True Worship

Worship.

We worship in Spirit.
The Great Comforter filling of hearts and minds with the ability to give glory to the One who preceded all things, created all things, and will finish the work that He began.

We worship in Truth.
Truth of who He is. The truth of Who we are. The truth of our circumstance, the truth of our obedience, the Truth in the one's  in relationship with us, and the truth of our honesty toward them. That is a lot of truth.

These are the things that worship is made of.

We give a cup of water to a child.
Worship.
We give an old man a raking job for too much money.
Worship.
We have a couple of tired moms with a bunch of kids over knowing the house will be destroyed.
Worship.
We let go of the things we value most for the sake of others.
Worship.
We lay down our biggest dreams.
Worship.

I notice something here. There has to be one thing that I lay down to bring the truest worship. ME. My pride, my expectations, and my desires. I lay it all down.

There is One who laid it down before us. For the sake of our eternity and salvation, He laid every single bit of himself down. Knowing full well is would cost him. I am seeing what it is going to cost. Everything.

Have no fear child, He will never leave you or forsake you. He who is in you is much much much greater than he who is in the world. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it in you.

Covering Shame

He who has been forgiven much loves much.

Luke 7:46-48
You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

I can't wait to meet this woman. I love her already. Sometimes I see sense people get a little uncomfortable with this idea. I mean can you imagine? Having dinner at the neighbors, and sharing conversation with people that people know and all of a sudden...that woman...you know that one? She is on the floor. This beautiful aroma goes up all about you and you look into every eye around you searching for what is going on here! 

True worship. That is what went on there. Forgiveness covering shame. That is what went on there.

So we go back to the one who has been forgiven much loves much.

The one who has not been heard and hurts hears better?

The one who has been looked over and over sees more?

The one who has been abandoned has the potential to become the greatest companion?

I wonder.

The way of the Christ love in the world is not what comes natural to us. 

The LORD works in mysterious ways His wonders to preform.

No one can predict the ways of God in the life of his child. 

We let go and let God.

We trust and we hold fast.

We praise him now.

We will praise him tomorrow.

His will be done.

Throwing Towels

Throw in the towel.

Although this saying originated in boxing, it rings loud and clear for many a circumstance. After watching their star player being beaten by the opponent, the teams mates could throw in the white towel of surrender as a last effort to keep their opponent from knock out or possible death. Back in 1913, when this saying became popular, there wasn't the hype of rules and fairness in the sport that we have now. There was respect in spite of that, at least enough to give way to the white towel being tossed into the ring.

I hear of many people these days wanting to throw in the towel. I believe that all of us come to a place sometime, somewhere where the surrender alarm goes off.  In our hearts realize we cannot keep these heavy gloves, the facets of life, in the air any longer. Some of us have more of these days than others.

Why?

Partly because of the choices we have made, partly because of the choices others have made, and I believe partly because that is where God needs us to be to get our attention. And truly, it is most likely all of those things combined. Then why is it, that out of all the issues we face, knowing that Jesus made a way for us to access heaven, and we have everything we need, do we  struggle with this plight?

The temptation to throw in the towel.

I like to think of Jesus as my hero on a white horse. The rainbow mane flowing as his hooves clomp steadily as he approaches my in my mess. He is here. To my rescue!

But that is not how the war is, down in this world. That is the scene of heaven. His example for us here is truth, suffering, boldness of obedience, and rejection. A poor dressed man on a donkey. These are the things we follow after him in. In giving up our rights to greatness. We too, lay it down.

We don't throw in the towel for the sake of given up. We place our surrender towel in the hands of the referee, knowing that he knows best the match and skill of the fighters. He sees how much we can handle. The whole duration that we are living in the ring of days here, he never leaves us alone. He is there to call a time out, telling when to let the play continue, or to call the match to an end.

The winner has been declared.

And it is not me. I must understand this to my soul. My part of any plunder is decided by the winner alone. Jesus Christ. The only One who holds the title belt to Heaven and Hades.

I may seem defeated, but when I come to the end of myself? That is where the release comes. The invasion of the kingdom of heaven into my life.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Well Water

In my keeps rolling around and around.

"He drew the well to the woman before He drew the woman to the well. "

-Ann Vanskomp

I think of Hagar in her loneliness crying out in the dessert. Listening and seeing her child crying out in hunger and loneliness. Her son's emotions untethered and her resolve failing. 

Blessed are the brokenhearted for their's is the kingdom of heaven. A kingdom of miracles and complete restoration. 

I think of the woman at the well. The woman who had five husbands and was living with the one who was not her husband. 

The woman who received complete love and a kind rebuke that set her free.

And both received a well. Both were given living water. What was it that God responded to so amazingly?

Was it desperation? Was it loneliness? Was it a cry that they gave in the night for help from the Living God?

I think maybe there is something on the brink here to be discovered. The secret of drawing living water from the well. The moment by moment meeting in the place where thirsty soul meets love poured out. The drink that refreshes mind, body, and soul so that responses are full of grace and other's are loved as oneself.

Hmm...The Living Well.

Let God

I want to hold on!

 I gave so much for you to let it go.

I want it to belong to just me.

Trust me, I created it to glorify me.

I know what to do, I trusted you.

I am not finished. 

Nothing is going right

I work all things together for good.

How can I trust you?

Come to me, lay it down.

You want it?

I want you, I love you. I created you to love you.

You did lay down your love for me.

Now lay your issues down for Me.

You will see My glory revealed.

I have called you for My Namesake.

And you can trust My Name.

El-Shaddai.

(God Almighty)

Drawing Light

Did you ever wonder why when we we are in the dark and we see the tiniest light that we look to the light?

I think I might know...

Did you ever as a child lay in the dark room and stare at the light that could be seen from where you lay? Did you stare until you couldn't see any more? Did you close your eyes and watch the colors dance behind your eyelids?

I remember doing that.

Today I heard two stories of two men. 

The first man has separated from his second wife. He has chalked the failure up to the many mistakes. I believe that in his pain of it all he shares all the reasons why it is probably better. This way of anger, isolation, and frustration. How unmet needs make excuses for life that embraces sin. 

The second man shares a story very similar to the first. His first marriage has come to separation. Children caught in a tug of war between expectation and parental rights. but this story has a taken a turn. A man with many responsibilities of his own has chiseled hours out of his life. Even to the wee hours of the night,  he comes to the house of the man with the breaking family and shares bits of his own story. 

Stories of hardships in his marriage. Stories of imperfect children. Stories of hard jobs. 

And the best story of all.

The Better Way.

Somewhere in telling his own stories and The Father's story a man gets a glimpse into the hurt of his family.

Somewhere in sharing the pain of rejection and frustration a man lays aside himself and dates his wife.

Somewhere in the darkness a friend was a light to a man lost.

A family saved.

We are the light of the world. We are to be a city on a hill. A lamp that is not put out. 

 My dear friend, the light is in you. Do not be afraid to let it shine.

We are created to be drawn to the light.

Thorny Glory

Not to long ago a dear friend and I were marveling at the muddied, stench pits that are left behind us in this journey after Christ. Everyday we walk along these roads. With The lamp at our feet and The Light in our path. when going through stuff we feel it, we hurt, we stink, and we just know that being around others is not a good thing. And that got me thinking.

Why do we think that we can only be out when we have it all together. When all our "ducks are in a row" so to speak? Because of our own judging others when there ducks are scattered? Maybe we have heard the whispers and been glad that we are not that person....then all of a sudden...we are! Right there on the walk with God we ignore The Shepard and fall head first down the bank. Hmmm. Or maybe he leads us, because he knows how stubborn we are, into something we have to go through. We may have to go through the thorns so that we know not to go through the thorns?

But friend, the Shepard is still with us, even among the thorns. He is at the bottom of the bank stretching his staff out long to pull us to his company. He will never leave us or forsake us. Darkness is the absence of light. There is no place where you can go that is too dark to distinguish The Light within you.

This friend shared with me something she heard from someone.(be sure to quote the author in comments if you know who it is and I will add it) She said, "Judging someone by where they are at today is like judging the artwork while the artist is still holding the paintbrush."

He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it. He who started a work will be faithful to complete it in you. God is still holding the paintbrush of our lives. Let us continue to ask Him to fill us with more of His Holy Spirit and the more beautiful the canvas of our lives will be. Filled with peace in our hearts and blessings to those around us.

Give Him glory
And ask him to help you to love you.
Loving yourself in a way that glorifies Him.

Quiet Direction

I lift my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
    who made the heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you does not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps you
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
    the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Psalm 121

When walking on a path in life that makes little sense, maybe all it takes is looking up.  Driving along the road He whispers "I lift my eyes to the hills... follow me..."

We drive. My invisible companion and I. Up winding roads where houses thin and the woods spread far. I find a clearing and rest. It is quiet except for the music of the evening. The life blended in all around of peepers and birds. Frogs and deer. All putting the last touched on their day.

They are there for the same reason. We belong. Our creator. His workmanship. All coming together for the glory of His name.

"O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!"
by Charles H. Gabriel

Maybe that is all it takes to find our way on these life trails sometimes.
Looking up for;
Quiet direction.

Shearing Pride

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper,
  but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Blessed is the one who fears the LORD always,
   but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
Proverbs 28:13-14

Let's be real. Real transparent. Like the shearing of wool of the sheep around, so does the Father shear off the expectations of His beloved.

May I have one expectation.
Jesus.
To know Him
To follow Him
To live for Him
To be like Him

May I lay aside the things of this world that so easily entangle me.
Focus.
The Cross.
The way to receive blessing from on high? I desperately need to continue to receive more of Him in order to live for Him.

For many days past I have thought about that woman...(Luke 7) in all her worldly worthlessness...doing the great glorious thing. Washing the feet of the One who embodied the good news...with her tears! The ones nearby pointed and scowled. Jesus rejoiced. She understood.

I understand sometimes.
We draw near. Admitting our sinful selves. We cry out in frustrated abandonment to the One Who Sees. He longs for these moments.

After all, He looked for just one to respond to save the whole city of Sodom.

And I feel His touch. His hand on my head, calming me and quieting me.
It is in His hands now.

I encourage you. Give it to Him. Lay it down.

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Lay my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart. And you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden in light.
Matthew 11:28-29

Cultivating Children

But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’
Matthew 13:25-27

Working in the yard today... Spring has sprung. The rains have come and continue to water everything back to green living. I carefully tended around the gardens. Being kind to the young sprouts and admiring the blossoms on the early plants. Again the Father shared a bit of Himself.

He is the God who Always Sees. I on the other hand...don't

While he watches the gardens in all there seasons, I am busy doing other things. I focus on other matters in my life that need my attention too. I am not like the One Who Always sees.

My children's hearts are like that garden. All the good things sewn into them ready to spout. They are nourished and fed with the soil of God's word and the love that our home provides. But I look away sometimes...even to things good...and the unsuspecting evil is sewn.

I want to blame others...I have not done this...but that is not true. I have done good elsewhere, but I have to be on the watch. I have to prepare them for what is out there beyond my borders of care.

I want to uproot the whole garden and start over!! That is not possible whispers my Father. Also the Father to the cherubs in my care. He whispers to me to give their gardens over. Lay it down in prayer. Cultivate the soil ahead.

The best way to weed a garden is on your knees.

There is no better to way to cultivate the life of my children.

On my knees.

I say a prayer and pull those unwanted weeds. I find peace there where it is left behind. A pile of roots and green right where they belong. Out of the soil of my cherub's heart.

Hauling Hearts

Riding in the car with a family of seven for eight hours can bring surprises. It is so bonding. Little can be concealed and the slightest noise or smirk is noticed. If you are looking to find the truest of one self, take a car trip. A really long car trip. The smaller the car, the more the people, and the more will be revealed.

I have always thought with fondness that Jesus picked a few. He taught many, but he knew better than to spread himself thin. Did he choose them specifically? Or did He call them randomly knowing that He could reveal his glory through a donkey if need be. Certainly these men would do better than that! Wight? Well, one could hope. I am sure God could have used an animal instead of me sometimes. If only my were silenced automatically to corruptible talk. I pray that the Lord continues to have His way with my heart and my mouth. For it is out of the heart that the mouth speaks.

And Back to the car. A lot is said in a weekend of approximately 20 hours in the car. Some good some not good. I am so thankful for a Savior who leads us. He doesn't leave us in the pits were in. He draws us with Him loving kindness, places His righteousness in us, and continues to use and mold us until the day He perfects us.

That is love in the long haul form.

Illuminate

Sometimes....
Life just sucks the life right out of itself.

Like the when you flick on the switch by the door for the light to illuminate the room before realizing that whoever was there last pulled the cord on the light itself.
There is nothing left to do but grope your way around in the dark to you hopefully find it without breaking anything.

I grope in dark sometimes...
And the truth is I break people.
I move on too fast..busy with this life...looking for the light source in all the dark places.
I am reminded again as I wash the plate for the last time today...

Bow your knees and pray.
Plug in
I am reminded how sometimes...some relationships....in order to bring them out of the darkness....cost a lot.
Life currency. Winner gives all!

The truth is there is only one energy source.
There is only one who illuminates.

Plug in I must to be the light in relationships hurting and fading.
Press on through life with these disorienting days.

Jesus...Thank you for your focused life.
You lived like a servent
You died like a criminal
You share like a lover
You give like a parent
Jesus...I can't thank you enough
For revealing yourself to me.

Alluring Whisper

Sometimes there are lots of words going out
Sometimes the quiet whisper stirs within.

"Be like this child.
 Let My wonder at the simple fill you.
 Lay down your self
 Give way to trust
 My spirit will pour into you running over
 Be still in this washbowl of life
 I have cleansed you
 From all unrightousness.
 Allow Me to refine you
 Let Me show you beautiful."

Sometimes I breath out with a resting soul.
Sometimes it is that simple.

Eupnoea

After the long, cold winter the sun comes longer. The grass appears and the rains fall. The Father's perfect cycle. I think about things you know? How in the winter little dissipates except for the food storage. Things accumulate. Snow, pet poo in the yard, people's frustration, and fat. Then when you think that there will be no about-face the sun shines bright and all is revealed as the dingy, of-white snow melts off.

Then comes my favorite part. The warmth! Out go the carpets to shake and open go the windows. Air that was stuffy and stale turns fresh and sweet. The buds on the trees and the green grass give an aroma for spring that no one has yet to reproduce. Let's give The Creator some praise!

And that freshness! I feel it sometimes when I take to noticing.
After a time of wrestling and stubbornness. After a lack of reading God's Word and meeting with other believers. I become that stale air that makes you breath short and leaves your head spinning a bit.

Oh The freshness....The lace curtains in my heart blow with the spirit's breath bringing waves of hope and joy. Peace in my heart is ruffled like the papers left on the sill. And the whole space of my self becomes refreshed.

That is probably what happened to Thomas. (John 24) It wasn't that he was doubting on purpose. The disciples all gathered together in the upper room. Off alone with doors locked.(vs19) Secluding themselves from the world. Maybe at this point they are feeling understandably foolish?...

I wonder what drew Thomas away. Did he feel to busy to wait? Did he just want to think about something else and move on? Maybe it wasn't doubt that drew him away. Maybe it was hurting and loneliness of heart? Rejection? I couldn't imagine after knowing Jesus like I do now, having His relationship taken from me. Then knowing that only in death would I be with Him again. How discouraging the thought of life would be! At this point Thomas didn't know that the Holy Spirit would be given to keep the connection alive. Just thinking....

I know I act out of my hurts too often. Not trusting my maker to work out the details of my days, I respond with fleeing and seclusion. Maybe Thomas and I had more in common than just doubt. I am just thinking....

The saddest part is that whatever made him to separate himself from his eternal peeps made him to miss out on the greatest blessing.

The Fresh breath. The eupnoea that came from God alone. (vs.22)

This is the greatest of Thomas' news! That Jesus love for Thomas went beyond Thomas. This is why I think it wasn't just doubt. I think Jesus knew that Thomas was responding in doubt, but the root of it was his broken heart. How many times...I wonder...have I missed out on a great blessing because I secluded myself from others. Like a wounded animal retreating in private to lick my  bleeding, injured self. Self-pity is a very deceiving friend. It seems so innocent, but takes so much. I am sure I have missed out on those sweet breezes that stir and refresh the back corners of my heart, because I have said yes to that evil invitation.

Even the attic needs airing in the spring.

If you are in a soul winter hold on, dear friend, spring is coming.
If you are in a soul spring, hold on, dear friend, rejoice!
You know the way of seasons.
To every season there is a time...

Boldly Pause

Wherever you go, you are there.

Run fast. Run far. Drive farther. Work harder. Move to the next town. Change the scenery. Move the furniture. Call a friend and let it all out. Clamp the mouth shut and let the heart seethe. Take flight! Put up a fight. "Whatever you do," whispers my evil companion, "Don't give in. If you give in they will never let you live."

And the whisper comes....
"Come and rest here...come and lay your burdens down...come and rest here....Breathe in....breathe out...you will find it here...."    -Kari Jobe
He is here. The One who sees. The One who cares. The One who in spite of it all took it all on. I am filled with wonder. I place feet flat, and my knees bend down. How un-trusting I am in the only One who is trustworthy. Why do I give in to fear and words that belong only to the ruler of this world. Who, by the way, wants only my destruction!

The Loving, Kind Father over all, all around placing reminders to look up.

A puppy's kisses, children with kites flying, sun kissed faces and walks around a friendly town.

He is here with me. He is there with you. Let's not run anymore. Let's hold fast. We will hold on tight. We will listen well and respond without hesitation. Have your way Lord. Have your way!

2 Corinthians 3:11-13

For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

Friend~ Wherever we are, He is here!

Boxed Hope

Life just crushes down hard. Sometimes. The whisper of the Father comes softly. Often making no sense to my weary mind. I can feel my body fall hard down on the blanket in the sun. Frustration welling up inside. Opening The Word give a steadiness to my heart. I find the angry words dissipating on my tongue. I face forhead down into the blanket and cry out for relief. Sometimes I cry out for Jesus with skin on!

The car pulled in unnoticed to me and my mothering child runs fast! There is someone here to see you! My seasoned friend comes up the stairs with the one who smiles. She hands me a box filled with never ending hope and she kneels with me and my cherubs to share why it is important for us to be real. Father doesn't prefer to use a stuffed up fake.  My mind reeled! Really? I am thinking...No one wants this me that is ticked at unfairness,  injustice, and just plain sin! No one wants to hear how frustrated I am mostly with myself. No one wants to hear of the hurt dragging my heart down into the pit of my gut...

Then He is revealed. The One who sees. I tell my true friend...I just am sick of it being about me! I want to focus on helping others and doing good works! I don't want to think about me anymore! She reminds me it is about me. It is my own business I am to mind after all. It is God redeeming me and making me like Him that I can do anything of worth. I cry out I can't. And she says He can. I say but and she says hold on.

This friend I found listens and shares. I release words to the wind that make the yoke shed off and the eyebrows lift.Wow. That is what it feels like to have a Christ like friend. Someone obedient to God enough to come see me and pour healing balm on my wounds. How beautiful are the feet of Him that brings good news! I am thankful for a friend like that. I look forward to the Father using me to return the favor.

Personal Prison

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord,
“He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust.”Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. 
Psalm 91: 1-3

I have been bound but now I am free!

I believe that prisons come in all shapes, spaces, sizes, and manifestations. Some can be sickness. Some can be relational, some can be mental attack, some can be just plain rebellion. Some can sneak up on you and close down hard. Some can be bound with painful memories and a wounded heart. Some can come with questions that don't make sense. Keep us from trusting enough to take that one step that would lead us out. Loneliness leaves the cell of our hearts feeling cold and icy. Loss can make the floor we kneel on seem rock hard and jagged. And bitterness...oh how it closes the ears and dulls the light to the way to freedom.

Joseph was in Prison. He was there on a false account. God was with him there. He brought him out of the lowest parts and made him a leader there. I think of how he brought Rahab out to. She was in her prison too. God reached in and saved her before crumbling those walls down. 

I love Him for His timing. He makes all things beautiful in His time. 

The frightening part for me is that even the places that seem the darkest, over time, can feel like home. 

Our Father in His faithfulness to us, thankfully, doesn't allow us to stay there. He reminds us this is not our home. He has gone and prepared a place for us. A place where there will be no darkness, and certainly not prison. Not prison of any shape or form.

In His time, In His time.

He makes all things beautiful in His time

Lord please show me everyday

As your teaching me your way

That you do just what you say

In your time

Thank You Father for sending your son. He set this captive free. Your timing is just right.

Breath Relief

"If you cannot find time to pray,

ask for forgiveness.

Ask to be cleansed of the sin

of having no time to pray...

It could be that Satan is pushing you

into too much work so that you

cannot take time to pray."

-Corrie Ten Boon

Yesterday I found complete depletion. Out of no where my mind spun and my heart sank. I sat and searched and called a friend. In the wise words of a seasoned woman I found my sin. I have not sought God in prayer. I have justified my lack of drawing near to God. I have been actively serving. I am meeting the needs of the kingdom. Then in repentance I sit down and open to Psalm 1. 

Blessed is the man...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

I have been doing a lot of good things, and I found myself with a list of more things to do. Devastatingly for me, meditating on God's word had not even reached the list. Oh how truly sinful I am. God makes it so simple. How grateful I am he doesn't stockpile my faults and failures like I tend to do to others that I love. I pray that I learn this lesson. Blessed is the day when forgiveness comes to me like breathing. Without thought I sigh out my hurts to the wind. 

Praise the Name of Jesus who has taken away the wrongs of this world. May Your name be proclaimed loudly from my mouth and those of my children's children! Blessings on you today as you read this. Open God's word. Let it bless you!

Heart of Heaven

A letter from a dear friend.

What is your thoughts on Jesus statement that
"The kingdom of heaven is within you" ?

I believe that part of what he is saying is that everything in Heaven can be accessed. The power, the boldness, and the faith. When Jesus left and gave us His Holy Spirit he said that if he didn't leave we wouldn't have the power. The kingdom of heaven was near when Jesus was here. He said that. Then when he left, he sat down at the right hand of the Father to be our great high priest. In His great mercy He sent the Holy Spirit to us, so that His power (the Light) would be in us. The Holy Spirit fills us, leads us, shares Christ's love with us, and guides us. He is one with the Father and Jesus, and because the Spirit lives in us, we are then apart of that oneness. Therefore, even though we have not seen heaven with our eyes, we are a part of it. We are able to be filled by the Spirit and bring that same love and everything good that is in heaven to a world where it is not.

That is why the scripture describes us to be like Jars of clay. Emptying of our sinful selves and being made new into the image of Christ. We are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are Vessels of His mercy and Grace. That is why he doesn't like if when we treat each other poorly or judge one another. We are all made of the same clay and in His image. He is the only one who truly can see the inside of a person and He is the only on who can truly love them enough to judge their hearts.

Sometimes we have to say hard words to one another, because we don't want them to miss out on a blessing in their lives. Those words have to be born out of that heaven love. Bad habits or repeated bad choices are hard for any friend to watch when we know where it is leading. That was what he describes the church to be for. A place of building up and setting right.  Loving tangibly though hard life. Sadly we sin a lot and it gets in the way of Love. That is not His plan. By His Grace though he makes a lot of good out of the messes we get ourselves into and for that I have been thankful many times.

Moral of this story, I know the kingdom of heaven is real. I have it here in my heart!

To Be Or Not To Be

A letter from a dear friend.

I've been reading the bible and I thought I would ask your interpritation of this passage: Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.

This verse had once bothered me a bit, but I do have a sense of what it is saying. The first thing to realize in this scripture is that it is a bad translation. The word hate is not a good translation. A better way to translate would be love less. Which I believe is closer to the Greek meaning of the word.


The title of verses 25-33 is "The Cost of Discipleship." I think taking the whole passage gives it a better meaning as well. What Christ is saying here is that He has to be all. We should look at our lives and what we value most, because he wants us to give it all up for the sake of the call that He has for our lives. Even to the point of dying for Him. Do not forget that He would never ask us to do anything that He has not endured. He sympathizes with all our weaknesses. He is calling for an all or nothing approach to following him, and in doing so at one time or another every relationship we have will be effected by our whole-heart response to His call.

I can see in my own life, after walking through hardships that have left me on the outside of relationships, because of my faith, what he means. He wants us to keep our mind's eye focused on Him. Whoever we love the most...that is who we care about their opinions the most. He wants our focus, so that when others are leading us down a road that is insecure or they are wanting us to get into situations that are not the best, we will look to Christ who understands our deep unmet needs and find the love and strength, that only he can truly offer. We will then follow him into the relationships we wouldn't dare or to the hungry and sick that we wound't have the stomach for. We can then have victory in this world of much defeat. I have done both, and I would not have begged you to read the word and turn to our most Gracious Heavenly Father, if I have not felt his healing, overflowing love spilling on me time and time again in my darkest times. I can't think of a better way to live than completely sold out for my relationship with Him.