Exalted. Glorified. Preeminent. The First Place.
I want to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified, risen and ascended, and seated at the right hand of the Father.
Words of life.
Without these being true, there is not hope of salvation, new life, restoration and adoption.
In a new season of life where God and I are piece by piece going through both old things we have sorted before in a new perspective and new things He has brought to light for the first time:
Exalted. Glorified. Preeminent. The First Place. These must be the context in which I process everything else.
In all things He is glorified. In all things the dark places cannot put me back in prison. I have the grace to walk into new things with confidence in Jesus to powerfully prepare the way.
Writing more.
Sharing a story because I know God wants to break off others' chains because He broke off mine.
Risking a first relationship (yes in my mid-twenties)
Walking with a spiritual authority that I haven't because I associated it with the opposite of meekness.
If it's all about me...I'm dead. This season will be no different than the last and I will miss the "more" God wants to give me. The more of salvation, new life, restoration and adoption.
If it's all about Him... No "IF" It is all about Him!
I Exalt Thee!
(ps the guitar and drums in this song gives me Holy Spirit chills.)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Tender
My #Oneword2011, beloved has not had the clarity on it that last years word, courage, did. I know comparing impact is not doing me much good and leads me striving after something that I don't know what it is. Yet, I want to understand this promise of love, that I believe I have only had a taste of.
But over the last couple of weeks, the part of Beloved that has repeated itself over and over again, is tenderness. That tenderness that makes your heart sigh unexpectedly as strength is offered by another and it gently lifts weight off.
I've seen it in my Jesus who has borne all of my sin and shame, but at the end of the day, speaks life giving words to my heart as He washes my feet of the grime that tries to cling to me.
I've seen it as three sisters layed their hands on me and prayed. Contending that I would see the Father's heart, covering me with love. They offered freely of themselves, even as two of them I knew were weary after weeks of international travel and ministry, that I wouldn't have dared to ask, but I received gratefully and humbly.
I've seen it welling up for me for my students. God's tender love for them is so great, that knowing His heart makes me weep.
I've seen it as the words to the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son, "...you are always with me, and all that is mine, is yours."
This tenderness...leaves me speechless.
Abba, show me more.
But over the last couple of weeks, the part of Beloved that has repeated itself over and over again, is tenderness. That tenderness that makes your heart sigh unexpectedly as strength is offered by another and it gently lifts weight off.
I've seen it in my Jesus who has borne all of my sin and shame, but at the end of the day, speaks life giving words to my heart as He washes my feet of the grime that tries to cling to me.
I've seen it as three sisters layed their hands on me and prayed. Contending that I would see the Father's heart, covering me with love. They offered freely of themselves, even as two of them I knew were weary after weeks of international travel and ministry, that I wouldn't have dared to ask, but I received gratefully and humbly.
I've seen it welling up for me for my students. God's tender love for them is so great, that knowing His heart makes me weep.
I've seen it as the words to the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son, "...you are always with me, and all that is mine, is yours."
This tenderness...leaves me speechless.
Abba, show me more.
Monday, February 7, 2011
I want to be the older brother.
In the story of the prodigal, I often dismiss the older brother as being a self-righteous punk. He refuses to join the party when his brother returns.
What the Father says to the older brother outside is convicting and demonstrates how the Father views His riches and possessions.
Son, you are always with Me, and all that is Mine is yours."
Oh... Am I like the older brother? Do I miss that in Jesus, I possess all of God, the Father's, riches and inheritance?
That is the reality that strikes me. I already possess the Father's inheritance.
I'm rich, but I live poor. I get jealous of others because I perceive them receiving more of God's riches than me. Have I looked around? Do I see?
I want to be the older brother... who walks into the party, embraces my brother and says, "He loves us both abundantly. Welcome home. Let us feast to our Father's goodness to us"
What the Father says to the older brother outside is convicting and demonstrates how the Father views His riches and possessions.
Son, you are always with Me, and all that is Mine is yours."
Oh... Am I like the older brother? Do I miss that in Jesus, I possess all of God, the Father's, riches and inheritance?
That is the reality that strikes me. I already possess the Father's inheritance.
I'm rich, but I live poor. I get jealous of others because I perceive them receiving more of God's riches than me. Have I looked around? Do I see?
I want to be the older brother... who walks into the party, embraces my brother and says, "He loves us both abundantly. Welcome home. Let us feast to our Father's goodness to us"
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