Early morning.
Still and quiet, dark as night.
I am awake. My heart is still, expectant.
"I want to speak to you."
"I am listening."
"Let your heart receive my words, like ready soil the seed."
I am ready.
"I love you."
Your words fall like rain on thirsty ground. I soak it in.
Good seed in good soil. I will be fruitful for You.
My heart knows fresh peace. Confidence. Gratitude.
Now, a new revelation from Heaven:
"These are the words that allow you to receive."
Yes, Lord, I receive your words. I receive your love.
Confidence in Your love allows me to receive every good gift from You.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
5 Years From Today
Five years from today I will be five years older (no, it is NOT my birthday).
Been thinking about what my life will be like then, and what I want it to be like then.
Wanting to take the steps today that will get me there then.
Wanting to make decisions today that I will be glad for then.
Today is the foundation of our future.
Been thinking about what my life will be like then, and what I want it to be like then.
Wanting to take the steps today that will get me there then.
Wanting to make decisions today that I will be glad for then.
Today is the foundation of our future.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Look out kid, he's coming!
Yesterday I went to one of the neighborhood pools with my two youngest children. We had fun swimming and splashing, playing in the water. It was a nice summer day and the pool was pleasantly full but not crowded.
Another dad, younger than me, was in the water with his son who looked to be the same age as mine. This dad seemed to have been a competitive swimmer in the past and was teaching his son how to swim. I had also worked some with my two but mostly we just played.
After a couple of hours I took a time out to sit at our table while the kids kept swimming. My son Jack was on the ladder getting in when the other boy, also called Jack, was swimming with dad's coaching and a little assistance. The dad was focused on his son, as he should be. They were swimming towards the ladder when the dad noticed there was an obstacle in the path. "Look out kid, he's coming!" he shouted at Jack (my Jack, that is).
Now, if the boy on the ladder was someone else's son, I probably would never have noticed. There was no anger or menace in the other dad's tone, just an urgent command that must be obeyed.
I have written a lot on this blog about spiritual things, about love and forgiveness, etc. etc. etc. But I have a confession to make. I didn't like what this man said to my son, and I didn't like the way he said it. My first inclination was to march over there and explain some things to this guy: a) the boy on the ladder is NOT some kid, he is MY SON; (b) he can ask requests from my son but he has no authority to issue him commands, (c) he needs to start treating ALL people, including children, with the same respect he would like his own son to be treated, and (d) if he is unclear on any of the above I would be happy to explain it more clearly in the parking lot. He may be bigger than me, and he may end up on the top of the pile when it's all over, but he would know for sure he had messed with the wrong little boy.
Fortunately, I kept my mouth shut and the moment passed. I don't think Jack felt slighted or even thought a thing about it. But it has me thinking about how you treat other people's sons. You don't mess with them.
The Bible describes God the Creator of all as a Father. The Bible says that God has a Son. This Father loves His Son and is proud of Him, so much so that He has given all authority in heaven and on earth to His son. Pretty much it goes like this - if you are okay with the Son, the Father is good with you. But if you reject the son, you have put yourself on the wrong side of the Father. That's how I felt at the pool yesterday with my son. That is how God the Father feels about His son.
We better give the Son the love and respect He deserves. Look out kids, He is coming!
Another dad, younger than me, was in the water with his son who looked to be the same age as mine. This dad seemed to have been a competitive swimmer in the past and was teaching his son how to swim. I had also worked some with my two but mostly we just played.
After a couple of hours I took a time out to sit at our table while the kids kept swimming. My son Jack was on the ladder getting in when the other boy, also called Jack, was swimming with dad's coaching and a little assistance. The dad was focused on his son, as he should be. They were swimming towards the ladder when the dad noticed there was an obstacle in the path. "Look out kid, he's coming!" he shouted at Jack (my Jack, that is).
Now, if the boy on the ladder was someone else's son, I probably would never have noticed. There was no anger or menace in the other dad's tone, just an urgent command that must be obeyed.
I have written a lot on this blog about spiritual things, about love and forgiveness, etc. etc. etc. But I have a confession to make. I didn't like what this man said to my son, and I didn't like the way he said it. My first inclination was to march over there and explain some things to this guy: a) the boy on the ladder is NOT some kid, he is MY SON; (b) he can ask requests from my son but he has no authority to issue him commands, (c) he needs to start treating ALL people, including children, with the same respect he would like his own son to be treated, and (d) if he is unclear on any of the above I would be happy to explain it more clearly in the parking lot. He may be bigger than me, and he may end up on the top of the pile when it's all over, but he would know for sure he had messed with the wrong little boy.
Fortunately, I kept my mouth shut and the moment passed. I don't think Jack felt slighted or even thought a thing about it. But it has me thinking about how you treat other people's sons. You don't mess with them.
The Bible describes God the Creator of all as a Father. The Bible says that God has a Son. This Father loves His Son and is proud of Him, so much so that He has given all authority in heaven and on earth to His son. Pretty much it goes like this - if you are okay with the Son, the Father is good with you. But if you reject the son, you have put yourself on the wrong side of the Father. That's how I felt at the pool yesterday with my son. That is how God the Father feels about His son.
We better give the Son the love and respect He deserves. Look out kids, He is coming!
Monday, July 6, 2009
Say What?
What you say is what you get.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue of the wise promotes health.
Proverbs 12:18
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
James 3:3-5
The Holy Spirit is reminding me, gently correcting me, patiently coaching me, to purposefully chose and carefully monitor what I say. He is reminding me what His Word says about me, His Word that can never be changed and will always stand, and He is asking me if every word from my mouth agrees with every word from His mouth.
Yes, I will pay careful attention. Yes, put a guard over my lips. I chose life. I chose peace and righteousness. I chose health. I chose abundance. I chose to build up those around me. I chose to agree with You, and say what You say.
Today we are speaking our very future into existence. Tomorrow I will be glad for the confession of my mouth today.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21
The tongue of the wise promotes health.
Proverbs 12:18
A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!
James 3:3-5
The Holy Spirit is reminding me, gently correcting me, patiently coaching me, to purposefully chose and carefully monitor what I say. He is reminding me what His Word says about me, His Word that can never be changed and will always stand, and He is asking me if every word from my mouth agrees with every word from His mouth.
Yes, I will pay careful attention. Yes, put a guard over my lips. I chose life. I chose peace and righteousness. I chose health. I chose abundance. I chose to build up those around me. I chose to agree with You, and say what You say.
Today we are speaking our very future into existence. Tomorrow I will be glad for the confession of my mouth today.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
A Day of Deliverance
It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations, from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. -- John Adams
John Adams, who later became the second president of the United States, understood clearly the momentous significance of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
He understood the results that would follow the publication of this Declaration, and the price that would be required from the new nation as a whole and many of the signers individually.
Today we remember and celebrate the tremendous sacrifices made by so many, that America could become the land of the free and the home of the brave. May we remain so always.
A very interesting rendition of the heroic signers of the Declaration of Independence is published by the US Senate Republican Policy Committee at http://rpc.senate.gov/releases/1998/founders.htm
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." These men relied upon God, who established their work, and they called upon us to commemorate this day with solemn acts of devotion to Him and celebration.
No better way to spend the 4th of July.
John Adams, who later became the second president of the United States, understood clearly the momentous significance of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
He understood the results that would follow the publication of this Declaration, and the price that would be required from the new nation as a whole and many of the signers individually.
Today we remember and celebrate the tremendous sacrifices made by so many, that America could become the land of the free and the home of the brave. May we remain so always.
A very interesting rendition of the heroic signers of the Declaration of Independence is published by the US Senate Republican Policy Committee at http://rpc.senate.gov/releases/1998/founders.htm
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." These men relied upon God, who established their work, and they called upon us to commemorate this day with solemn acts of devotion to Him and celebration.
No better way to spend the 4th of July.
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