Friday November 7, 2008
So we met Wayne today.
He is one of the most content, simple men I know.
He never asks of anything, he gives the biggest hugs.
Wayne is truely grateful for life.
He is just looking forward to one more day on this earth.
Wayne works hard in the mornings and play hard, staying out of trouble, in the evenings.
Wayne tells his prayer requests without worrying what others think of him;
yet he respects other people's space.
Wayne shines Jesus.
Wayne is homeless.
Please pray for Wayne.
Matthew 25:31-46
"It is a fact that once upon a time, before modern embalming techniques were in widespread use, people were found on rare occasions to have been buried alive. It's most likely, however, that 18th and 19th century horror stories involving premature burial were inspired by the medical discovery that victims of suffocation and drowning could be resuscitated — that, though they appeared dead, they really weren't. To say the least, this was a frightening realization for many people.
In any case, so strong was the fear of "precipitate interment" during the 19th century that some of the wealthier folk were known to stipulate in their wills that their coffins be outfitted with signaling devices ... just in case. "
Sometimes we humans bury ourselves alive. We take the past and shove it into the grave before it is ready to die. We hide it and cover it, six feet under, until it is silenced. And then someday...it starts to ring the bell. It signals our present back into our past and we start to uncover the truth.
And when we find it...
It is decapitated and rotting. It is falling apart---yet surviving. It was not ready to be dead...so now it lives. It lives in our hearts and our inmost being. We have tried to hide the past...and yet it is now uncovered.
So at this breaking point...
What will you do???
Will you put it to death and give it a proper burial?
Or
Will you let it drive you down to the depths of the grave?
"Chapter II"
Same place. Same time. Same story---more defined.
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"Back on the porch last night I was reminded of the streetlamps that get in the way of seeing our Lord Jesus Christ. We have worldly struggles, sins, and temptations that block our view of the Heavenly lights.
But this time, it was different.
It was raining.
It was pouring.
It was dark.
I could not even see the streetlamps.
And I was reminded of myself."
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Streetlights block our view of God. And WE block our view of sin. We tell ourselves:
"I'm okay."
And we are sinners.
Sin DOES get in the way of viewing Jesus...but WE get in the way of seeing our wrongs. We must take off our masks, this rain, this darkness, that disfigures the sin to look like normality.
Sin LOOKS good.
Sin FEELS good.
Sin is WRONG.
And we must be big enough to unmask ourselves.
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"It stopped raining.
The darkness faded.
And the streetlamp was seen.
And shortly after, I looked pass the streetlamp...
Often times I give and get butterfly kisses. Butterfly kisses= the eyelashes of one lightly fluttering on another's cheek. Whether it be daddy or your significant other, it is an innocent and memorable experience that captures the moment and expresses the pure love for another human-being.
My favorite butterfly kisses are from God.
He reaches down with His eyelashes, His face shining upon me in all of His glory, and blows a gentle breeze to tickle my cheeks. The wind is the Creator's kisses. And I think God is the best kisser in the world.
Butterfly Kisses
Bob Carlisle
"There's two things I know for sure:
She was sent here from heaven and she's
daddy's little girl.
As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes and
I thank god for all the joy in my life
Oh, but most of all
For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
sticking little white flowers all up in her
hair; "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
"I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
In all that I've done wrong I know I must
have done something right to deserve a hug
every morning and butterfly kisses at night.
Sweet 16 today
She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
One part woman, the other part girl.
To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
Trying her wings out in a great big world.
But I remember
Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer; sticking
little white flowers all up in her hair.
"You know how much I love you, Daddy, But if you
don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
With all that I've done wrong I must have done
something right to deserve her love every morning
and butterfly kisses at night.
All the precious time
Like the wind, the years go by.
Precious butterfly.
Spread your wings and fly.
She'll change her name today.
She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
She asked me what I'm thinking and I said "I'm not
sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
She leaned over...gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk my down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
"Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry!"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have
done something right.
To deserve your love every morning and butterfly
kisses-I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses. "
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Music Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgZftrobqlg
Have you ever noticed two traintracks that cross paths and combine into one track? It is a weird sight to behold. If you are walking along the track looking down at the intersection, it is hard to tell which track is which. They merge from two individual sets of rails into one straight and narrow path. As you step back you can tell from which direction each track has come from. As you look ahead you can see where both are equally going together in unison. As you look down you can see the combination of the two into one.
Marriage is much like two merging traintracks.
Two people have come from different places. They have traveled different paths. They are completely and utterly distiguishable. But as you look at the present you can see the lives merging into one. This one body makes it difficult to distinguish between each individual. But as you look on you can see the unity, they travel on the same path, and they bond together in the future.
Genesis 2:24
Sitting in the graveyard, mourning over lost loved ones...
Being still, quiet, and completely surround but alone...
As a tear was lingering on the lashes, glittering in the moonlight...
A soft violin of a song was being played.
It was calming and pleasing to the soul like a warm cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's day.
It was cheering and uplifting like a morning's run in the height of Autumn.
It was chilling and respectfully eerie like a jump into the ocean when the sun's beating down in May.
It was a cricket. One solely song chirping in the cool summer night.
It was humming to calm and please.
It was singing to cheer and uplift.
It was calling out to chill and respect.
It was sent from God, to join the rest...
Then after a minute or so of this beautiful song I opened my ears to the rest of the world. There were hundreds...
THOUSANDS
of crickets singing in harmony with one another.
They were singing over us like the angels up in Heaven. An orchestra sent from God.
Zepheniah 3:17 (NIV E+)
"The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
HE WILL REJOICE OVER YOU WITH SINGING."
As we were sitting on the porch last night, I looked up to the darkness of the skies. Like others, stargazing is a favorite past time of mine... To see all the twinkling lights millions of miles away, to watch the heavens glitter like a Christmas tree, brings a twinkle to my own little eye. Throughout the blackness there are these tiny dots that sing out songs of joy and fill the night's stillness with sweet melody. It is always a wonder to behold-if only I can see it, that is...
But last night, there was a street lamp in my way.
Have you ever noticed that if a light is shining brightly into your eyes-you cannot see past it? It blocks your view from what lies behind. Well, this streetlight was in my way from beholding the glories of the heavens-the twinkling lights beyond the unknown realms above.
It was as the world is to Chrisitanity.
We are trying to look beyond this world and see to Heaven...but yet there is that streetlamp in the way.
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."
Colossians 3:1-4 (NASB)
So you've been there before. Thanksgiving Dinner--- The turkey and dressing, mash potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, okra, tomatoes, potato salad, cranberry sauce, deviled eggs, green beans, rolls, cornbread, macaroni and cheese, cooked cabbage, green salad, smoked ham, jello salad, squash casserole, fried chicken all the way down to the pumpkin pie, pecan pie, chocolate cake, red-velvet cake, peanut brittle, ice-cream, peach/apple/blueberry/blackberry cobbler, candybars, hearshy-almond chocolate pie, peanut-butter pie, rocky-road mudslide dump cake, punch dump cake, chocolate coated pretzels and peanuts...and the list goes on.
So you are in the next room watching the Thanksgiving parade (in between flipping back and forth with football and fighting over the remote) when grandma is cooking up a storm. The smell is bliss. You are tired of the fighting and the boredom of the murmers of your extended relatives, so you follow your nose to the kitchen. You innocently stand beside the food bar as you look to your left, look to your right and take a quick glance behind and in front of you to make sure no-one is looking...and then...you sneak just a little taste of your favorite something. Thanksgiving Dinner has begun. Sure, you haven't had the prayer and no one except grandma is in the kitchen. But you look to your left, look to your right and take a quick glance behind and in front of you to make sure no-one is looking...and then...you sneak another taste of Thanksgiving Dinner. And you don't stop until you fall asleep.
God is Thanksgiving Dinner--- The love, the joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, passion, mercy, grace, salvation, purity, holiness, praise, contentment, perserverance, godliness, readiness, faith, knowledge, Truth, prayers...just to name a few.
So you are in the world watching and partaking of the sinful nature. Fighting with your enemies...AND your friends, flipping between what to do Friday night and Saturday night. But Daddy is cooking up a storm. The smell is bliss. You are tired of the fighting and the boredom of the murmers of the world, so you follow your nose to Christianity. And when your friends are too busy to notice-you look to your left, look to your right and take a quick glance behind and in front of you...and there Christianity is. There stands God. You take a bite, and sneak another taste of Him. And you don't stop until you fall asleep.THANKS be to God for his feast He sets before us. Now let us GIVE the feast to the world that surrounds us, because the sad thing is...some fall asleep too early.
"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." Psalm 63:1-5
So let me be straight up honest. I have had a lot to do. I made a "To Do" list yesterday and it consisted of 17 things:
1. Daily Bible reading
2. Email
3. Read When Is a Bible Example Binding
4. Return Poppa K's cooler
5. Car Decals
6. Youth Ministry class
7. Eat supper
8. Attend Preacher's Club/Missions Club meeting
9. Read How to Read the Bible For All It's Worth
10. Write Mrs. Gipson, Jessie, and Zach
11. Review lecture notes
12. Read Marriages and Families
13. Attend dorm devo
14. Write this note
15. Read Wild at Heart
16. Update F3 Group
17. Do Youth Ministry packet
Hold on. Wait a minute. Did you catch that?
#1-Read my Bible, #8-Attend Preacher's Club/Missions Club meeting, #13-Attend dorm devo...etc.
Did I just say I was SCHEDULING in God? Whoa! What has gotten into me lately?
"Yet this is the frustration of so many! They are so defeated trying to 'live the Christian life' that Christianity becomes an 'impossible burden' rather than an exciting joy!...One of my favorite statements is, 'Do not live the Christian life; live life as a Christian.'" (Thank you, Charles Hodge and Nathan McVeigh.)
Procrastination usually is not one of my problems. But sitting down to write this note was tough. Not because I didn't have time (#14, it is "planned" writing into my schedule). It was, and is, tough because sometimes---I fear feeling. It has been my struggle ever since I was born. You see, it is just so easy to wake up, go eat breakfast, go to class, go to chapel, go to my room, go to lunch, go to class, go nap, go to supper, go to an activity, go to bed, and wake up the next day just to go all over again. It is so easy to be, to feel...NUMB.
But to write-for me-is to feel. To write out my emotions, my passions, my LOVE, my LIFE---forces me to feel. It forces me to digest all the emotions throughout the day. It forces me to constantly be looking at life through "Jesus glasses" (Thanks, Nicole). It forces me to stop pretending to live the Christian life...
It forces me to LIVE as a Christian.
It forces me to be...HUMAN.
We need to love..."There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear," 1 John 4:18. "To step out of your comfort zone it means you are not afraid of rejection...Don't be afraid to have your heart broken," Sammi Jones.
We need to live in the Lord..."For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord," Romans 14:7-8.
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins," James 4:14-17.
So here is my "To Do" list, if God wills:
1. Live
2. Love
3. Die
"Jamie: You know what I figured out today?
Landon: What?
Jamie: Maybe God has a bigger plan for me than I had for myself. Like this journey never ends. Like you were sent to me because I'm sick. To help me through all this. You're my angel. "
-A Walk to Remember
Yesterday I was walking through the neighborhoods of Henderson, Tennessee- Quite and quaint they are with houses from the 1950's, broken sidewalks, and neighbors sitting on the front porch drinking down their southern sweet tea. I have walked those streets numerous of times over the past years with smiles from the passersby and even an occassional "how do you do." But yesterday was different. Something just wasn't quite right.
I felt like I was being stalked...you know, when you can feel eyes staring straight through your cold blood. He creeped up on me when I least expected. With a playful wag of his tail, "man's best friend" was at my side ready to play. He was an eerie yet comforting sort of companion. Coming from nowhere so it seemed. We walked together for sometime down the long lonesome road until we ran into his enemies.
With ferocious barks, probably better than their bites, the mob of carnivores prowled upon my companion, my friend. With threats of flesh and death, it seemed it could not get any worse until "dog's best friend" came to greet us as well. Talk about a bark that could kill; I had never behold such a site. Escaping as quickly as we could with my companero defending my every move, we walked into a trap that could no other than be set by the devil himself.
"You sure are a pretty little girl," harrassed the beasts next door neighbor, if you can call him such. Eh...talk about a sticky situation.
I escaped the trap of death that was breathing scoldings down my back just in the nick of time... The next thing I knew I was walking alone again down the broken sidewalk that beholds many of tales. My friend had vanished.
I don't know where he went, but I sure know where he came from. There is no doubt about it.
How many times does the Lord intervene with our lives?
What if you weren't running late on the way to work that one day?---would you have been in that car crash?
What if your parents never met?---would you be reading this today?
What if my friend was not there to guard me?---would you even have something to read?
God's plan for us is truely a wonder to behold.
I woke up this morning missing my friends--- craving them, needing to see their precious faces and hold them in my arms. This tends to happen when the world is QUIET, when there are no DISTRACTIONS. The TV is off. The computer is shut down. The books are closed. All is SILENT. When I am ALONE... The faces of my friends just creep into my head when I least want them to. Not because I don't love them-but because I love them so much. I would give and do anything to see them just one more time...and it hurts thinking about it. I'm not talking about the friends here at Freed that I love so dearly, nor the friends in my hometown that are only two-and-a-half hours away...but I'm talking about my friends that live 721, 1826, and 4656 miles away. These friends, my companions, that distance keeps us apart.
So I started thinking-how can I see them? How can I arrive at this destination where I know their presence will remain? Gas is too expensive these days to drive or take a plane...for the shortest distance round trip, if I get 20mpg at $3.50/gallon, it would cost over $250...and let's just forget about plane tickets. Now that may not seem like a lot of money to you, but for a poor college student who needs to save up for the rest of her life, that's a different story.
But there is another option:
I'll hitchhike.
I'll start here at Freed walking to Jackson and head torwards Memphis. I'll walk through the drive-thru's and look on the ground for the spare change (thanks, dad) just so I can eat a meal. I'll walk along the freeway holding out my hitchhiker thumb (thanks, God) pointing it straight up while it bends to the left. I'll ride with the dirtiest of the dirty. The meanest of the mean. I'll risk my life and my family's worries. I may be threatened. I may be robbed. I may starve. I may be abused. I may be kidnapped. I may be sexually assulted--- I may die. But...I may get to see my friends.
And then there is God.
I woke up this morning missing my Friend--- craving Him, needing to see His precious face and hold Him in my arms. This tends to happen when the world is QUIET, when there are no DISTRACTIONS. The TV is off. The computer is shut down. The books are closed. All is SILENT. When I am ALONE...He is there. He is just a call away. A hitchhiker's thumb to Heaven.
I cut myself while shaving the other night. Have you ever cut yourself?
At first it goes unnoticed. And then you see the red. The color starts to trickle slowly down the fresh and clean skin; the members of the body who were once peachy keen now stain red. And you are shocked. What do you do while you bleed and pain in agony? All and every body part grieves for the loss of blood and member that is cut away from the whole. Your head starts throbbing as the liquid and much needed fluid seeps out and escapes. Nothing else matters but to stop the bleeding and pain; to recover the loss; to make the body whole. All else is forgotten.
And then I wonder, do WE act like a body?
When a member starts to slip away and is cut deep, DO WE NOTICE? Do we get STAINED? Are we SHOCKED? Do we rush into action to HEAL, to SAVE, to STOP this bleeding before all else is lost? The head does His part. He THROBS, He HURTS. He LOSES and has LOST. He BLEEDS and has BLED. He is in ANGUISH. But do WE save? Or do we let the member bleed?
"My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from DEATH and cover over a multitude of sins."
James 5:19-20
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
"Maybe we just need to figure out why [we are here]---where does God need us to serve?
Maybe like today:
It rained...and poured. It was like taking a shower outdoors. But it was glorious! It reminded me of when God sent rain for the first time on the earth. He opened up the floodgates of Heaven and let the skies fall down. And then the Sun came out, and together-with their power and strength---the Rain and the Sun glistened together to make a promise. A Rainbow. So it didn't rain for 40 days and 40 nights, and it didn't flood the earth, and I didn't even see a rainbow...but today the rain did remind me of why we are here: God. God's promise.
And during that storm today I was walking with my umbrella and my rainboots merrily striding along as dry as a sitting duck. Then there was one of my friends-soaked. He had just gotten a shower as well, so it seemed. He was headed the other direction, but with a helping hand and an umbrella over our heads, we walked to his classroom together with the umbrella over our heads.
In the same way there will be storms---spiritually. And though we may be walking dry under our umbrella, not everyone has one. So God gave us a promise, and we need to share this hope with others."
