Untitled Hymn (Come to Jesus)

Alleluia!  He is risen!  The Lord is risen indeed!  Alleluia!

How great it feels to say those words!  We’d tucked “Alleluia” away for the past 46 days, setting it aside as we progressed through Lent.  But now our joy springs forth in great happiness and jubilation.  Alleluia!

Picture what it was like before you knew Him.  You were a lost soul, lying on the side of the road, and there is Jesus.  He comes to you, no longer as a man, but as the Christ, God.  In any other situation, when a King comes towards you or passes, you would need to cower back in reverence, shrink away lest you offend the “royalty”.  But this King, wants you to lift your face, look upon Him with love.  And He looks back with love.

“Weak and wounded sinner
Lost and left to die
Raise your head for Love is passing by 

Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus
Come to Jesus and live”

The pain we have been carrying in our hearts when we were without Him has been shed.  Our failings, shortcomings, sins, are gone and remembered no more.  We are a clean and new creation.  Our hearts sing with joy.

“Now your burden’s lifted
And carried far away
And Precious Blood has washed away the stain 

So sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus
Sing to Jesus and live”

This song by Chris Rice has been with me for a long time.  It is hard for me to not get a bit weepy with the beauty it brings; its message of peaceful grace (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4g8_e16dc&list=RDdEcCRuvhPPI).  I love how it depicts our life in Christ, from beginning to eternity.

Our walk with Him is not easy.  We have many times where we stumble.  As humans, we are filled with sin and our egos.  Our selfishness gets in the way of the maximum capacity of our relationship with God.  But it’s OK.  We will fall short some times.  When we do, we don’t have do hide in shame, falling away.  Jesus welcomes us, warts and all; we can fall on Him.

“And like a newborn baby
Don’t be afraid to crawl
And remember when you walk
Sometimes you fall 

So fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus
Fall on Jesus and live”

When our so-called friends reject us or our family separates themselves from us due to our newfound faith, it can be hard to continue down the path.  As the world pulls away from us, it can feel lonely.  But we are not alone, we can call on Him and He is there.

“Sometimes the way is lonely
And steep and filled with pain
So if your sky is dark and pours the rain 

Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus
Cry to Jesus and live”

The times of great joy in this new life abound!  As we allow ourselves to fall further and further in love with Jesus, we are filled!  The Holy Spirit is continually renewing us with the living water.  We will never be thirsty or hungry again.  We can’t help but leap for joy!

“Oh and when the Love spills over
And music fills the night
And when you can’t contain your joy inside 

Then dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus
Dance for Jesus and live“

We live a long and wonderful life.  The peace and love we experience is amazing and powerful.  We have our share of troubles too, but as we look back on our life, we can see the blessings which abounded out of these trials. We head home to Him with joy.

“And with your final heartbeat
You kiss the world goodbye
And go in peace to laugh on Glory’s side 

And fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live 

Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus
Fly to Jesus and live"

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we now have a perfect path to an eternal relationship with our Heavenly Father.  No more are we bound by a set of strict rules that provide a step-by-step mechanism for achieving righteousness.  Love has come to us; the perfect love of a perfect gift.

So, come to Jesus.  Fall on Him, cry to Him, dance for Him.  Even though He is the King of all the heavens and earth we are not blindly submissive.  This approach never wins.  We are bold in our love, knowing we can come to Him and He is there.  He is always there.

************************

Dear friends, it has been wonderful journeying with you this season of Lent, which now comes to an end.  Your words of encouragement mean more than you can know. After completing this sojourn, do you listen to music with a different ear?  Can you hear the prayer, the praise…all to God?  I am so thankful God gave the gift of music; it inspires, lifts, comforts and brings me clarity on so many things. Until we meet again, here or in the hereafter, I wish God’s abundant blessings on your lives and loves.

Peace.

- Scott

O Death

How quickly things can change.  A cold grave greets us today.  Wasn’t it just a short week ago when our King rode triumphantly into Jerusalem?  What happened?

“Oh, death how you're treatin' me
You've close my eyes so I can't see
Well you're hurtin' my body
You make me cold
You run my life right outta my soul”

This song is a man’s conversation with Death.  It is prayer of pleading and bargaining, yet Death will not yield.  Ralph Stanley’s a cappella haunt is perfect for today (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHVWpieH4z0).

Death is a cruel master.  He comes and brings hopelessness and sorrow.  There is nothing that will satisfy this end except your eternal self.

“Oh the young, the rich or poor
Hunger like me you know
No wealth, no ruin, no silver no gold
Nothing satisfies me but your soul”

Is there any hope for us?  Is death our eventual end?  How can it be that our Savior lies dead in a stone cold tomb?  I miss His welcoming arms, His smile, the way He made my heart sing.  Without Him, I don’t think I can go on.  If Death is my only surety, I must keep it away as long as I can.  I fear Death.

“O, Death
O, Death
Won't you spare me over til another year?”

How He Loves

How do you show Love?  How do you take the thought, the feeling, the emotion of Love and turn it into action?

“He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.”

One of the greatest struggles in my life is figuring out how to take the deep love I have in my heart for those around me, those closest to me, and letting them clearly see my love for them.  Love can get hidden underneath the need to show strength, or discipline or the desire to give an appearance that everything is under control.  Love is not about the hidden; it is about a bold yet vulnerable openness to giving all that is me.  All God asks me to do is Love.  When I step aside, put away my pretense, God’s Love can shine with the brightness and warmth of a thousand suns.

“When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.”

This is a song that I actually did not like very much the first time I heard it.  David Crowder’s voice is maybe a little bit of an acquired taste; at least it was for me.  Part of me coming to love this song was my daughter Maddy telling me how much she loved it and what it meant to her.  The lyric “If grace His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking” as well as “bending beneath the weight…” speak deeply to her.  This caused me to listen with new ears.  The song and David’s voice has become a bright and clear beacon in the cacophony of noise I hear every day.  The lyrics and melody stand strong and sure, bringing a simple yet powerful message of God’s love for us (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzfPHnoT0-0).

How does God show His love for us?  If we’re not careful, we can tend to view God through the lens of His judgment and power.  We can think He only loves us when we are good enough, do the right things, or make the choices that He sees as honoring Him.  But this is not how God’s love for us works.  It is there no matter what.

“And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If his grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.”

Today, Good Friday, we will remember the arrest, torture, crucifixion and death of our Savior.  How much does God love us?

“For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:16-17)

For any of us who have children, although not a pleasant concept to consider, I am sure our love for them would gladly permit us to offer our own lives in lieu of theirs.  If faced with the choice of laying down our own life for the life of a child, the decision is quick and easy; without a second thought, we’d chose losing our own life as opposed to one of theirs.  This is love.

“And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about the way He loves us”

But, if asked, would you offer up the life of your child so that someone else could live?  Someone who is completely unworthy of living?  The greatest criminal, the most abject sinner, a person filled with hate, a soul that has rejected love; would you let your child die so that this person could live?

How much does God love us?  He did exactly that.  He sent His own Son to die so that we…unworthy of such Love…could live and live a life eternal with Him.  This is Love.

“He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves us,
Oh, how He loves.”

So today, as Christ hangs on the cross, as someone who did not deserve to be beaten, dragged and humiliated is pushed through this pain, realize why it happened.  It did not happen for some esoteric concept of sacrifice or meaningless end to a meaningful life.  It happened for one reason: Love.  Be filled with the knowledge that you are loved beyond measure, then, now and forever.  He Loves.

Washed By The Water

Memories are a funny thing.  On one hand, I sometimes can’t remember a short list of things Greta asks of me just a day after she tells me (this does not frustrate her at all…NOT!); on the other hand, I have snippets of the most random moments from throughout my life that seemingly have no relevance or context.  One of these memories is about my Grandpa Al.  Talk about someone who impacted the lives of many, his reach has extended down through generations.

“Just tryin’ to make the world a little better
You know, shine a light”

Even though he left his physical body behind and trekked off to Heaven over 30 years ago in 1981, and I was only 12 years old at the time, there are memories of him that are burned into my being.  It is easy for me to understand why I remember some of them, like Grandpa Al sitting with my brother Andy and I, showing us how to sharpen a chain saw.  How cool is that?!?  Young boys would normally never get to hang around something so potentially dangerous as we might cut our leg off or something.  But Grandpa Al was about bringing experiences to his children, grandchildren and to all around him in up close and hands on ways.

Another memory of him I have does not posses this same clarity as to its importance.  It’s actually a memory of someone speaking about him. I can clearly remember the pastor of our church growing up, Rev. John Wolf, reflecting on Grandpa Al’s life after he had passed away.  He was talking about Grandpa Al’s connection with the Bible and his faith.  He spoke about a conversation where Grandpa Al said to him, “John, do you realize how important water is?”

That’s it. That’s the memory.  It is so seemingly insignificant, but I think of it often.  It’s as if Grandpa Al continues to ask me that question over and over again as it relates to my understanding of the world.

“Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water”

I feel like there are about a dozen more songs by NEEDTOBREATHE that I could write about.  Their music has a passion behind it that gives so much evidence, to me, that the Holy Spirit is flowing through and around us at all times.  It’s up to us if we decide to be inspired, drink, fill up our shells.  When we are still, we sense the Spirit around us and want the renewing it brings.  This song, “Washed By The Water” has a great gospel feel to it, but more importantly, it delivers the message of our opportunity to be continually renewed.  Our struggle is not one that keeps us constantly dirty; we can be cleansed of all the stuff that gets thrown at us, all of the mess we bring upon ourselves that dims our shine (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuOs3x94Wos&feature=kp).

Today is Maundy Thursday.  Christians all over the world today will celebrate Jesus’ last meal with His disciples.  At this event, Jesus, who was God on earth in the form of a man, the King of all creation, the most high, kneeled and washed His friends’ feet in perfect humility.  The remembrance of Jesus’ act and our honoring of it in washing each others’ feet in our church service later this evening is one of my very favorite moments in our liturgical year.

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.  He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’.  Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’  ‘No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.’  Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’
‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’ “ (John 13:3-9)

Here again, we see my man Peter trying to mess up some blessing that was coming his way.  We are all Peter.  I love how he recovers though, telling Jesus that he is not just needing his feet washed, but everything; Peter was an all-in sort of guy.

“Even when Earth crumbles under my feet
Even when ones I love turn around and crucify me
I won't never ever let you down
I won't fall
I won't fall
I won't fall as long as you're around me”

Water and its symbolism appear throughout the Bible.  From Noah, to Moses to Jesus’ baptism, to the washing of feet, we see water as the way we move from one state of being to another.  What was the rest of conversation between Grandpa Al and Rev. Wolf?  Only they know.  But, this simple question has stayed with me my entire life.  I am always watching out for how water can impact us.

The message is this, if nothing else; no matter how dirty we get, we can always become clean.  The grime and grunge we drag ourselves through, no matter how thick or crusty it gets, God’s desire and ability to make us clean once again is more powerful than our mess.

“Even when the rain falls
Even when the flood starts rising
Even when the storm comes
I am washed by the water”

So, if you have the opportunity today, think about water.  When watching those around you wash the feet of others, you wash someone’s feet, or have your own washed, remember the promise of being clean.  There is nothing we can do to not be refreshed and renewed by the Living Water that God pours over us.  When I feel beyond hope, there is hope.  I am washed by the water.

This World

Do you yearn for Heaven?  There are certainly days when I see the things that are going on in the world…tragedy, corruption, pain…and say to myself, “Jesus, I think we’re ready for you to come back now…”

“There's tarnish on the golden rule
And I wanna jump from this ship of fools
Show me a place where hope is young
And a people who aren't afraid to love”

There is a desire that we carry around in each of us, a desire to be with our Creator.  This kernel of Heaven is placed in our hearts when we come into this world.  It is there in order that we not forget our Home, that we are the stuff of stars and of Creation.

“This world has nothing for me and this world has everything
All that I could want and nothing that I need”

I’ve heard a story about this band, Caedmon’s Call, where the father of the female band member talks about watching his barely-not-a-teenage daughter get on the first rickety tour bus, thinking, “what have I done?!?”  What an adventure he gave to her.  There are quite a few of their songs I love, especially “Hope to Carry On”.  But the one for today, “This World” speaks perfectly about the importance of our life here on earth (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjEoaUTdFXw&feature=kp).

We can often spend too much time focusing on our “eternal” life, the life we will have in Heaven for eternity with God after we leave this world.  We can point our compass off into this distance, thinking that the way we live our life today can earn us a spot “up there”.  But when we spend too much time focused on what is to come, we can miss out on the work we are called into here and the ways we can be blessed by it.  We do not allow ourselves to be crushed by the world, but to live within it, contrary to what the world demands.  My life verse:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Think about it: when you are here in this form of an earthy being, you are unique in all of the universe.  God created you in such a specific way that only you can experience your life in the way you experience it.

“This world is making me drunk on the spirits of fear.
So when He says “who will go?”, I am nowhere near.  

And the least of these look like criminals to me
So I leave Christ on the street”

It is an understatement to say that Jesus, as a man in this world, was unique.  Although He was like us in all ways, He also knew that He was God incarnate.  He was constantly conscious of where He came from and to where He was going to return.

“…but now I am going to Him who sent me.” (John 16:5)

But we can experience the world in a way that the angels cannot.  The good, the bad, the joy and the pain; all of this will go away when we discard the bodies through which we experience these things.  When we eventually return to dust and enter a Heavenly life, we will no longer get to grasp creation in the same way.  Each day we have here provides us with a lens through which to view the world, to love, “to live deep and suck the marrow out of life” as put by Thoreau.  We will never get the same chance to draw it in again in this same way; for all of eternity.

“This world has held my hand and has led me into intolerance
But now I'm waking up, but now I'm breaking up
But now I'm making up for lost time”

So, are you spending too much time thinking about the life you will have in Heaven when you shuffle off this mortal coil?  Don’t miss the chance every moment to live in the life you were given, your life here on earth, the eternal now.  This world has everything.

Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing

There are moments when God’s blessings are beyond measure.  Just when I think my life could not be any more blessed, something amazing will happen, forcing me to remember that God’s blessings are more abundant that I can conceive.

“Come thou fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing thy praise
Streams of mercy never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise”

He brought me into being, surrounding me with a family of parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins who poured love into me.  He built up my mind and my heart, bringing me to a place where I could recognize the person whom He planned to be my perfect partner, my amazing wife.  He blessed us with children: Eliza with her winsome charm; Rachel with her lively spirit; Maddy with a voice and heart for music.

“Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it
Mount of thy redeeming love”

Today’s song is very, very special.  Although you can’t really see who is singing in the video, and you’ll have to turn the volume up a bit, it is my oldest daughter Maddy and her good friend Will performing one of my very favorite hymns.  They arranged it, practiced, were chosen to perform, and surprised me with it at their choir concert earlier this year.  It was a blessing beyond words and a moment I will never forget my entire life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9XW8M7zeWo&feature=youtu.be).

When I think about the image of a “fount”, I imagine an overflowing spring of water.  It is a source which, no matter how prolifically it continues to bring forth its refreshing coolness, it never ends.  Never.  God will bless us again and again, in ways we cannot imagine.  He is even able to take pain, sorrow, tragedy and turn these forlorn moments into great blessings.

I recognize that I am helpless without Him.  I hold onto the Rock that is the firm foundation He provides.  I pray to never let go of it so that at the end of my days here on earth, I am still with Him.

“Here I raise my Ebenezer
Hither to thy help I’ve come
And I hope by thy good measure
Safely to arrive at home”

But I do not earn – cannot earn – the abundance of blessings God brings.  In fact, except for the fact that I am a child of God, as we all are, I am far from deserving from these blessings…as we all are.  He blesses me with His Son not because I have positioned my life in some way, but because He wants me to be healed.

“Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood”

When I count the blessings God gives and gives and given again, I think, “what do I owe for all of this?”; “how can I ever repay it?”  But the truth is that I owe nothing; His gracious love to me is a gift without cost.  As I am bound to Him, even as I stray, it is in the arms of His embrace where I reside, not in a ruler’s oppressive grip.

“Oh to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be
Let thy goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to thee”

But He does want something from me.  Not because He requires it or desires a repayment of these many blessings.  He wants my heart; he wants me to offer it joyfully and of my own volition.  In my offering to Him of my heart, He perfects its ability to love, and it becomes yet another blessing back to me.

“Prone to wander Lord I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here’s my heart Lord
Take and seal it
Seal it for thy courts above”

So, will you come to the fount and drink deeply?  God desires to bless us over and over and over again.  He loves us so much, wants us to be filled with His blessings so abundantly, that He gave us everything.  The universe, the stars and planets, this Earthly home is His gift to us.  But there is more. He brought to us His Son and allowed Him to experience all that we do.  He even turned the death of His Son into the greatest blessing of all; an eternal life with Him.  Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Timshel

We have choices.  Everyday we face the struggle of what we should do, what we want to do, and what we actually end up doing.  The question always haunts us.  Can we?  Will we?

“And you have your choices
And these are what make man great
His ladder to the stars”

Mumford and Sons in another one of those bands of whom I am convinced has a deep connection to the muse that is the Holy Spirit when it comes to writing lyrics and melodies.  This song, “Timshel” is haunting and full in a way that few songs are (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-VCHzS1So).  That is all.  Any more words from me about the song can only diminish its magnificence.

As we move into Holy Week, we recognize the path that seems unavoidable, the path of Christ’s sacrifice.  But as we consider the series of events that are slowly approaching, we have to remember two things about Jesus; He is God, but while He was on the earth, He was a man.  Because of His willingness to come into the world and be like us, He was faced with the same temptations, the same choices that we all have every day.

Christ’s choices and the potential they represent go all the way back to the very beginning of creation and the first men who walked the earth.

The word “Timshel” is a reference to John Steinbeck’s “East of Eden”. This is one of my favorite books for many reasons, but the exchange between Lee, Adam and Samuel about the Hebrew word “Timshel” is one of my favorite revelations in all of literature.  I won’t spoil it for you, but just as I believe Marcus Mumford and his crew are in touch with the Holy Spirit’s gift of music, Steinbeck certainly got this one right.  We are the choices we make.  And they can make us triumphant.

“And I will tell the night
Whisper, "Lose your sight"
But I can't move the mountains for you”

The focus in this part of the book is about the conversation between God and Cain.   Cain has expressed frustration, is crestfallen over God’s favor for Able’s gifts of sacrifice.  God tells Cain:

“If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7)

And when given the choice, what does Cain do?  In the next verse, he invites Able out into the field.  And we know what happens then.

God cannot force or command us to choose the right path.  He does not even guarantee that we have the fundamental ability to make good choices at all times.  He gives us the right to choose.  He says to us “…thou mayest.”  He won't move the mountains for us.  We might do it, we might not.  But the choice is our own and when made, especially when the choice keeps us closer to the path moving ever towards Him, it is all the more valuable.  When we work for something, when we make the conscious decision to do what is right, to do the hard thing as opposed to the easy…the wrong…we are triumphant over evil.  God allows us to be the one who reaps the reward, both emotionally and spiritually, of our good choices.

Cain, a son in early scripture, makes one choice.  He chooses a death and a sacrifice of his brother that ended in damnation. Jesus, another son, also chooses death.  But His choice is death as a sacrifice of Himself.  His choice ended in salvation.  But not for Him.  His choice resulted in salvation for you, for me, for all of us.

So today, what choice will you make?  To put it bluntly, will you choose a path towards death or a path towards life?  The choice of life is its own reward and will be your own triumph.  The choice is always and eternally ours.  But thankfully, graciously, mercifully, even if we choose the path that leads away, Jesus Christ has negated it for all eternity.  Even though you might, He will.

King of Glory

Imagine yourself standing at the side of the road, just outside the towering gates of first century Jerusalem.  You and the thousands of other people have come today because of one man.  Even though you have traveled willingly, you don’t really know why you’re here. You have seen this man a few times over the past couple of years.  Who is he?  Some say he is a king or a prophet; others say Messiah.  It can’t be.  Can it?  And yet you are drawn.

“Who is this King of Glory that pursues me with his love?
And haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken words”

You start to hear people a little further outside the walls saying “here he comes”.   The people nearer to you start to shout, joy in their voices.

“ ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’
‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’
‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’ ” (Matthew 21:9)

But wait.  He is not being carried by a team of servants.  He is not even on a noble steed, but on a donkey.  How can this be a king?  But then you remember the prophet.

“ ‘Say to Daughter Zion,
See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” (Isaiah 62:11)

He comes into your view.  Although he scans the crowd, with a peaceful smile of humility, he looks directly at you.  Your heart leaps and feels empty and full, happy and sad, all at the same time.  Yet your spirit feels complete and at peace.  This moment of eyes locked with his seems to last an eternity; you are here, everywhere, nowhere in this beautiful eternal now.

He passes by and the crowd disperses.  Some follow Him into the city and yet others mill about, seemingly in a state of awe and confusion.  You are among them.  What just happened?  The afterglow of the moment feels almost Holy.  Yet, a feeling of impending tragedy starts to seep into your consciousness.

This song by Third Day, who I had the privilege of seeing live last summer thanks to an awesome birthday gift from Greta, is a perfect soundtrack for Christ’s entry into Jerusalem on this Palm Sunday.  It’s quiet start, building to a rolling crescendo of choir, is certainly the song of a King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aqo-adRyM_k).

“My spirit’s ever longing for His grace in which to stand
Who is this King of glory, Son of God and son of man?”

We celebrate prophecy fulfilled on this day.  It is a wild contrast of joy and a coming sorrow.  The next week will be filled with words of wisdom, a simple meal of celebration, and watching a humble servant wash the feet of His friends.  I encourage you, don’t miss out on any part of it.

“His name is Jesus, precious Jesus
The Lord Almighty,
The King of my heart
The King of glory”

So relish the joy of this day.  Our King of Glory comes to us.  Hosanna in the highest!  But, start to think about the choices which will come these next few days, choices made two millennia ago out of love for us.  Choosing to stand and face all of history and all of eternity, humbly accepting pain because I am everything to Him.  And He is everything to me.

Here Comes The Sun

Man, it has been a long cold lonely winter.  Regardless of where you live, you pretty much got to experience this past season of snow, storms, snow, ice, snow, cold, and snow.

I notice that after being cold for an extended period of time, it can be hard to warm up.  Whether it be a seemingly eternal winter’s chill, or just a quick dip in what is sometimes the icy cool of Lake Michigan in early summer, when we emerge into the welcoming warm, our bodies and spirits can be pretty tight.  Our shell may be a bit tough to penetrate.

“Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here 

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right”

Originally a George Harrison song, this awesome version by Richie Havens is pretty cool.  His funky open-tuning on the guitar, slightly off-beat cadence combined with a voice like crushed velvet is a special way to enjoy this tune (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBbXKsKXyNU ).

“Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here  

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right”

When the warm does finally come, we stand taller and our faces brighten when we turn upward toward the sun.  We can start to feel ourselves opening up to the potential that is Spring and the beauty it brings.

The Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, if you embrace that as a part of your faith tradition, can be a complex concept to grasp.  How can God be One, yet three, yet One?  Picture the Sun.  Not the Son, but the bright orb 93 million miles from our earthy home.  It’s out there as the source; the Father.  As the light travels to us, we can see its rays sometimes reflected through light dust in the air or shimmering on a wave; Jesus.  The light, as it hits our skin does not just bounce off, but it interacts and changes us, warming; the Holy Spirit.  They are not three separate things, but each have a perfect and eternal purpose as a part of their eternal One-ness.  Grass greens, ice melts, faces shine.

“Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear 

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right”

We don’t have to be cold any more.  The Light has come into the world and shown us God’s love.  When we allow it to interact with us, change us, we are made new.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)

So, are you feeling a bit crunched up and tight?  Are you having trouble opening up to the warmth around you in the form of a friendly word, caring embrace or loving plea?  You can trust the warmth as it changes you.  Here comes the Son, and it’s all right.

Pray

What do you pray for?  Maybe a better question for you is, what don’t you pray for.  Throughout our days and weeks, whether we are in a specifically focused time of prayer or not, we are constantly praying.  If you were to count the actual number of times in a day when you made some kind of request, in silence or even out loud, wishing, hoping, praying for something to occur or not to occur, I think you’d be very surprised.  We seem to live our lives in a constant state of prayer.

Often, the prayers are pretty specific.  But sometimes, we are in a spot where we are at a loss for words.  The situation we are in may be so overwhelming, that we are unable to articulate what we need.

“I bow my head to pray, I don't know what to say
I'm not sure how to fix the things I'm dealing with
I'm in a desperate place, I need to share the weight
But I just don't know how, to let it all pour out
Though I'm silent, my heart is crying
Cause I was made to come to You”

This song, “Pray”, from Sanctus Real, is a wonderful prayer in and of itself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrQHNQ0hwQE).  Besides the position of complete submission the lyrics offer, I especially love the contrast of recognizing that we need God to answer our prayers, but we often don’t spend the time to actually sit down and do it, taking the moment to be with Him.

As I continue to read the Bible, my list of favorite verses located throughout continues to grow.  I love how God constantly discloses Himself to me through the Word in new ways.  There are verses that pop out and speak to me based on what is happening in my life at that time, even though I’ve read them before and not thought very much about them.  Although I would not want to discard any part of the Bible, if someone asked me to carry nothing else around but one of Paul’s Letters, it would be Romans.  I find myself returning to it continually.

One of my go-to verses is what Paul says about not worrying about the words we use in prayer.  There are times when we are so full…of pain or of joy…that we can’t even speak words to articulate what we are feeling. But that’s OK; we just need to feel and live the prayer in a way that speaks more than words can.  God knows what’s in our hearts.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26) 

“So I pray
God I need You more than words can say
Right here in this moment
You know my heart, You know my need
You know every part of me
So even if it's just to speak Your name
I'm gonna pray”

I read once that God has three answers to prayer: “Yes”, “Not Yet”, or “I have something better in mind.”  There are plenty of prayers I’ve spoken or thought during the course of my years for which I’m glad God did not give me the answer of “Yes”.  Another great song, Garth Brooks’ “Unanswered Prayers” is a favorite and comes to mind when thinking about the things I’m VERY glad God did not bring my way, if I had had my way.  Regardless, we still have this opportunity to come to Him, again and again.

So, know that you were made to come to Him in prayer.  He created you as a being that has the ability and desire to make your requests, fears and thanksgiving known in ways that only God can hear and answer.  Beautifully and awesomely, He takes it as an offering.  Even if it’s just to speak His name, pray.

Who Am I?

We humans can be pretty full of ourselves sometimes.  Whether you look at the “examples” which come to us from Hollywood or from Washington, there seems to be an abundance of those who regard themselves quite highly.  Sometimes, I’m right there with them on those days when I get a little too full of myself.  But the opposite is much more close to the truth.

“I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind”

Casting Crowns again today.  Have you figured out yet that these guys are at the top of my list for inspirational words and music?  The first time I heard of this song “Who Am I?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzCmwETeZXY) was during a Kairos Prison Ministry weekends. One of my new friends at the facility requested this from our music team and it immediately became a favorite of mine.

I’ve often thought about how hard it must be for famous people, especially rock stars, to keep their heads screwed on straight when faced with so many people filling them up with, well, themselves.  When you are standing on a stage, with thousands…tens of thousands…cheering, screaming and almost worshiping you, its hard not to get a big head.  But at the end of the day, just like you and me, they are eventually alone and in a quiet spot with their thoughts, yearnings and fears.

“Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt”

Of all the things that can get in the way of our relationship with God, our ego can often be the biggest obstacle.  We consider ourselves before considering others, before considering Him.  But He calls us to more.

“Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are”

But here’s the thing; God does think we are awesome.  He sees the potential in each of us and knows that He has knitted together an amazing creation.  In Psalm 139:14, we read “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”  It took me a long time to figure out that what the Psalmist is saying here is that I am an amazing child of God’s creation.  You are awesome.  We should be in awe at what God has put together in the potential of what is in us.  However, it is Him, not us, that makes this so.  And it is Jesus Christ’s sacrifice that makes it possible for us to be eternally reconciled to our Heavenly Father.

“Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours”

So, can I walk the tightrope? Can I thread the needle of setting myself aside and recognizing that God is in control, while focusing on the potential for amazing things that He has placed in me?  God, I know I can, because I am yours.

Let It Be Me

Some days, we’re just down in the dumps.

“There comes a time
A time in everyone’s life
Where nothing seems to go your way
When nothing seems to turn out right”

Although a current rough patch may be due to a legitimate series of events that are dragging you into a funk, other times, it’s just a feeling.  Blue.

“There may come a time
You just can’t seem to find your place
For every door you open
Seems like you get two slammed in your face”

Today’s song is from another one of my favorite guys.  Ray LaMontagne puts together some awesome stuff.  His song “Let It Be Me” is a smooth roll through the tough day (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LWpw3CMCEg&feature=kp).  The album this comes from, “Gossip In The Grain”, is one of the oft-played around our house.  Pretty much every song has something to say about the beauty of the world (“Winter Birds”), my love (“You Are The Best Thing”) or just a fun tune that our girls love to sing along to (“Hey Me, Hey Mama”).

When we land in those frown-fraught times, the best solution may just be having a friend or loved one to talk to about it.  Once we share the burden, our load is lightened and we feel a little better.  Not that we have a solution to whatever problems we may be facing, but the act of talking it through makes a difference.  Many times, you are that friend; other times, you need the friend.

“That’s when you need someone
Someone that you can call
When all your faith in gone
It feels like you can’t go home

Let it be me
Let it be me 

If it’s a friend that you need
Let it be me
Let it be me”

It’s not too hard to imagine yourself singing this song to a friend. But for just a moment, although it may sound a bit corny, imagine Jesus singing this to you.  Seriously.  Go back to the beginning and listen to the whole thing, picturing Jesus sitting next to you, arm around your shoulder, whispering this quiet tune to you.  Maybe He is standing across the room, singing, beckoning.

“I remember all to well
Just how it feels to be all alone
Feel like you’d give anything
For just a little place you can call your own”

This is the Holy Spirit’s gift of music to us.  It is impossible to unwind the feelings uncovered by music from our yearning for God’s love and our deepest desire to be in communion with Him.  When we have that pull towards God, music comes our way and draws us to Him.

So, having a rough day?  Jesus is there for you.  He has seen it before, felt your pain.  His arms are open wide, He says “Let it be Me.”

More Like Falling In Love

Words mean things.  When I hear people talk about themselves or others, when defining their relationship with God, they can often use the word “religious”.  Hearing “I’ve never been a religious guy”, or “my parents are pretty religious” is one of my little pet peeves about how people can describe a life of faith in a way that doesn’t paint the full picture.

“Give me rules
I will break them
Show me lines
I will cross them 

I need more than
A truth to believe
I need a truth that lives
Moves and breathes”

The reason the word religion or religious strikes me as an incomplete articulation of one’s faith is because it can imply the following of rules or a set of standards as opposed to turning your whole heart towards something.  Religion speaks to a process where, if we follow the rules, we can achieve redemption and eternal life. But, if we are unable to follow the rules of religion, we will be relegated to an eternity of punishment.

“Give me words
I'll misuse them
Obligations
I'll misplace them 

'Cause all religion
Ever made of me
Was just a sinner
With a stone tied to my feet
It never set me free”

Our early Christian ancestry was about following rules in order to gain favor with God.  In order to be aligned with Him, we had to dress a certain way, follow a series of intricate steps for atonement and show our religion outwardly in a way that was about gaining righteousness by the world’s definition. But now, we have something different.  We can fall in love with our God.

I heard this song, “More Like Falling In Love” yesterday morning on my adventure to/from Chicago.  Fortunately I had many hours of K-LOVE along for the ride (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA9IfB7coKg).  I had experienced the song a few times before yesterday, but what struck me on the most recent listen was how Jason talks about the difference between a forced faith and one that comes naturally; a love that we don’t drive ourselves to by following rules, but by losing ourselves, in a way.

“More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance 

Caught up, called out
Come take a look at me now
It's like I'm falling, oh
It's like I'm falling in love”

Because people sometime define their faith as religion, they can think the only way for them to obtain God’s favor is by going to church, praying a certain way, living a life of perfection.  Yes, religion can demand these things, but there is a different way.  There is a way that is about letting go of convention and logic, opening your heart, falling.  Jesus is not religious to us; He loves us.  “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

“Love, love, love
Deeper and deeper, it was
Love that made me a believer
In more than a name
A faith, a creed 

Falling in love with Jesus brought
The change in me”

So, are you religious or are you in love?  Think of that feeling you’ve had when falling in love.  It’s an all-in proposition.  Set aside the rules; push away the steps and process required by a religion.  Fall in love.

Rise

File today’s post under the category of  “potential roadblocks becoming blessings”.

As we were headed to Ireland just over a week ago, a friendly Delta gate agent noticed that my passport expires this coming September.  I was OK for the Ireland trip, but I mentioned that I would be headed to the Philippines in just over a week (tomorrow) and planned to renew it right after my return.  She reminded me that the Philippines has a 6-month window prior to passport expiration where you cannot travel to the country.  This meant I needed to renew my passport…today.  A same-day passport renewal?  Certainly a roadblock.

In order to do that, I needed to hit the road at 430a ET this morning to drive to Chicago and be at the passport office when it opens at 730a CT.  The blessing?  I am now sitting in a park, writing this, and watching the sun rise over one of my favorite places in the whole world: Lake Michigan.

“Yes I will rise
Out of these ashes rise
From this trouble I have found
And this rubble on the ground
I will rise”

There are times when we seem to be in a spot where a roadblock may inhibit our ability to be blessed.  But never forget that the roadblock may be the thing that allows a blessing to occur.

“Sometimes my heart is on the ground
And hope is nowhere to be found
Love is a figment I once knew
And yet I hold on to what I know is true”

Today’s song, “Rise” by Shawn McDonald, has many wonderful elements to it.  Besides being a quiet yet upbeat way to start the day and the week, it has a true message of moving beyond our challenges (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2ti1BikZrA).

We see the Apostle John writing in 1 John 4:4-5 about how we can determine whether something is of the Holy Spirit or from the world.

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.”

Our ability to rise up from our most difficult challenges comes not from our own ability, but from He who is within us.  Jesus is greater, more powerful, more pervasive than anything in the world.  And because He is in you, you have a power greater than anything in the world that can knock you down.  The chorus of our song today:

“ ‘Cause He
Who is in me
Is greater than I will ever be
And I will rise”

When we allow ourselves to stand aside, to die to the things of the world, Christ has room to move in and live.  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

So, how will a roadblock be turned into a blessing for you today?  Although you may feel like you are in the midst of ashes, having been burnt to the ground, choose the Truth and not the lies.  Rise.

If You Want Me To

One of the most fun parts of writing about music this year is the rediscovery of a song I had forgotten about.  As I have mentioned, music has a way to move us in ways that are unique.  The memories that a song, a melody or lyrics can elicit speak to how all of our senses work together to bring us closer to God, our sense of hearing just being one part.

“The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to”

For me, one of the bigger challenges that my faith in God presents is trusting Him on what He is bringing me through.  It’s not that deep down in my core I don’t trust Him, it’s more like I forget to trust Him while I am in the midst of the struggle of that day.  Now, in the grand scheme of things, I have an amazing life and I really have no right to complain about anything going on. But, even though many of us may be richly blessed, we still have those days…weeks…months…years…when things just aren’t going right.

“ ‘Cause I'm not who I was when I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will walk through the fire if You want me to”

As I was flipping through music this morning, looking for inspiration, this beautiful song from Ginny Owens “If You Want Me To” popped up as a joyful surprise (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q8pWgDsv1E).  The memories I have of this song came rushing back and I knew it was the one for today.  Ginny’s words and sublime piano playing are perfect.  The chord progressions in this song are beautiful, especially how they move down during the part of the chorus “…walk through the …”.  Listen for it; they sound like slow steps down into that valley, towards that fire, through that darkness.

One of our family traditions is to sing to our girls once they are tucked into bed at night.  As they grow up, this happens less and less, but we still get to do it every once in awhile, if they let us.  This song is one from Greta’s “repertoire”.  Besides “Baby Mine” from Disney’s “Dumbo”, this is probably one of my favorites.  I can remember many times, secretly standing outside the bedroom door, listening to her quiet voice, sing this beautifully to one of our girls.

The path God has us on at any given time may be different than what we had in mind.  We plan, we set our direction, thinking it will be the right way to go.  Then, life throws us a curve ball.  But, just because things aren’t going as we planned, does not mean they are not a part of God’s purpose for how He will change us.

“It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone 

So when the whole world turns against me and I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will walk through the darkness if You want me to”

When listening to this song, I had forgotten how the end would often bring me to tears…maybe even a bit today…as I thought about the joy of seeing Jesus at the end of my life in this world.  The picture of standing there, looking into His eyes and knowing all is well, causes my heart to stutter with anticipation.  It allows me to move forward, one more step, trusting Him.

“When I cross over Jordan, I'm gonna sing, gonna shout
I'm gonna look into Your eyes and see, You never let me down
So take me on the pathway that will lead me home to You
And I will walk through the valley if You want me to
Yes, I will walk through the valley if You want me to”

Oh, and by the way, if you have not heard of her or figured it out by now from the video, Ginny is blind.  Amazing!

So, are you on a path right now that is a struggle?  Are you headed towards a tough time, knowing it will test your spirit and try your soul?  Know that you have One you can rely on to walk with you.  He has been through struggles and pain and sorrow.  Jesus knows your heart because He brought it into being and is with you every day.  Go ahead, walk through the valley.  He will walk with you.

Open The Eyes Of My Heart

Picture yourself in a moment of highest joy, victory, or success.  You’ve just achieved a huge accomplishment; won a race; witnessed a miracle; heard amazing good news; your favorite team just won the big game.  What are you doing?

If you search the web for images for “victory” or “success”, there is a common picture that appears.  It will be a person who has their arms lifted high above their head, most often with their face turned up to the sky.  Why is this position of joy common among the entire human race, regardless of culture, language, faith or age?  It is timeless and universal.

When you see images of people praising God, what are they doing?  Sometimes they are kneeling or have heads bowed in prayer.  But very often you see them in this same position of joy; arms raised, eyes closed, smiling, face turned toward Heaven, sometimes with tears streaming down.  Is this a mere coincidence?  Of course not.

“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You”

If you have ever been a part of a faith-based retreat weekend, a modern worship service full of praise music, or listen to K-LOVE radio for any period of time, it is hard not to hear this song.  The most beautiful versions of this song written by Paul Baloche often are live, with many singing along.  It is a song of ultimate, eternal and perfect praise from choirs of the faithful or a single soul, crying out to God in worship, prayer or a broken spirit. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh30xwmJ-x0).

“To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy”

In yesterday’s post, I made a comment about how much I loved the opening and closing of “Bring The Rain”.  The phrase “Holy, Holy, Holy”, for me, is the ultimate and perfect way for us to praise our God when all other words seem inadequate.   There are dozens if not hundreds of songs and hymns which include these words of highest praise.  Oddly enough, there are only two places in the Bible where they appear in this way.  Both of them refer to angles singing to God.

“ ‘In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.  Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ ” (Isaiah 6:1-2) 

“Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.’ ” (Revelation 4:8)

For an extra treat today, take a few minutes to watch this version of a 10-yr old boy, who is blind and autistic, singing this song (http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KGYWKLNX).  For me, it is once again evidence that God is in us no matter our spiritual condition, our state of brokenness, our physical health or mental capability.  Because of this, each and every human life is precious; God is there, and so there is good.

“Holy, Holy, Holy
I want to see You”

These words are the ones used when angels, heavenly creatures, speak to God in praise.  Are we not also of the Spirit, of Heaven, Angels?  We are most certainly.  As God’s creation praises Him, all other words fall aside.  With these words, you have tapped into something beyond words.  Call it magical or spiritual or whatever, but there is no doubt, it is Holy.

So, open the eyes of your heart.  See Him.  Sing out to Him in joy, smiling, face turned up, arms held high.  Holy, Holy, Holy.

Bring The Rain

Looking at the weather in central Indiana for the past few days, as well as what is in store for today and tomorrow, you could reasonably ask, “What?!?  Bring more rain?!?!?”  Just like the snow we had this past winter, there are amounts which bring smiles and fun, and there are amounts that are, well, too much of a good thing.  When we are in the midst of the rain, and it just keeps on coming, we can question its value.

“I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain 

You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray”

Mercy Me is another one of these bands in whose music I often find a connection.  Their songs bring very simple concepts like struggle and joy into beautiful moments of worship and praise.  I love this version because of how it starts and ends (“Holy, Holy, Holy”…more on that another day) as well as the gospel choir joining in as the song builds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8HgAVenbUU).

“Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory 

And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain”

The movie “Noah” that is now in theaters seems appropriate right now as the rains continue to fall.  Besides this story from Genesis, there are many references to rain in the Bible.  One of my favorites is from Isaiah.

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)

The understanding that nothing in our lives comes without purpose is an important one.  When the challenges and the dark times come, we most often turn to a dialogue of complaint.  But what if we instead chose to embrace the struggle?  How would our attitude change if we welcomed the rainy days in life, knowing that they have the ability to bring just as much blessing as the sunny ones?

So, when the rain comes, pray for the rain.  When we are at our lowest or most frustrating moments and we turn to God in prayer, or even in praise, we are giving Him the glory, recognizing His Kingship over us and for us.   Do we need more rain today?  Do we need more struggles and challenges?  Probably not.  But, if that’s what it takes to praise You, Jesus bring the rain.

If We Are The Body

Do you ever wonder about the role you play in God’s plan for His work in the world?  Do you think, for some reason you, or someone around you, can’t play a part?  On any given day, I’m sure I have at least one opportunity to make a positive difference.  The question is, do I?

Today, we’re enjoying another song from Casting Crowns.  They certainly take up a good share of my music library, as their gifts speak beautifully to our life experiences in a pretty impactful way.  This tune, “If We Are The Body” is not only a great depiction of the things Jesus calls us to do as a part of Him, but it speaks to the little moments in our day when we may not be at our best (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWeHo8E70E).  It challenges us to think not only about the big things we do, but more importantly, these many little things we do or don’t do when given the chance to be the difference.

“It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in, trying to fade into the faces
The girl's teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know”

How many times have each of us participated in that indirect hatred of ridicule or mocking; disdain or indifference?  In our society of “judgmentalism”, where we see entire genres of television shows dedicated to pointing out the flaws and faults of other, it has become almost an acceptable second nature to place or remove value based on our skewed perception of what and who is “good”.

“A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road”

Where do you think the “back row” is?  More often than not, it is our own places of worship.  Oddly enough, the church pew can sometimes be the most painful and unwelcoming place for those we have decided aren’t worthy of a seat at God’s table.  But when Jesus described us as the “body of Christ”, He called us to something different.

“But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?”

Each of us has a role in continuing the work Jesus.  And I’m not just speaking about those of us who call ourselves Christians and consider that we are doing His work.  Those whom we too often consider to be on the outside because of how they look, what they believe (or don’t believe) or where they worship are also a part of The Body.  Did Jesus wait until Saul realized he was headed down the wrong road to appear to him?

“Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ”

Christ came to Saul while this Pharisee was still out there persecuting and killing.  After Saul was transformed to Paul, he wrote about how each one of us are an important part of the body of Christ.  Each person brings something different, something of value.

“ ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.’ “  (1 Corinthians 12:21-27)

The Greek word “Christ” is synonymous with the Hebrew “Messiah”.  Both words represent the “one” who was to come and redeem the world, bringing God’s work to completion.  Why should we think that this work could only start and finish with one man?  Jesus’ sacrifice, death and resurrection was only the beginning.

“And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way”

So, today, how will you be the Body?  How will you recognize the part each of us plays?  When you look at that person whom you might normally write off as unimportant, or seemingly working against God’s work in the world, embrace them as a part of the same Body in which you reside.  For, there was a time…and there may be a time again…when you feel like an outsider, and Jesus, in that person, will welcome you in.

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

That elusive item just out of your grasp, barely beyond your reach.  You strive for it and yet it seems to escape your attempt to gather it in again and again.

“I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you”

Our faith can be like this at times.  Our relationship with God and our seeking of Him waxes and wanes like the moon, goes in and out like the tide.

“I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you 

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for”

Being in Ireland and Northern Ireland this week, it would almost be sacrilege not to highlight a song from one of Ireland’s best-known bands, U2.  Being here in Derry the past few days, the site of Bloody Sunday in 1972 (described in one of their other songs “Sunday Bloody Sunday”), brought this band to mind over and over.  The song “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” was arguably their first big US commercial success
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ISAntOom0).  I see it at a great testament to their own continual seeking and the role faith plays in the band’s music.  There are other great examples of this in their catalog too.

Is it OK to question, to seek?  I have certainly spent my share of time doubting God and His role in my life, looking for Him in all the wrong places.  Most times, I did not even know I was looking for Him.  As I sought fulfillment from the things of this world, desired validation by man, I burned weeks, months, years.  I spoke the chorus of this song in words and in my heart over and over.  Maybe you have too.

“I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone 

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for”

In Luke’s Gospel, just after Jesus teaches how to pray, giving us what is commonly known as the Lord’s Prayer, He talks to us about our searching.  He does not admonish us that we have questions.  He recognizes the journey we are on and that our endless inquiry, pursued with persistence, will lead us no other place but to Him.

“ 'So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’ “ (Luke 11:9)

The problem we have at times is that we stop looking.  We think we’ve found that which satisfies, and our searching ends.  But after a time, we thirst and hunger again.  We know there are still miles to go in our seeking.  Even when we recognize that we seek Him, our doubt creeps in.

“I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running 

You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it 

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for”

So, keep seeking, keep knocking, keep asking.  Don’t settle for that which is convenient or comfortable.  God is rarely found in a place of complacency, but rather in the setting of that which challenges convention.  When you think you have gone to earth’s end and to your own, He will be there.  And even when our faith falters, our walk becomes a crawl, He welcomes our seeking and welcomes us Home.

People Get Ready

It seems that we are continually preparing ourselves for one thing or another.  This season of Lent itself, is a time of preparation.  As we reflect on our lives, we examine the things we could be better at, whether it is loving more, wanting less, giving up or giving out, it is a period of preparing our hearts to receive the gift of Christ’s Passion we’ll experience in a just a few weeks.

“People get ready
there’s a train a-comin’
You don’t need no baggage
You just get onboard”

I was aware of this song through a few different artists.  Our friend from yesterday, Bob Marley, samples phrases in his well-known “One Love”.   Aretha Franklin, and even Rod Stewart have recorded this song, originally written by Curtis Mayfield and laid down by the Impressions in 1965.  But this slow version by the Chambers Brothers, with a beat that almost allows you to hear the train coming slowly down the tracks, is my favorite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-MrTaXpy0w

The phrase “You don’t need no baggage” is especially appropriate for we humans.  We carry a lot of it.  The amount of stuff we haul around in our heads and our hearts which block our ability to be blessed is myriad.  The implication that we can join this adventure with our haunts behind us, fears set aside, is an encouraging one.  Jesus offers us an opportunity to let it all go.

“ ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’ ” (Matthew 11:28)

However, there is this section of the song that lends itself to the more exclusionary.  The messages of judgment and condemnation appear throughout the Christian lexicon and too often become the focus of our dialogue.  We have this innate desire, like the Pharisee, to show how we are somehow better than others, or at least not as bad as them, and deserve a seat.

“There ain't no room
for the hopeless sinner
who would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own 

Have pity on those
whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place
against the kingdom’s throne”

But I prefer to focus on this last line in a different way, an alternative to the implication of judgment.  I prefer the message that God is so great, so loving that we can’t hide from His grace.  A friend of mine says, “You can’t out-sin God’s love for you.”  Taken this way, there is a spot for everyone on this train.  His forgiveness is the ticket.

Imagine that you are at this eternal train station, a whole mess of bags in tow.   You’ve been lugging them around for what seems like forever.  Your back hurts, your arms ache with their weight.  You’re pretty sure you’ve “earned” your ticket for this train, but the lies of the world have pounded unworthiness into your spirit.  As the train slowly comes to a stop in front of you, the Conductor reaches out His hand.  Smiling, He welcomes you.

“All you need is faith
to Hear the diesels hummin’
don’t need no ticket
you just thank the Lord”

So, are you ready?  As you step onto the train, leave your bags behind.  Feel the lightness in your soul as you allow someone else, Jesus, to carry the load.  Prepare yourself not by taking on more, adding to the weight, but by letting it go, just get on board.