Stop and listen

Us: Are you still concerned about me?
God: Are you still concerned about me?
Us: Maybe that’s the problem! I am concerned about me and not you. Are you not all-knowing? You know my past and my future. Do you see and feel my misery? But is my misery self-inflicted, falling away from your love, seeing myself fall from the heights from where I’ve been as though watching someone else? You know my present…
God: STOP! Stop and listen now… to what I am about to say to you.
(Reflections from Exodus 4:29-31)

Jesus in the gutter

Jackie Pullinger, a missionary in Hong Kong who works with heroin addicts, has said, “If you want to see revival, plant your church in the gutter.” (Red Moon Rising, Greig & Roberts, pg. 7, Relevant Books)

Us: Jesus in the gutter? Does that mean I have to follow? Gutter! Dirty, filthy, disgusting, low-life, addicts, homeless, smells, appearance, uneducated – maybe, unlike us middle class folks. That’s what I say!

God: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags… you have hidden your face from us and made us waste away because of our sins.” (Isaiah 64:6,7) “That’s what you should say”

Us: You're right! I know it down deep. Actually God, I don’t have to dig that deep. Forgive me!

God: “I already have. Do you believe?”

If my eyes were open...

If my eyes were open I would see God’s angels guarding a path through a garden. The path is covered with trees bowing low towards the ground. Flowers, still to be seen by my eyes, fill the branches. Beyond the path is a tree that gives life to anyone who tastes it. But on this path is still the sound of footprints of a creator filled with sadness and disappointment. Yet this sound of yesteryear still resonates. For this reason stand angels guarding this path. But I can not enter its gates alone. Who will go with me? If my eyes were open I would see Him. (Reflections from Genesis 3:24)

It is hard to believe!

How hard it is to believe?

I cheated my brother from his rightful inheritance. On our blind father’s death bed I pretended to my brother. My father passed on to me the promise of land and blessings. Whatever reason it was now legal. I ran away to escape my brother’s murderous threats. For 20 years I stayed away, married and had children. I turned my life around. My father was such a man of God. Now I was taking responsibility for my actions and my faith.

God appeared to me on several occasions through dreams. He confirmed that He would honor my father’s inheritance and blessing. I would carry on God’s promise to the world. But now it was time to go back home. How would my brother receive me? God promised to be with me if I went back home. So we packed up and started on the long journey. On the way angels of God met me. What a confirmation! But then as we grew closer my fears overwhelmed me. My fears were too great and I panicked. I divided up my family into groups. In case my brother attacked one, then the others would survive. I sent him gifts to soften his heart. I stayed back and would come last. It all worked out. I humbled myself in front of him. He had forgiven me.

But what I can’t understand is my lack of faith. I was a coward. God’s promise was not enough. I took it out of His hands and figured out my own scheme to win my brother back. You would think seeing angels would be enough to convince me.

It is hard to believe even when the evidence is so clear.
Hope for better results for you. Signed Jacob (Reflections from Genesis 31-33)

What is this sound coming from you?

What is this sound coming from you? Is it the sound of angry waves beating on the rocks lining the ocean shore? Is it the sound of thunder and lightening as if the battles in heaven are being heard on earth? Is it the sound of wind so powerful yet unseen? Is it the sound of a gentle whisper of love coming from a Father’s heart to a child who broke His heart? Whatever the sound, I hear it. Let me obey it. Let me be drawn to its source.

Quench my thirst!

You promised. Yes you did Jesus. You promised to quench my thirst. But, what if I can’t find the water to drink? What if I can’t lift the cup? I am too tired and weary. Help me! “Just come to the water. Kneel down. See my hand. I’ll make a cup from my scarred hand. I’ll pick up the vessel and pour the water into my hand. Are you willing to drink from my cup? I’ll pour it slowly. Just drink. Yes, I promised. So come and kneel before me.” “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters.” (Isaiah 55:1)

Hiding from you today.

I am hiding from you today. I realize my guilt. I am hiding from the sound of you walking toward me. I know I can't hide but I am trying. I am ashamed of what I look like in your presence. But am I coming out of hiding to face you? No, I wait until your voice begins to ask me questions. I don't have a choice, I suppose I do, but at once I admit my failure. I blame others or my situations. But I finally have to confess my sins. That is the only way to be set free. I wish I could believe... signed Adam? (Genesis 3:1-12)

Prayer takes my time.

Prayer takes time, my time. Am I taking up God's time? God has no time. He doesn't look at an hour glass. I do. Not because I have something important to do. Usually my time involves "me". There is no time where God lives so if I am to live with God, then the face of my clock should be turned away. Sitting quietly... times slips away.

How can a tree bloom in a desert?

"My soul finds rest in God alone." Psalms 62:1

We often feel like we're in a desert with no hope of nourishment, surrounded by desolation and lack of vision or motivation. But in the midst of hopelessness, God has promised to make us bloom where we are. But do we believe?