“The God that never lets go!”

I was listening to music on the radio as I was dropping my children off at school this morning. Minding my own business, when God decided to pop in for a visit. Perhaps it had been a while. Perhaps, if this was a time for confessions I might admit to getting caught up in work and other things…perhaps.

Isn’t it funny how God can speak to us in so many different ways? We can go to an art gallery and suddenly a painting of flowers will strike a chord in our hearts and we would know that God had something to do with it. Or perhaps we see God in other people as the driver just ahead of you casually pays for your toll as well…God was there. Or even in the midst of utter despair, pain, hurt, loss, we might read something that gently and quietly reminds us that God is present with us. He is here with you now as you read this…do you believe that? I do. His presence is with us always, even to the ends of the earth, even when all hell breaks loose around us, even when we are blind to His passing…He is there!

…back to the music on the radio…

I was sitting in my van and two songs back to back touch my heart in a way that I couldn’t deny His presence there. The first was a song by Mumford and Sons called “Below my feet”. It wasn’t so much the entire song but the refrain that captured my heart for a moment:

” Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn
Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn”

As I heard those words I pondered that last sentence; “Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn”…but I said it like a prayer to the Lord. Lord, keep my eyes to serve and my hands to learn…. I didn’t lose control of the vehicle but I could feel His presence there and I may as well have been in church.

The very next song that came on was a song by the David Crowder Band called “You never let go”. Its words go like this:

When clouds veil the sun and disaster comes
Oh my soul, oh my soul
When waters rise and hope takes flight
Oh my soul, oh my soul, oh my soul

Ever faithful, ever true
You, I know, You never let go

You never let go, You never let go
You never let go
You never let go, You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain and disaster came
Oh my soul, oh my soul
When waters rose and hope had flown
Oh my soul, oh my soul, oh my soul

Ever faithful, ever true
You, I know, You never let go

I was in church in my van…God was very present. He reminded me of just how important it is to not only serve Him but to always look for Him in every moment of my day. He’s here right now wanting so desperately to fellowship and commune with you and me. And His promise to us is that He will never let go.

-Both songs will be linked below.

Just a thought for today.

January 10, 2014 0

Knowing or Trusting?

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”…“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13, 15-16)

Jesus looked at His followers and asked them a detailed demographic question. It was a survey of sorts. “Who do people say the Son of man is?” In other words who do they think I am? Jesus, more than likely already knew what others thought of Him and who He might be, but He asked His disciples. Why did He do that? Why ask if He already knew the answers?

Perhaps the reason Jesus asked His disciples this question was to help them finally pin down who Jesus was in their hearts and minds. He first asks them about how others viewed Him. It is an the greater perspective, but then Jesus brings it back to them when He said, “But who do YOU say that I am?” Notice the personal question. Now the tables have turned. Now the disciples are glancing at each other hoping someone will answer first. It is one of the most pivotal moments in their spiritual education as Jesus’ disciples. This one solitary moment of internal reflection. It is a moment that causes each disciple to carefully inspect what He has done and what He has said. For but a moment, doubt and worry must have clouded their minds. For but a moment each individual, not the collective, considered the right words to say to Jesus. It was mere moments but it could have been a lifetime.

Is it no surprise that Peter is the one to speak? He was the disciples that climbed out of the boat when all of the others waited and watched Jesus walking on the waves. The same Peter who seemingly dove head first into anything he did. It was all or nothing with Peter. So Peter speaks up and nails Jesus’ identity for the group gathered there. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God“. Can you say hashtag #nailedit ? Peter solidifies for the rest of the disciples as he identifies Jesus. It’s been nearly three years that they have been together, didn’t they already know? Didn’t they already trust THE Rabbi?

I think the question here that begs to be asked for us today is this: “Who do we think Jesus is?” Can we quickly respond as Peter did? Can we identify Jesus as God’s Son and Messiah to us as well? Is He your Messiah?

You see I believe there is a big difference between knowing Jesus and trusting Jesus! James 2:19 says, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that–and shudder.” You could substitute the word ‘believe’ for the word ‘know’. Even the demons know Jesus. That is a big difference from fully trusting in Him though. Trusting Jesus means that we have to let go of our preconceived notions. It means that we have to relinquish our self-reliance. It means that we have to place our faith in something other than ourselves or something seen…but in the unseen.

Do you trust the Son of God? Have you let go of your casual understanding of Him? Are you prepared to delve into the waters of faith? Don’t just settle for knowing Jesus, trust Him also! Peter declared boldly “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”; may we have this same boldness in our faith to do likewise today!

-Just a thought for today.

Simply trusting every day;
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.
Trusting as the moments fly,
Trusting as the days go by,
Trusting Him, whate’er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.

January 10, 2014 0

A Note from God (A poem)

When the light is sucked from your eyes

and terror is masked as hope disguised

I will hold your hand and bring the day

I will hope when your earth gives way.

When dreams become hollowed and cold

and you are left with nothing to hold

I will hold you within my loving arms

I will keep you from fear and harm.

And if you falter and lose all sight

I will be there to shine my light

and ignite your faith with my grace

so that my love you will embrace.

I have never left you, I am here

I will help and dry your tears

These nail scarred hands will guide you there

I am Your Savior I will always care!

December 29, 2013 1

Jesus = Clean Slate

Luke 4:18-21 (NIV)
¹⁸“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, ¹⁹to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
²⁰Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ²¹and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Well this year is cruising to an end. We are just over a week from 2014, and many (post Christmas) will be making lists of resolutions and promises. Most will probably break them within the month of January, while others might actually fulfill their promised new year’s resolutions. Regardless of where you stand on the whole “resolution” thing I imagine all of us would like a “do over” from time to time. We all, most likely, live with some regrets in life. We’ve erred and made poor decisions and we wish we could find a way to clean slate and start over.

Jesus came to earth. He was born within lowly means and He even slept in a feeding trough to begin His humble journey. Jesus didn’t enter this world with much, but He left a lasting impact on this place. Yet when he went back to His hometown in Nazareth (post wilderness temptation) he discovered his “old stomping grounds” were less than friendly to him. He was invited to read from the very Word of God in the temple, yet what he read set the city folk’s teeth on edge. Some thought perhaps, if he was Messiah (a big grasp for some), perhaps he would give them preferential treatment. Yet he wasn’t what any expected the Messiah to be. Instead of vanquishing enemies and re-conquering Israel for his people, he came for a much more important conquest – the souls of all people! His mighty purpose wasn’t strictly for the Jews but for the entire world – those who would seek after him would find eternal life!

Jesus declared within this prophetic passage that it was fulfilled “in their hearing” (vv21). He wasn’t only implying that He was the One they were waiting for but that a clean slate was possible – new life could take place! How many of us have experienced this clean slate with Christ? It’s interesting that Jesus uses this passage in Isaiah. Do you know that there were specific years in the Hebrew custom that was a cause for celebration by the burdened, the taxed and the debtor? It was called the “year of jubilee”,this was the year at the end of seven cycles of “shmita” which means Sabbatical years. What that meant that after 49 or 50 years there was a year where all debts and financial burdens could be forgiven. It was the year of clean slates! This was certainly a cause for celebration for many many people. Some probably hadn’t even caused their financial issue(s) but was passed onto them by their parents or relatives.

A clean slate – Jesus declared himself to be Messiah and one in whom all could find a “do over” in life…to make better decisions, to start afresh and live selfless holy lives.

Do you need a “do over” today? Are you praying for a “restart” button? Is there a slate that needs to be wiped clean? Perhaps it’s time to make the leap and trust that Jesus was and is the ONLY ONE who can cancel your debts and set you free!

-Just a thought for you today!

December 23, 2013 4

“GPS Jesus”

I read today that a church was having problems with Jesus. Okay, their problem wasn’t so much Jesus, as much as someone stealing Him from their nativity display on the front lawn of their church building.

People have been stealing Jesus? Say what? I find this kind of theft interesting. It’s as interesting as getting reports from church parishioners that someone has stolen a pew bible. If they’re stealing bibles or even Jesus, I say steal away! There’s no better way of sharing the good news than to have Jesus staring at you as you run from a church parking lot.

But this church didn’t just leave the good news in the hands in the robbers and vandalizers, oh no, they are allowing others to share in the joy should they so choose to “borrow” Jesus from the nativity set. They have placed a GPS tracker in Jesus…now they know where Jesus is at all times!

I think the disciples felt like doing this from time to time if they had possessed GPS technology. I’m sure they would have wanted to have dropped a tracker in His robe pocket so they would know where He was.

Do you know where Jesus is? If you have seen Him, or if you know where He can be located…Keep Him! That’s right, keep Jesus.

I don’t want to make light of Jesus and our relationship with Him. Keep Christ in your heart always and never leave Him! He will always be with you, He even promised that to us! We don’t need a GPS tracker to find Him, because He is right beside us each step of the way in our lives. Let Him love you, and if you haven’t already love Him in return, this makes life truly worth living!

-Just a thought.

News Source: http://www.myfoxdc.com/story/24277120/churches-using-gps-to-keep-track-of-baby-jesus#axzz2o4PIuUzG

December 21, 2013 1

How Many Saviors? (A Poem)

How many Saviors does it take to save

A world hell bent on a fiery grave?

Sin-sick hearts and lonely souls

how many Saviors to make us whole?

How many Saviors will make us all free

without a cost, without a fee?

Is there a self-less Messiah around

who will love us, the lost and the found?

How many Saviors could love us that much

to redeem us from the certainly of death’s cold dark clutch?

Or die for our sins and claim our transgressions?

A God-man who hears our every confession.

The answer is One, One Lord of the Light

who redeems us and loves us and restores our dim sight

who comes as a babe and dies like a lamb

Resurrection is here, He is the Great I AM.

-JESUS.

December 20, 2013 0

O Bethlehem (A Poem)

In Bethlehem, O Bethlehem

what sights you must have seen

with manger bed where sheep had fed

and yonder pastures green.

A Savior came, O Bethlehem

the One whom prophets foretold

yet most were blind, they could not find

The God-man soft, yet bold.

Yet Shepherds came, Oh Bethlehem

the unclean keepers of the sheep.

A song they heard, they spread the word

while Jesus was fast asleep.

O Bethlehem, O Bethlehem

His name is ever true!

To all who hear, He drives out fear

Salvation comes to you!

S.E. Strissel ’13’

December 19, 2013 0

The Journey (Poem)

The journey is long

the path is caked in dust

and rocks, the donkey

lumbers on as each rut

and aching stride ushers another

exhale of air in Mary

as contractions continue.

There isn’t fan fare

or folly,

This. Is. Difficult!

With gritting teeth and concern

Joseph tries his best to make

the journey as comfortable as possible

while other along the path

catch and pass them by…

this is going to take a while.

How humble a journey,

certainly not an entrance of a king,

not to mention the King of Kings.

Yet with this journey

it brings us new life and hope.

With this journey

all of nature leans in

and whispers praises

as Mary groans with another

aching mile passing by…

this is going to take a while.

December 14, 2013 0

“The Lord has gum and the Shepherds are making S’mores with their socks!”

My favorite misunderstood Christmas lyric for any carol or song this time of year is: “Joy to the world, the Lord has GUM!” That’s right Gum! I’m not sure if it’s Big Red or Spearmint or even Hubba Bubba…but apparently the Lord has gum. I don’t know about you but when ever someone is around and me they open up a new package of gum, I always ask for a piece. If the Lord has gum, then I want some!

Another humorous song that I use to sing as a child is: “While Shepherd wash their socks by night!” I always envisioned them huddling around an open fire, the smell of burning wood in the air slowly ascending into the sky and instead of making s’mores they have these giant sticks with already washed socks strapped to them and they are attempting to dry them without burning them. Steam is hissing and and also quickly giving chase to the smell of the burning wood as the shepherds regale themselves of shepherding stories and emergency rescues gone wrong (insert scary campfire stories here).

You know, you just have to possess a little bit of humor this time of year. Especially when in traffic or in front of impatient Christmas shoppers intent of running you over! I hope that we don’t lose our humor in the midst of our celebratory second glass of eggnog and a guilt-ridden nibble of another frosted Christmas sugar cookie.

Go wash some socks with the Shepherds, and don’t forget to ask the Lord for a piece of His gum!

December 11, 2013 0

Deserters and Grumblers

John 6:61-69 (NIV)
“Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus’ words are stuck in my head, “You do not want to leave too, do you?“. I envision Jesus looking at Simon Peter with drawn face of sadness and a heavy heart as the dust cloud of the deserters slowly cleared the air. People Jesus had spent time with, people with whom He had invested Himself in, they were gone and would never return to the fold. They were AWOL and some where in the minds of the disciples perhaps there was this lingering decision whether or not to follow them. Many who had heard Jesus teach that day had trouble swallowing the teaching. They wrestled over His words, which led to the dispersal of some.

Still today, there are those in our churches who come listening for the sweetness of the Word, but run quickly away when its truth finally sinks in. Pastors are also included in this group. Every person who encounters the truth of Jesus must face this, and He looks at each of us as the dust is slowly clearing and says, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Some of us hesitate, many wishing to walk away also. Dare I say that there have been days, in which I’m ashamed to admit that I have wrestled over His truths also. But read again the words of Simon Peter and imagine yourself saying these words to Jesus as well, “”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.” Can such certainty come from your heart today? Do you have this assurance in your walk with Him? It doesn’t matter if you are preaching to a congregation of 5 or 500, is His truth still on your lips, in your words and in your heart today?

Some will walk away from your church because they simply cannot fully commit to Him. It is just as tragic as the day it happened to Jesus so long ago. Some, who have been in the pews for years, may one day come to this conclusion as well. Others, perhaps the light will come on and they will experience a deeper sense of Christ as they take such steps to a deeper faith in Him. But it matters little whether people hate you and the consistency of Christ in you, remember what Jesus Himself said to his disciples; “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” (John 15:18) Be consistent in your faith! Be persistent in the need for others to receive this faith as well! Be unrelenting in this love of Christ, even when it comes at the cost of friendships, loved ones, and even fellow pew dwellers. Don’t be haughty or prideful either with His truths. Don’t lord it over anyone or feel as if you are better than anyone either. Remember Christ wants servants to love and to shine, not tyrants and judgmental hypocrites.

Desertions will take place, grumblers will come and go, but remain faithful to Him and declare as Simon Peter once did, “”Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”

-Just an encouraging thought for you today…keep on fighting the good fight!

December 9, 2013 0

Tag: Jesus