Finding My Harp In Babylon

In Psalm 137 it is recorded that as the children of Israel were in Babylonian captivity they no longer had a song,and they were putting their harps in the poplar trees. The Babylonians mocked them and said "Where is your song now O Israel"? Throughout my captivity experiences God has often during times I didnt think I could bear given a song of His grace;and I have been able to take down my harp from the snare of the looming trees cast in haunting shadow that have cropped up along the path. In order to find a song of hope amidst a backdrop of tragedy God knows that the journey is often times the only way.

Keys that Unlock the Heart of God

Because the word of God is living,and the love of God is all and unique to each individual who may be studying and meditating on the Book of Psalms, the Book of Deuteronomy,or the sermon on the mount the scriptures become like keys unlocking the heavenly kingdom. The discoveries in the realm of heaven will enfold in your life in practical disclosures as well as inheriting a clearly defined spiritual identity.
I was at the end of my personal rescources to thrive,and I found passages of scripture in the Bible to be a sprawling landscape and grand means for the renewal of my life and the abundance that has ensued. I have begun to compose the story of my life with a revived sense of purpose within the context of something more glorious. I'm aware of a new context set within and one that certainly out lasts my former interpretation. To be able to apply an erasers edge to the crumpled page that depicts the meaning of your life if the hearts secrets were spoken aloud. Yes, to be able to take a breath and blow away the tiny shards of eraser and the black ink of any dark blot that you no longer desire to be the defining theme of the text of your heart.
The Book of Psalms serves as an open book on the lofty soul of man encompassing the highest hopes and greatest trajedy with God actively involved in every human aspect.(Ps8:3-"What is man that you remember him,the son of man that you look after him? You have made him little less than God and crowned him with glory and honor.)"
In the Psalms there are countless prophecies detailing the life of Jesus Christ that have proven to be fulfilled in his life; and documented by the gospel writers.
Psalm22:16-"They pierced my hands and feet"
Mk15:27- "They crucified two criminals with Jesus one on His right and one on His left."
Psalm16:9- "Therefore my heart is glad,and my spirit rejoices;my body also rests securely."
Lk24:39- "Why are you troubled? Look at My hands and My feet,that it is I myself."

Unmasked for Gods Passion Play

There are so many people you encounter every day in all situations and walks of life that is parade, who are wearing masks hiding and concealing true, underlying motives and honest intent. From time to time we all play a part in illusion seeing a reflection in a magic mirror. This isnt the passion play God longs to orchestrate for each child of God under the big tent of life that far surpasses booming canons,acrobatic feats,dancing bears, the suspense of the tight rope, the jester swallowing the flaming sword,and the stale popcorn of the here- now circus.

Back to the Earth Again

I have come to the temple mount,and the bright gold dome of the rock is reflecting the rays of the sun. The glare is shiny making this the focal point of the earth; and the light gathers all the inhabitants of the earth. I see angels robed in white descending from the heavens,and their heels touch down in descending and ascending order upon the gold dome of the temple in Jeruselam.

Bully-one who hurts,perseutes,or intimidates weaker people,ill treat.(Websters Dictionary)

On April 9, 2009 Carl Walker Hoover an eleven year old sixth grader hanged himself with an electrical wire. He told his mother repeatedly that he was being bullied at school. Ms. Hoover contacted the school for six months asking the school to get involved and to stop the bullying. Of course school staff cannot admit that bullying is the cause of this trajedy. Most school officials turn the other way,and consider it harmless immaturity. My favorite response to anyone who reports being bullied is that "your just too sensitive" which conceals the true harm being perpetrated at the elementary level. Do you consider being called fag and queer to be nonthreatening and playful? The classmates who were bullying Carl Hoover are responsible for his death. By their cruel words and threatening,base actions it is as if they with their own hands tightened the electrical cord around Carls throat untill he suffocated; and the last breath of life of an eleven year old who was teased,picked on, and yes bullied was released.

Die Now For Tomorrow We Live

As Jesus was held upon the cross the depths of God's spirit
poured out as Christ completely relinquished Himself and
surrendered the last breath of God over the earth.
Jesus head fell forward as His chin rested upon His cheast.
His arms remained limp being held by nails that pierced through wrists.
Seconds before Jesus closed His eyes He became disoriented as
as He looked to the ground.
He was given an omniscient glimpse of all humanity that He would redeem.

My flesh simply must be burned away.
Jesus Christ you say:" Come into every wound of my cross the sacrifice.
Let your wings alight and perch in the shelter of my tree of eternity."

As you began to wake up in the tomb,muscles beginning to flinch,
Your divinity that was to be fully released to the world could not be contained
in a temporary rest of three days.
The pumping blood restored the proper amount of oxygen supplying the brain
as the mind of God came forth once again.

Romans6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him,
because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead,
no longer dies.

An Expected Return

The beautiful array of flowers bloom.
The ground that has birthed them once lay dormant.
Now in the new color much the same as with personal lives
the memory of the fallow time is no longer even a recognizable
fact to be known in the mind.
Now a time of receiving all you ever wanted has come.

Snake

I believed a lie that slithered through the verdant garden of my soul.
The lie is spoken in a tongue foreign to the words uttered that testify
that I'm created in Gods image.
Slither, Slither, Slither.
Yet, the lies ceaselessly speak judgments that declare my inadequacies as a person.
The adder is poised to strike with disparaging lies that tell me I'm no good.
Slither, Slither, Slither.
After the snake has has dispensed its poison in regards to my worth it
slithers away from the damage done.
The lie has often burrowed into my ear and crept into the forefront of my life
distorting my self image, and I'm unable to see my true potential.
Slither, Slither,Slither.
I realize Ive believed a lie,but a lie can never be real or true.
So how can a lie have any power over me?
I have had to speak to the lies with the truth.
Ive taken a shovel and pierced through the body of the snake.
Now the snake of deceit is forever cursed to the ground.
The snake can no longer rise in power over me.

These Wings are Meant for Flying

Now the wings of the bird of my spirit have healed.
I am free from the clutching snare of the lowlying thicket of thorn.
I take to the skies and soar to the heights of the cross where
I am able to flutter and land upon the splintered beams of the cross.
I make my nest in the crown of thorns.
I no longer have to viciously peck along the forest floor for the tiniest morsel.
I just open my beak skyward and Father drops a worm of nourishment
into my mouth and the seeds of the word of God.

Earth Hour 2009

Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found,and I ate them.
Your words became a delight to me and
the joy of my heart,for I am called by your name,
Lord God of hosts.

Last night all across the world at 8:30pm the lights in most major cities were turned off in honor of the second Earth Hour to promote energy conservation awareness. I believe the varied campaigns that promote environmental causes have been successful in bringing the mesage to the forefront of culture. Even the youngest generation is mindful of all the changes that need to be implemented in order to facilitate a healthier environment. I was talking to a five year old named Ella at Publix in Atlanta Georgia who was shoopping with her mom. I was amazed at just how articulate this little girl was in sharing environmental issues with me. Her mother told me that Ella cringes when she walks by the meat department,and Ella told the clerk how much she disaproved of animal meat being sold for public consumtion. Ella is precious and she has learned the information in kindergarten, because it has been taught and even indoctrinated at the earliest level of acadamia with children who absorb everything like a sponge and obviously retain complex materials and a fervor for causes just like Ella. There is a social and cultural shift in this generation. When I was little my mom took the mantle of "training up a child in the way he should go" with the utmost seriousness; and placed the cloak of Gods word gently upon my shoulders like a living prayer shawl. The characters and teachings of the Bible were so real and vivid in the life of this child so much so that now that I am older I have not departed. My mom began praying for my mate when I was in the womb. In fact if I stand before God there would be no valid excuses if I rejected His sons sacrifice because Ive been led to God by my mom taking the many diligent hours to show me that a loving God has been in pursuit of me. In Deuteronomy6:6 the scripture says: "These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you lie down and you get up." " So that you and your children after you may prosper and so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time(Deut4:40). I believe above all else it is imperative to allow the word of God to preserve the eternal environment of the heart. Yes,God did command in Genesis that man is to be a responsible master over the earth having dominion,but God never intended for mankind to come to a place where the creation would be worshipped instead.
Im issuing a call for everyone in the world to seek God in prayer for an hour a day.
What if you could imagine the love of God descending and come down, seeking you
out whomever you may be and wherever you are. Ask for the kingdom come to be
fulfilled in your life and invading those around you with the love of God who loves the
world as one and every person as if all of His love was focused on just you. God we
must know the glory of Jesus Christ. Let our eyes flow with tears for your renown.

Going to the well

To be under a canopy of the Lord in a new beginning. Yet never tainted by a splash like a stone in the deepest well a healthy stream of blue where you peer into and see as it flows by where the wishes cannot run dry,in the blue river flowing in the heart seen as your eyes look downwards within the inexhaustible well;and beauty reflected from a glint of light as who you are,and you can hear the rushing river in a conch shell lying on the shore when you hold it to your ear.

Fame,Power,and Faith

Mt 20:16
So the last will be first,and the first last.

As I sit at my desk I can see an old and worn out Hollywood Star Map I found when I drove from Atlanta to Santa Monica California with a best friend Danny in the summer of 1996. I too like so many others felt some cosmic call to the mystical land of dreams. What would I have wagered then to find untold fortune and to be known,or better yet splashed across a billboard that is never changed along the sunset strip at the corner of the Viper Room then owned by Johnny Depp. You laugh,but nobody at the grocery store can stay away from the pages of US Weekly. We are star struck,and there is an innate, human need to be known. I think on some archtypal level we identify with a celebrity and think it could be us;or if that is what we must posses but cant achieve great do we consider ourselves less than. Now its become a way of life and purpose for many. Now starting at a young age kids want to be movie stars not doctors and lawyers. You may want to be the next american Idol. There is nothing wrong with seeking fame,but are we actually just a little grandiose in the diversion of acclaim that masks true societal pains creating a false utopia. Because when things are really bad where is the foundation when it all comes crumbling down.Now I realize the image Hollywood conjures is just that an image that is illusory. Culture is wonderful,but the manipulation of mass exposure is honestly just dizzying at times. I personally have to be grounded in truth that lasts. I was on a quest to be great and ended up broken beyond my means to atone for a debt I owed. I could osscilate between self deprecation and the heights of self love on a dime that always ended in disaster. As I look back on this imbalance it is what Im most greatful for because when I had nothing I was able to recieve and take in everything in Jesus Christ. All the desolate places I had stopped at on my journey of self preservation, hurt,and ruin I found were taken up in all the varied wounds of Jesus body and resurection from the dead. FREEDOM was granted. Let your aspiration be centered on Christ and you will most certainly find what is imperishable and great. I want to be known and famous at the throne of God through all the needy prayers of a beggar I offer up. In Philipians 2 the apostle Paul offers up a very distinct contrast to our modern cultural idea of fame and greatness. In Phil 2:6 it says "Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus who existing in the form of God did not consider equality with God to be used for His own advantage. Instead He emptied Himself. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death even death on a cross. For this reason God also highly exalted Him with the name that is above every name." Jesus wasnt just great for the sake of being great He gave the fulness of God away to ransom the world. Now there are members of UNICEF who make great sacrifices to aid cultural causes. I applaud Angelina Jolie,Brad Pitt,and George Clooney for graciously lending there celebrity to benefit those less fortunate and in need. What we need is Divine aid in the person of Jesus Christ. On my journey to achieve I realized that even my so called "greatness" will never measure up to the standard set by Jesus. I know it has been done. Now I begin to live. You can be who you are without the need of any other superficial posturing when you realize you have been called by God and Christ before the foundation of the world.(Eph 1:4).
Come one Come all. Welcome to Holywood

God may be more concerned than you know.

Psalm 104:27
All of them wait for you to give them there food
at the right time. When you give it to them,they gather
it; when you open there hand,they are satisfied.

Wolves born as pups in the arctic region are born blind and deaf being totally dependent upon the mother to survive. Each pup is helpless to grow and be healthy in the first critical weeks of life in the den. Many in a litter die in the early stages of a fragile life expectancy.
When I came across this peculiar fact in the animal kingdom I was not aware of I was amazed. Then I reflected on the stress of my worries this week as I deal with beginning the May semester at a state university and being unsure if I should even do it. What about finances or changing schedules adding to the coflict. What should I do? Finally after being weighed down with heavy burdens of worry and moving through a storm set deep within my heart I reflected on the tender wolf pups,and I realized surely if the God of the universe cares for the sustainability of 3-16 wolves in a crude den of rock and dirt how much more does He care for you and I so often finding ourselves in helpelessness soley relying upon the gracious hand of God to provide for the need. God is truly frequented with our needs,and He understands with an intimacy that only omniscience allows. So do not lose heart as God comes near the abode of infant wolves through the rythms of the natural world we must rest assured that the care of God and His sustenance visits the troubled heart and the tumult and hopelessness that our worries can often create.

My Living Wide Awake Mission Statement

When I first came to and was violently jarred awake I realized that I had not been living fully awake when I was on a mission trip to Romania in May2008. It painfully dawned on me that I was not about others. I have not been living for others out of hurt and the demands of being loved first. So with my eyes squinted enough to make out the first traces of the light of a new vision I fervrently asked God to make me about other people. I had become stagnant in this area of service; and I realized being only about me was vastly inhibiting Gods dream placed in my heart,and a vision oddly enough about reaching people through the story God is telling through my life.

I had a wide awake moment jusy deciding if I should buy the book Wide Awake by Erwin McManus. I was very disappointed because I had given a blog address that has several entries that are Christian inspiration to a published author in the Atlanta area;and I had seen this person several times without any feedback. Which led me to have a conversation with God. I was hurting and realized my dream to become a writer seemed to be slipping away once again. Instead of allowing selfish ambition to play out as intended I came to the place where I told God that I surrender all to what you have planned for me. I had been battling in my mind about picking up Wide Awake because I didnt want to read a book about being great because I didnt want to be reminded about how I couldnt measure up. Then at the exact time of starting Wide Awake I was shook from the deep sleep that has kept me for so many years when I was given a book at a divine intersection in my life that spoke about digging up your buried talent,gifts,and passions in a way that I have never been spoken to in my life. How do you posses something if you were never aware that it existed in the first place. Now that I have been studying the book that God led me to purchase I have been alive and wide awake in a way I have not known in the first thirty years of my life. Just the fact that I found the writing contest advertisement in the back of the book and decided to write again for a contest because I still believe I have something to share with others is living wide awake and in a state of expectancy. It is an enlivening experience to make conscious decisions to live wide awake in pursuit of a dream that could be for the benefit of others. I was shaken from my lingering sleep through a journal entry on 7/24/08 where I wrote "In healing our brokeness it can produce a fertil bed from our pain within to be poured out in healing the lives of others. Only when we get to this place,albeit as a result of tragic circumstances can this be understood and for others." So I have a vision,and eventhough right now I am an employee at a grocery store I enjoy picking up trash on the floor that I see others pass by because there is a glory of God who sees even when we do things others may never see. I believe God will make himself known and strong to those who trust Him for the vision that is given regardless of circumstance. There is an opportunity for each child of God to live wide awake as the artist creating upon the canvas of the world to bring about hope beyond what has been thought or imagined. In this new life I lead I identify with the scripture that says "Arise O sleeper and Christ will shine upon you" It is like in the film The Matrix Keanu Reeves character was given a new name Neo when he was made aware of his true role in a vital life that consisted of so much more than imagined. So I wonder what part in the battle for good and evil does Jesus have for me to play,because you never know what truly living wide awake may bring your way. Although I will be celebrating my 33rd birthday I have just begun to embrace a strong awareness that I have had even as a child. Which is that I am truly destined for something more,alongside a loving and personal heavenly father that has stepped into my every experience in Christ Jesus. The sleep has fallen from my eyes having been quickened for a life wide awake. One significant response to this call comes in an action that I have chosen to take by enrolling in a local college to finish my degree despite learning style limitations. In doing so my hope is to further what God can do now that I see streaks of hues and color upon a tapestry that living wide awake can display through a life lived well by intention. The spell is broken; and my hope is to remain forever changed in the endeavors of living wide awake.

Rememberances of our time in Eden

The ivy climbed and rose over the golden gates of Eden once aglo and bright over the land as far as the eye could see beyond the garden. Now the last pieces of chipped rust had fallen to the ground. The gates no longer visible,but grown over,succumbed to the pull within the dark,inner void of the garden taking it all back.

The Jordan River is dry,as it once burst its banks.

Lord God please help me
to continue taking the steps of faith
into the waters of the Jordan and your purposes for me.
As the water will recede inch by inch till the flow has stopped
upstream,and I walk on dry ground.
Joshua 4:23
For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan
before you until you had crossed over the dry land.

Gods Promised Lands

Numbers 13:23
When they came to the Valley of Eshcol,they cut down a branch
with a single cluster of grapes,which was carried on a pole by two men.

I stand on a grassy cliff precipice of Mount Nebo.
Im overlooking a plain of fertile grasslands near
the outskirts of the promised land.
Only I dont want to die here like Moses with a fading glimpse
and not be able to posses the promised land God has prepared
for those of sound faith.
O how I want to cross my Jordan into that good land God
will not only show me,but lead me into when I cross that
border holding Fathers right hand.

Lent: Wed Feb 25- Sat Apr 11

Surely you desire integrity in the inner self. Ps51:6
You are not pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken and contrite spirit.Ps51:17
Lent is an outward symbol or manifestation of Christian piety that can often be seen by a black mark of ash in the form of a cross upon the forehead of each believer taking part in the sacrament. Lent is a fourty day retreat that corresponds to Jesus fourty days of temptation in the desert by the devil. The sacrament of Lent also involves a refrain from something much like a fast. The devotional practice of Lent is wonderful,but in scripture God reminds us that He is seeking those with penitent hearts for a working of the innermost essential life of the heart. An innermost process and work that is seared by the holiness of God. The practice of Lent can most certainly be a sacred act in the life of the believer;and as a follower of Christ we are to partake of our individual rite of worship on a daily basis through taking up the way of the cross that has been set before those called by Christ. Unless we have recieved the wondrous working of the mighty power of God in the salvation and resurrection of Jesus Christ the outward demarcation procures nothing of lasting significance in the life of the heart where God longs to reside.
The Lord longs to delight your heart in a perpetual visitation of His holiness.

Eve

Eve left the vine and berries which had broken through the soil as she removed herself from the prescence of crackling fire. At this point in her freshly carved beginning her stark,green pupils were ablaze with shining light about the peripheral gaze. This acuity of vision was beginning to wane because you see at this time newly removed from eden the senses were lessening by degrees. Eve walked a few paces to be alone as her thoughts now had to ponder a cause and effect representing disfigured elements of the mind that could never have been imagined in the souls security of seeing God face to face in the world she was forced to abandon without a trace. There was no time to collect anything or take it with them. She began to allow her eyes and the mind providing a ceaseless dialogue of random merit to probe very slowly the most detailed elements of the hights of the forest which cover the entire land to the west. Through Eve's diligence and extravagance which only God could have crafted she is able to bring light into the expanse of heart as to her full character,as the eye of her mind cast a glance downward to speak to Eve from within. So with the eyes of her true nature out of hiding to behold it all each glaring shortcoming quite possibly has been revealed. Eve is given one fleeting,omniscient glimpse of a time yet to begin proceeding her temporal,crowning moment of existence. Eve can behold all the devestation and triumph that every traveler of earth will meet up with in a world of forevers.

The Caterpillar is Aspiring

What comes directly after being healed?
When you can sense it:and the wings begin to stir
as wind rises through feathers.
I think of the butterfly which goes through stages in its metamorphosis.
The butterfly begins as a caterpillar in a cocoon which breaks through
a fragile,grey shell.
As a butterfly the insect is fitted with wings made of bright colors which enable flight.
The butterfly has reached its grand stage having capabilities unlike any other in the stage of its development. The butterfly does not complain or wonder what it would be like to descend in a return to the former stages of growth.
The same principle applies to self esteem that has been fought so hard to attain.
Once you have realized a healthy self image accept it,and spread your wings.
Sometimes we just need a little room to fly.

Merry-Go-Round

Throughout this day Ive been invited to ride
a horse on the merry go round of the aniety of others
that spins round and round.
Im spinning and spinning. Now my stomach is churning.
I lean into the turn only to gaze into the dizzying whir
as the merry-go-round carries me around and around
causing the blue sky beyond the fairground to spin out of focus.
You must hold on to the reigns of the plaster steed because
you never know if this ride will ever end.

If you have ever seen the movie Gladiator then you may have an insight into Paul's teaching in Ephesians 6 about the weapons of spiritual warfare. You see when the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus the life of a gladiator in the coliseum would have been a very real experience in culture; and a vivid image that Paul knew would be able to solidify in the minds of those who would hear his message the reality of spiritual warfare. Ephesians6:11 tells us to "Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil". Our opponent in the amphitheatre of the spiritual realm is the devil,but Paul reminds us that the battle is also waged by four separate entities being rulers,against the authorities,against the world powers of this darkness,and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. Just as a gladiator would cover his body with a shield and stab into the flesh of a vicious tiger charging him according to 1Pt5:8 in the spiritual battle the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking,seeking for anyone he may devour.So be alert to resist him. The word devour means "to eat greedily,consume,destroy,and graze at eagerly." I can use a personal example. I remember being on a recent mission trip that really proved to be greuling and on the night before we were set to depart I was exhausted and worn with despair and I found myself alone and sitting at a desk in front of an open laptop with incalcuable internet possibilities. Now I remind you that at this moment in terms of service this was a peak experience in Christ. Beth Moore would describe this moment as seduction. Im thankful that through grace I was able to walk away unscathed and did not yield to temptation eventhough there was an enemy seeking to devour prey with teeth poised to strike and claws to rip apart and tear away. Imagine the consequence if I had of been destroyed. There was too much at stake such as my immediate reputation being "destroyed" and reproach brought to the church that comissioned us to serve. Yielding in this case to spiritual forces in the heavenly realms would have undermined the sanctity of the mission and all that had been gained in our rich crosscultural exchange. But you know what the siege of the rulers in spirtual places does not always have to be so clear and sinister. Busyness can be used to keep us so tied up in activity that it blinds us to the devil lurking until its too late and we are completely taken off guard. If we dont know there is a devil then what easy prey we can become. I wonder if all the vigorous blackberry activity we are confined to actually leads to productivity. We also have a preoccupation with sports in this country. I mean do we really need 32 televisions in Taco Mac to be complete. The environmental agenda probably serves a valid purpose,but it has become a religion in this country of exaggerated proportion. It is the seat of conviction for so many. At the supermarket where I work if customers forget to bring there green,cloth bags they can be devestated. It seems to me that matters of the soul that springs eternal should be awakened. What do you gain by conserving mother earth yet lose your own soul in the process. If you want conviction and guilt think of all the innocent babies that are aborted every day. President Obama has designated $426million toward abortion in the foreign world. You know its some of the change that has been promised.
The greatest weapon in our battle is the sword of the Spirit,the word of God,the Bible.In the book of Genesis it says that God spoke and creation came into existence by the word "Let there Be" The word of God and wisdom span the very laws of the universe(Jb38:33)"Do you know the laws of heaven? Can you impose its authority on earth?" "For the Lord gives wisdom;from His mouth come knowledge and understanding"(Prv2:6). "Lord your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven"(Ps119:89) "Sustain me so that I can be safe and be concerned with Your statutes continually"(Ps119:117). "I understand more than the elders because I obey your precepts"(Ps119:100). Jesus Christ is the word of God made flesh who dwelt among us. So you see the word of God is worthy of our trust. This is not a theoretical, abstract notion,but it is foundational to life. In fact scripture teaches us that the word of God is "sharper than any two edged sword and piercing to the deepest thought, intent,and marrow itself". We must seek the Lord in prayer and meditate on His word. "Let my plea reach you; rescue me according to your promise"(Ps119:170). This is how we are able to put on the armor of Jesus Christ in the arena of our faith to not only withstand the ancient wiles; but to leave the role of gladiator to enter heaven as a welcome contender one day. Jesus has been overseeing your battle in the stands,and calls you victor through perserverance.
I wonder how many of us have been mauled by lies of the adversary. Lets get real all of us at one time in our lives have been overtaken by the devil which can tear apart the life of the heart; and leave only bone and scrap of our remains. Its never too late to be restored. In Ezekiel37 the prophet says "This is what the Lord says to these bones:I will cause breath to enter you,and you will live. I will put tendons on you,make flesh grow on you,and cover you with skin"(Ez37:4,5,13)

He also Resurrected from the dead on the third day.

There are so many helpful books that are Christian faith based which speak of and focus on the cross alone as if there was nothing else. Which made me wonder why arent there more books on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and your daily faith? I guess the cross and the act of crucifixion is tangible and matter of fact because we can see it. I can see people wearing the necklace of a cross with Jesus still hanging on it. The resurrection of Jesus recquires a greater level of faith which could procure a more whole and full work within. In pulpits all across the United States the primary focus is on our sin,but as we become more like the image of God it is important to claim our inheritance and the transformation of the heart in the resurrection power and glory. Jesus on the cross is mercy and grace and the act of one laying a life down for many,but what exactly does a new life of resurrection actually mean in my daily life? Many can believe in the reality of the cross;but often times the acceptance of the resurrected body of Jesus is another matter. Which is a divine matter that completes our Christian faith and salvation through fear and holy trembling. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead recquires a different set of questions doesnt it, to more clearly know the life of God who would invade the earthly existence and give us life tethered to the gound to see with our own eyes and recieve into our hearts and minds. A faith is imperfect without crossing the bridge from Jesus' death at the cross and his burial, through the stone removed and into the light of resurrection day! This faith based on concrete realities may prove all the difference in a relationship with God.

hematidrosis

I read in the Lee Strobel book A Case for Christ an account that described the actual medical condition which caused Jesus to sweat actual drops of blood in the garden of Gethsemane."This rare condition would have made Jesus skin extremely sensitive to the scourging that would follow."(Strobel,195)
The anxiety and the chemical produced to cause real drops of sweat mixed with blood is disturbing and speaks of the bitter cup the Father had given to His Son to partake of and stagger.But what took my breath away and caused me to be nauseous and put the book down for fear of being faint is reading that the" skin of Jesus was sensitive to the tearing of skin when he was beaten"(Strobel,195) which enabled so much blood to pour out of His veins untill nothing was left. Jesus completely poured out the life of God for all the people. All the sensitivity in my heart was instantaneously given to Jesus because of His work done for me. When you are intimate with someone or in this case with the living God it can be heartbreaking to see the lengths and depth a love will go to on your behalf. Then again to be known by the Lord of love who accomplished mighty deeds with His right hand is enthralling enough to be beside oneself.

Word Made Flesh

I recieve Christ the Word made flesh that is imparted,indwelling,manifesting,and unfolding in my life. The begotten son of God can be recieved freely and it runneth over. The spirit of God longs to share His prescence with those who seek and meditate on His word. This is not just an ethereal experience which does no earthly good. No, the life of God is made real in time and space and in a human life right here,right now.

As the notes of a grand symphony stir, God awakened creation

As God in Christ moved upon the surface of the deep and an unformed earth God the possessor of all pure faith exhibited such faith as He spoke and all things came to be. The love of God is evident as creation did abound from the most minute details of invisible atoms colliding and the delicate flower bloom. Each milisecond of divine order imposed celebrated the awakening of every element of the natural realm.
I believe when God delivered His succinct word in Genesis to be recorded by Moses possibly He may have realized many would run in every direction with speculation about the myriad possibilities of the workings of life on the planet rather than accept His word at face value. There is an innate need to try and understand it all which can take us further from simple faith that is rewarded as righteousness in the face of so many unanswered questions. Abraham was rewarded when He set out by faith through the promise of God without ever knowing where he was going. Jesus even said unless you humble yourselves like a little child you will never know the secrets of the kingdom of God. It is when we recognize that in the beginning God, the one true source created the heavens and the earth instead of being anxious over every detail we realize that God is good and can be trusted. Even if all we know about God is comprised in the exact text in the Old and New Testament it is still more than enough belief working through knowledge to be truth.

"Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest."(Mk6:31)
"Arise my darling. My love calls to me.Come away,my beautiful one"(Song of Songs2:10)

Come away my love to a deserted place.
Ill pour the wine to fill your cup with new grace.

Come away my love to a deserted place.
I have prepared a banqueting table, so come dine at your rightful place.

Happy New Year Greeting

I have a noble theme when I think of the passion of Jesus Christ for bearing the cross for this day of mine on January 2,2009; and for the new year afforded us all. When people are polled about what they think of Jesus the traditional word used to describe Him is meek. Yes, Jesus is meek,but when He went to the cross He was warring on behalf of every need of the world. How can anyone comprehend the fixed intensity of Jesus when He was stripped and scourged taking on each one of us and our weaknesses. Im amazed at the humility of Jesus and his sacrifice;but Im also in awe of all the power he withheld.
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.(Psalm42:7)

We Dance

Jesus can you hear this song?
I hope its like the gentle pluck of the harp,
summoning you to attend.
You clap, because you have joined in the dance of my soul.