The God who holds our hand

When our first son was just an infant he slept in a crib which was right next to our bed. Each night we had a routine that we had to go through in order to get him to sleep. Perhaps it was because we were first time parents or perhaps he was just a needy baby. But each night, after he was dress in pajamas and had his blanket he would stick his hand out from between the crib railings and demand he hold either my hand or his Mom’s. Try as we might we could not break this cycle with him. He needed to have physical contact with us in order to fall asleep. He needed to have this assurance that we were there watching over him and that he was save and sound.

Sometimes I think back on those moments and wonder humorously why we didn’t buy a fake hand for him to hold on to or why we didn’t just break him of that dependence all together. But as I consider those precious moments that we had with our first born I realize how important those moments of contact were for him as he was growing as an infant. He needed to feel our touch, to know we were there and to be reassured that we were not going anywhere.

God still does this for you and for me as well! We constantly question if He’s there. We sometimes cry out to Him just to check if He is listening. We hold out our hand, sometimes in a demanding nature and hope that God’s touch will reach us. We hope that He’s really there and willing to remain near us.

The truth is God desires so desperately to hold our hand and to remain right beside us. He loves us so much that He longs for us to trust Him and to reach out to Him through every season of this life. Are you willing to reach out your hand to Him today? He is here, right now and He is not going anywhere. Trust Him. Lean on Him. Allow His love to fill your life with His joy, grace and peace.

-Just a thought for the day.

March 5, 2014 0

Truth AND Advertising

Something on the radio this morning set me off a little bit today. I was listening to the Christian music station when an advertisement came on for one of the radio’s sponsors, which happened to be a church. I don’t have a problem with church’s helping to sponsor Christian broadcasting by any means but it was how this particular advertisement ended. The church (who shall remain anonymous) stated it’s name at the end and then made the bold statement “also known as THE love church”.

I had to let it sink in for a moment (I had only had one cup of coffee thus far). “Wait, what?”, I thought to myself. “If they’re the ‘Love’ church then what are the other churches around them labeled as? The “Hate” church? The “NICE” church? The “I kind of like you” church? And after I asked myself that question another question popped into my head; “If that church has all the love” then what do the rest of the churches get? Why are they only known as the love church? Is it because they paid for this advertisement segment? Did they give themselves that name?

But…

I wish it only happened once in a while in segments on the radio station but it doesn’t. I’ve driven by other churches that have seemingly snarky phrases at the bottom of their signs which make the statement – “BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCH“…Um okay. So the other church down the street is NOT a bible believing church? Or this church is just BETTER at believing in the Bible? And who decides that this particular church and its congregation is strictly a bible believing church? Do they pay bills? Do they drive a car? Do they pay taxes? Then they’re not solely a bible believing church then are they? By this one statement one could make the assertion that their claim to be strictly a bible believing church is false.

Still I’ve come across another sign over a church that made this dire statement: “PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD”. When I first saw THAT sign I thought to myself, “Wow their God sounds wrathful and fierce, would I even consider stepping into that church?”

Here’s a truth that the Apostle Paul made that I believe ALL churches should hear again:

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” -1 Corinthians 1:10-13

I’m not picking a verse that fits my purpose, I really want churches to stop comparing themselves with each other. This isn’t some sort of Church growth competition. There isn’t some trophy a church will receive when they get to Heaven because they had the best advertising campaign or slogan on the front of their church. Though Paul spoke these words to a specific church at a specific time, the point is still clear and relevant today: “There should be no divisions among you”. Yet we can look all around us and see just that divisions and comparisons and envy and even hate. I’m telling you this ought not be!

Regardless if a church advertises that they are “THE love church” the fact of the matter is that if any connecting part of the body of Christ is sound in doctrine and serving those less fortunate they are Christ to the lost AND they are the “Love” church too!

I would say this to any and every Church out there: Stop the competition! Stop the comparisons! Stop the divisions and underhanded actions. We have real Kingdom work to do and it will never be accomplished by these ploys and vices. Get on with loving your neighbor and enemies and stop plastering it all over the place…because we need each other and we all work for the same Master.

-Just a thought!

March 4, 2014 0

God Doesn’t Fit in a Box…

March 3, 2014 0

The Weight of Finality

“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” -Obadiah 1:15

The book of Obadiah is only a chapter long and is often overlooked, but let’s discuss if for a second through the lens of our own context.

This announcement given by Obadiah whose name literally means “servant of God” is not just for the people of Edom, it is for us as well. The Edomites were proud over their own security as a nation and that of their might, but they also lorded their power and gloated over the Israelites. Obadiah’s warning to the Edomites also included a warning for all nations as well.

Fast-forward:

Jesus is preaching the greatest sermon this earth has ever heard or will ever hear (The Sermon on the mount) and he makes this statement:

Matthew Chapter 5 –

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[h] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

There is a weight of Finality:

God’s love for humanity, even people we cannot stand, far outweighs our capacity to love them…but that is no excuse. We are to love and the consequences of that love is that the world is impacted for the better. Secondly God can shine through us.

The day of the Lord will come to us. The real question is what will the weight of that certainty be for us when it does?

-Just a thought for today.

March 3, 2014 0

Forgiveness and Peace

Anger

Bleeds

Red…

Sometimes

the things

said

make

jagged

broken

beds…

we lie in them

the cumbersome

oozing regret.

BUT

Reconciliation

is Not

NOT

too far away.

Make a break

get away

turn your

pride

into

Forgiveness…

clean

the mess

confession

regress into

peace again.

February 13, 2014 0

Olympic Inspiration…it’s not all about winning.

There are so many inspiring stories about the athletes who train for and compete in the Olympics. Both the Summer and the Winter Olympics are grueling and highly competitive. Yet the back stories on the people who make it to this world stage are both inspiring and amazing.

For example in 1988 a Jamaican Bobsled team competed in the winter Olympics. The last time I checked Jamaica does not get snow…nor does it reach temperatures cold enough to have enough ice for Bob Sled training. Yet, a team showed up at the 1988 Winter Olympics to compete. They didn’t even own Bob sleds and had to borrow them from other competing teams in order to participate in the event. They competed for pride and for the pure sportsmanship of the games. Their inspiring story even ended up being made into a movie in 1993 and was again an inspiration to many who saw it.

When we think of the Olympics the imagery of winning gold medals come to mind, and the glory involved for the country who dominates a certain sport. But for any country who even competes in these events there is national pride and honor involved. Above and beyond the glory of winning an event, there is the joy of even being there to excel in excellence.

Another inspiring story comes to mind when I think of the Olympics, it is the story of Canadian Lawrence Lemieux. He was a Summer Olympian in Sailing. During the 1988 Summer Olympic games in Seoul South Korea as he was in the heat of his sailing event he saw a Singaporean boat capsize injuring the two sailors on board. He quickly altered course of his boat and immediately went to their rescue. In that moment Lawrence Lemieux didn’t have gold medals in his eyes, he had concern for others. Because of his bravery and concern those two lives were saved. Later, after finally completing the race (which he placed 22nd because of altering course to save lives) he was awarded second place in that heat. He didn’t go on to win the event (he ultimately placed 11th) but despite not winning gold, he won the hearts of many around the world for his heroic act of bravery. At the podium for the awards ceremony in the Sailing category, though Lemieux didn’t win gold he was awarded the Pierre de Coubertin medal by the president of the International Olympic Committee.

The idea behind our current Olympics embodies comradery, endurance, hard work, sportsmanship, team work and so many more adjectives.

I cringe when some individuals on this stage display poor sportsmanship and throw fits because they didn’t win an event. I think those athletes miss the point. Yes everyone is to compete to the best of their abilities but the Olympics is not only about winning. It is about striving for excellence and coming together peacefully as nations from around the world under one cause.

If only we didn’t have to wait every four years to come together.

If only we didn’t have to leave the arena or the Olympic village where regardless of ethnicity or difference by and large the athletes live for two weeks in harmony. If only…

To quote John Lennon, “You might say I’m a dreamer, but you know I’m not the only one.”

For just a second I wish our nations, all nations could put aside differences and wars and blood shed to see the bigger picture. For just a second I wish we as human beings would wake up and see what hatred and violence truly does and the long term effects of these divides. For just a second I wish we heard more stories of heroism and love displayed not just at the Olympics but in every corner of the world.

We have to tear down these walls that divide us if we’re going to survive each other. Jesus once said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven...” (Matt 5:43-45)

I know injustice exists in this world. I know that we don’t live in a Mary Poppins world where everything is easily solved with “just a spoon full of sugar”, but I believe despite of how others treat us, we (who are are Christ-followers) ought to rise above it and love despite its lack of reciprocation.

The Olympics give me hope and reminds me that one day the King of Heaven will make all things new and restore creation to its intended state…in the mean time I don’t have to wait for that to happen, I can live as a child of the Father in Heaven now. I can rise above the hate and display what love, Godly love looks like.

February 13, 2014 0

A Gift of Grace -by Marlene Chase (Lt. Colonel, R) “Perspectives” Day 4

A Gift of Grace

by Marlene J. Chase

Molly was a kind soul but a bit of an odd duck. Fifty-something and mentally challenged, she lived in a local nursing home. The Army was the only family she knew. I often picked her up on Sundays and for the weekly prayer meeting.

She never let me forget but telephoned the day before a planned activity to remind me to stop for her. Sometimes she called more than once! And how she loved to talk. She wanted to tell me all about her day, what she had for breakfast, what activity was planned at the home. As with small children, though, she could be “tuned out” by busy, sometimes insensitive adults.

Molly was square-shaped and plain. She loved pretty dresses and wore her few brightly-colored cotton ones proudly–often with mismatching belts or accessories. Her hair hung to her shoulders gray, straight and always with a bright ribbon tied in an ungainly bow on top. Thick glasses threatened to fall off her short nose when she walked–carefully in red and blue tennis shoes with yellow happy faces on each toe.

One memory of Molly stands out from all the others. It had been one of those weeks when everything that could go wrong did. The demands of corps and family had pressed in on me like twin vises clamped on a delicate base. I didn’t want to hear about Molly’s week. I needed strength, endurance, a little peace. I needed grace, not Molly.

Though shuffled from one institution to another with few of life’s comforts, Molly was always happy. That Sunday Molly was her usual cheerful self, chatting away a mile a minute. I couldn’t find it in me to respond to her, so eventually we sat silent for the trip. It was warm, humid, ordinary, and I felt worn down to the bone.

When we arrived, Molly climbed out in her usual awkward fashion, eager to go to church. But suddenly she stopped.

“Oh, she exclaimed, putting one hand to her mouth and brightening like a lit flame. “Look what God gave us on the ground!”

We had found it necessary to end the expensive contract with the lawn service, and the latest crop of dandelions were blooming like radiant suns in the green lawn. How quickly the nasty weeds had sprung up. But to Molly, her face vivid with delight, they were not weeds but exotic blossoms direct from God.

I looked at again at the objects of her joy. They were beautiful! How is it I had never noticed?

Suddenly my weariness and worry vanished in a gold-emerald sea. It took Molly to show me what was important, to remind me that God was still there giving His good gifts to enjoy. It took Molly to remind me of His grace.

To read more of Marlene Chase’s writings check out her books at Amazon –

http://www.amazon.com/Marlene-J.-Chase/e/B001K8XP1M

Also available on: http://www.allromancewriters.com/booklist.cfm?authorID=3428

January 30, 2014 0

Finding Love

I started with hope –

because I think hope begins things

makes us sing…

but faith and love…they have to be included too.

they just kind of go together don’t they?

You really can’t have one

without

the

Every one needs,

craves, desires,

hopes, wishes,

dreams, aspires

yearns, waits

for

Songs are written about it

poems are rhythmically charged with it

countless books bleed from the heart of love.

How do we ?

How do we

em·brace IT?

emˈbrās/

verb

hold (someone) closely in one’s arms, esp. as a sign of affection.

“Aunt Sophie embraced her warmly”

hug, take/hold in one’s arms, hold, cuddle, clasp to one’s bosom,clasp, squeeze, clutch;….

How do we flourish and thrive in it ?

Love makes the world go around…not money, not fortune and fame…but

It shines in the darkness,

paints over our mess

helps us confess

blesses us…love…

captivates, motivates, escalates, elevates…us.

Love always perseveres! Always, always, always, always…always.

Have you found love yet?

Is it worth finding at all?

True love,

God’s love…

It begins here…ends here…

If we find it here,

and cherish it here

depend on it here

Then from here

to —————————————–> There

Love will be.

Real authentic,

no hidden agendas

No…

From the source of Love,

God.

Almighty

We will

to the only

real source of

love.

Find love today.

He is waiting.

With arms wide

Open.

This.

Is.

Love.

Begin with this one simple truth:
You are loved! You matter to God! You are important to Him! He loves you so very much! From this point of reference, may you find Him, and find love!

(These thoughts were written specifically for “Pastorsponderings.org” but they are free so that others might find love and hope through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen and to God be there glory!)

January 22, 2014 1

I’m Looking for God

The pastor said God was everywhere
And so I’m looking for him.
They say he’s in the world today
But I’m not seein much of him
In how we treat each other
In how wars are fought
In how innocent blood is spilt
You see I’m looking for God
But I’m having doubt’s he’s here…

I went looking in a church too
To find out where he’d been
Talked to couple of folks there
Full of wind in their sails
But their anchors weren’t pulled
Going round in circles, it seems.
Is God here in this church
With crimson window panes
And creaking pews with people
In them who are equally creaking?
I’m not so sure…

I am looking for God
But the question is has he been looking for me?
Or am I just blind as a bat?
Am I reciting all the wrong jargon?
Am I wearing the wrong clothes…
No, God doesn’t care about that stuff,
Does he care for me?

Look, all I want to be is genuine
All I want to do is help and hope and love
And leap in places that faith will carry me…
I’m looking for God, have you seen him?
What’s he like?
Will you please tell me?

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16

January 12, 2014 0

Finding Hope (A Poem)

Finding salvation and comfort…is that even possible?
In a world that seems so wrought with pain and sadness,
these half-timbered, dimly lit dwellings
plastered with the scabs of hurts and slings of words
how can hope spawn from such a place?
These tall escarpments seem too far,
and we, with reaches far too limited
how can hope ever stoop, low and bending
to such a place as this?

Yet, when the babe, cherubic and glorious
came to this fallen shambles of a place
we now, with arms extended
broken and needy
can embrace this light
beaming and radiant.

Hope? Don’t speak of such a thing,
live it, experience it, vivid and streaked
with Theophonic glory…speak not
of falsities and half promises of this word!
Instead, with hearts extended
grooved and bending
no longer a barren land but
but rich, empirical
blazing in His glory!

December 30, 2013 0

Tag: love