I traveled to MN this week. (I am not fond of leaving the family, but usually if the Lord ordains a time alone in travels, He has plans beyond mine). {He allowed me to stand between the stories of two Husbands/ Daddy's that personally shared with me on my trip} ... “If you are wrestling with tough personal situations don't put this down until you have heard it out”. I will not share all the details but I thought you might be interested in the similarities and differences. Taken to heart, their stories could be life changing:
SIMILARITIES of both men: Believers, husbands with marriages in jeopardy, 3 children, related to preachers, alcohol abuse for a time, job stress, God is seeking both of them.
DIFFERENCES – One is pulling the marriage together; and the other just finalized the divorce. One is growing in a deeper devotion to the Lord; and the other may or may not take the challenge to start a new relationship with his God. (Key to remember: Security through life is found in our Faith in Jesus).
Psalm 9:16 - The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth : the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
Higgaion. -to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak , roar, groan, imagine, murmur, and whisper.
Selah. - to lift up, exalt, (a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption).
Both of these men felt devastation at one time or another in their lives. One was devastated as a teen; and the other was devastated in his marriage. Both had a choice to repent (draw close in agreement with God and His Word) and continue experiencing a walk with Christ. One turned his complaints inward, while walking away from God; and the other opened his complaints upward, while walking toward his God. I will continue to pray for both families because I know the effective deliverance that God can carry out if our hearts will allow Him in to the devastation.
Psalm 9:16 is a verse that has us standing at a cross road. At this crossroad there is an Effectual Deliverance from the Lord; or a trap we create for ourselves in a time of destitution. Two strange but very appropriate words appear at the end of the verse --- “Higgaion” and “Selah” (defined above). WE WILL ALL MAKE BAD CHOICES. What we do when we are facing the consequences of those choices is extremely critical. The consequences of our bad choices will make us (Higgaion)moan, utter, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak, roar, growl, grown, murmur, and whisper ….at this point Selah) PAUSE and EXALT. Stop and lift your heart to Jesus. He has never left us and will never forsake us. Even when we think we have abandoned Him, He stays right there with us.(Read the entire Psalm 9 and rest in the promises).
Any delay in deliverance is always on our part. He has shouted through eternity “Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation”. Why do we allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking that His love for us will not overcome our devastating situation? He will deliver you.
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”Psalm 9:9
He desires to be our High Place when we are crushed, and our High Place when devastated. Give in to His desire for you … Moan and Roar/ Pause and Exalt ...Trust His rescue.
HLFA,
Jeff
Someone Loved is Gone 2-4-2012
The air of sorrowful anticipation was extremely thick as a team of broken hearts assembled. Almost every chair circling the perimeter of their conference room and around their large conference table was occupied; except for one ... one "out-of-place" empty, wooden, kitchen chair. Empty and so awkward amidst the plush conference room chairs. Before the meeting was through, other chairs in the tear stained room would become empty as brokenhearted members would follow their personal paths of grief; but that chair would ever be etched into my memory of broken dreams. I began by not liking “that empty chair”, but each day to follow, that empty chair would speak a message of brokenness deeper and deeper into my soul. That empty chair would challenge me to live more aware of others and to love them more deeply. That awkwardly empty chair would whisper to my soul the significance of others in the eyes of their Creator and Savior: Jesus Christ and cause me to openly appreciate them.
Bear with me as I draw some parallels from the tremors caused in my heart to the testimony and comfort of God's Word found in Mark 14:3-9...
Bear with me as I draw some parallels from the tremors caused in my heart to the testimony and comfort of God's Word found in Mark 14:3-9...
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? She hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."
• Jesus was in Bethany (the House of Misery, the house of a Leper) – "A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" Isaiah 53:3 … He positions Himself (in our deepest darkest irrational moments) to love us.
• The woman knew she could break and pour out precious ointment ... “on Him”.
Dreadfully inconsiderate criticism would be murmured and she would be verbally beaten. - If you don't understand someone's brokenness, "shut up", and quietly break with them.
• Jesus defends the brokenhearted - “Let her alone!” she has broken “on Me”.
• "She hath done what she could" ... it made no sense to the onlookers, but it made sense to Jesus. Oh if only we could leave it there; if only we could trust him with the deepest, darkest secret wounds, fears, and pain we carry. No strength left, the fight was over...rest in Him.
• Jesus takes ownership of our brokenness ... somehow He mystically mingles our suffering with His own. That is why we can cast all our “cares” on him, because He truly cares for us.
The disconnected cried, "Who was this waste of ointment for?" and continued the suffering.
Jesus said "It was poured out on Me" ... to mingle with His suffering.
The Broken will cry "pour it with me" ... that we may trust you, Jesus, with our suffering too.
I will be OK with the empty chair, Jesus, as long as I remember that You were there. Though the chair will bring tears to my eyes, I will trust that you will hold my tears as precious until with you I reside.
HLFA,
Jeff
• Jesus was in Bethany (the House of Misery, the house of a Leper) – "A man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" Isaiah 53:3 … He positions Himself (in our deepest darkest irrational moments) to love us.
• The woman knew she could break and pour out precious ointment ... “on Him”.
Dreadfully inconsiderate criticism would be murmured and she would be verbally beaten. - If you don't understand someone's brokenness, "shut up", and quietly break with them.
• Jesus defends the brokenhearted - “Let her alone!” she has broken “on Me”.
• "She hath done what she could" ... it made no sense to the onlookers, but it made sense to Jesus. Oh if only we could leave it there; if only we could trust him with the deepest, darkest secret wounds, fears, and pain we carry. No strength left, the fight was over...rest in Him.
• Jesus takes ownership of our brokenness ... somehow He mystically mingles our suffering with His own. That is why we can cast all our “cares” on him, because He truly cares for us.
The disconnected cried, "Who was this waste of ointment for?" and continued the suffering.
Jesus said "It was poured out on Me" ... to mingle with His suffering.
The Broken will cry "pour it with me" ... that we may trust you, Jesus, with our suffering too.
I will be OK with the empty chair, Jesus, as long as I remember that You were there. Though the chair will bring tears to my eyes, I will trust that you will hold my tears as precious until with you I reside.
HLFA,
Jeff
Don't Leave Home Without It
I may have been a little ambitious in my attempt to get a start on the day. The morning was chilled and the hot steam from the shower was more than enough to blur my vision during the final prep of my face in the mirror ... oh well, hair straight back, razor near beard touch up (I think). ready to rock! ... I wrestled on my “set out the night before” clothes (in the dark), grabbed my suitcase, and raced out the front door so I could begin my 2 hour drive to catch an early morning flight. Locking the front door and turning to take 2-3 concrete steps down to our front walkway (that led to the driveway in which my car was parked), I had failed to assay the fact that the night had provided me with a fresh sheet of black ice for feet. My feet refused to stand firm on this invisible slippery substance and decided they wanted to point at the sky while the remainder of body rushed quickly backwards smacking the pavement in a most uncomfortable fashion. Fortunately, the only thing that was hurt was my dignity as I briefly lay there looking at the sky and wondering how this frail, clumsy human being could even begin to glorify His God. (Trust me the Adversary was standing there offering any words of agreement he could add to my doubting of God's choosing.)
Zechariah 3: 1-4 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”
There will always be events, people, words, and your own thoughts that will align themselves perfectly with your fallen perception of your life and Satan's accusatory rhetoric. This perception and accusation is true at the surface: Clothed with useless “filthy garments” (just like Joshua the high priest), loaded with so many disqualifying attributes (anyone can see it)to neutralize and devastate your effectiveness in the Kingdom; BUT GOD WANTS YOU TO SEE BEYOND THE OBVIOUS and beyond the destructive satanic agreement. Within the ten brief verses of Zechariah 3 – we get a snap shot of the abundant life that God offers to us if we stop looking with our fallen eyes and trust the ONE STONE, the BRANCH, the ENGRAVED ONE; the ONE who brings the real love from His perfect vision and real life from His perfect fountain. Who better than the “unlikely” and the “unassuming” to knock the socks off of a world that thinks the greatest work is done by those “wondered at” (those who are amazingly talented).
YOU like Joshua the high priest are a “brand plucked out of the fire”. You are a burning ember, purposely plucked from the fire of judgment, by the burning desire of a God, who not only saves you,
but strategically places you in this world with full significance. You will start a fire of salvation every where your feet trod if you will push the filth of a fallen vision to the side (quit making lying excuses why God doesn't love you) and trust His love decree for you (accept openly the life He wants to pour over and through you … He wants to bless you!). Don't live another day defeated – encourage your heart in the Lord
I John 1:3 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” Surprise the world around you, don't leave home without a clear vision of His desire for you. Burn brightly, Jesus loves you!
HLFA
Jeff
Zechariah 3: 1-4 “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.”
There will always be events, people, words, and your own thoughts that will align themselves perfectly with your fallen perception of your life and Satan's accusatory rhetoric. This perception and accusation is true at the surface: Clothed with useless “filthy garments” (just like Joshua the high priest), loaded with so many disqualifying attributes (anyone can see it)to neutralize and devastate your effectiveness in the Kingdom; BUT GOD WANTS YOU TO SEE BEYOND THE OBVIOUS and beyond the destructive satanic agreement. Within the ten brief verses of Zechariah 3 – we get a snap shot of the abundant life that God offers to us if we stop looking with our fallen eyes and trust the ONE STONE, the BRANCH, the ENGRAVED ONE; the ONE who brings the real love from His perfect vision and real life from His perfect fountain. Who better than the “unlikely” and the “unassuming” to knock the socks off of a world that thinks the greatest work is done by those “wondered at” (those who are amazingly talented).
YOU like Joshua the high priest are a “brand plucked out of the fire”. You are a burning ember, purposely plucked from the fire of judgment, by the burning desire of a God, who not only saves you,
but strategically places you in this world with full significance. You will start a fire of salvation every where your feet trod if you will push the filth of a fallen vision to the side (quit making lying excuses why God doesn't love you) and trust His love decree for you (accept openly the life He wants to pour over and through you … He wants to bless you!). Don't live another day defeated – encourage your heart in the Lord
I John 1:3 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” Surprise the world around you, don't leave home without a clear vision of His desire for you. Burn brightly, Jesus loves you!
HLFA
Jeff
All She Wanted To Do Was Dance
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 43:5
Wow!!! What a wedding!! It is so amazing what God will do in the midst of the planned/unplanned chaos of a wedding. A marriage service of a couple is kind of like a multicolored oriental fan that opens at no particular predicted speed or measurable distance. This fan opens to reveal marriages of memories, marriages of dreams, unions of the past, amendments for the future, re-unions of personalities and faith … on and on the list could go. At times, like last night, I officiate.
My total intention, as one that is privileged to perform weddings from time to time, is to somehow marry the hearts of all the people amidst these events to the ultimate groom ... Jesus. Though the service will be short and a lot less stuffy than your typical “do it by the book” wedding, it will still funnel down to that time of “ Let me introduce to you ... for the first time on this side of Heaven ... Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Hopeful”. At this point the collision of all the ingredients breathe a sigh of relief with cries of “We made it!” and the ceremony turns to celebration. At this time my attention turns to the people around me: I pray, observe, groan, laugh, cry, and imagine the veil pulled back as eternity joins the event. Remember: This event, should be where the lives of two believers become one, and as such, this is an event that God jealously guards over, “what God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
There was a Couple that caught much of my attention throughout the night. The husband was obviously the caregiver, and his wife was fairly oblivious to the events unfolding around her. She had to be physically encouraged through all the movements of the evening to perform the basic functions like ... sitting, walking, and eating. But with every “you are beautiful” came a satisfied smile with an almost kiss like expression from her radiant face. Her lips would form words like “I love you too!”. Her daughters pampered and doted over her to let her constantly know she was loved. Her son-n-laws were the objects of her winking and blown kisses. Her husband tried hard to enjoy the moment but the weight of his burden, his bride failing, kept his heart heavy which was evident by the looks on his face.
As “His Bride failing” heard the music and watched the people on the wedding dance floor, her legs and feet began to twitch to the beat of the music. She kept smiling and leaning to her husband in this euphoric state with coaxing facial expressions and imploring eye movements ... “Let's Dance”. You could visually see his emotional distress because he knew how hard it was just to get her to walk. She had lost all bias of style and genre of music; disco, rock, country, hip-hop, techno ...she wanted it all – All she wanted to do is dance ... “Let's dance”. Her daughters seeing this desire, helped their Mother to the floor. Although it wasn't a dance that would ever be emulated on Dancing With the Stars, it was a beautiful fragile movement around the room that would fill this “bride failing” with a moment of wonderful memories that would thrill her if but for that moment.
As I watched her daughters joyfully and tearfully support their Mother in this moment of their Mother's desire to dance, I saw a glimpse of Heaven. Jesus' “Bride failing”, faltering but hearing the music of Heaven ... wanting to dance ... having no lasting strength of our own ... but He calls for a loving rescue team to help us to our feet and holds us as we dance a dance of feeble praise. Tears fall from Heaven as He hears our cries, our desires to be with Him ... “Lets Dance!” “Let's Dance!” the time has come ... “Let's Dance!”
HLFA,
Jeff
Discombobulation With Thoughtless Communication??? No way!!
“You better be careful what you ask for because you might just get it” ... I'm not quite sure where this bit of sly faulty advise came from (though I do have a sneaking suspicion), but as well meaning as it might be, it probably has hindered many from doing exactly what God wants them to do ... He wants us to pray, to pray without inhibition, and to pray without fear of reprisal. He has made sure we can't mess it up.
In our times of great duress and sustained weakness, because we don't have the perception of Perfection, HE lays hold of and embraces the struggle with us. While in this embrace with our struggling soul, He supplies all the direct face to face conversation with our Heavenly Father that we need to guaranty that we will be understood way beyond what we could ever imagine. The Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered ... He does the groaning of our truest need.
Romans 8:22-27
“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He (God) that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He (The Holy Spirit) maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
"Sunantilambanomai” and “Huperentugchano” for you.
What??? Some pretty intense BIG Greek words to describe His HELP and His INTERCESSION. Trust this: In the details of His plan to actively love you, He has a secured a line of communication whereby you will always be Understood even when you don't understand yourself. You may even say mean and unthoughtful things as you writhe in personal pain and disappointment, but His love is embracing you and praying with and for you way beyond your abilities to speak.
Yes, sin does get in the way – confess (I John 1:9) ... and our silence robs us of truly joining Him in His active love for us ... SO ... Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Phil. 4:6)
Pray fearlessly,
HLFA,
Jeff
Undeserving, Tossed Aside and Broken ... Crayons?
Everyone of us have seen them. In fact most of us would even recognize the smell of them. On occasion we have noticed the very young try to taste the original refinement of these helpless ones. Torn and pealed back at the casing, they are abused and pressured to conform to the will of whatever strength of hand inflicts their lives with the need to produce. They are cracked and blunted at the heart of their offering of life. Chafed and rubbed mercilessly in the course of their ever shortening productiveness. So many reduced to a stub of their former glory. Waiting helplessly in the recesses of their current coffin-like existence.
Most of the catastrophic damage to their existence can be attributed the carelessness of the untrained, erratic energies of the immature novice. None the less, the damage has been done, and even when the more “mature” and skilled minister arrives on the scene, there is very little that can be done. The damage is usually assayed, and the next step in the lives of these victims is the trash pile.
Although this heart wrenching description almost pulls and tugs at our memories of the careless affliction poured onto our lives by so many participants… my eyes are actually observing a container full of crayons. This vividly biased, cryptic depiction is very true of most of the crayons in the “community can” of crayons, prepared for the young ones, that visit the Redding residence and request the need to express their creativity by coloring. However, in the lives of souls who will spend eternity somewhere, this depiction could paint a bleak and hopeless future if the most important PARTICIPANT is left in the alcoves and neglected.
Sadly too, many of us who are aware of THIS PARTICIPANT still drive ourselves into the direction of “undeserving, tossed aside and broken” ...”Just throw me away” my deceitful heart is prone to relentlessly say...”I don't deserve anything, just throw me away”.
Most of the catastrophic damage to their existence can be attributed the carelessness of the untrained, erratic energies of the immature novice. None the less, the damage has been done, and even when the more “mature” and skilled minister arrives on the scene, there is very little that can be done. The damage is usually assayed, and the next step in the lives of these victims is the trash pile.
Although this heart wrenching description almost pulls and tugs at our memories of the careless affliction poured onto our lives by so many participants… my eyes are actually observing a container full of crayons. This vividly biased, cryptic depiction is very true of most of the crayons in the “community can” of crayons, prepared for the young ones, that visit the Redding residence and request the need to express their creativity by coloring. However, in the lives of souls who will spend eternity somewhere, this depiction could paint a bleak and hopeless future if the most important PARTICIPANT is left in the alcoves and neglected.
Sadly too, many of us who are aware of THIS PARTICIPANT still drive ourselves into the direction of “undeserving, tossed aside and broken” ...”Just throw me away” my deceitful heart is prone to relentlessly say...”I don't deserve anything, just throw me away”.
For those who truly wish to know the pleas of the Spirit - read (very prayerfully) Romans 8 with the vantage point that: God truly loves you and wants you to experience His love lavished on your lives and your living.
The summary found in the very end of this chapter in verses 38 and 39 should never be reduced to mere cliché, but should be held ever so close in those times that we join in mutual suffering with the crayons:
Romans 8:38 & 39 - “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Please stop resisting the obvious attempts of God to love you. He leaps over the sinful rubbish (that you and I have created) with “paid in full” forgiveness. He even dips into our “community can” of broken crayons, pulls what would be counted as the most undeserving, tossed aside and broken pieces, and as we let Him participate...creates masterpieces of His Glory with you.
Let Jesus Love you Openly,
HLFA,
Jeff
The summary found in the very end of this chapter in verses 38 and 39 should never be reduced to mere cliché, but should be held ever so close in those times that we join in mutual suffering with the crayons:
Romans 8:38 & 39 - “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Please stop resisting the obvious attempts of God to love you. He leaps over the sinful rubbish (that you and I have created) with “paid in full” forgiveness. He even dips into our “community can” of broken crayons, pulls what would be counted as the most undeserving, tossed aside and broken pieces, and as we let Him participate...creates masterpieces of His Glory with you.
Let Jesus Love you Openly,
HLFA,
Jeff
2012 - Will You Be Hated???
In our early years the ministries that the Redding family had chosen always seemed to be appreciated by the majority of our Christian peers. In the early days we served willingly within the confines of the local church, but it seemed like feelings changed toward us when we chose to love those who didn't quite fit the typical ministry path. When we hit the streets with a ministry that utilized a more “modern” approach to reaching out to those lost on the streets, we literally we were suspected, accused, not trusted, and cursed as being reprobate from the faith by those who we thought understood our hearts.
This is a scarey place to be ... in the jaws of a love/hate battle and having our hearts scandalized. We didn't know that it could end up this way.
Come to Jesus!!!John 16: 1 - These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
...and you will be hated!!! What???
This is a scarey place to be ... in the jaws of a love/hate battle and having our hearts scandalized. We didn't know that it could end up this way.
Come to Jesus!!!John 16: 1 - These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
...and you will be hated!!! What???
(Take a brief devotional break and read John 15: 18 - John 16: 11 - Listen don't just look at the words, listen as Jesus speaks … He will not leave you comfortless, He will come to you. Right in the middle of this passage and the end He is ensuring His voice is heard via the Comforter.)
Jesus revealed that We would be hated because He was hated without cause. He would be the Stone that the builders would reject. He would be the stumbling block … the moveable trigger of the “love” trap … the “SKANDALON”. Why???
Why would Jesus be such an offense? Unbelievably ... the way He loved would be the offense.
The Kingdom He would bring to men would rub their idea of the kingdom the wrong way. The following phrases may give you a hint why:
1. Love your enemies (no way it is not natural).
2. Do good to those who spitefully abuse you (fighting back satisfies the anger).
3. Greatest is the servant (being the boss is the goal).
4. Go the extra mile (without pay?).
Then think of these overt love events:
1. Dinner with Tax Collectors.
2. Fellowship with sinners.
3. Personal contact with the leper and the demoniac.
Let's look at John 16:1 before we jump into 2012...
John 16:1 - These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
His concern is for you. He doesn't want His kids scandalized. He definitely does not want us suffering because of sinful choices. However, He wants to walk with us into a life of loving others. What happens to our fragile hearts when we love for Christ's sake and then we are hated for it? Listen carefully to His voice and He will strengthen your heart for the potential scandal ahead.
Why would Jesus be such an offense? Unbelievably ... the way He loved would be the offense.
The Kingdom He would bring to men would rub their idea of the kingdom the wrong way. The following phrases may give you a hint why:
1. Love your enemies (no way it is not natural).
2. Do good to those who spitefully abuse you (fighting back satisfies the anger).
3. Greatest is the servant (being the boss is the goal).
4. Go the extra mile (without pay?).
Then think of these overt love events:
1. Dinner with Tax Collectors.
2. Fellowship with sinners.
3. Personal contact with the leper and the demoniac.
Let's look at John 16:1 before we jump into 2012...
John 16:1 - These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
His concern is for you. He doesn't want His kids scandalized. He definitely does not want us suffering because of sinful choices. However, He wants to walk with us into a life of loving others. What happens to our fragile hearts when we love for Christ's sake and then we are hated for it? Listen carefully to His voice and He will strengthen your heart for the potential scandal ahead.
2012 ... God willing ... take the RISK of being hated, Love Jesus Openly ... loving others.
HLFA,
Jeff
HLFA,
Jeff
The Strength of Weakness - "Christmas"
CHRISTMAS 2011 -- Into the year with weakness!!!!
"Jesus is not my crutch ...He is my stretcher." (quote from somewhere in history , not mine but pretty cool). Most of the time though ...We are all so very proud of our humility; even to the point that we work real hard to promote it. We somehow recognize and label displayed piety as a true connection to Jesus. (The only time I seem to be able to act with great piety is when I am in an "touchy" mood, and that is because most of the pious that I have met through the years have been grouches). How about we trade our fake adult "acting like everything is OK" for the amazing naive faith of a child. Oh but wait - wait - wait, YES ...Our walk talks and our talk talks, and our walk may talk louder than our talk talks ... BUT no matter what I may appear to be to others ... What I am when no one is watching is truly who I am!!
I am just little ole me.
I am just little ole me.
Live with the childhood courage that is strengthened by a naive faith in this Warrior of my soul... Hooray for JESUS!!! Here comes the warrior of my soul in all his...vulnerability????
Luke 2:12
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger.
A babe????
God brought salvation to us in the form of helplessness.
...in weakness
...unseen by those with great strength
...revealed to those with the least influence
...shown to those seeking
...under the cover of the star lit night
...wrapped in commonness
...protected by the helpless
...under the cover of the star lit night
...wrapped in commonness
...protected by the helpless
...His Grace was delivered in weakness!
John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
We receive His Grace with naive childlike faith.
Matthew 18:3
And said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:14
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased , and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Now we live in the same weakness as when we first believed.
Live with a childish naive faith in the ability of Jesus to carry me through.
His Grace is possessed with unfailing strength for you.
His power is made complete in your need for His strength due to your weakness and infirmity...
2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Check out the Christmas story one more time
...look at it with full naive faith
...look at how vulnerable our Savior was FOR US.
WHAT IS YOUR GIFT TO HIM THIS YEAR???
How about giving Him your childlike awe and wonder?
How about naively giving Him the rest of your life?
He can be trusted!!!
HLFA,
Jeff
There is a Blur!
There is a blur! (and the Jesus people are taking the heat for it ... see the photo attached)
Something is causing a crushing blur. Here we are, days away from a time when families will be doing everything they can to hopefully communicate love. We associate happiness with love??? Giving and receiving as vital in the transfer of love. And we work real hard at it. Wanting happiness is not a sin and wanting happiness for those we love is wonderful. The blur comes when we are under the pressure to perform and produce "THE bigger and better".
In a world ..."Cosmos" where the veneer and the adornment constantly advertise what is supposed to be lasting and real, we are caught in the blurry world of "the holidays" ... and Jesus is not the reason for this season.
Something is causing a crushing blur. Here we are, days away from a time when families will be doing everything they can to hopefully communicate love. We associate happiness with love??? Giving and receiving as vital in the transfer of love. And we work real hard at it. Wanting happiness is not a sin and wanting happiness for those we love is wonderful. The blur comes when we are under the pressure to perform and produce "THE bigger and better".
In a world ..."Cosmos" where the veneer and the adornment constantly advertise what is supposed to be lasting and real, we are caught in the blurry world of "the holidays" ... and Jesus is not the reason for this season.
Now once again Hang on!Oh no...did I just say that??? "Jesus is not the Reason for this Season." YEP!! TOO much focus on trying to please everyone with pageants, programs, gifts and charity drives to meet the needs of the cold and gift-less; while at the same time trying to juggle anger caused by the myriads of crazed humanity frothing at the call of "lowest prices of the season".
NOW HOLD ON RIGHT THERE -- I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR BUT I AM CAUGHT IN THE BLUR TOO!
NOW HOLD ON RIGHT THERE -- I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR BUT I AM CAUGHT IN THE BLUR TOO!
Look, I'm not trying to start an argument or get too philosophical but let's clarify for a moment. This "Jesus is the reason for the season"could possibly be the problem with our thinking. Don't blame Jesus for the disappointment we can experience because we sink all our proverbial eggs of goodness into one basket of hope that we fill up JUST once a year.
Just as gifts seem more prevalent in this season, and wonderful stories of charity run rampant; the crushing blur of hopelessness can be even more oppressive amidst the "good cheer".
FACT 1...Jolly St. Nick is not coming (he has been dead for centuries), but he did love Jesus and didn't want any kids to feel unloved during this "Birthday of Jesus" season. Very Cool!!!
FACT 2...The answers to your prayers may not come just because it is...Christmas. What??? (God doesn't get emotionally gooey because of a particular season that we think is special. He thinks of us as special all the time...and in all seasons we are the desire of His heart).
Let's eliminate the season blur!!
Just as gifts seem more prevalent in this season, and wonderful stories of charity run rampant; the crushing blur of hopelessness can be even more oppressive amidst the "good cheer".
FACT 1...Jolly St. Nick is not coming (he has been dead for centuries), but he did love Jesus and didn't want any kids to feel unloved during this "Birthday of Jesus" season. Very Cool!!!
FACT 2...The answers to your prayers may not come just because it is...Christmas. What??? (God doesn't get emotionally gooey because of a particular season that we think is special. He thinks of us as special all the time...and in all seasons we are the desire of His heart).
Let's eliminate the season blur!!
My wife shared with me the following passage from her devotion, which does let us know that we are the reason for the seasons whether harsh or happy:
Gen. 41:52 - And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
After a double season of troubles, Joseph's life is finally turning for the better. To mark the fact that God was with Him in all seasons ... He names his second son in honor of this: Ephraim means ... double ashes, double blessings.
My wife then shared this: That the season of rain-like troubles is not a curse, but it is a down payment for a season of flower-like blessings. And God is with us in all of the seasons of our life - so that whether we are experiencing the rain or the flowers, we can experience Him with us.
It is so sad that sometimes we nurture the storm of troubles by reminding everyone how rough it is. We may even feel it is our station in life to keep calling back the clouds of curses because we don't deserve better. We may even mutter Heavenward the phrase..."God doesn't even know my name!"
Oh, how we can be so far from the truth, while He so desires to be close to us, within us.
Gen. 41:52 - And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
After a double season of troubles, Joseph's life is finally turning for the better. To mark the fact that God was with Him in all seasons ... He names his second son in honor of this: Ephraim means ... double ashes, double blessings.
My wife then shared this: That the season of rain-like troubles is not a curse, but it is a down payment for a season of flower-like blessings. And God is with us in all of the seasons of our life - so that whether we are experiencing the rain or the flowers, we can experience Him with us.
It is so sad that sometimes we nurture the storm of troubles by reminding everyone how rough it is. We may even feel it is our station in life to keep calling back the clouds of curses because we don't deserve better. We may even mutter Heavenward the phrase..."God doesn't even know my name!"
Oh, how we can be so far from the truth, while He so desires to be close to us, within us.
OK we are in the midst of this "holiday season"...let us not put so much weight on the outcome of our giving and receiving, or we may get caught unknowingly "in the blur". Let us mark these moments with an open love for Him, realizing We are the reason for the seasons that He allows us to walk through with Him.
Come let us adore Him ... in the rain and in the glow!
HLFA,
Jeff
Come let us adore Him ... in the rain and in the glow!
HLFA,
Jeff
For the Best Interest of the Child???
"Since this child will not be able to function properly in a normal society, our recommendation is that the child be put in a room by itself, that it be kept comfortable, BUT not allow it to be touched by human hands, and let nature take its course...yes, the child will die."
In the mid 1970's a young couple, early in their marriage and during the first semester of Bible College training, gave birth to their first child. God gave the a beautiful a little baby boy, but he wasn't perfectly formed as they had hoped and dreamed. The little guy entered this world with Spina Bifida. [(Latin: "split spine") is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube - evidenced many times by an open hole at the base of the spine.] Instead of being placed into the longing and loving arms of his mother, he was whisked away by helicopter to a nearby children's hospital that would handle his special situation.
Besides the arrival of this little guy into their lives, this young couple would receive a call from the hospital that would alter their hearts for the rest of their days. Not yet seeing their new born son since the trauma of the delivery room, they were given a choice "by phone" to give their son a chance to live by medical care; OR LET HIM DIE by leaving him untouched by human hands.
TOUCH HIM - it is always for the best interest of the child!!!
[Note # 1 to the receptive: please be aware enough to understand that we are jumping from physical to spiritual concepts, and wisdom will allow you to know the importance of both, and that propriety is Godly]
Lu 18:15-17
"And this is for the best interest of the child???????"
In the mid 1970's a young couple, early in their marriage and during the first semester of Bible College training, gave birth to their first child. God gave the a beautiful a little baby boy, but he wasn't perfectly formed as they had hoped and dreamed. The little guy entered this world with Spina Bifida. [(Latin: "split spine") is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube - evidenced many times by an open hole at the base of the spine.] Instead of being placed into the longing and loving arms of his mother, he was whisked away by helicopter to a nearby children's hospital that would handle his special situation.
Besides the arrival of this little guy into their lives, this young couple would receive a call from the hospital that would alter their hearts for the rest of their days. Not yet seeing their new born son since the trauma of the delivery room, they were given a choice "by phone" to give their son a chance to live by medical care; OR LET HIM DIE by leaving him untouched by human hands.
TOUCH HIM - it is always for the best interest of the child!!!
[Note # 1 to the receptive: please be aware enough to understand that we are jumping from physical to spiritual concepts, and wisdom will allow you to know the importance of both, and that propriety is Godly]
Lu 18:15-17
15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
[Note # 2 to the receptive: In our current society that has been so marred by sexual explicit media delusion, the gift of the godly,strengthening, virtuous touch is a risky commodity but so needed.]
The immense importance of "the touch" may be highly under emphasized, but think about it:
- The stroking and tasseling of the hair of a child sleeping in the loving care of parental arms.
- The holding of the hand and the wiping of the fevered brow with a cool refreshing cloth.
- The security and comfort of the strong hand of parent against the tiny hand of a child.
- The first "hand holding" of a "smitten" young couple.
- The brushing of the hands in the middle of the night of a married couple during the wee hours of the night.
- The strong support of hands assisting in the mobility of the halt, the lame and the blind.
- The tender hands of mercy caring for the dying and elderly.
[Note # 3 to the receptive:The touch so needed, the touch so desired...the feel, the connection, the hope, the shared moment.]
Luke 6:17 -19
17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
There is a world around you...family, friends, and strangers...so many, whose lives are slipping away without a touch...a connection to love...without the shared feeling that someone cares. Oh the reviving, life giving, appropriate, selfless touch of the Savior. Oh if only Jesus could make contact with them...if only He could reach out and fill their lives with the knowledge of His eternal desire for a lasting connection with them. He wants to hold us in His perfect care.
He is willing to touch their lives...through you...
Are you willing to touch their lives FOR HIM?
This is your choice...
Are you willing to give them the chance to feel His care through you?
OR
Will you allow them to die, untouched?
Let them live, it is in the best interest of our God!!!
HLFA,
Jeff
16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
[Note # 2 to the receptive: In our current society that has been so marred by sexual explicit media delusion, the gift of the godly,strengthening, virtuous touch is a risky commodity but so needed.]
The immense importance of "the touch" may be highly under emphasized, but think about it:
- The stroking and tasseling of the hair of a child sleeping in the loving care of parental arms.
- The holding of the hand and the wiping of the fevered brow with a cool refreshing cloth.
- The security and comfort of the strong hand of parent against the tiny hand of a child.
- The first "hand holding" of a "smitten" young couple.
- The brushing of the hands in the middle of the night of a married couple during the wee hours of the night.
- The strong support of hands assisting in the mobility of the halt, the lame and the blind.
- The tender hands of mercy caring for the dying and elderly.
[Note # 3 to the receptive:The touch so needed, the touch so desired...the feel, the connection, the hope, the shared moment.]
Luke 6:17 -19
17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
There is a world around you...family, friends, and strangers...so many, whose lives are slipping away without a touch...a connection to love...without the shared feeling that someone cares. Oh the reviving, life giving, appropriate, selfless touch of the Savior. Oh if only Jesus could make contact with them...if only He could reach out and fill their lives with the knowledge of His eternal desire for a lasting connection with them. He wants to hold us in His perfect care.
He is willing to touch their lives...through you...
Are you willing to touch their lives FOR HIM?
This is your choice...
Are you willing to give them the chance to feel His care through you?
OR
Will you allow them to die, untouched?
Let them live, it is in the best interest of our God!!!
HLFA,
Jeff
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