Let Freedom Ring...

There are so many types of bondage: chains of tyranny, slavery, sin, fear, etc. Yet, when we breathe the word "freedom." We all know what this means. No matter what the prison, you are walking out.. today! I love songs that mention freedom.

Independence Day by Martina McBride sings about leaving an abusive marriage. Independence Day by Bruce Springsteen tells about leaving home and spreading your wings into the sea of adulthood. Death Was Arrested by North Point Inside Out says this: "Released from my chains I'm a prisoner no more. My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore. He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend. When death was arrested and my life began!"

FREE, FREE, FOREVER WE'RE FREE!!!

Fasting and Prayer..

Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount, "when you fast, when you pray, when you give.." Jesus expected us to fast, pray, and give. God lead me in these areas of growth and discipleship.

Genealogies Matter

Matthew 1 contains some of the beautiful words written in the Scriptures.. ancestors. The line from Abraham to Jesus was both promised and fulfilled. God's word never fails. He uses rascals and rebels, as well as righteous and right!! God is in charge, even of the family of Jesus and yours.

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David[a] and of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers. 3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram.[b] 4 Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. 5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). 7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa.[c] 8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.[d] Jehoram was the father[e] of Uzziah. 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon.[f] Amon was the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin[g] and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). 12 After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. 13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. 14 Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. 15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob. 16 Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah. 17 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

The next time we complain or feel unjustly treated by being in such and such's bloodline, remember Jesus. He had several who were suspect in character, but strong in purpose.. God's purpose.

The Small Town Boy

Matthew 2:5,6 (NCV)

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”

He was born in a small town and lived in small town.. (reminisce of John C. Mellencamp). God is partial to the small, the insignificant, the unimportant of the world. He sees the big in the small (Geoff Moore & the Distance). He sees winners, when they lose. He sees worth, beneath all the poor self images we have of ourselves. The small town boy changed the world forever.

The Simple Love of Shyness

Henri Nouwen's devotion today is about shy people...and when I think of shyness, I consider my daughter. She has such depth, that others never see.

There is something beautiful about shyness, even though in our culture shyness is not considered a virtue. On the contrary, we are encouraged to be direct, look people straight in the eyes, tell them what is on our minds, and share our stories without a blush.

But this unflinching soul-baring, confessional attitude quickly becomes boring. It is like trees without shadows. Shy people have long shadows, where they keep much of their beauty hidden from intruders’ eyes. Shy people remind us of the mystery of life that cannot be simply explained or expressed. They invite us to reverent and respectful friendships and to a wordless being together in love.

God Is...

His time is perfect, mine is flawed.
His will is perfect, mine is weak.
His power is perfect, mine is limited.
His love is perfect, mine is selfish.
His knowlege is perfect, mine is limited.
His presence is perfect, mine is egotistical.
His word is perfect, mine is situational.
He is perfect, I am not.

Hungry for Bread

Bread is given to slaves, prisoners, people of God. We live on bread from heaven, the Word of God. Check out Proverbs 30:5...

"Every word of God is flawless;he is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

Scriptural Word of the Day

"As water reflects a face,
so a man's heart reflects the man."

Proverbs 27:19

"I Will Lift My Eyes" - Bebo Norman

As I was driving to pick up Jon Mark and Emma this morning for school, I was listening to KSBJ. The song "I Will Lift My Eyes" by Bebo Norman came on. Suddenly, my tears blindsided me and I was a blubbering mess, pulling over just to be able blow my nose and see to drive. The reality is that I need God today and I cannot rely on yesterdays connection. I need him now.

Here are the lyrics to the first verse and chorus:

God, my God, I cry out
Your beloved needs You now
God, be near calm my fear and take my doubt
Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker
of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer
of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the Healer
of the hurt I hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

Saving Private Ryan - It Is Finished

Read this post!

Trash Talking Prophets

What do John the Baptizer, Keith Green, Rich Mullins, and Elijah have in common? They were prophetic voices who had no problems speaking against the sins of society and to the hearts of men and women. They were prophets.

Elijah made fun of the prophets of Baal, John called out the Emperor for his adulterous ways, Rich Mullins wouldn't attend the Dove Awards calling them "glorified Christian Grammys", Keith Green wrote most of his songs to the church and tried to wake "the sleeping giant."

These guys were not your best friends, in fact they didn't seem to have many friends at all. They loved but with truth spoken in such a way that offended. I wonder sometimes if I should be more "prophetic". My easy-going style of living and speaking doesn't cater to this form of truth-telling. But does this mean I then am not supposed to call out that which is wrong or sinful?

God, give me more courage to live and speak with radical truth.

Quote of the Day

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; as much as it is learning to dance in the rain." - Bethany Santiago

Questions for the Heart

These I ripped from today's devotion in "My Utmost For His Highest":

- Does everything in my life fill God's heart with gladness?

- Do I complain when things do not seem to go my way?

- Has my life this week been a good reflection on his reputation?

- Am I so in love with Jesus that I take no thought for where he may lead me?

- Do I allow shame and humiliation create in me Godly sorrow, which leads to true repentance?

These I should ask daily...good stuff and hard to answer!

Vision & Darkness

When God unveils a vision, a picture or sketch of what will be or could be; sometimes it is followed by a closing of the window, silence, or perhaps even darkness.

It is in this time that many give up on the hope, turn to despair, or return to the visionless life they were living. I have been given a chance to see what could be or maybe what will be. But after a couple of months of this new reality, the door was shut. I was faced with many questions and doubt.

Yesterday, I was given the revelation of a new hope, the idea of waiting til the darkness fades to light. Then the sketch will unfold. So I wait...

John 16:31-33 (TNIV)

"Do you now believe? A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 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 circa 30-33 A.D.

This of course is when Jesus is speaking to his followers about his death and how they will all leave him alone to suffer and die. I love the part, "In this world you will have trouble." OK - and your point is...

The point is clear in the next phrase. It is for them and us a glance of hope, a knot to hold onto, a glimmer of light in the darkest days..."But take heart! I have overcome the world." WoW!!! Say it again Jesus...I have overcome the world! One more time for those who know this text and line way too well..."I have overcome the world!!"

So whatever trouble we face, let's keep it straight...Jesus faced the world and won! If God raised Jesus from the dead, he too can raise you and I from the depths of hell and destruction, as long as we are breathing - there is hope. "Even though I walk in the shadow of death, you are with me..."

That's something to write home about, hang your hat on, and do a jig in the middle of the mall!

More Than Just A Beautiful Mess

I'm the one with big mistakes,
big regrets, and bigger breaks than I'd ever
care to confess. Oh but, You're the one
who looks at me, and sees what I was meant
to be, more than just a beautiful mess.

(You Are Everything by Matthew West)
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A beautiful mess is how I have seen myself in the past...well, way too many years. It's true that I am beautiful, or should I be more macho and say handsome? Regardless, of how I see me though it needs to be with more self-respect - God sees me as more than a handsome mess.

In a conversation that has lasted for 41 years, God has said some things to me that I did not believe due to blindness, pride, sin, shame, and the darkness of doubt that surrounded me for so long.

He said that I was created by him and that's enough to be called beautiful. He said that all of creation is good, except for me - which he paused and said I am very good. He said I am worthy enough to worship him, even though my imperfections are a direct contrast to his perfectness. He said that he looks at me and sees that my sins are gone, vanished, and thrown into the depths of the ocean.

Now here's the weird part - he mentioned that he cannot remember my sins. Huh? But aren't you God - the all-knowing Deity of the universe and beyond? He said that he has forgiven my sins and has forgotten them. If that's the truth, then no wonder he sees me as more than just a beautiful mess! He sees (gulp) perfection, sin-lessness, a new creature redeemed by his son.

The reason he sees me this way is because of Jesus. Jesus death and sacrificial blood has washed me so clean that God does not see the junk, filth, and garbage that has nearly ruined my life, at least from my horribly filtered view.
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Check out this vid and read the lyrics below of "Ocean Floor" by Audio Adrenaline:



The mistakes I've made, that caused pain;
I could have done without, all my selfish thoughts
All my pride, the things; I hide You have forgot about

They're all behind you, they`ll never find you
They're on the ocean floor, your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom, of the ocean floor

My misdeeds, all my greed; All the things that haunt me now
They're not a pretty sight to see; But they`re wiped away
By a mighty mighty wave; A mighty mighty wave

They're all behind you, they`ll never find you
They're on the ocean floor, your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom, of the ocean floor

Your sins are erased; And they are no more; They're out on the ocean floor

Take them away, to return no more; Take them away, to the ocean floor
To the ocean floor, to the ocean floor

They're all behind you, they`ll never find you; They're on the ocean floor, your sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom, of the ocean floor

Your sins are erased; And they are no more; They're out on the ocean floor
Your sins are forgotten; They're on the bottom; Of the ocean floor
Your sins are erased; And they are no more; They're out on the ocean floor

Leaving Badlands

Read these lyrical lines from the song Badlands and I will explain how I am packing my bags and leaving:

Lights out tonight, trouble in the heartland
Got a head-on collision, smashin' in my guts, man
I'm caught in a cross fire that I don't understand.

But there's one thing I know for sure girl, I don't give a damn
For the same old played out scenes, I don't give a damn
For just the in-betweens,
Honey, I want the heart, I want the soul,
I want control right now

Talk about a dream, try to make it real
You wake up in the night, With a fear so real
Spend your life waiting, for a moment that just don't come
Well, don't waste your time waiting

CHORUS
Badlands, you gotta live it every day
Let the broken hearts stand as the price you've gotta pay
We'll keep pushin' till it's understood
and these badlands start treating us good

Workin' in the fields till you get your back burned
Workin' 'neath the wheel till you get your facts learned
Baby I got my facts learned real good right now
You better get it straight darling

Poor man wanna be rich, rich man wanna be king
And a king ain't satisfied till he rules everything
I wanna go out tonight, I wanna find out what I got

I believe in the love that you gave me
I believe in the faith that could save me
I believe in the hope and I pray that some day
It may raise me above these

CHORUS

BRIDGE
For the ones who had a notion,
a notion deep inside
That it ain't no sin
to be glad you're alive
I wanna find one face
that ain't looking through me
I wanna find one place,
I wanna spit in the face of these badlands

CHORUS
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I would say to the insightful writer, Bruce Springsteen, I have been living in "badlands" for far too long. I have tried to:
- work myself out of it
- deny that I am living in it
- distract my mind with gadgets and technology
- become cynical of those who seem to be living in "goodlands"
- and with much hell-bent pride and bitterness - believed and lived as if there is no God (or at best, he doesn't seem to have my interests in mind.)

While working the night before Easter this year, well really it was Easter morning after midnight. Anyway, God reminded me that if he can raise his Son from the dead...let me phrase this another way for the over-saturated religious minded readers, which includes me...if he can breath life into a dead man and make him walk, talk, and eat again, he surely can resurrect me and my family from the "badlands" where I live and created with walls of pain and hurt.

This raising of new life includes a bad job situation, declining health due to fatigue and lack of sleep, anger over losing a job/career in which I had spent all of my adult life studying for and doing, a family that has been struggling for a long time, finances in disarray, and general overall sadness of a pathetic path I have chosen or been given by God (I can barely tell the difference these days).

If Jesus walked out of the grave, not in the form a ghost, but as a living, breathing human being - then I will too will walk out of this darkness of misery, shame, and sadness.

I would say to Mr. Springsteen, "Bruce, like you I believe in the love that God gave me, I believe in the faith that He saved me, and I believe in the hope and I pray that someday He will raise me above these badlands...and oh, by the way, you are right...it ain't no sin to be glad you're alive.

The Absurdity of Forgiveness

It's easy for God to do right? It is the idea and for him a fact, yet we are so human and self-aware that when we forgive, we may be truthful and totally full of intent, but still we do not forget.

This makes it so hard to sort of "move on" and be reconciled. We hold onto words, emotions, images, negativity, actions, and so on. So criticism, though I invite it to make me a better, more effective person, I crumble underneath a harsh comment or a rough tone. God has worked on me with this one, to be strong in the presence of sharp commentary, such as from a demanding boss or revengeful foe.

I am a lover of words. Words move my soul, heart, and mind. I feel loved when one uses words to love on me. On the flip side, I feel dishonored and disrespected with words as well. Words hurt and heal me.

When God utters words such as: "You are forgiven", "You are my child", "You are my treasure", "You are the masterpiece of creation", "You are the pinnacle of my creativity", "You are free". I not only believe these things, but I am filled with hope and the stamina to take another step, to live another day.

God help me to be like you...to forgive and forget.
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Here are some nuggets of forgiveness I found in Psalm 103:

3 He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
4 He saves my life from the grave
and loads me with love and mercy.
5 He satisfies me with good things
and makes me young again, like the eagle.

10 He has not punished us as our sins should be punished;
he has not repaid us for the evil we have done.
11 As high as the sky is above the earth,
so great is his love for those who respect him.
12 He has taken our sins away from us
as far as the east is from west.
13 The Lord has mercy on those who respect him,
as a father has mercy on his children.

17 But the Lord's love for those who respect him
continues forever and ever,
and his goodness continues to their grandchildren
18 and to those who keep his agreement
and who remember to obey his orders.

The Holy Bible, New Century Version®.
Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Jesus & His "Good Friday"

Forgive us Jesus, for making Good Friday a holiday and not a "holyday" - for everday is holy b/c of your grace which has and does make us whole again.
(from The Passion of the Christ, with the song Grace Like Rain by Todd Agnew)

The Seven Major Institutions

This was a lesson I had written for our Young Adult Small Group in Kentucky several years ago. The list of seven is adapted from Charles Malik's book, Christ & the University. Great read for anyone wanting to affect our universities and colleges.

The University – education of the young and old
The State – to govern, empower, and protect the citizens
The Professions – doctors, lawyers, engineers, white-collar
The Media – for entertainment and information
The Industry – factories, farms, blue-collar
The Family – the oldest, common unit of existence
The Church – God’s presence in the world

1. Which, in your opinion, is the strongest or most influential?
2. Which is the weakest or least influential?
3. Which is in danger of losing its identity or original design?
4. Which needs the most changes in identity and design?
5. To which can you make a difference and shine the light of Christ?
6. What can you do to affect one of these for the kingdom of God?

Now, go and change your world!