Month: October 2012

I put my feet upon the stairs, each step taking me higher. Eventually I make my way to the upper room; it’s here that I meet my eternal family while still upon this earth.

The invitations come to celebrate a birth, a marriage, a dinner gathering, a church service, a ball game and limitless others. With diligence we put them upon our calendars, even shopping beforehand to bring a gift. As good as all of these invitations are, they pale in light of the important invitation. That quiet voice which invites us to follow Me. The voice which says draw near to Me and I will draw near to you.

* references from scriptures in James 4:8, Matthew 4:19

Taking in a deep breath I feel Your life in my chest. Thinking about You makes my heart beat faster. I whisper Your name to hear its beauty. With gladness I let tears wash my cheeks. Your eyes upon me burn deep into my very bones. I long to melt into Your chest, to be one with You.

“But to keep this thing from spreading, we will warn them never again to speak to anyone about the name of Jesus.” Acts 4:17

We read about the powers that were in affect during biblical times. We see these same powers at work today. Don’t speak the name of Jesus in a speech to graduates. Don’t pray aloud in a classroom. Don’t put up a statue portraying Jesus in any government building. Instead we will fill the world with Greek gods and images of all things false.

It only took a handful to turn the world on its ear by standing firm to a simple declaration.

“We cannot keep quiet about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Putting my hands to my mouth, I trace the outline of my lips. Looking at the clock I can see the hands ticking away so quickly. It is time to speak truth without compromise.

*Pro 16:24

Here I stand, the foolish one

For all the world to see

Here I stand in your plan

People making fun of me

And still I stand

I stood before the Lord Jesus and clearly I was guilty of my sins.

Before I ever came here to stand in front of my King, I had been attacked by words of my accuser. Every one of his accusations was correct and I could not dodge the blame of his charges. His stones pelted at my emotions, my thoughts and my confidence. The repeated blows made me a weakened vessel and I could feel myself wanting to crumple under the barrage.

A song came to lift me up and its answer reminded me why I could stand strong. “What does love look like?”

And then I saw Him there, hanging on a tree, looking at me
I saw Him there, hanging on a tree, looking at me
He was looking at me, looking at Him, staring through me
I could not escape those beautiful eyes
And I began to weep and weep

He had arms wide open, a heart exposed
Arms wide open; He was bleeding, bleeding

Love’s definition, love’s definition was looking at me
Looking at Him, hanging on a tree
I began to weep and weep and weep and weep

This is how I know what love is, this is how I know what love is

I could feel the stones being deflected and no longer could they hurt me. All the accusations, however true, could no longer condemn me. Hope and salvation were hung upon that cross and I embraced its truth.

*Lyrics Arms Wide Open by Misty Edwards

She offered prayer

He said he didn’t need any

She spoke of praying for healing

He said healing was only a spiritual thought

 

Both believe in God

 

We stand before the great divide

The Word as truth and reality

The Word as just abstract thought

 

1 Cor 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

I have seen God in the flesh!

I get to see Him every time I enjoy the love of another. He looks back at me with eyes of love. He hugs me with arms of strength. He laughs without reservation. He shares secrets with me. He speaks to me with teaching. He is patient to wait for me. He understands my tears. He appreciates my questions. He rejoices at my victories. He sorrows in my pain.

1 John 4:12 (CEV) No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God abides in us, and his love is truly in our hearts.