Psalm 86 Christ Died for My Whole Heart

Psalm 86:11

…..Give me an undivided heart……..

Surely Christ deserves……….

My whole heart.

Isaiah 53

He was despised and rejected by men,
   a man of suffering, and familiar with pain…………

Surely He suffered-

That I might have……….

A  new heart.

He was pierced for our transgressions,
   He was crushed for our iniquities;

Surely He was pierced and crushed-

That I might have………

A pure heart.

The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
   and by His wounds we are healed.

Surely my Savior deserves........
My Undivided Heart.

Father God-

Thank You for the gift of a new heart-

A whole heart.

Lord Jesus-

I give You my whole heart.

I renounce any lesser thing that would seek my allegiance-

Any lesser thing that would divide my heart.

Lord Jesus-

I give You my whole heart.

All of who I am…….

Is Yours.

Holy Spirit-

Bring to life-

The Heart of Jesus in me…….

Today.

Amen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGNA2_2WhpA

Psalm 76 Where Will God Be Known?

Psalm 76:1

In Judah God is known:

His name is great in Israel.

Where is your Judah?

Where is your Israel?

                                                                                                                                                                                    

John 17:3

“And this is eternal life;

That they may know Thee,

The only true God,

And Jesus Christ,

Whom Thou has sent.”

Where is it that you know God?

Where is the Greatness of God found………

In your own Life?

In your own life……………

Father

I pray Your very life be found in me today

And

Flow through me today

To

All You bring my way.

Amen

Psalm 65 Vows

Psalm 65:1

Praise befits You, O’ God, in Zion;

To You our vows will be fulfilled.

Vows-

I struggle with……………

Vows.

I am going to……….

I will………….

I have decided to……….

What about you guys?

What vows have you made?

What have you decided to do……….

Consciously and Intentionally-

Or…………….

Maybe without even realizing it.

What have you set your mind and heart to?

It is one thing to hear the command-

“Love the Lord your God with all your……….”

It is quite something else to say-

Today, I will love the Lord my God with all my…………

So, how ‘bout it?

What are you going to do……….

Today?

Joshua 24:15

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you,

then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,

whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates,

or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living.

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Father-

I will love You

And the people You bring my way today-

As best I can.

Work in me Father-

To become more and more skillful

In this thing called Love.

Amen

Today

So............Why did you get up this morning?

My son Matthew loves to sleep in- Me, I 'm a morning guy- So I really don't quite get it- This sleeping in business that is- It feels to me that if I sleep in I might be missing something.

If you think that sounds a bit neurotic- You're probably right.

Anyway-

This past Saturday after his usual semicomatose morning- I couldn't help but half jokingly ask the boy,

"Why did you bother to get up at all this morning?"

Albeit late morning- His response was interesting-

"Because I had to Dad"

I suppose he was referring to the fact that I woke him up. I mean somebody had to get his little butt on up and about the obligations of the day. Particularly, he had a Mixed Martial Arts lesson at 10:30 a.m. he needed to get ready for. Seeing as how his Mom and I pay for said lessons I feel it my obligation to make sure he goes- You know- so I can get my money's worth!

So then........ I ask again- What about you-

Why did you get up this morning?

Was it because.....................

You had to-

You were supposed to-

Someone else expected you to-

Maybe you were afraid of missing something-

Or maybe you had something to do- Some obligation-

Maybe you just got kicked out of bed-

Or maybe........ Just maybe

There was something you were really looking forward to-

Something that you anticipated-

Something Good-

Something Really, Really Good!

Wouldn't it be awesome if everyday could be like that-

I mean every morning-

As good as those nice warm covers feel-

As comfortable as that soft bed is-

As much as you know-

When you step out onto the floor......

It will be cold-

Or when you first crack open your eyelids.........

The bright light that floods in will be harsh-

All of that means nothing-

It simply fades away..........

Because there is one thing-

Something really, really good-

That consumes your thoughts as you rouse into consciousness-

Something you love so much-

Anticipate so much-

That you can hardly wait to get up!

Oh I know you have been there-

Think of Christmas morning as a child-

Think of the morning of your wedding day-

Think of the first day of vacation in some new and exotic venue-

Think of opening day of hunting season-

Think of spending the day with a friend you haven't seen in ages.......

How about thinking of getting up everyday

to spend that day with the God who created the Universe.

How about living in the reality that He-

(Yes this Incredible, Mysterious, Wondrous God)

Has something for you today.

Something He made just for you..........

Life!

1 Corinthians 2:9 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard,

Nor has any mind conceived

What God has prepared for those who love Him."

Today

Father in Heaven, help me to see the reality of even just a small bit of what You have for me each day. Move in me to launch out into every day expecting the best day of my life.

Amen

How Then Shall We Live?

I looked out over the crowd of men and saw some puzzled looks. Not many, but enough to notice. I was speaking to about 50 men and their sons at a Father/ Son Retreat- I had just made the statement,

"If you are doing something-

Anything-

And God is not in it-

If He is not somehow being considered-

Somehow placed at the center-

Then what you are doing is a waste of time."

Have you ever heard the expression,

"Don't become so Heavenly Minded-

That you are no Earthly Good"

I think I know what people mean when they say that- It's the idea that living with my head in the clouds will blind me- Blind me to what is going on around me- Things around me that could use my attention here....... Now...............Today. I suppose maybe there might be people like that- I guess I would label them as "Religious". Oh now there's a word I have a great distaste for- Religious- I won't go there today- Instead, I am wondering what it really means to be Heavenly Minded- Or maybe another way to say it is Eternally Minded.

What would my life look like today

If I were to become consumed with..........

Eternity?

Now I do not mean sitting around dwelling on what is to come. No, what I mean is the notion of living today- Each and every moment- Like it somehow makes a difference for Eternity. I belive God created us to be living expressions of His Glory- Living, breathing, visible expressions of who He Is. And as we live in the reality of who He Is......... In us- As that touches every moment of our lives- We are somehow brought to Life-

All the rest is existence.

So what about it-

How are our lives reflecting Heavenly mindedness- Eternity mindedness- Even the Glory of God?How is it happening in my rising in the mornings? How is it reflected in having my coffee? How am I connecting to my Father as I do what I do-In my interacions with people all around me-In the class room- In my work-In the mundane- Washing dishes or Ironing pants- In my music or television or reading or writing-Are these things and all the rest being done with Eternity in sight?

These things matter...........

Somehow................

Even these things matter...........

As expressions of the Glory of God.

There in the crowd of men and their sons-

I see a nod, then another-

Someone gets it!

Thank You Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen-

but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary-

But what is unseen is Eternal.

Father be in me today so that everything I do becomes somehow an expression of Your Life and Goodness and Love to all those You bring my way. Forgive me for where I have and will forget You- For where I have and will become so earthly minded I become no good for anything.

Amen

A Strange Invitation

1990- Shaggy headed and in dire need of becoming presentable- I saw a sign that instantly grabbed my attention- Especially the attention of the miserly part of my brain that has been disproportionately developed through a lifetime of poverty- Or just plain cheapness- Take your pick!

Hair Cuts - $5.00

Yes! Just what the doctor ordered.

As I walked into the shop, I noticed two Barber Chairs-

One Barber-

And to my good fortune-

Only 1 customer whom the old Barber was busily snipping away at.

As I sat to wait my turn, I smiled and greeted the crusty old Barber-

To which he politely nodded with nary a word spoken.

As I sat patiently, I began to take notice of this man's skill and demeanor.

Studying his face a bit-I couldn't help but notice his concentration as he earnestly went about his task-Expressionless and silent-Exposing nothing that might betray any hint of emotion.

One thing I did note however, as he pulled out a straight razor to finish up the back of the neck of his current victim- uh customer- was what appeared to be a light brown stain around the corners of his mouth.

The origin of this anomaly was soon made clear -

As he put the finishing touches on a quite nice haircut-

This elderly "stylist" leaned forward and projected a healthy dose of brown tobacco juice about 3 feet into a nearby trash can.

My newfound Barber then proceeded to go around to the rear of his now vacant chair-

Look directly at me for the first time- Smile broadly-

A tobacco laden, brown toothed smile that will be etched into my memory for time immemorial-

And still without a word spoken-

Pat the back of the chair 3 times as if to say- Your Turn.

Ah- the moment of truth!

Should I cut and run?

Should I accept the invitation into this man's care?

Should I trust this venerable old character with a set of clippers for my head and a straight razor around my neck?

Luke 5:27-28 After this Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow Me" Jesus said to him and Levi got up, left everything and followed Jesus.

Did you get that?

Left everything and followed Jesus-

Everything.

How strange it must have been to Levi-

A man dedicated to a way of life that was the antithesis of all that Jesus represented-

To hear and receive this invitation from Jesus.

Come to think of it- It's pretty strange for all of us.

A little like the smiling old Barber-

Who looks a bit strange to me-

But handles his business great with skill and care-

He invites me to trust him-

Put ego and neck on the line and be amazed at what He can do.

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- I will trust you today. I will follow you. Move in me Holy Spirit so that I go deeper into Jesus today. Move in me to live a Loving, Courageous, Faithful, Hopeful Life today- Your Life in me.

Amen

Loyalty (Part 2)

I love Weddings- The Pageantry- The Beginning of a new life together- Two Becoming One- The Uniting of Hearts and Lives- The Celebration- The food- The Beauty of a Bride and her Court- The Groom at his best- Stong and True- Did I mention the food? I wish I would get invited to more Weddings- Maybe I need to become a Wedding Crasher! That's it- that's the answer- I'll be a Wedding Crasher! Well.............. maybe not. Anyway- As I was pondering over this business of Loyalty, I suppose it was only natural (or maybe Supernatural) that the Holy Spirit would bring Weddings up into my conscious thoughts- Particularly the exchanging of vows. You remember them don't you?

The promise to love, honor, cherish and keep

In sickness and in health

Forsaking all others

Keeping only to your Beloved

All the days of your life

Forsaking all others

Now there's the rub-

A great source of difficulty in the Christian Life.

Does God place this same call on my life in my loyalty and devotion to Him?

Loyalty to my Father in Heaven may mean forsaking people-

At least it may feel like we are forsaking them.

Luke 14:26 Jesus said, " If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes even his own life- he can not be My disciple."

Hard words-yet read on.......

1 John 4:20 If anyone says he loves God yet hates his brother he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, can not love God whom he has not seen.

Okay now, wait a minute-

Which is it- What's it gonna be?

How about this-

My truest Loyalty to Him is lived out by sharing His Love and Life with People.

I can only be Loyal to Him by Loving them-

With His Love.

Maybe there are times when I have to fall back on this "tough love"-

Times when my loyalty to Him feels like being forsaken to them.

John 3:16 For God so Loved the World (People- All People) that He gave His Only Begotten Son............

If I believe this is truely where God's Heart is-

In the restoration of His people-

In the salvation of His people-

Then maybe it's time to entrust some of these people I love into the hands of a God who Loves them infinitely more than I can comprehend or imagine. Maybe my loyalty to Him is the best way to love them.

Lord Jesus, Father God, Holy Spirit- Thank You for even giving me the ability to love anyone at all. Move in me to entrust You with the lives of those You have brought my way. Enable me to Love them truely by Loving You.

Amen

Loyalty

Ally was a good dog. She was a Black Lab we bought as a puppy to help our son Matthew overcome his fear of dogs.........................It worked. Matthew fell in love with that puppy as we watched her grow into a 125 lb dynamo of feet, tail and drool. Now as much as she bonded with Matthew and Rebecca..... and even me- The most powerful connection into our family came with my wife Julie. Julie was the one who walked her, played with her, loved on her and yes even overfed her. I can tell you there was more than once that I envied the love my wife gave that dog- But I shouldn't have been surprised. Julie is like that- A warm, loving, kind woman who can live it out with the best of 'em. Couple that with Ally's love for Julie- Always smiling (Yes I said smiling-Ally had an awesome smile), Always happy to see Julie, Always pouring out unbridled affection for my wife. I imagine there were times Julie wondered why I couldn't have been more like Ally.

With Ally there were no divided loyalties.

She knew who loved her best.

She would choose Julie over all others.

At any sign of threat She would defend Julie for all her worth- Transforming from a sweet adorable pooch- To an incredible display of fury that led many a stranger to ask, "Is your dog safe?"

Ally was a picture of Loyalty.

Mark 12:29-31 Jesus said, " The first command is this- The Lord your God is one.....Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is like it- Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these."

I wish I could say my own loyalty to my Lord- Father, Son and Spirit- was as pure as Ally's to her Mistress. With Ally it was simple- She knew who loved her best- She knew where her best hope of anything good was coming from. She embraced that and attached herself to my wife in ways that expose my own devotion as paltry.

Her displays of Love for Julie were extravagant.

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Forgive me for my divided heart, forgive me for forgetting who Loves me best. Forgive me for not trusting You- for complicating what is simple in an effort to manipulate my own way. Father God, today- because You are in me and have given Life to my dead heart- I will love You, trust You and follow You in all I do. Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Rise up in me today so that this will be true of my life- Unite my heart to Your great Heart so that all that comes out of me today flows from Love for You.

Amen

Do- Overs

The mistakes I've made- The things I have said that I wish I could have back- The times I have dissappointed people close to me and not so close to me- The pain I have caused myself and others. What do I do with those things? There are few opportunities for Do- Overs in life. In fact I am not sure there are any. Things done can not be erased.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him- even those called according to His purpose.

Is it true?

Is God at work even in the depths of my mistakes- my failures-

Even my sin and selfish acts?

Does God's sovereignty extend even to cover my free choices that are wrong?

Is He able to take my inadequacy and use it to accomplish His Good Purposes?

I believe it is true- I hope it is true- In many ways, because of the vastness of my brokeness- my sinfulness and my screw-ups- God's Loving Sovereignty is my only Hope. Have mercy on us Lord Jesus- Have Mercy,

So what am I to do with all this- this reality of my own inability to make things right?

Two scriptures come to mind.

Matthew 11:28 Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in Heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden light.

I hear God say in all this to let go of all these things-

let them go and break their hold-

Trust Me Charles -

Trust Me to swallow even these things up and use them for My Good Purposes.

Phillipians 3:12-14 (Excerpts) Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead- I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me- I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Press On Charles- Press On.

Lord God Almighty, by Your Great Power and Infinite Love and Mercy move in me- in all of us who read this and struggle with our mistakes of the past- with our weakness and sin and inadequacy- with those things that haunt us-

those things that could have been-

Move in us to rest in You and to Press on in Your Grace.

Amen

Pain in this World

Christianity does not innoculate me against pain in this world- Christianity does not insulate me from dissappointment. I wish I could say that giving my life to Christ meant that my suffering was over-That everything from that moment forward would go my way- that there would be nothing but bliss all day every day, but........................

We are not in Heaven yet- The Kingdom of God is still dealing with opposition in this world and tragically even opposition in me- a Christian.

As long as that opposition exist, there will be pain and dissappointment. God will not spare me, but instead will heal me in the midst of it.

John 16:33 Jesus said," In this world you will have trouble. But take Heart, I have overcome the world."

Right about now I am- I suspect we all are- experiencing some trouble- some pain- some dissapointment. Mine is of my own doing- in that there are things I clearly want that are not in God's plan or timing for me at this point- maybe never. The words resound-

Take Heart- Take Heart- Be strong and Courageous, for I am with you- I will never leave or forsake you. I know the plans I have for you- plans for good- I have come to give you life.

I know in all this God is inviting us (me) to trust Him in a more real way- to let go of lesser things and take hold of Him for Life.

Holy Spirit rise up in me to do this- to take Heart and really trust You for my Life. Help me to say along with Your servant David, " The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want." and again, "Create a pure heart in me and renew a right spirit in me...........Restore unto me the joy of Thy Salvation." All Praise be to You Lord for all You are doing to unite my Heart to Your own Great Heart.

Amen

Changing my heart (Part 3)

I can not change my heart alone. I do not want anyone to get the wrong idea from parts 1 and 2. No amount of disciplined living- Directing my eyes and feeding on what is good- will ultimately be successful when it comes to finding the Life God made me for-

If I try to do it in isolation.

God works out my heart changes in the context of Community- Through relationships- Honest real relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ as I discipline my eyes and my appetites.

I need help. Yes- I need help from the Holy Spirit to become what God made me to be, and I find His help most often in the context of Authentic Relationships with others who have committed their lives to Jesus.

A friend recently said to me-

"Charles, I don't believe I have to go to church to be a good person."

At the time I nodded in agreement- and in some sense I still agree.

Going into a church does not make you good any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car.

I get that- I think I understand where my friend is coming from, yet..........................

I am not sure when people say this kind of thing- if what they really mean is........

I don't need a community of believers to be good- I can do it myself.

What a lie- from the father of lies.

If I am ever going to find the Life God has made me for- The Life He sent Jesus to win back for me- I am convinced it will only be found as I pursue vital living relationships with others in His Body.

These others are not my salvation, but they can be an incredible expression of God's Love for me- To lead me to Life.

John 17:21 Jesus prayed, "that they all may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in us so that the world may believe"

Father in Heaven- Lead me to others who love you today. Bring us together in You for the Life You have for us all- Together.

Amen

Can I change my heart? (Part 2)

There is this story I have heard as part of a sermon - It goes something like this- Inside of us all there are 2 ravenous dogs- they fight all the time. The one is good and true and pure- full of Love and Mercy and Grace. The other is evil and deceitful and perverse in every way- full of anger, bitterness and pride. These dogs are at constant war inside of me- Sometimes with one winning the battle of the moment and sometimes the other. Oh, but which will win the war and in the end possess my soul? As the story goes- I am the one who decides. I utimately determine which of these 2 beasts will claim me as his own. It all comes down to this- Which one will I feed?- Which one will I nourish moment by moment- day by day? I will be claimed by the one I feed.

Phillipians 4:8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think (feed) on these things.

John 6:48-58 (Excerpts) Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life- I am the Living Bread that comes down from Heaven- Whoever feeds on this Bread - My Flesh and My Blood- will have Eternal Life- My Flesh and My Blood are Real Food-

So the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me.

So then- What will I feed on? Will it bethose things that nourish and strengthen the vile dog or will it be those things that strengthen and nourish me as a Child of the King?

Father in Heaven, I do believe I can change my heart- I do believe I can shape my soul- even lead it to the place of Life- to a place of Contentment and Hope and Love and Goodness. Thank You Lord Jesus that You have made that possible. Thank You for redemption. Thank You for food that is Real Food. Holy Spirit move my spirit today to constantly- moment by moment- take my nourishment from Jesus- to be sustained in Him.

Amen

Can I change my heart?

What have I stored up for myself? What is it that I value- that I chase after? What is it that has hold of my heart- That I spend my energy pursuing? Pleasure- Acclaim- Strength- Admiration? How about Position- Success- Power or Respect? Or is it Possessions- Youth- Money or Popularity? I have to confess I have spent no small amount of time in pursuit of these things- and I have even caught a few of them from time to time. When I did catch them there was a time of pleasure- brief as it was- always followed by,"Okay-What Now?' A good friend recently told me about the first time he took his wife fishing. Now, she wasn't especially excited about the prospect of fishing- Did I mention it was part of one of their early anniversary trips? At any rate, the lovely young bride did catch a few. My buddy went on to tell me that upon their return home his dear sweet wife promptly put a pole in the trunk of her car and began looking for fishing holes. From that point forward, it seems every time she came across a a decent looking spot she would stop the car and proceed to cast a few lines.

The story left me wondering- did she catch some fish or had fishing caught her?

I think it's kind of like that with all of us. If you take a good look at what I spend my time looking for- at what occupies my thoughts, time and energy- you will have a very good chance of knowing what has me hooked- of what has my heart.

Matthew 6:19-23 Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth.........but instead store up for yourself Treasure in Heaven.........

For where your treasure is there will your heart be also........

The eye is the lamp of the body....... if your eyes are good your whole body will be full of light........if not, you will be full of darkness.

I wonder then if maybe I can lead my heart by somehow disciplining my eyes-

I wonder if by intentionally training my eyes to look for some things and turn away from others I can somehow deepen the connection between my own feeble heart and God's Great and Powerful Heart. A Heart bursting forth with Unfathomable Love and Goodness.

Maybe it's not too far fetched to say

Blessed are those who Look for God- For they shall become Pure in Heart and shall see God.

Hebrews 12 (Excerpts) Let us throw off what hinders and the sin that so easily entangles......... Let us fix our eyes on Jesus........so that we do not grow weary and lose heart.

Holy Spirit help me- help me to lead my heart after You. Empower me to fix my gaze upon Jesus. Speak to me- speak words of truth and give me ears to hear and a will to obey. Father Thank You for Your great mercy and patience with me. Thank You the strength and desire You give me to fix my eyes on the Author and Finisher of my salvation. Lord, I will do my best to keep my focus on You.

Amen

What Happened?

It was such a sad and disturbing sight- As I did my weekly ride with my buddies along the Canal Tow Path Saturday Morning we came upon something that has etched itself into my mind- an image that I may never forget. Coming toward us were 2 women- they were pushing a baby stroller- One of those heavy duty strollers that joggers use to push their children in when they go for a run. As we came closer to the women I began to make out what was in the stroller- It was........ well it was just wrong. In this stroller was what must have once been a beautiful regal animal- Full of strength and life and fierceness........ Yes an animal that had once commanded respect as it was approached- Now reduced to a Caricature of it's former self- something laughable. In the stroller being pushed along by 2 well meaning women was a Bulldog. Grand and Powerful at one time- Now the only thing missing was a little bonnett and bow.

What Happened? What happened that reduced this incredible awe- inspiring Beast to being pushed along in a baby stroller?

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image- Male and Female He created them.

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field.....

Genesis 3:23 So the Lord banished man from the Garden.......

What Happened to us- Us who were once declared to be made in the image of God. Reduced to sweating and groveling for whatever scraps of pleasure we can manage. What happened- How did it all go so wrong?

Romans 5:6 You see at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.......

Hope abides- We can yet be what we were made to be!

Romans 5:18 The result of the one trespass was condemnation........the Result of His one act of Righteousness was justification and Life.

Galatians 5 "It is for freedom Christ has set us Free!"

Can we go back? Can we reverse this aberration of the Lives we were meant for?

Oh Yes!

Thanks be to God who through our Lord Jesus Christ redeemed us from the clownishness of being pushed along in a baby carriage. Thanks be to God who has raised His Son from death to Life and who raises us to Life along with Him. Thanks be to God that He is restoring us as Sons and Daughters of a Great King- Fierce and Strong and Beautiful and Meek.

Let us then press forward to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of us.

Let us put aside the Caricatures of Men and Women we have become and rise up to Life!

Father God, Lord Jesus, King Jesus, Holy Spirit- Thank You for Restoration and Redemption. Thank You for not laughing at us- for not casting us aside, but instead reviving us to the Life You made us for. Spirit of the Living God move in me today to live as a son of the Most High King. Move in me to go forward boldly with Love and Grace and Healing that come from You so that Your Great Kingdom become a reality even in this fallen world.

Amen

On Seeing Jesus

I looked at Julie in amazement as the words tumbled from my mouth, "Are you kidding me?" I asked- "Did you really get me a Dentist appointment for 7:00 o'clock in the morning?". I really do love my wife, but this is pushing the limits! Okay- so upon arriving right on time- you got it- 7:00 stinking a.m.- a nice enough lady (Elizabeth) led me to my doom- I mean room. As I sit, I can't help but notice an instrument tray to my left filled with what looks like all sorts of torture devices. There were hook- like instruments and drills and well other shiny sterile looking metal things that might............. well let's leave all that to your imagination. Guys, I am not sure if it's been done, but a Psycho/Slasher movie with a Dentist in the starring role could be a real money-maker. Come to think of it- wasn't there a movie called the "Little Shop of Horrors" back in the 50's? As I sat back in the chair - Elizabeth- her face covered with a surgical mask- like I would imagine any good Psycho-Dentist's assistant would be-approaches with one of her "instruments". On the radio- What is playing, but the Cat Stevens song- MoonShadow. In the background-just above the sound of the drilling from the next room- I can hear those classic words,

" I'm being followed by a moon shadow- moon shadow, moon shadow- And if I ever lose my mouth, all my teeth north and south"!

God really does have a sense of humor doesn't He? However, when I pointed out the lyric to Elizabeth, for some reason she was not amused. Oh yes, there is one other thing I noticed as Elizabeth went about her business- Sitting in the window where a flood of light poured into the room was one of those word puzzle thingys- you know the kind of thing that if you look at it one way it appears as jibberish, but

If you focus your eyes just so- you can make out a word-

"Jesus" is what it said.

Isn't it amazing the places He shows up if we can just get our focus right?

I am reminded of the C.S. Lewis children's book "Prince Caspian". There is a scene in the book where the children think they see Aslan (the Christ figure) in the distant fog. Oh, but it couldn't really be Him- they convince themselves- as they go their own way- Only to get in all sorts of trouble. As they decide to turn and head back toward Aslan- they catch a glimpse of Him once again. He is beckoning them to follow.

Still not able to really make Him out in the mists, they decide by faith to follow anyway. The funny thing is-

Every step they take in following by faith- Aslan becomes more clear-

More real- until finally He is right there.

He was right there all along- just like He is right here with us- even in a Dentist Office at 7:00a.m.- All it takes is the right focus to see Him-

Looking through the eyes of Faith.

Hebrews 11:1 Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Lord Jesus I will look for You today. Holy Spirit help my vision to be clear- my focus right- and as I see my Jesus- fill me up with the Faith and Courage I so desperately need to follow Him- even as He goes places that I would not

Amen

What did you See?

As we approached the intersection with a green light I noticed a car approaching as well. It was approaching from my right on the street crossing the line of traffic we were in. From my angle I could see that the driver's view of the traffic light for his road was clearly red. Fortunately this driver had his window down as he slowed down preparing to make a right turn-

but looking right through my two partners and myself

as we made our way on our bicycles through the intersection and into his path. As he began to pull on out into what seemed like inevitable disaster for us- I was able to catch his attention with a loud Hey-Hey-Hey. In the nick of time (Thank You Lord) he saw us and was able to quickly stop. It was classic-

He couldn't see us because we were not what he was looking for!

Over the years, this has become one of my favorite tendencies to point out to my students.

It is a tendency that has several variations-

People usually only see what they are looking for-

If you know what you are looking for at the outset you have a much better chance of finding it, but maybe really missing some other pretty cool stuff-

How you see something will many times determine what you do with it- that is how you process what you are looking at.

I don't think this has a greater effect anywhere than when we approach Scripture.

It is very difficult to approach Scripture without our preconceived notions-

our upbringing-

our personal experiences-

previous teachings-

our cultural biases-

our........... you name it coming into the mix.

The great determination as we approach God's Word must be to intentionally and wholeheartedly go into the process looking for the Truth.

What I find myself and many others doing is going to the scripture looking for justification- Looking for those things that will show that my own views are right.

So many times we look right through or past those things that don't seem to help our position.

Like all the rest of our Great Faith- Bible Study Requires Humility. I must come to the Scriptures willing to be shown wrong- willing to give up my position- Dedicated to finding Truth above all else. If we come to the Scriptures seeing only what we want to see there is a severe danger that we might just run right over someone.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-Breathed.........so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is Living and Active.......It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit........It judges thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Holy Spirit of the Living God- move in me for a relentless pursuit of the Truth. Give me a willingness to give up my own way and see what is real. Lord Jesus, Thank You for living out all these things for me to see. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear You alone. Amen