We fear that which we believe has power over us...
We fear the unknown.
We fear the dark.
We fear disease and sickness.
We fear death.
Has not GOD overcome all evil, even death? "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Why should we have need to fear anything but GOD?
And, we should fear GOD.
"Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!" Deuteronomy 5:29
He alone has the power to destroy us, body and soul.
Yet, how satisfying that the only entity worthy of our fear is He that loves us the most!
Furthermore, what is grace without a healthy fear of justice and punishment?
Punishment: "For the wages of sin is death..." In other words, eternal separation from GOD, from all that is good and loving and righteous and true and merciful. The wrath of GOD is something to be feared.
But, the verse doesn't stop there. And, neither should our hope. For the Great "I AM," has made a way for His people to be with Him forever.
Grace: "but the gift of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
So, what does it mean to fear GOD?
"To this man will I (the Lord) look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word." (Isaiah 66:2)
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 1:7
Oh GOD, grant that we may learn what it means to fear You, that we could worship You in truth.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Dark Circles
that which you justly procrastinate,
or contemplating the political debate,
what keeps you up so late?
music of all genres,
blogs written to discuss,
why put up such a fuss?
does it rule me?
or am i still free
to say yes to sleep.
under the eyes
you see what lies
in the recesses of minds
are you sleepless
by the thought of missing this
or fighting the injustice
morning bring the light
may i not put up a fight
for you shine on insight
what keeps you up so late?
or contemplating the political debate,
what keeps you up so late?
music of all genres,
blogs written to discuss,
why put up such a fuss?
does it rule me?
or am i still free
to say yes to sleep.
under the eyes
you see what lies
in the recesses of minds
are you sleepless
by the thought of missing this
or fighting the injustice
morning bring the light
may i not put up a fight
for you shine on insight
what keeps you up so late?
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Birds can't swim
a bird above
the vast sea, you fly
a refuge you seek,
rest for weary wings
though a Rock is nearby
solid and strong
you don't see it, though you try
even I don't know why
you've been so blind, open your eyes
how is it that you've spotted me?
such a small yet swift fish
sure, it was I who came to the surface
thinking I could show you to your place of rest
now you've forgotten where your need is
is it rest you need or sustenance
though you're hungry for fish,
it's for rest that you truly wish.
you're flying too close, you're swooping too near
it's not my own life that I fear
rather where you'll be when death draws near.
I'm swimming circles 'round the rock now,
don't miss it or you'll die
your strength is running thin now,
yet this Rock is here to stay.
You can believe it if you see it.
these fish scales can't carry me through the air
your bird wings won't do you any good under here
our only refuge is the Rock from which
our source of strength comes
find your rest in Him and be
a beloved of the King eternally.
the vast sea, you fly
a refuge you seek,
rest for weary wings
though a Rock is nearby
solid and strong
you don't see it, though you try
even I don't know why
you've been so blind, open your eyes
how is it that you've spotted me?
such a small yet swift fish
sure, it was I who came to the surface
thinking I could show you to your place of rest
now you've forgotten where your need is
is it rest you need or sustenance
though you're hungry for fish,
it's for rest that you truly wish.
you're flying too close, you're swooping too near
it's not my own life that I fear
rather where you'll be when death draws near.
I'm swimming circles 'round the rock now,
don't miss it or you'll die
your strength is running thin now,
yet this Rock is here to stay.
You can believe it if you see it.
these fish scales can't carry me through the air
your bird wings won't do you any good under here
our only refuge is the Rock from which
our source of strength comes
find your rest in Him and be
a beloved of the King eternally.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Bricklayer
I am a bricklayer
careful and true
Ensuring the bricks lay flat
without angle
Lest the house begin to lean
and risk toppling over
The level is a tool I use most often
Watching the bubble
glide left and glide right
Speculating and adjusting
may it settle in the center.
Wavering too far to the right,
I'm afraid I've applied too much pressure.
Leaning to the left,
Maybe I've not made my wishes known.
For if each brick does not lay flat
and lay level,
I fear that this brick house may surely topple over.
For such a tedious task as this,
I must confess the wages are high.
I entreat you then sir,
Are you still willing to buy?
(I wrote this poem a while back)
...Has anyone ever felt this way before in a relationship?
careful and true
Ensuring the bricks lay flat
without angle
Lest the house begin to lean
and risk toppling over
The level is a tool I use most often
Watching the bubble
glide left and glide right
Speculating and adjusting
may it settle in the center.
Wavering too far to the right,
I'm afraid I've applied too much pressure.
Leaning to the left,
Maybe I've not made my wishes known.
For if each brick does not lay flat
and lay level,
I fear that this brick house may surely topple over.
For such a tedious task as this,
I must confess the wages are high.
I entreat you then sir,
Are you still willing to buy?
(I wrote this poem a while back)
...Has anyone ever felt this way before in a relationship?
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
What a great weekend at Fall Retreat!
This past weekend...October 10-12...I spent one amazing weekend in Hartford City with students on campuses all over Indiana who are a part of the evangelical ministry, Campus Crusade for Christ. Here's a collection of my favorite memories...
~Singing "Reign in Us" by Starfield in worship with my brothers and sisters, a glimpse of the unending praise we'll offer to Our Father in Heaven for eternity.
~star-tipping...I didn't know what it was either before this weekend...if you're up for the experience, just take a friend and go out under the night sky... stare up at the sky, choose one star, and lock your eyes onto it while you spin around 20 times (I lost the game), then ask your friend to shine the light directly into your eyes and.....try to remain standing, just try it.
~hearing about the greatness of God as expressed through an exegesis of Isaiah 40..."who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand..."
~savoring each bite of a large ice cream masterpiece by none other than the famous Ivanhoe's (choose from 100 combinations of sundaes and 100 combinations of shakes)
~trying to reach the dock after shoving off in a paddle boat that seemed to only turn left....a losing battle...
~enjoying the scene of multi-colored trees reflected off the still lake in the cool, quiet morning, a scene like only the midwest can promise
~screaming "freedom" from my open car window while listening to an original worship song of my sister's on the car ride home, a result of embracing the freedom that comes from receiving forgiveness that is free, love that is free, salvation that is free, and all these at an unconditional and everlasting rate.
~Singing "Reign in Us" by Starfield in worship with my brothers and sisters, a glimpse of the unending praise we'll offer to Our Father in Heaven for eternity.
~star-tipping...I didn't know what it was either before this weekend...if you're up for the experience, just take a friend and go out under the night sky... stare up at the sky, choose one star, and lock your eyes onto it while you spin around 20 times (I lost the game), then ask your friend to shine the light directly into your eyes and.....try to remain standing, just try it.
~hearing about the greatness of God as expressed through an exegesis of Isaiah 40..."who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand..."
~savoring each bite of a large ice cream masterpiece by none other than the famous Ivanhoe's (choose from 100 combinations of sundaes and 100 combinations of shakes)
~trying to reach the dock after shoving off in a paddle boat that seemed to only turn left....a losing battle...
~enjoying the scene of multi-colored trees reflected off the still lake in the cool, quiet morning, a scene like only the midwest can promise
~screaming "freedom" from my open car window while listening to an original worship song of my sister's on the car ride home, a result of embracing the freedom that comes from receiving forgiveness that is free, love that is free, salvation that is free, and all these at an unconditional and everlasting rate.
Washing my own feet...
Three things occurred to me the other day as I was giving my feet a very hot bath and a good scrub down to try to remove the blisters built up from a long summer at camp and a stinginess for buying quality anything, nonetheless shoes...
1. "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15 Something tells me the feet referred to in this passage wouldn't be recruited to advertise the latest foot fashions. Consider Mother Teresa's feet who were severely deformed. Why? Because she selflessly allowed everyone else to have the first pick from the shoes that were sent, choosing the worst ones for herself.
2. It's really difficult to wash my own feet. (especially since I've lost some flexibility) No wonder Mary Magdalene washed Jesus' feet and Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. It's such a blessing to be a part of a body of believers that serves and loves one another.
3. In washing my own feet (or allowing my feet to be washed), I have a clearer picture of how to best wash other's feet. "You shall love your neighbor as you love yourself." Matt. 22:39 How will I know how to love others unless I know what it means to love myself? For instance, if I don't know how scalding the water can feel to my feet even though it felt fine to my hands, I would never know how to adjust as such in serving someone else.
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