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How long will you hesitate between two opinions?
If the LORD is God, follow Him;
but if Baal, follow him.
-1 Kings18:21
Dexter’s mother was a purebred Golden Retriever, but you’d never guess it by his solid black coat.
His imposing size, deep bark, and huge white teeth make most people hesitate before approaching this behemoth.
They shouldn’t worry, though. Dexter is a gentle giant. Although he has the ability to wound or kill, it’s not in his nature. It was totally unnecessary for God to give him those giant canine teeth. He doesn’t have to hunt, and he swallows his food down without bothering to chew, anyway.
Current world theory would have us believe Dexter’s ancestors developed those teeth in order to survive the chaotic eons of evolution. This is the explanation given for why most animals have developed ways to hunt and defend themselves against attack.
Yet the book of Genesis paints a very different world in the beginning.
It appears the world was created with the capacity to live out two endings. The earth itself was filled with plants and their seeds, but in the pre-Fall world only the beneficial plants grew. Contrary to secular theories of early earth, animals were designed with the ability to defend themselves, but—like Dexter—had no need for them. There was no death, no need to kill, nothing to fear.
Humans were created with the ability to choose either to follow God or to refuse Him.
The universe was programmed with a biological clock that would only begin ticking if Adam and Eve chose to rebel.
Little did they know the fate of an entire planet rested upon their decision. They were presented two paths to follow: simple obedience to a God they did not understand, or submission to the promise of greater revelation and power. Life and death hung in the balance in the moment of hesitation before they plunged toward futility.
Thank God that Christ came to gain a better Eden for us, a garden without thorns where we can be near God always. A place where forever lives.
The serpent can’t enter this garden. But he haunts its edges, tormenting humanity. He tries to draw us away from the door to life with the same whisper he has used for ages: You will be like God….
Within you lies two paths. Today you can walk beside God or live among the thorns. Every choice you make drives you further down one path or the other. In that moment of hesitation when temptation breathes in your ear, remember what hangs in the balance.
Choose carefully.
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I’m coming back to the start
Where You found me
I’m coming back to Your heart
Now I surrender
Take me
This is all I can bring– “God’s Great Dance Floor” by Chris Tomlin
I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the Dance
-“Lord of the Dance” by Steven Curtis Chapman
They float across the floor in one fluid motion.
They twirl and sway in precise beat to the music. Neither partner watches the other’s feet, yet they appear to know the next move exactly. They gaze into each other’s eyes and end with a breathtaking flourish.
It is the perfect dance. It seems effortless, but anyone who has followed the popular television show showcasing stars knows the many hours of practice it takes to achieve a seamless performance.
To pull off the perfect dance, a theme and routine have to be developed. A choreographer works with the dancers to teach them to work together. The dancers commit to a grueling schedule. It takes a lot of discipline to make something look easy.
What is one of the most basic principles the dancers will learn?
One must lead, and one must follow.
You may have awakened this morning to the same gray life you lurched through yesterday.
Perhaps your days fade in and out without purpose or direction. Maybe you are trapped in a dizzying cycle, and you can’t seem to get a grip on anything or make the madness stop.
Do you live without hope? Do you long for peace and a reason to go on another day? Do you feel deep in your heart there is a dance for you, a beautiful stage somewhere awaiting the dancer?
You’re right. He’s here, today. God stands in the spotlight and holds out His hand. He wants this dance. You don’t have to know the routine. The Spirit of God will direct your steps. Your part is simple.
Surrender.
Let Him lead.
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing.
Psalm 30:11
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I’ve been wanting to do a weekly article highlighting one new or recent song that I’ve been listening to way too much because it’s just so good. This series will also double as a song review/recommendation. You can check out this series every week to discover new songs to add to your next playlist.
So today I’m starting the series with my first pick and it’s a song that is so crisp and clean and sounds amazing on my sound system. The acoustic guitars are not at all complicated but just plain beautiful. This song is so perfectly tracked and uncomplicated that it’s brilliant.
What song is it? It’s the acoustic version of The Jellyrox’s “Rebel Tide”. The coffee house version. The original “Rebel Tide” song is from the EP “Embellish” which released today. The remixed version is not on the EP but you can stream it from soundcloud which is what I’ve been doing, frankly for weeks now. Now if I can just figure out how to buy it…
So here it is. Check out my Most Addictive Song of the Week “Rebel Tide” (Coffee House Version) below.
What do you think of this song? What song are you addicted to right now?
Comment below and let me know!
Kevin Thorson
Senior Editor
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Greater love has no one than this,
that one lay down his life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do what I command you.
– John 15:13
One moment, the street was filled with the laughter and cheers of the crowd as they soaked in the festive atmosphere of Patriot Day.
The next, lives were blown apart in an attack that would kill, maim, and strike fear in a nation.
The graphic images have replayed over and over the airwaves. Cameras everywhere caught the chaos as people screamed and ran for their lives. In the mayhem, a few scenes stand out: a mournful bunch of yellow balloons floating heavenward; a runner checking her watch to see her time moments as she crossed the finish line after the blast; people scattering.
And perhaps the most touching: everyday heroes running into the horrific scene to help the victims.
In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, stories are surfacing of the sacrifice and courage of bystanders who ran to assist the hurting. Though the area was not yet safe and no one knew if there were more bombs, these people laid their lives on the line to help the wounded.
Self-preservation is a natural instinct, and a strong one.
“Skin for skin,” Satan told God, “Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.” (Job 2:4) We admire the selfless actions of those who risk death for others.
It’s easy to understand when innocent lives are involved, as were the bystanders caught in the blast.
Our hearts go out to them; we rush without thinking to the rescue.
It’s another thing to willingly put our lives on the line for those who purposely destroy themselves.
And yet, God did that for us. He chose to enter this world when it was in full rebellion against Him. He set aside all the privileges of His royalty and wore the rags of a slave. He endured scorn, abuse, rejection, and death. He did it for us. When anyone else would have run from the bleeding mass of humanity, God ran to us. Delivering us cost Him everything.
He did it for the pure joy of giving His life away–to us, His beloved, undeserving friends.
Now He calls us to the battlefield. When everyone else is running from disaster, we are called to run toward it. We will not be crouched in our bunkers with dehydrated food and bottled water when our enemies hit. We will be on the front lines, rescuing the wounded and freeing the captives.
Laying down our lives for our friends.
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How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.
-1 Kings 18:21
The Bible is filled with accounts illuminating the bi-polar nature of mankind.
The heroes and heroines we read about and admire were men and women blessed by God and called by Him to accomplish great feats of faith. They were also human beings who struggled with the same doubts and fears we experience today. Their very frailty endears them to us and magnifies the power of the King who strengthened them for the journey.
Like us, some of their suffering was self-inflicted and avoidable.
Elijah, the prophet of God, single-handedly defied a powerful queen and called fire down from heaven. He rebuked the nation of Israel for “hesitating between two opinions.” Then he ran to the desert and begged to die.
Gideon needed not one miraculous sign, but two, that God was indeed speaking to him.
Peter swore allegiance to the death for Jesus, only to deny Him three times before the dawn.
All the disciples deserted Jesus at His arrest.
Thomas refused to believe in His resurrection until he saw the scars on His body.
The list goes on.
Hebrews 10:23 encourages us to hold on to our faith “without wavering.”
According to Bible scholar John MacArthur, the same Greek term for “without wavering” was used in ancient literature to describe the enduring of torture.
Sometimes the worst torture comes from within. Wavering in our faith is painful. Tormenting ourselves with doubts and fears suspends us in a purgatory of our own making, afraid to trust God but unable to deny Him. The remedy is so easy and so incredibly hard. The very simplicity of it turns our knuckles white.
God calls us to believe, to resist the impulse to overthink God and live in fear. Love Him. To trust Him, and to persevere always, enduring the torture rather than deny His name.
Mostly, He calls us to hold onto hope.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful.
– Hebrews 10:23
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So with March just behind us that puts three months of music already in the bag. We’ve seen some great releases so far this year like Red, Audio Adrenaline, and Plumb all of which didn’t disappoint. So with part of the year’s best releases already past us I thought it a great time to write a most anticipated albums article. Way to time an article.
Having said that though there’s still some great new releases heading our way. Below I’ve listed the five I really can’t wait for and one certain album that I’ve been waiting an eternity to hear. See my picks and let me know if you agree.
#5 – Switchfoot “Fading West” (sometime 2013. probably summer)
So “Fading West” is actually a documentary and not an album, it’s still going to be one of the releases to look for. Switchfoot always does quality stuff and this won’t be an exception. You can expect to see a lot of surfing in this doc if this teaser is any indicator. Switchfoot and surf go together like hotdogs and July 4th, which is probably close to the day it’s going to be released.#4 – Silverline “Lights Out” (April 9)
I’ve been following this indie rock band for years now hoping that their Christ filled messages would reach the masses. Well more and more people are catching on to their music since they recently signed with label Dream Records and are now about to release their new album “Lights Out”. This is one amazing rock album and one you gotta share with your friends. Get their title song “Lights Out” for free here and have a listen for yourself.#3 – The Letter Black “Rebuild” (Soon)
They’re in that same category as Red, Fireflight, or Write This Down. You know, buy it, crank it, and watch the paint peel off the walls. It’s just utterly beautiful and a bit destructive. The Letter Black is never a let down and their new music video “The Only One” is the proof.#2 – Skillet “Rise” (June 25)
Go big or go home. Skillet’s monstrous anthems are the stuff of legends, and so are the album titles they choose. I’m thinking “Rise” continues in that theme, and that should be a clue that this release could be a huge hit. After hearing some early song previews like “Sick of It” I’m going out on a limb and saying this will be their biggest success to date. Period.#1 – Relient K “Collapsible Lung” (soon)
I can never get enough of Relient K’s wit and musical twists, but I don’t have much of a choice. Their albums are torturously far between and the wait is down right painful, but that makes their releases so much sweeter I guess. I’m sure it’s deliberate. The question is always what will this album sound like? I loved the unsophisticated understated style of “Forget and Not Slow Down” but will the next evolution of Relient K be totally unfamiliar to us? Let’s hope not. I’m a bit nervous after hearing “That’s My Jam”. It’s a good track, I just hope there’s not to much ‘bubble gum’ stuck to their next project. One thing I do know is that their albums are never disappointing, which is why it’s my most anticipated album of 2013. Whatever it is.Bleach “untitled” (never?)
This one’s driving me crazy. Where are you Bleach? Remember @bleachisalive? So many were thrilled to hear of a new album, well at least I was and still am. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for 2013.Kevin Thorson
Senior Editor
cmaddict.com
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Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’
Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him,
‘Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him,
and I will take Him away.’
Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’
– John 20:15-16
It had been a long three days since the one they called “Messiah” died a horrific death by crucifixion.
Mary Magdalene waited through the customary Sabbath rest to go to the tomb to anoint the body with spices with the other women. Before dawn broke, though, Mary just had to go to Jesus’ tomb, drawn by her longing to see her Master again, even if it was in death.
She never dreamed she would find Him alive.
We don’t know why she didn’t recognize Jesus at first. It could have been the dim light, the fact He still bore the scars from His awful death, or because His appearance was that much changed after the resurrection.
She certainly didn’t expect to find Him on the other side of the tomb.
Christ’s victory over death changed everything.
Imagine the moment when the reality of Jesus’ resurrection hit her. It meant life was everlasting. Nothing could ever truly make her afraid again. Even death was just a momentary loss. The weeping and fear she had lived with for the last three days would have been totally unnecessary had she understood the power of God. If she had comprehended God’s timetable and His plans, she would have rejoiced and waited with a sense of wonder at what was about to happen, instead of spending those days in tears.
As the disciples learned of Jesus’ resurrection and received the Holy Spirit, they understood. This new knowledge empowered them to spread the good news with joy. To a man, they faced torture and death for their faith. But it didn’t matter to them, because they had seen their future in the face of their God.
Radiant. Immortal. So very alive.
Jesus is well-acquainted with grief, the Bible tells us.
He understands our sorrows and identifies with our pain. Now He sits beside His Father as He intercedes for us and sends the accusers packing. His Spirit strengthens us as He teaches us all we need to safely complete our journey through the minefield we call Earth. His angels minister to us. His Word instructs us and reveals His plans. He has given us every reason to rejoice. He has given us this day to live and breathe and serve Him. Our future is safe, no matter what happens.
Today He calls our name and He asks, “Why are you weeping?”
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On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves…
You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole
assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight.
– Exodus 12:3, 6
His name was Ferdinand, but my brother and I called him “Fergie.”
That was our first mistake. The next mistake was to treat the Black Angus calf like a pet dog. We petted him, fed him out of our hands, played with him, and even rode him as he grew.
Our folks kept telling us that he wasn’t a pet. “We’re raising him for slaughter,” Mom reminded us. “Don’t get too attached to him.”
We had been given fair warning. But he was just so cute and fun we couldn’t help ourselves. When Fergie was grown and fat, our parents kept their word and had him slaughtered. It was pretty traumatic for us to have our “pet” wrapped and stored in the freezer. I remember grieving and wondering why something so beautiful and sweet and innocent had to die.
Israelite children went through a similar trauma every year. The slaughter of animals for their food and hides was commonplace, and they would have known about the sacrifice of animals associated with the Jewish worship. Once a year, though, during the feast of Passover, the sacrifice became very personal.
When God instituted the feast of Passover and freed Israel from the slavery of Egypt, He gave them specific instructions.
The command was for each household to take an unblemished male lamb and let it live with them for four days. Jewish tradition tells us that the Passover lamb not only lived with them, it was named, petted, played with, and adored for those four days. The family was charmed by its innocence, taken in by its cuteness. They ran their hands through its soft, white wool and chuckled at its antics.
Then it had to die.
It seemed so sad, so wrong. Why did the lamb have to pay for the sins of the family? The little animal was blameless. It had done nothing to deserve death. The Israelites must have had heavy hearts when they shed the blood of the innocent one in a solemn ritual they performed each year.
God didn’t do this to be cruel. He wanted them to feel the sacrifice, to understand the grave price for sin. Generations before the coming of The Lamb of God, the gospel was preached in every blood-soaked little body that lay upon the altar to pay for the sins of humanity.
Jesus’ coming fulfilled and ended the need for atonement, thankfully. This week we remember once again the awfulness of our transgressions and the precious life that was sacrificed to remove the dark blot on our souls. It was unfair that He had to suffer for us, but it was a sacrifice He willingly gave to cleanse and redeem us. Such a high cost. Such a beautiful Lamb. How much He must love us!
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He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.
– John 8:7
The man, a new believer in Christ, sat in the Sunday morning service fairly brimming over.
He couldn’t wait until the time in the Sunday service when the pastor asked for people to share what God had done for them. The minister finally opened the floor to the congregation. The new Christian enthusiastically shared his good news.
“I have smoked all of my adult life. I recently asked God to take away my desire to smoke, and He has. I’ve not had a cigarette since that moment.”
As the man spoke, the pastor’s face twisted in distaste. He thrust a pudgy finger at the man and said, “You took up that disgusting habit by yourself, and you can get rid of it by yourself!”
Whack. The verbal stone struck the man dead on. He sat in embarrassed silence through the rest of the service.
The new believer was my father. In the decades since the incident, he never did smoke another cigarette, and to this day he gives the glory to God. But he never knew why his words irritated the minister so much.
I wonder, too. I shouldn’t, because I find myself throwing large and small stones at people many times for no better reason than that they have beliefs contrary to mine or because they just generally irritate me. I catch myself casually criticizing others who dress differently, act differently, or engage in behavior I find unappealing. In some cases, I’m the one who has been wronged.
None of it, however, justifies a stoning. Just because my “stones” are words and attitudes instead of basalt doesn’t mitigate the damage I inflict on others.
When the scribes and Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus, they weren’t interested in justice.
They wanted to use the Law to justify themselves and entrap Jesus. The One who had the right to accuse both her and them did neither. Instead, without a word, he allowed the Holy Spirit convict them of their sins. Then He let them walk away, adulteress and Pharisee alike, from the death they both deserved.
It’s so easy to see the faults of others. It’s more convenient than ever to notice and point out the failings of those around us. We’ve become a nation of busybodies and judges. Scribes and Pharisees in jeans. Lobbing stones in self-righteous fervor and entering our houses justified.
It escapes our notice that Jesus is nowhere to be found at the nearest stoning coming to you. He’s busy elsewhere, dispensing grace to a needy world. He already knows it’s an undeserving planet. No one has to tell Him that.
Especially us.
Freely you received, freely give.
– Matthew 10:8
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Our real songs begin with our sacrifices.
– Corrie Ten Boom
King Hezekiah’s father greatly angered God during his reign in Judah.
Before his death, he raided the house of God, closed its doors, and worshiped the gods of the land. God’s house remained closed and desecrated until his death.
Hezekiah became king after him. In the first year of his reign, Hezekiah opened the doors of the temple, gathered its ministers together, and decreed that the temple be restored. When the temple and its priests were purified, Hezekiah ordered temple worship to begin again.
Then Hezekiah gave the order for the burnt offering to be offered on the altar.
When the burnt offering began, the song to the LORD also began…
While the whole assembly worshiped, the singers also sang and the trumpets sounded;
all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.
– 2 Chronicles 29:27
The movement back to God spread throughout the land. Soon Passover was reinstituted, as well. Their sacrifices to God were accompanied with praise and “loud instruments to the LORD.”
So there was great joy in Jerusalem….
– 2 Chronicles 29:26
Thousands of years later, two men sat in the inner bowels of a prison in the city of Philippi.
Their “crime” was the deliverance of a slave girl. Their feet were fastened in stocks to ensure they couldn’t escape.
They spent a miserable, sleepless night. Around midnight, Paul and Silas began to sing and pray. The other prisoners listened to them, a captive audience of sorts. They must have been used to hearing the sounds of cursing in that place, but not the sweet sound of a song.
Paul and Silas had every reason to complain. No one would have faulted them for feeling sorry for themselves, for giving in to their fears. Maybe they felt this way. All we know is that as they offered their lives to God, they praised Him, and they sang.
Suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken;
and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.
– Acts 16:26
Are you feeling burned today?
Have the trials of life singed you and imprisoned you and caused you sleepless nights? If you have cleansed your house and offered your life as a sacrifice to Him, He is here. In the night, when the pain is great, He is here. In the deepest, darkest place you dwell, give Him your worship. It will shake your world, unfasten your chains, and fill you with joy. When your life is on the altar, resist the temptation to watch the fire. Instead, raise your eyes to heaven. Believe, trust, and obey.
Especially, sing.
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Upon this rock I will build My church;
And the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
– Matthew 16:18
Across the battlefields of Europe, nations fell to a brutal assault led by a maniacal killer.
As World War II raged under the boots of Nazi soldiers, a different war was being waged in the hills, cities, and fiords of occupied countries. Resistance groups formed and grew as citizens took up the battle and created an intricate underground network of individuals determined to fight their oppressors.
Whenever possible, they spread disinformation, refused to cooperate with occupation forces, sabotaged enemy installations, hid opposing soldiers, and engaged in armed warfare. At the risk of their own lives, they contributed greatly toward an eventual Allied victory.
Lesser known were the resistance movements against the Allied forces.
These groups ranged from Italian guerillas and the “Forest Brothers” of the Baltic States to a largely non-effective resistance group of German Nazis called “Werwolf.”
Resistance against the good guys is the specialty of another enemy. Although mankind turned the keys to God’s kingdom over to a rebellious angel named Satan, Jesus Christ bought them back at the cross. Since then, Satan has waged a deadly earnest insurrection against the King of Kings.
He knows he can’t win. He’s trying to inflict maximum damage as he retreats. He wants us to forget that God’s won. He doesn’t want us to know that we’re no longer in enemy hands unless we choose to stay in captivity. The door to freedom is open. We decide whether we leave or stay.
Satan is a sore loser who wages a vicious resistance campaign in an effort to keep the victors on the run. He uses every tool at his disposal: propaganda, disinformation, intimidation, sabotage, seduction, torture, and outright armed warfare. Those Satan cannot deceive or intimidate, he tries to discourage.
He can only win if we surrender. The battle is won, but we have to occupy the territory. We need to listen to the Commander and actively resist the enemy’s strategies.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
– Ephesians 6:11
It’s unthinkable to yield blood-bought ground by default. When the barrage begins, we stand firm, take up God’s armor, and crush The Resistance. Let’s fight for what’s ours, beginning today.
Submit therefore to God.
Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
– James 4:7
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Even a fool, when he keeps silent,
Is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.
Proverbs 17:28
I lightheartedly threw out an offhand comment in the middle of a meeting between friends.
It sounded hard and even a bit rude, and I instantly regretted saying it. The person to whom it was directed graciously deflected the blow, but I felt like an utter fool.
I hate it when I do that.
Today’s multimedia takes socializing to a new and manic level. Oddly enough, communication seems to have fallen victim to the party. Being behind a keyboard gives us a sense of safety and emboldens us to just spit out what we’re thinking. Before we have time to self-edit, our words are launched into cyberspace for all to see and hear.
This tendency to split-second responses spills over into real time. Flippancy is the new attitude. We love to get those zingers in and score a “like.” We don’t think about who we may be hurting in the process.
I’ve often wondered why the Book of Revelation describes a moment of silence in heaven before God issues judgment on His wayward planet. I always thought it was a mark of God’s sadness in the injustice that has ruled under man’s stewardship. Or perhaps it was a sign of His reluctance to lower His hand.
But with the mayhem created by Earth’s inhabitants, maybe He’s just tired of the noise.
Silence is a beautiful sound.
That quiet hour before the household awakens to another morning; the peaceful sleep of a tired child; the muffled stillness of a forest glade – these are precious moments. One other that must be lovely to the ears of God is the hallowed space inhabited by the words we refrain from saying: the biting reply, the angry rebuke, the thoughtless comment, the dirty joke.
Thankfully, God knows we’re human. We make mistakes and say things we shouldn’t. The pain of those moments should be a constant reminder to keep our words few and gentle and full of grace. Sometimes, as it turns out, silence really is golden.
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,
But he who restrains his lips is wise.
– Proverbs 10:19
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Breathe your life into me
I still need you
I’m falling, falling
Breathe into me
“Breathe into Me”
– Red
In the beginning, all creation sprang to life at the word of God.
All creation, that is, except Man.
Man was different; he lay cold as clay until God breathed into him. Down through the ages, this one thing has not changed: we are lifeless without His Spirit.
The Greek term for the Holy Spirit is pneuma, or literally, “breath.” But He is anything but a mere stirring of air. A study of the Scriptures reveals the Spirit’s powerful and pure personality. In them we discover He is not a thing but a person. He talks, can be lied to and grieved, and is vitally involved in our lives. He feels deep pain, great joy, and intense concern for us. In His Person, the Holy Spirit is totally God. In His function and form, He is the “breath” of God. As such, He:
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convicts us of sin (John 16:8)
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frees all who call upon His name (2 Cor. 3:17)
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sanctifies and sets apart His own (1 Peter 1:1-2)
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transforms us into children of light (2 Cor. 3:18)
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intercedes for us (Romans 8:26)
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rebukes us when we sin (Acts 5:9-11)
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empowers us for His work (1 Cor. 2:3-5; Gal. 5:25)
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gives us joy in the journey (Luke 10:21)
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directs and leads us (Matt. 4:1; John 16:13; Acts 16:7)
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teaches us (1 John 2:27)
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provides for our every need (Phil. 1:190
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reveals the future when necessary (Luke 2:26; Acts 1:16)
This exquisite Being, who dwelt in eternity in the highest heaven, has consented – even yearned – to live with us in our human forms as our Protector and Lord. Only a mighty God could be powerful enough to be so gentle, or strong enough to live with such weakness.
When we are choked with the pollution of our minds, He is here. When our souls are dry as dust, He is here.
When we are afraid, He never leaves our side. In sickness and health, for better or for worse, He never forsakes us. He rejoices with us in our victories and grieves with us when we hurt. He inhabits our every breath. He is so very much alive in us: fearsome, wise, and tender.
What a God!
No wonder they call Him The Comforter.
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…but these have been written so that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God;
and that believing you may have life in His name.
– John 20:31
The house was dark and cold, but deliciously quiet as I finally walked in the door from an afternoon of running chores in town.
My body was weary, matching the heaviness of my soul as I entered the house and stirred up the fire in the woodstove. I pulled up a chair next to it to warm up. Too tired to go upstairs for my usual evening Bible reading, I picked up a Bible from the downstairs bookshelf.
The Bible was cheap and worn, its torn cover silent witness to the many days my mother carted it around with her when she was alive. My father gave it to me after her death, and I often liked to read from it. It always comforted me to see her careful notes in the margins, and somehow it soothed the pain of losing her. Over the years we had often enjoyed spontaneous Bible studies together, chasing down nuggets of God’s treasures and reveling in His revelation to mankind.
This night, I caressed the pages as the sweet memories flooded over me.
I ran my fingers over her graceful handwriting as the tears fell again. Her death was my first major loss. It comforted me to touch the pages she once touched. Her notes were the solid evidence of a beloved person I could no longer see, a love letter from another realm. An intense longing to hear her voice and to see her face overwhelmed me.
It was a familiar ache, the same one I have often had as I think of Jesus. Mother went to join Him in heaven. I missed her so much.
I miss Him so much.
Though I know His Spirit still is here and I’m not forsaken, I some days I just yearn to see His beautiful face, to hear His voice. The longing to be united with Him is intense.
That’s when I pick up a Bible and run my fingers over the pages. He was really here, and He’s coming back. The Lord Jesus had to return to heaven for a while, but He left tangible evidence of His presence in His Word. The Bible is the cherished love letter that He wrote to bring me comfort, teach me His ways, and give me life.
When I am lonely for Him, all I have to do is pick up Mother’s Bible and enjoy one of our treasure hunts again as He reminds me of His fierce and powerful love. He’ll be here soon, and He’s bringing Mother back with Him.
What a day that’s going to be!
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I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
“I Am…I Said”
– Neil Diamond
A television channel used to promote its series with clever edits spotlighting some of its more quirky characters.
The teaser ended with this invitation: “Characters are welcome here.”
In our society, being a character is the newest way to get attention. Talk shows, movies, and magazines love to drag out the latest fads in being different. Fashions and behavior get more and more outrageous as it gets harder to find a way to be different enough to get noticed.
It is all about getting noticed, isn’t it? Fame equals validation. Fame means we’re important to someone, however brief the time.
There’s nothing worse than living our entire lives under the radar, feeling that if our lives ended tomorrow, no one would notice. There’s this deep need inside us to have our work, our struggles, and our dreams seen by someone, even if it’s only because we’re the newest characters on the block for the season.
The need to be noticed and validated is deep and real and even godly.
We all know instinctively that we were made for more than mere existence. The soul in each of us cries out to be noticed, accepted, and loved for who we are. We desperately need someone to hear us.
We may not know it, but there is someone who is listening. That person is the God who knew us before we were even born.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you.
– Jeremiah 1:5
On those days when the heavens seem closed to our most frantic prayers, He is not only listening, He is actively involved in our lives.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
– Psalm 139:17-18
Who knows us that well? Who thinks about us that much? Do we need any more evidence that He cares about us and hears us? What other love could be this deep and true?
It’s not really about capturing the attention of men. It’s about finding our God. It is in Him that we have validation, love, forgiveness, and purpose. We don’t need a spotlight when we have the eye of the King. Living in His light is more than enough.
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When I was a child, I used to speak like a child,
think like a child, reason like a child;
when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
– 1 Corinthians 13:11
She was barely a teen-ager, just stepping into that turbulent age between exerting her new-found sense of independence and realizing how little she still knew about anything.
One day I asked her to do something she really didn’t want to do. She plead her case with evangelistic fervor, stomped her foot when I wouldn’t give in, and stormed to her room in indignation. She didn’t slam the door, because she knew I would make her come back out and close it gently. But she’d made her point.
I didn’t give in to her emotional entreaties, because I knew her. I knew what was best for her, and I knew she would understand eventually.
Little did I know that same week God would call me to do something that would involve a sacrifice of my own. I got on my knees and argued fervently with God. I cried and pleaded. I stomped my foot and ran to my room. Just then, mid-tantrum, a mental picture of my teenager wrapped in her righteous indignation popped into my mind – and I was instantly ashamed of myself.
I wasn’t a child anymore. Childish things like rebellion and arguing with my heavenly Father weren’t fitting for a mature person. It was time to put them aside and grow up.
I listened to God, surrendered to His call, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made. That should have been obvious, because God never makes mistakes. He knows me completely, and He knows the way ahead.
For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face;
now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
– 1 Corinthians 13:12
The riddle
The literal translation of 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “We see through a mirror in a riddle.” The world we see is a mere reflection of what is really happening in this universe. Life is a riddle because God hasn’t let us in on the full picture. Our lives are a maze, and for now the path ahead is always just beyond our view. It takes maturity to realize Father knows best and trust He will guide us safely through to the other side, when we will see Him face and face and finally say, “Now I understand.”
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So, as those who have been chosen of God,
holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other,
whoever has a complaint against anyone;
just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
– Colossians 4:13
Racheal is a fair-skinned beauty with strawberry blonde hair.
Her husband Leo is strong, gentle, and Native American. Together they have been blessed with a many-hued quiver of children.
This week they were shopping at a local store in a larger town and passed by a couple of Caucasian teen-aged boys. The boys smiled sweetly at Racheal, but when her husband passed them, one of the boys raised his hand to his mouth in a mocking war whoop imitation of a cartoon Indian.
Racheal didn’t see what happened. Leo was shocked by the taunt but didn’t acknowledge it. As a policeman, he deals with people making bad choices every day. As a Christian, he understands that racism is a heart condition. On the way out to their car, he told Racheal what happened.
Although they were shaken at the humiliation, Leo and Racheal knew that rather than react in anger, they needed to use this moment to teach their children the importance of breaking the cycle of hate. Out in the car, they explained to the children that all white people aren’t like that. They told the children that it’s important not to judge an entire race by the actions of a few. They talked to them about celebrating the differences in people, in respecting the kaleidoscope of colors and cultures God has used in fashioning us.
What wisdom! As much as what the children heard from Leo and Racheal, they will be shaped by watching their parents respond with grace to an ugly situation. They will not soon forget the living lesson of forgiveness.
In this life, we will invariably find ourselves in situations in which we are humiliated by the unthinking actions of others.
Sometimes the offense is merely an aggravation. Other times, it cuts to the core of who we are and shatters us into little shards of pain.
Forgiveness is the beautiful that happens when Christ gathers us up and shines His light through the bits of brokenness we have become, moving and turning us as we are shaped by His hand:
A living kaleidoscope.
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Peter said to Him,
Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.
– Matthew 14:28
No Time to Grieve
When Christ Jesus received the news his cousin John had been brutally beheaded to please Herod’s sister-in-law, He gathered his disciples and took a boat across the Sea of Galilee to a secluded place to pray.
He would have no time to grieve, however. Thousands of people were gathered at the shore when He arrived, and He spent the rest of the day healing their sick and feeding them. When He realized a mob was planning to make him king by force, He sent the crowds away and told the disciples to take the boat back to the other side. Jesus stayed behind alone.
It was nearly dawn and the disciples were about 600 feet from land when a strong wind stirred up the waves and battered the boat. It was no small storm. Matthew’s account of the event literally states that the boat was “tormented.” The men rowed furiously against the wind. They were trapped in the sea, far beyond safe shores and the hope of rescue.
They may have expected to die. They certainly didn’t expect what happened next. Deliverance walked to them right through the waves – unhindered by the wind, unfettered by the laws of nature. Not calming the storm, but conquering it.
They were terrified, thinking Jesus was a ghost. He said, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
Peter, unconvinced, said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
Jesus replied, “Come!”
You’re being tormented by a similar storm today.
The waves are threatening to sink you at any moment. Your own efforts have gotten you nowhere, and there is no way to escape impending disaster.
But wait. Who is that you see in the midst of the raging tempest? It looks like the One who healed the sick and fed a crowd with the disciples’ lunch. Who is this man?
He is the Christ, the One who conquers storms. He is not bound in the least by the laws of nature. This man walks on water. He calls you out of the besieged vessel of your circumstances. He invites you to join Him in a stroll on the waves.
Don’t be afraid. Take courage. You’re going to get to shore just fine.
He says to you, Come.
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Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
– Psalm 16:6
Their stories of faith and sacrifice are repeated around the world.
Jim and Juanita pastor a small church nestled in the heartland of Idaho. In the winter they get up early every Sunday morning to fire up the pellet stove that heats the ancient church building. He’s over eighty years old; she’s nearly sixty-five. Together they have enough health issues to complicate their lives, not counting the added challenges of keeping up with a congregation.
But the doors are open every Sunday, no matter how small the turnout is for services. As music fills the old sanctuary once again, the morning light streams through the stained glass windows and the walls resound with the praises of God’s people.
A world away, Pastor Mir and Anjali faithfully witness to their neighbors in a Muslim community in Bangladesh. Curiosity brought people to hear their message; hearts began to open to it. Eventually, a church is born.
Mir and Anjali have made enemies along the way. One night, Mir was shot in the mouth and stabbed in an effort to silence the gospel.
Amazingly, he survived his wounds and is back to preaching. His wife explains their decision to stay: they must remain to strengthen the fledging church they have begun there.
Across this weary planet and spanning millennia, generations of believers live out their faith against daunting odds.
A human chain of obedience stretches from Abel onward through time, linking them together in seamless pilgrimage from age to age. It is an inheritance from every tribe, nation, and tongue; a people of whom the world is not worthy.
Their cultures may differ, their skin may not look the same, but they all wear the blood-red cloak of a Savior’s deliverance. They endure hardship, beatings, and mocking for their message. They suffer loss and death.
They gain a kingdom.
This is my heritage. I thank God for the beautiful family into which I have been born by God’s Spirit. To my family in Jesus Christ throughout the world, I just want to say thank you today for everything you are. I stand humbled by your devotion. I bow before the Father that made us one heart.
I am proud to be your sister.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;
for He has prepared a city for them.
– Hebrews 11:16
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For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
– Hebrews 12:3
It wasn’t a long line at the burger drive-through.
But it seemed to be moving slowly. Maybe it was just because it was New Year’s Eve. I’d had a tiring day caring for sick family members and had to hurry back to the pity party I was throwing.
My turn finally came to order, and I saw why it was taking so long. The young man on the other side of the speaker was obviously new to the job. He was so lost in the menu that he lost me, too. We fumbled through the order while the driver behind me head banged and sang to loud music in her car. It looked like she had celebrated a little too much already.
Suddenly she erupted.
“Move it, b****!” she yelled at me out her window. Shocked, I jerked the car into gear and scurried out of her way. Embarrassment gave way to anger as I paid for the food and hit the gas. I fumed all the way home.
Before I pulled into the driveway, I grudgingly prayed for her. As I did, God reminded me that this woman was His creation. Beloved. Lost and pursued by One who has suffered many indignities; a King incognito who has endured, on behalf of the undeserving, the worst hostility mankind could unleash. He suffered because of who He is. I was simply embarrassed because I was in the way.
It’s a mean world out there.
The devil is on the loose and the blasphemies grow both in number and intensity. As we navigate the dangerous waters of faith, we are reminded by God’s Word that our goal is not safety. Our charge is to faithfully finish the journey we are given and to offer rescue to all we meet along the way. Royalty in rags, we walk the valley of the shadow and bring light to its depths.
We will suffer hostility along the way. But we follow in beautiful footsteps.
Photo 26439271 © Daniel Thornberg | Dreamstime.com
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