I Just Thought You Should Know......

1 Timothy 1:16

But for that very reason

(that I was the worst of sinners)

I was shown mercy,

So that in me, the worst of sinners,

Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience

As an example for those who would believe on Him

And receive Eternal Life.

Have you ever been in love?

Maybe romantic love…..Or maybe just…….

Love for something… an activity… or an experience.

Me…….

I love lots of things….

I love my wife…

I love my children….

I love teaching…..

I love writing……

I love coaching a team….

I love spending time with friends….

I love thinking somehow……

In some way……..

Maybe….. I have been a part…….

A part of what Jesus is doing in this world.

It’s curious to me…….

How the things I love……..

Well… they’ve changed me.

Now, I’ll tell you….

I am not quite sure

I would describe myself as……

“The Worst of Sinners”

Before I received the Life of Jesus…..

But I am quite sure……..

I was a sinner.

I was lost.

I was broken with no hope of fixing myself.

There was not Life…..

There was only existence.

Pain, rejection, anxiety, striving…….

Even…… self-loathing.

Ah, but then there’s Jesus.

Jesus…..

The one who loves the helpless.

The one who reaches out to the rejected.

The one who offers Love…. and Hope….. and Life…...

Even to the worst of sinners.

Jesus……..

I fell in Love with Jesus.

Loving Him has changed me.

Loving Him continues…… to change me.

I am a New Creation…..

I have been reborn….

I have a Father….

I am a Child of The Great King….

And yes…..

The very Life of the Creator….

The Creator of all that is or was or ever will be…..

His Life……. Flows through me.

Oh now,

Please don’t misunderstand……

I know I still sin…..

But I am not a sinner.

No…… at my deepest core……

I am in Christ.

He has given me a new heart…… A good heart.

A heart that is alive, and able…..

To Love.

I love Jesus for that.

I just thought you should know.

Father, Lord Jesus, Spirit of The Living God,

Thank You that even in my ugliness You Loved me.

Thank You for pouring Your Own Life out for me and  into me…..

So that.....

I may truly Live.

Amen

Forgiveness.... and Breathing

Matthew 5:23-24

Jesus said,

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar

And there remember that your brother has something

Against you,

Leave your gift in front of the altar.

First go and be reconciled to your brother;

Then come and offer your gift.

Try this……

Take a deep, long, full breath….

And hold it in as long as you can.

Okay….

How are you doing?

Did you let it out yet?

Alright…alright….

You can let it out now.

How did that feel?

How did it feel to take in…….

To receive….. life giving oxygen?

Now what about when you were holding it in…..

How did that feel?

Did you begin to get a bit….

Uncomfortable?

Oh, and what about when you finally let the air out……

Yeah……. what about that moment…..

What was that like?

Hmmmmmmm…….

Guys…..

You know,

I am beginning to think……

Forgiveness might be Spiritual Breathing.

Think about it.

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit,

Help me to receive Your Love and Forgiveness

As easily and naturally as my own inhalations…….

And so Live.

And Lord…..

Help me to offer Your Love and Forgiveness

As easily and naturally as my own exhalations…..

And so Live.

Oh Father

Let this way and rhythm of life…..

Be my way and rhythm of Life.

Amen

Luke 19:1-10 Join the Search Party

Luke 19:7 and 10

All the people saw this and began to mutter,

“Jesus has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” They said………..

……Jesus said,

“The Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost.”

Lost……

Every second the light seemed to dim a bit more.

All rational thought or action had vanished.

I was quickly becoming desperate.

Was I walking in circles?

Was I……. lost?

Have you ever been lost?

I mean really lost.

Now there are times I have been lost and……

Maybe didn’t realize it……

Or…..

Maybe wouldn’t admit it.

I have driven along and acted as if nothing were wrong.

I could always backtrack.

I might even ask for directions.

No panic…..

Oh, but there is something different……

Different about being lost in the forest……..

Lost……… with night coming on…….

In the dark…..

ALONE.

That kind of lostness…….

Well……

It might be enough…….

To make a man climb a tree…….

Just in hope of a glimmer of rescue.

That kind of lostness…..

Well……

It might be enough…..

To lead a man to give half…….

Half of all his possessions to the poor……

When he’s found.

Maybe it  helps…..

To remember our own lostness……

To remember our own time of desperation…..

When Jesus found us.

Now what about…….

Those who have wronged….. us……

Well….Maybe they’re lost..…

Maybe they’re lost…

Just like we were.

Jesus said,

“The Son of Man came to seek and save…..

What was lost.”

Come on guys,

We’ve been found….

We’ve been…….

Rescued.

Maybe it’s time we join the Search Party.

Father,

Thank You for sending Jesus to find me…..

To rescue me from the darkness,

From the aloneness,

From the fear,

From the pain.

Holy Spirit,

Bring me into deep union with my rescuer….

So that I may join You in the search party.

Amen

Reset (Part 2)

John 8:11-12

“…Neither do I condemn you” Jesus declared

“Go now and leave your life of sin.”

When Jesus spoke again to the people He said

“I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows me will

Never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of Life.”

As I turned away from the horror…

I saw…………..What?

It is not enough…….

To turn away from sin.

It is not even enough…..

To turn toward trying to do better.

Guys,

If we would repent….

If we would truly turn from sin….

If we would truly turn from the horror……

The horror of darkness and death…..

What…...No check that…….

Who…Who is it we …..

Will turn to?

Matthew 11:28

Jesus bid them,

“Come unto me….”

My Jesus,

I say along with Peter,

Where else is there to go….

You have the words of eternal life.

I believe and know that You are the Holy One

Of God.

Holy Spirit

Please keep the Light of Life always in front of me….

So that…..

I will turn from the allure of sin….

So that…….

I will turn…..

To my Jesus.

Amen