctors fought the infection with powerful antibiotics for weeks. It was still limited in what it could cure, however.

And while the bacteria was fierce and had deadly potential, there is another far more deadly...sin.  Illness of the soul no antibiotic can touch.

But thank God!

He gives us victory over sin and death

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

[1 Cor 15:57 NLT]

Jesus Christ brought healing to the sin in my life. Yours, as well. He weakened its power in fulfilling the law and removed its sting by conquering death. Yet another aspect of the Good News for thanksgiving!

God, through Christ Jesus, has given us victory over something far more destructive and far more deadly than an infected bee sting. He fights -- and conquers -- what no antibiotic can master. He is victorious over our physical and spiritual enemies of sin and death where there is no other cure. He is the answer for whatever ails you.


Thanks be to God for the forgiveness of our sin in Christ.  Thanks be that the wage of death for my sin has been paid by Christ on the Cross.  Thanks be for the power to overcome sin in my life.  Thanks be for the promise of eternal life, promise of victory.  Thanks be that by His wounds I am healed.  Thanks be....

Embark Upon A Journey Of Faith

Tho I'm not the one leaving

I embark on a new journey

Yet another one with You, Lord

I'm taking that first step, the one of faith

Toward You

Then we'll set out together

Words....Words....Your Precious Words

Come rushing to mind to carry me along

Like...

In Your hand are the depths of the earth

The heights of the mountains are Yours, also

Your grace is sufficient; Your love is unfailing;Your way, perfect

Your eyes rove to and fro

Here and there

With her, with me, with them

Wherever we go -- You go

Yes, tho never leaving

I'm on a new journey, nonetheless

A journey of growing faith

Trusting You even more

With my precious -- Your precious --

Our precious girl

Releasing Your child to her Rightful Owner

The church bus full and westward bound

They're off on a journey in Your Name and Your service

She rides in the shadow of Your wings

In a chariot of Your choosing, Your design

And those that tarry here

Travel to our knees in prayer

Wondering of the story You're writing upon their hearts

The stories You're writing with them elsewhere

The stories they'll carry home

She's packed and ready to go

Headed across some 3,300 American miles

I'm ready, also, to take my own journey

Embark with You into the parenting unknown

Never leaving home

Right here at Your side

Send forth Your Word to accompany them there
as we stand firm on Your Word here
a journey - together -
not in the where...
but in the WHO

Be with us all, as we hope in You.

Photo: Navajo-bound bus departing here

The Holy Spirit - Hospice to Our Soul

Her head hung limp, lids heavy.

Her response unintelligible, slow, and delayed.

Her outer frame, ice cold to the touch.

"Should hospice be called?" I asked of her Caregiver.

I checked on her regularly throughout the day and noticed improvement. Several hours later, as I knelt beside her chair, she roused to mumble; "I said my prayers." She knew the One that needed to be called.

Do we regularly call upon the Hospice to our soul when a Christian needs reviving spiritually? Do we lift up prayers to the merciful Holy Spirit to revive a Fellow Believer when their faith has gone limp? Their temple for worship has grown cold?

When life is drained from one's faith -- or better yet, sucked out by the demands of this world -- all is not lost. A vibrant life of worship is at the ready, for we have been marked in Christ with a seal - the Holy Spirit. When arms hang limp -- lead-heavy -- prayers are needed for the power of the Holy Spirit to rouse and lift that dear one up.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith
and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

[Ju 20-21]

Our God is a God of the living! We have been made alive by Christ!

How often in Scripture do we see exuberant worship and the Holy Spirit linked together? Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit sang out exuberantly (Lk 1:39 Msg); Jesus rejoiced exuberantly in the Holy Spirit (Lk 10:21 Msg); the new believers in Christ celebrated daily at the Temple in joyful, exuberant praise (Ac 2:46 Msg).

Take notice of those whose faith is drooping. Call for help -- PRAY. Pray for the Holy Spirit to descend and revive. Then tell them. Let them know Power From On High is on the way.



Merciful and Mighty Holy Spirit; Make our praise vibrant, our worship exuberant, our faith bold and full of life. Revive Your Church, Lord Jesus.

The LORD has taken away your punishment,

he has turned back your enemy.

The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you;

never again will you fear any harm.

On that day they will say to Jerusalem,

"Do not fear, O Zion;

do not let your hands hang limp.

The LORD your God is with you,

he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

he will quiet you with his love,

he will rejoice over you with singing."

[Zeph 3:15-17]