You are MY Hiding place!
Lord, teach me to number our days
inspire me to walk in your ways
help me to do what you say…
You are MY everything!
In my pride, tear down my walls
help me to hear when you call
and prod me when I stall…
You are MY Fortress of strength!
Lord, cleanse my lips when I speak
grant me passion for the weak
may You be the source that I seek…
You are MY Salvation and Rock!
When I was a young boy I received a bicycle for Christmas, it was blue. I rode that bike all over the place. I loved that bike. There is something freeing about those moments as a young kid riding a bike around town and facing new adventures with that new found freedom. That freedom took me to the scene of my accident…that sounds more dramatic than it really was. I fell off of my bike and in the process I gashed my knee open. The “accident” wasn’t very traumatic or memorable with the exception that there was a lot of blood localized around a cut on my knee. Upon further review I probably should have had stitches but it was bandaged and wrapped and slowly it healed. In the healing process it itched, occasionally it burned, but over time it formed into a white lined scar right across my right kneecap. It is still there to this day, though smaller just as that young boy was so long ago.
We all have scars.
Some scars are there to remind us of how foolish or negligent we’ve been in our lives while others were inflicted on us by an outside source. Regardless of how they were formed they have become part of our identities now.
Some scars though, have not marked us on our bodies but rather our hearts and our minds through hurtful experiences inflicted by others around us. These scars too are long lasting, some we carry with us to this very day and they mark us and are a part of our current identity.
What kinds of scars do you have? I would be willing to guess most of us carry with us both types of scars. We have known the pain of physical afflictions and accidents which have left their marks on us, and we have also known the psychological and harming pain of scars of words slung our way and even the pain of losing a family member to death. These scars cut us deep and leave their impression on us…sometimes for life.
Can you recognize the beauty in your scars?
We have lived. We have not come through this life (thus far) unscathed. We have experiences to share with others. Wisdom to convey. We have knowledge that we wouldn’t have possessed before earning (or falling victim to) these scars.
Could I ever relate to a parent in mourning at the loss of their child? No absolutely not. I can empathize. I can weep with them, but I cannot completely understand the heart-wrenching pain involved in that scar. Although I cannot relate, other parents who have lost children along the way can share their wisdom and understanding during such a time of heart-wrecked agony. These scars carry with them beauty. Not because life is lost but because hope can be conveyed.
I don’t wish to imply any of these scars are lovely when inflicted on us. They burn. They hurt…sometimes severely. Sometimes they maim and disfigure us either physically or emotionally…but there is beauty on the other side of our healing. There is knowledge and understanding…there is opportunity to relate with others and to help in their healing.
From our scars to His…
Jesus held out His hands towards Thomas. We call him “doubting Thomas”…I think we all can relate to him. Jesus had died. He had suffered horribly. His agony had been witnessed, and there was no way to come back from that. How could the other disciples say Jesus was now alive again? How could they make Thomas’ soon to be scar in his heart hurt any more? It was like salt on a fresh wound. And so He doubted their accounts of a risen teacher. He vehemently drew the line and was unwilling to cross it until (as if it would ever happen) He physically touched Jesus’ wounded body. So the scars came to Thomas. The wounded hands and feet of Jesus suddenly appeared to the disciples in a hide out along with the rest of their Savior. He stood before them and Thomas had to place his hands into those nail scared hands and a spear pierced side…then He believed.
Scars are beautiful…
I don’t mean to say that in a masochistic sort of way or idle fascination in pain and maiming, I mean that in relational love and experience. Thomas placed his inexperienced hands in the nail scarred hands of the Savior and was forever changed. Jesus knew what it was like to suffer. Jesus knew what it was like to carry these scars with Him…and His beauty marked the hearts and left a sacred scar on His disciples.
What was meant to be evil and damaging in totality had become beautiful and life-giving. What was meant to destroy and cruelly maim had become healing and salvation to all the world. These scars are beautiful!
Do you have scars like these that you can share with the world around you? These are the scars of experience and understanding. These are the sacred scars of healing and restoration. These scars say “I understand and I can relate to what you are going through!” God doesn’t bring these scars upon us, but He can bring something marvelous out of our trials and experiences. The damaging things that this life and even Satan himself can throw at us God can turn into victories.
The scars of a recovering alcoholic who has beaten the odds and stayed sober can lead other alcoholics to find Hope. The scars of an abused woman who has turned her life around and escaped that wounding lifestyle of physical abuse can bring hope to another woman who is still stuck and imprisoned in that life of hell.
Do you have scars?
Can you bring hope?
Do you have a story to share with one who needs to hear it?
There is victory in the scars.
There is hope in the nail scarred hands of a Savior who understands.
These scars are beautiful!
Sometimes I think the church is more concerned about competition than it is about people.
It strikes me that many churches spend a lot of money on “church-growth” seminars and guest speakers and even other resources just to increase their Sunday attendances. I doubt many pastors are like this, but at times there is this perception that the more people a church can attract the more in tithes and offerings they will receive.
I feel it vital, for we who are church members and fellow sojourners of Christ, to stop the comparisons and the rivalries. What is the purpose of such folly? Are we fulfilling the great commission when we look across the street and the other church and covet what they have? Are we really reaching the lost and hurting in our world when we mock or slam other churches and denominations? Granted there is a time and place for theological conversations, but our unloving actions have a way of destroying any good we might do.
Fellow believers in Christ, how vital do you consider the salvation of others to be? This isn’t a question about how big or small your (our) church is, this is a question about your (our) mission and your (our) priorities. Sometimes we cloudy the already murky waters of what we do and make excuses for our busy-ness when the #1 priority is to, through the Holy Spirit’s power, help save lost souls. If what we are doing does in no way impact the potential salvation of the lost then, perhaps, we must once again re-align our priorities.
I offer you two solutions to assist in the realignment of mission:
1. Stop Coveting what you do not have!
1 Corinthians 12:12 – “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.“
We need to get back to work! Just because another church is having success doing one thing really well, doesn’t mean that we have to stop what we are doing and adopt their mission. Perhaps they are fulfilling their “part of the body” and we need to put our heads down and stop coveting what they are doing! Our mission and effective tools, given by the Holy Spirit, might be something completely different than theirs. We don’t need to have an identity crisis over this, we have to move on and prayerfully and humbly do as He (the Holy Spirit) prompts us to. We may never look like that mega-church down the street, but was that supposed to be our “model” for Holy Living in the first place? NO! Jesus should never be replaced with out covetous longings to be someone else. He has created us very differently and uniquely! So with that in mind we need to stop the comparisons and sometimes the jealousy…get on with it!
2. Start using what you do have!
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 – “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.“
The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts and dare I say even the passion to fulfill our mission of Salvation to the lost. So we must be willing to use what He has given us to use. We must stop with our identity crisis and get on with the full utilization of the spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit wishes us to employ! He provides what we need, so we have to work within our giftings and abilities! Every one of us is vital to the body of Christ. It matter little if we serve in a small church or big church. The message has to be the same though the gifts might often differ.
Is Salvation important to you?
If the answer is “yes” then we need to put aside our jealousy and our frustrations. We may even have to go before the Father and ask for forgiveness because of our covetous ways. The church was never intended to be some sort of statistical competitive success drive, but rather a mission of love, compassion and grace who willingly went to the orphans, widows, the poor and hurting and those who were seeking. We are still that today? Can we put aside our ridiculous worldly desire for statistical successes and instead focus on the vital nature of the great commission and disciple making?
Perhaps it’s time for a readjustment of our motives and our missions. Perhaps it’s time to get back on our knees and allow the Holy Spirit to reignite our wandering hearts. Perhaps it is time to stop relying on our “church-self help books & seminars” (sometimes they work) and start relying more on the leading of the Holy Spirit in our churches and in our hearts. There is not some “quick” method to salvation…it begins in relationship, love and fellowship. So, without further adieu, let’s get on with it!
What if
Was all just a…
…Fairy tale.
And all of this so called
“Hope”
Was just a fancy illusion?
What if this
story of
Hope
&
was
all just some
Pipe dream
for the weak of
?
Would life still be worth
Would this
existence still matter?
How does
Into all
of
this?
Are we
Strong enough….
Can we blindly
make that
?
If
Then why not start now?
Right Here
In the
Here
AND
What difference will it make?
Is it worth your time?
Will you gain anything?
Why not make that leap?
Hope has a way
of
Faith can lead us
even when we are
blind. Why not?
What have we got to lose?
Either Jesus is God
and
or
we believe in a
fairy tale.
4me…
I would rather believe and be
Than miss out on
the greatest
The world has ever known.
So here is a MY
I willingly
to
And…
is this…
Jesus believes in YOU
and He
madly loves YOU.
Believe…are you ready to?
You are drowning. The tide has pulled you under and the turbulent waters are unforgiving. Panic rapidly sets in and you are wide-eyed and fighting to break the surface. Suddenly, panic gives way to dread as the realization sinks in that there is nothing that you can do to save yourself, you are doomed. Just as you give up all hope, surrendering to your fate, a strong hand plunges into the dark depths of the waters and pulls you to safety. You have been saved from certain death and the task of the one who has saved you is finished, yet you will forever be in their debt for coming to your rescue.
When all hope of finding true forgiveness of sin seemed gone, Jesus came. When we were drowning in the depths of the dark and murky waters of sin, His hand broke through and saved us. His mission took Him to the cross for us and became our one and only source of salvation.
The images of the cross are by no means for the weak of heart. For with these images carries the burdens of sin and humanity as well as the pain and the agony of Jesus Christ. He suffered and died, but the image of the cross should also bring with it hope, resurrection, new life and peace! It was God reaching down into humanity and providing for us a way to safety.
When viewing the cross we sometimes focus on the pain and suffering and in so doing we possibly lose sight of Jesus’ victory and our eternal hope! It was divinely appointed, never on accident, purposeful in every way. Sin and death had held humanity in a stranglehold since the fall of Adam and Eve. We were drowning in our sin. But after Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection, nevermore would death have the final say! Was there suffering? Of course! But with Jesus’ final words, he spoke forth and breathed hope back into humanity’s lungs. With His final words He plucked us up out of the depths and completed our saving.
“It is finished”; He utters, loudly enough to be heard by those who had gathered there. What is finished? Life? No, not life, death is finished. The threat of eternal death is finished for those who would seek after Him. Hopelessness in this world is also finished. When Jesus declared that it was finished, He was declaring ultimate victory over sin! Mission accomplished! Game over for Satan’s death grip on mankind’s souls!
What joy and hope there is in knowing such a Savior! His declaration is for all of humanity! He was not defeated on the cross; instead He declared victory from the cross and from the grave! He was not emptied and destroyed by sin but instead was filled with salvation and love for the sinner. Jesus had finished the ultimate battle, and His trophy would be the embrace of the seekers as they reached the very steps of Eternity. On the cross Jesus ripped open the veil of death and wiped away the transgressions from you and from me. On the cross, visceral pain and suffering occurred, yet life began anew. We were rescued! On the cross, Jesus declared “It is finished” new life has now begun!
“In the Cross is salvation; in the Cross is life; in the Cross is protection against our enemies; in the Cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness; in the Cross is strength of mind; in the Cross is joy of spirit; in the Cross is excellence of virtue; in the Cross is perfection of holiness. There is no salvation of soul, nor hope of eternal life, save in the Cross.” ― Thomas a’ Kempis, “The Inner Life”
‘Come back’…
two words
beckoning
longing
evoking panic
& mourning.
It is the brokenness
the shatteredness
the jagged edges
sharp and cutting
visceral and painful.
‘Come back’
a promise to change
to rearrange
renewal and resurrected
Hope.
I looked at my reflection in the screen of my ipad, it was a dark murky shape. I couldn’t distinguish any specific features. My head was only represented as a dark blobbed mass on the screen. My eyes…indiscernible. What I could see though, was the evidence of heavy use. This device had been run through the mill. My children had downloaded a boatload of “apps”, some including baby dress-up games, makeup games, car racing games and galactic alien invasion games as well. Fingerprints painted the screen through heavy use like a paintbrush transplanting color onto a blank canvas.
As I stared at the blank – fingerprinted graffiti-ed screen, a moment of clarity (which clearly wasn’t evident on this screen of hard-use) occurred to me:
Epiphany – (maybe a momentary Theophany…right Phil Davisson?)
My life is like this tablet’s screen. Sometimes, when I allow my life to be used, the fingerprints of God are painted all over my screen. In the background there is a garbled image…a shadow of a man. Yet when I let God use me as He wills, my life becomes vibrant, the screen comes alive and suddenly the light is on…I can finally see. As this momentary epiphany occurred, then evaporated like wisps of vapor, a question began to take shape in my mind…and heart.
Question: “How often do I clutch onto my life and refuse God access?”
Somewhere in a small corner of my heart a response came. It was faint. It was quiet. It was truth.
“Scott, you do this often! Why are you so afraid of me?”
Call it what you will. Chalk it up to an active imagination…an overworked, tired mind.
But I know what I heard.
I recognized the truth…even though it hurt. I had been holding back. I had be tightly clutching onto my feeble existence, holding it like a treasure to share with no one.
Are you clutching onto your life? Are you refusing God access?
Or are there fingerprints of God all over your life? Are there signs of holy use?
Please don’t let me think that I’m alone in this. How long have I withheld myself from Him? How long have I been tightly clutching onto something that God wants to use and make better?
It was a simple moment…it was a silly electronic device that will probably be obsolete in a matter of two years…yet a simple truth seeped into my heart. And words formed on my dry tongue: “Lord use me…Here I am…Take all there is of me.”
I still clutch sometimes.
I still refuse to let go at times.
I’m not there yet…but that simple moment has made all of the difference to my heart, soul, and mind.
Are YOU ready to let go?
Somewhere between
the dawn and Eternity
I’ll wake up in beyond,
you’ll be there to greet me
Then I will finally see
what all this fight was for
I will breathe free
as you walk me through the door.
Beyond my best dream
you’ll finally embrace me
nail scarred hand in mine
these blind eyes will see.
Oh what a day that will be
You’re waiting there to greet me
to see you face to face
to feel the warmth of your embrace
And I will sing Your praise
For the rest my days
When love will be our light
We have fought the good fight.
O Sing praise, sing praise
for the rest of our days
O Sing praise, sing praise
Till the end of all our days
My King, my everything.
Lord, you know how distracted I can be.
How I can hide my heart from you.
Break down these walls in which I hide.
Make me vulnerable and pliable to You.
I do not desire a divided heart…
and yet I often find myself there.
I thirst for You, Dear Lord;
I long for Your holy presence.
Create in me this clean heart
so that I can love and serve You sincerely,
clearly…
articulated
authentic and pure…
complete…and whole.
Lord you know how distracted I can be…
become my full focus…
become my everything…
Consume my heart and mind,
make me wholly Yours.
-Amen.
Currently this is my #1 read blog article this year…check it out. Thank for checking out my blog! Blessings on you today!
If speech and arts are not accompanied by love and passion
they will fall horribly short and mean nothing but empty sound.
If actions are done out of obligation without compassion and care
they will reach numbed hands and cold hearts in a winter world.
If our actions are compelled only by our pay checks and selfish desires
we will start fires in our pocketbooks but not in the hearts of men.
It will all be for naught and this world would have inherited another cold soul.
Passion, fire and love begin and end with a heart knowledge of God.
Without such an intimate experience we can live, but it will be temporal
it will be less, it will be empty and vacant where He could reside and stoke
the fires of our souls and passions.
Dear Lord, Ignite our flames once more.
Ignite in us Your burning passion for…
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Pastor's Ponderings 