Missing the mark, so brilliantly repulsive
Their echoes crack like the taskmasters whip in my soul
Then like a welcome thief, what was has been stolen
all I thought I knew and then some, let it go
Then a fresh joy spring forth
like a blast of refreshment in mourning airs
and morning does come bright dawning as mercy flows
highlighting and glistening as morning dew, forth we go...
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
the small things
I am really thankful for my vocation and the skills and abilities I have to been given to provide for my family… from a home, to food on the table, to clothing and shoes…even so blessed to have some entertainment and recreational activities. This is what a father does, he provides. These things are necessary and not to be discarded as unimportant, but if not in proper context and measure they lose any value and can become destructive idols. The idea, the goal, is to bring everything into its glad, wise and fruitful order. That means getting both our minds and our heart tuned into exactly what that looks like.
Yesterday, Ayden, my youngest son who is 3 years old was very sick. Probably the worst I’ve seen him, in competition with only one other occurrence. These situations always work on a father; uncomfortable, concerned, groaning inwardly and without the ability to “just fix it” on my own.
I will say that in no other situation am I more completely bedazzled with Robin, my wife. She is with him without sleep, without complaining, doing what is necessary to comfort him, to cool his writhing little body and calm his fears and anxieties with a gentle, steady and patient voice. “It’s gonna be ok honey.” Not always happy, but persevering in joy and hope...
Last night, there was opportunity for me, via digital media, to gather up the prayers of the Lord’s people for God to comfort and heal my little boy in proper time. Prayers went up from people of all different denominations and backgrounds, different states and different races and creeds and tongues…one thing in common, trust that God is God and Jesus is Lord and that our prayers are heard.
It is with that standing behind me that I could then step into the situation, get down on my knees, lay my hands on his blistering hot little forehead and take him by the weak little hand and offer it up fully and fervently to the Lord. Giving thanks and gratitude for all that I saw Him doing in our lives and acknowledging both His sovereignty in the situation as well as His presence in us and around us…comforting and healing not only Ayden, but Mom and Dad too.
So today, as he rests comfortably with his temperature stabilized and his beautiful smile and laugh breaking through all the darkness of last night, I now wish to gather up and offer the praises of his people. I reflect on my wife and can’t help but to think of the state of His Church and the glimmers of hope and life I see, I think of my son and I can’t help but think of those who are sick and suffering – finding healing embrace here and there, I think of myself and just how much work is left to be done and those moments like last night and today when I understand the weight of what it is to be a father… So I want to thank God that he has brought the complete healing and restoration of my son, that certainly has yet to be fully realized, but never-the less has come rushing into the present so immediately and so vibrantly. I thank my Father in heaven that the body of Christ was broken and poured out for the healing of His beautiful, funny, energetic, creative, life-giving little creation. My little Ayden.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning
Seek first the kingdom of God and his covenant faithfulness, and all these things will be added to you.
Please join me in celebrating…
Yesterday, Ayden, my youngest son who is 3 years old was very sick. Probably the worst I’ve seen him, in competition with only one other occurrence. These situations always work on a father; uncomfortable, concerned, groaning inwardly and without the ability to “just fix it” on my own.
I will say that in no other situation am I more completely bedazzled with Robin, my wife. She is with him without sleep, without complaining, doing what is necessary to comfort him, to cool his writhing little body and calm his fears and anxieties with a gentle, steady and patient voice. “It’s gonna be ok honey.” Not always happy, but persevering in joy and hope...
Last night, there was opportunity for me, via digital media, to gather up the prayers of the Lord’s people for God to comfort and heal my little boy in proper time. Prayers went up from people of all different denominations and backgrounds, different states and different races and creeds and tongues…one thing in common, trust that God is God and Jesus is Lord and that our prayers are heard.
It is with that standing behind me that I could then step into the situation, get down on my knees, lay my hands on his blistering hot little forehead and take him by the weak little hand and offer it up fully and fervently to the Lord. Giving thanks and gratitude for all that I saw Him doing in our lives and acknowledging both His sovereignty in the situation as well as His presence in us and around us…comforting and healing not only Ayden, but Mom and Dad too.
So today, as he rests comfortably with his temperature stabilized and his beautiful smile and laugh breaking through all the darkness of last night, I now wish to gather up and offer the praises of his people. I reflect on my wife and can’t help but to think of the state of His Church and the glimmers of hope and life I see, I think of my son and I can’t help but think of those who are sick and suffering – finding healing embrace here and there, I think of myself and just how much work is left to be done and those moments like last night and today when I understand the weight of what it is to be a father… So I want to thank God that he has brought the complete healing and restoration of my son, that certainly has yet to be fully realized, but never-the less has come rushing into the present so immediately and so vibrantly. I thank my Father in heaven that the body of Christ was broken and poured out for the healing of His beautiful, funny, energetic, creative, life-giving little creation. My little Ayden.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning
Seek first the kingdom of God and his covenant faithfulness, and all these things will be added to you.
Please join me in celebrating…
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Man of Lawlessness or God is NOT a Universalist
The Day of The Lord had come. The sheep were separated from the goats. Heaven and earth and all of us who were written in the Book of Life were together with King Jesus worshiping YHWY in great bliss and rapturous power with all kinds of praises on our lips...it was the most spectacular thing you could ever imagine and all the wicked were off burning in hell where they deserved to be, out of sight and out of mind. Everything was exactly as I understood it.
I was really getting my groove on and then suddenly King Jesus came and tapped me on the shoulder (He knew me by name) and said, "Hey, me and some of the crew are gonna sneak down to hell and take some water to those folks, wanna come?"
A bit taken back, I asked, "What do you mean? They are getting what they deserve. They did not believe in your name before the deadline (I laughed a little since the pun was intended), they did not confess you as Lord...They crucified you for cryin' out loud, some of them twice!...the scriptures say it is impossible for them to be redeemed, they are wicked and deserve to be destroyed! Don't you remember what they did to me?"
"Actually, I said all things are possible with God", said King Jesus
"That's not the point," I said. "What are you saying? That God has redemptive purposes for vessels of destruction and mercy? Where's the justice in that? What are you some sort of damned universalist?"
King Jesus said calmly, "Well, apparently my Father is and I can only do what I see my Father doing...he is ridiculously patient, not wanting any to perish. Turns out we are going to be doing this until all things are made new, from beginning to end, from height to depth, length to width."
"This is complete RUBBISH!" I declared with furious vengeance. "Don't you have any sense or knowledge of good and evil?"
Just about that time, a voice came from the throne...the Father had been listening the whole time...as thunder cracked and lightening flashed, I heard, "From where have you come?"
I approached the throne boldly and said with a big smile, "In the power of Jesus name, I have been going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down on it. Making many converts, casting out demons and doing all sorts of wonderful works in your name Lord."
"You travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourself. I ask you again friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? The dress code was clear...compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as I have forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these you were to put on self-giving, self-sacrificing, unconditional love, which binds EVERYTHING together in perfect harmony."
And just then, to my horror, as I remembered the parable...I was speechless.
Then the wise King Jesus said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."
Then in one final attempt to save myself I screamed out in the assembly, "I claim the body and blood of Jesus!"
King Jesus became stone faced looked right into my soul and spoke..."Will you never learn! Do you not remember when you betrayed me? I dipped the bread in the cup and gave myself to you and immediately you ran off to accuse me and deliver me to the flames. Truly, truly it is better to not take the name, than to take it in vain."
And then He turned his face from me.
I was really getting my groove on and then suddenly King Jesus came and tapped me on the shoulder (He knew me by name) and said, "Hey, me and some of the crew are gonna sneak down to hell and take some water to those folks, wanna come?"
A bit taken back, I asked, "What do you mean? They are getting what they deserve. They did not believe in your name before the deadline (I laughed a little since the pun was intended), they did not confess you as Lord...They crucified you for cryin' out loud, some of them twice!...the scriptures say it is impossible for them to be redeemed, they are wicked and deserve to be destroyed! Don't you remember what they did to me?"
"Actually, I said all things are possible with God", said King Jesus
"That's not the point," I said. "What are you saying? That God has redemptive purposes for vessels of destruction and mercy? Where's the justice in that? What are you some sort of damned universalist?"
King Jesus said calmly, "Well, apparently my Father is and I can only do what I see my Father doing...he is ridiculously patient, not wanting any to perish. Turns out we are going to be doing this until all things are made new, from beginning to end, from height to depth, length to width."
"This is complete RUBBISH!" I declared with furious vengeance. "Don't you have any sense or knowledge of good and evil?"
Just about that time, a voice came from the throne...the Father had been listening the whole time...as thunder cracked and lightening flashed, I heard, "From where have you come?"
I approached the throne boldly and said with a big smile, "In the power of Jesus name, I have been going to and fro on the earth, and walking up and down on it. Making many converts, casting out demons and doing all sorts of wonderful works in your name Lord."
"You travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourself. I ask you again friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? The dress code was clear...compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as I have forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these you were to put on self-giving, self-sacrificing, unconditional love, which binds EVERYTHING together in perfect harmony."
And just then, to my horror, as I remembered the parable...I was speechless.
Then the wise King Jesus said to the attendants, "Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."
Then in one final attempt to save myself I screamed out in the assembly, "I claim the body and blood of Jesus!"
King Jesus became stone faced looked right into my soul and spoke..."Will you never learn! Do you not remember when you betrayed me? I dipped the bread in the cup and gave myself to you and immediately you ran off to accuse me and deliver me to the flames. Truly, truly it is better to not take the name, than to take it in vain."
And then He turned his face from me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
