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

Psalm 142 Prison Breaks!

Psalm 142:7

Set me free from my prison

That I may praise Your Name………

It’s hard to conceive that I might be in prison.

I mean really….. prison?

No………

I’m walking around free.

And yet there are things around about me…..

Well not so much things, as maybe…….. beliefs….

Beliefs and agreements I have made with the lies of my enemy…..

Beliefs and agreements that hold me back.

It is a prison of sorts.

Charles, if you speak up you might embarrass yourself…..

Charles, if you try this new thing you might fail and look stupid…..

Charles, if you let them really know you………… they will leave you……

Guys,

Agreement with these kinds of thoughts……

They keep us from the Life our True Father has for us.

They keep us from the Life our Savior, Christ Himself, has won for us.

Guys,

I don’t know what messages you have heard from the enemy of our souls,

But.......

I do know The Word of God speaks Truth.

I do know The Word of God brings Freedom.

I do know the Word of God brings Life.

Okay then…..

So how about one powerful Truth…..

With a command attached..... to leave out with….

Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous,

For The LORD your God will be with you

Wherever you go.

Guys,

Believe it!

And step into some real freedom!

Father in Heaven,

Thank You for answering so many of the Psalmists’ prayers…

In Christ.

Thank You for Life and Freedom.

Amen.

Psalm 118 It's Yours!

Psalm 118:29

……….His Love endures forever.

God’s Love;

Christ for us,

Christ in us,

Christ through us.

God’s Love Endures Forever!

Even though It come under attack…

Even though our enemy assaults It with lies….

Even though the power of sin opposes It at every turn…..

O’ Christian……

Make no mistake;

God’s Love…….

It cannot be extinguished…

It cannot be stamped out…

It cannot be defeated.

O’ Christian……

Know this Truth;

God’s Love…….

Demonstrated by the sacrifice of His Son….

Brought to Life in you by the Resurrection Power of Christ Jesus…..

Poured out through you by the Indwelling Holy Spirit……

This Mighty, Mighty Love…..

Is Yours!

Now receive It, and so…….. Live!

Father, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit,

I pray we all begin to comprehend Your Great Love for us….

I pray we all begin to live in the Freedom and Power of that Love….

And so come to live the Life You made us for.

Amen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLuQw9oyEug

I am Exhausted- What's Next?

Do you ever just feel overwhelmed?
You know, like........

No matter what you do-

It just isn't enough.

I get so tired. 

There never seems to be enough of me to go around.
Not that I am really all that in demand-
Or even that I really work that hard.
It's just that the needs all around me are so great-
Yet all my efforts seem so.......... inadequate.
Check that -
All my efforts are so inadequate.

Running to stand still-

And that is on a good day. 

I wrote the above a few days ago-
I was coming to the end of a long stretch of crazy busyness-
Exhausted.
Living on adrenaline-
I think I 'm a junkie.
It's funny to read all that now-
Just a few days later-
As the busyness begins to subside-
You see, even with all the fatigue and stress....

There is still a real part of me that says-

"What's Next?"

I have been living on an adrenaline high for so long-

I feel a little empty without it.

There is a part of me that loves living in the frenzy-
That craves the excitement.
I can't help but feel I am missing something when the pace slows-
When I'm not right on the edge.

Father forgive me for always chasing the next mountain top experience-
For living out of the lie that........
Life = Excitement and Edginess.
There is such a spirit of discontentment about it.
Yes I really want to live Life-
To experience all of it at it's best! I do!
But..........
Father help me to find it Your Way-
Living in You.
Living out real Love for the people You bring my way-
To value all these over all the excitement and drama.
Yes - I love the idea of Life as an adventure-
Even a Battle to take ground for Your Kingdom-
I am energized by these things.
But as I look at Jesus-
He never seemed to be in a hurry-
He never seemed to be caught up in the frenzy.

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and 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 is light.”

Holy Spirit , lead me deeper into Jesus today.

Amen.

Is God Proud.......of me?

Ah.... Saturday mornings- I know I have told you before, but....... I love 'em- The bike- the ride with friends- The rush of the wind in my face as I go downhill- Fast- Really, really fast. The beauty of the morning mist on the river- Incredible! Then there's Bojangles- Boberry biscuits- A bit of Heaven on earth- Sitting at the table with friends- Friends who are willing to be honest- Willing to get past talking about Sports and other people- Willing to share a bit of their own lives. Community is a beautiful thing.

"And He hadn't even done anything yet"

A friend responded when I mentioned the pride God showed

in His Son at His Baptism.

Such an epiphany for me. You have to understand-

There is a question I have never been able to put words to-

A question I have struggled with......

For a long, long time-

"Is God proud of me?"

I have known that God Loves me for as long as I can remember. Yet, somehow that Love has come across as a sense of pity- You know- Like you feel when you come across some poor stray- Not really worth saving- But rousing such sorrow in your heart- That you feel compelled to throw it a scrap of kindness. Oh, now don't misunderstand- I know about Grace- I believe in God's Grace- I know that there is nothing-Absolutely nothing- I have done or can do to merit salvation. Yet-

It is really just now sinking into my heart-

That the reality of His Grace-

Never has meant that I was worthless.

Deserving of salvation? Absolutely not. Yet valued by God- Even desired by God? Absolutely yes! But why? Why would He want this poor pitiful man? Maybe it is simply because He made me. Because I was His- Created for the expression of His Love and Glory- Part of His Creation- No............... More than that- Made in His Image.

Ah, but then tragedy-

Lost to Him.

His valued creation lost to Him.

His Good Creation lost to Him-

Hopeless -

Save for His own willingness to go to war to recover us.

Now there is a part of me that is not comfortable with saying God lost something. It feels like some kind of denial of His Omnipotence- And yet the scripture says it- "He came to seek and to save that which was lost" I have to think God was pleased with His Creation- Especially proud of humanity- Made in His very Image- The expression of His Love.

Could it be that I am-

That we are.............. really valuable to God?

Simply because we were His.

Could it be that when we come back to Him- Restored......... Made New in Christ- Raised to newness of life- Brought up out of the water- Brought up out of death and into Life in Him- He can say of us at that very moment-

This is my child.....

I am proud of him-

I am proud to call him Mine-

And we haven't even done anything yet.

God asked me recently- "Charles- Are you proud of your own children?" I have to confess- It took a bit of thought to answer that question. "Well yes Lord...........I am" "Why?" He shot back- "Well Lord.........they are mine" I had to answer. They are not always what I want them to be, but- They are mine.

"Charles, you are Mine-

And I am so proud to have you as Mine!"

And I haven't even done anything yet!

Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said,

"This is my Son, whom I love;

With Him I am well pleased."

Father thank You for those words of affirmation-

Thank You for making me Yours in Christ-

Thank You that You have restored me to a place

Where You can be proud of me-

Where I can rest in the Fact that I am Yours.

Amen

Jesus? Who is that?

Quick- When you hear the name Jesus- What comes to mind? Savior? Teacher? King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Nice Man? Healer? Miracle Worker? Baby in a manger? Peacemaker? Sucker Outer of all fun? Hero? Good Shepherd? Bread of Life? Wise man? Dreamer? Holy man? Lunatic? Avenger? A man on a cross......... Friend? What picture comes to mind? What do you feel when you hear the name? Whatever it is- I venture to guess it is rooted in some deep personal experiences. Maybe in Church- Maybe in a relationship- Maybe in some tragedy- Maybe in some beauty. Whatever we feel, think of or picture when we hear that name- I will also venture to guess- Is incomplete- A very good, but only partial truth. Maybe all the truth we can handle just now.

1 John 3:2 Dear friends, now we are children of God,

and what we will be has not yet been made known.

But we know that when He appears,

we shall be like Him,

for we shall see Him as He is.

Isn't that really what a lot of this life is all about-

Coming more and more to see Him as He is-

In all His fullness-

And as we do-

Being drawn up into Him-

To be united to Him-

Spirit, Soul and Body-

Heart, Mind and Will.

Faith grows and becomes stronger by being challenged-

Is our view of Jesus-

Of God-

Being challenged just now?

It is a good thing- A great blessing- Let's lean into the challenge- He will appear- He will show Himself- He is Faithful like that. Let's look for Him in ways we may not be accustomed to. Let's take hold of all God is revealing about Himself - Even as our pictures of Him are challenged.

Lord Jesus,

Open the eyes of my heart-

Open the essence of my spirit-

To see you in all Your Glory-

And as I see You-

To be transformed more and more into Your Likeness.

Amen

I am still hopeful that part 3 of the Jet Ski adventure will happen sometime next week!

Life is Opposed

Why is it hard to get out of bed in the mornings? Why is it hard to stay in shape? Why do we have to toil in our jobs- Even many times in good jobs? Why do we struggle in relationships?

Why can't Life just be................ Easy?

I think for me one of the great traps of the enemy I have fallen into is the notion that as a Christian my life should be easy. Even as I write that last line the Holy Spirit brings into my mind the absurdity of the thought. How did I ever get the idea that if I just did the right things- You know- Daily Devotionals, Church, Tithe, Treat others well...........and on and on........ I would somehow be guaranteed this easy, happy, care free life? I think of Jesus warning- "In this world you will have trouble" I think of the Call to Be Strong in the Lord- To Put on the Full Armor of God- To Stand Firm- To be Strong and Courageous.

Guess what Charles- Courage and Strength are not needed for a life of ease!

Oh now don't get me wrong-

I have not resigned myself to a life of misery-

I have not given up on the Abundant Life Jesus has won for me-

But.................

I think I finally may be realizing

I am going to have to fight for the Life I long for.

Maybe the fight itself is a part of the Abundant Life.

It is a Worthy Battle-

A Transcendent Cause He has brought us into.

God has not saved us so that we may retire to a life of ease-

God has saved us so that we can join the Battle.

Love is opposed-

Life is opposed-

The Kingdom of God in this World is opposed-

Ah, but the Gospel-

Christ has Overcome-

Take Heart- Christ has Overcome

Romans 8:11 And as the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in us-

That same God who raised Christ from the dead will also give Life to our mortal bodies through His Spirit Who Lives in us.

In the words of Eldredge-

There is an Adventure to live guys-

There is a Battle to fight-

There is a Beauty to rescue-

A Kingdom to be Restored-

Let's stay in the fight!

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Spirit of the Living God-

Come to life in us today to be Strong and Courageous-

To Stand Firm-

To Love Well-

To Rise Up in the place you have put us-

To take ground for Your Kingdom.

All Praise be to You our Captain and our King.

Amen

I got no ettiquette.

Juxtaposition- To place unexpected combinations side by side.

Are you impressed?

I went to a luncheon recently that honored a group of people who had reached some milestones. As I sat at my table next to a young lady I had not met before, but had seen around our work place I noticed the table setting. The silver (Plasticware) was wrapped in a napkin there on the table and the dessert was sat out in temptingly ornate style. This arrangement suggested some level of expected formality. Now I have to tell you I am not altogether comfortable at formal meals- For one thing I am never sure at these kinds of functions which place setting is actually my own- Is it the napkin, spoon and fork to my right or to my left? To confuse the issue even more, I am left handed, which seems to throw me off in all sorts of ways. Anyway, I went on to introduce myself to the young lady and explain to her my confusion- I got no ettiquette training- This nice lady mercifully educated me a bit on what was what- At least she gave me enough information so that I did not use her spoon and fork. In my own explanation for my lack of knowlege of the social graces, I am not really sure where the words came from- maybe just wondering aloud- but I can hear myself saying,

"Really I guess I shouldn't worry about all this- I mean how formal do I have to be when the beautiful meal is actually being served on plastic plates."

Ah, the beauty of juxtaposition. Yes there was this sense of formality- But there was also the reality of the common man- The two folded together in an incredible way. Me the common man invited to the table of the ornate. The ornate itself descending to a level that gave me access- Wait- beyond even just access- Actually inviting me to come and to participate- Just as I am- No ettiquette and all. Amazing!

Colossians 1:15-20 (Excerpts) Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation- by Him all things were made- things in heaven and on earth, things visible and invisible....... He is before all things and in Him all things hold together...... God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Christ and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself.

Philippians 2:6-8 Jesus, being in very nature God Himself, did not consider equality with God something to cling to, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself .

John 1:1 - 2 and 14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. The Word (Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us

The Ornate opening the way for the common by taking on the form of the common-

Raising the common from ordinary to sacred-

From death to Life.

Thank You Lord Jesus for opening the way to the ornate- Thank You for bringing God Himself into this world to be juxtaposed against all that is broken here in this place. Holy Spirit move in me today and tomorrow and every day after that to live out this same juxtaposition-Move in me to live out the reality of Your Life in this world- Move in me to invite all You bring my way into the Life You have won for us.

Amen

What are you afraid of?

I am afraid of monsters. When I was a kid- I guess about 5 or 6 years old- We lived in a house that sat up on brick pillars- I suppose you would call that a crawl space- The thing was though that this crawl space was open all around the house. Somehow- I don't know how- I got the idea that monsters lived under our house. They were there- I was sure of it- In the dark recesses of this horrible underworld. Maybe it was my trickster brother who planted the idea- I'm not sure- but I was certain of one thing- There were monsters there- They were waiting to get me if I ventured too close. Well I guess I have gotten over the fear of monsters in the dark- Although there are still times when I might be alone at home- Late at night- The house dark and quiet- Except for those sounds a house seems to make- When you are alone- Late at night- The house dark and....... In those times it is so easy for a mind to run wild- Dancing to the tune of a real monster- The devil himself- He is a fear merchant- A master of subtle deception. He raises many of those old fears- The fears that make the hair stand up on the back of your neck- The fears that isolate- The fears that cripple- The fears that steal life.

John 10:10 Jesus said, "The thief has come to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have Life and have it to the full."

There is no shame in being afraid-

In many ways I think it is those very fears that drive me to my Hero-

The One who has bested all my fears-

The One who says-

Be strong and courageous, for I am with you.

I will never leave you or forsake you.

I have given you a Spirit of Power and Love

Behold I am coming soon.

Take Heart, I have Overcome.

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Rise up in me today and every day to be courageous. Help me to minute by minute live in the reality of Your Love that casts out fear. Help me to take to heart Your Love for me and live out of that Love as your Child- One who need not fear anything of this world or my enemy. Help me to say truely along with Your servant David that,"Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death- I will not live in fear, because you are with me."

Amen

Come to think of it- there's no reason to be afraid of monsters any more.

Personal Space

I have this friend- Oh you know where I'm going already don't you- You read the title- Yep! Anyway- No matter how much I back up he just keeps coming- Eventually I will back into a wall and he's got me- Two inches from my face- Me squirming under the force of his hot breath. Thank you Lord that this guy brushes and doesn't eat onions!

So what about this business of Personal Space?

It's funny how we don't mind some folks all up in our personal space but others................

Well we might rather kiss a Rattlesnake than kiss Aunt Susie

So what makes the difference?

Why do I invite my wife into my Personal Space-

Even pursue times for us to be in each other's Personal Space (I think you get my drift here right?).

Yet......... other folks- No Way Baby- Give me my space!

I think it must be all about the relationship- You know- Trust- Intimacy and all that.

So then- What about God and my Personal Space? Where am I with that?

I think there is a sense in which God will not violate our personal space uninvited.

Revelation 3:20 (Jesus speaking) Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and dine with him and he with Me.

James 4:8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.

So what do you think? Do you invite God into your personal space?

Are you comfortable with Him there?

Maybe it's easier to invite Jesus into my personal space-

After all He seems alot more understanding-

Not nearly as scary.

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- Triune God, Come into my personal space today- I invite You to continually search my heart and reveal any thing in me that remains broken- expose my sin and mercifully lead me into healing. Lead me into the Life You have for me. Comfort me Almighty God- The God of All Comfort- Come deep into my heart and soul- into my personal space and do what You do- Bring Wholeness and Life.

Amen

Moving On

An early morning conversation with my son;

Me- "Matt, it's time to get up"

Him- "Not yet, in a second"

Me- "In a second? why not now?"

Him- "Because I am comfortable. I have heard it said that sometimes it seems like God is in the business of comforting the afflicted, but other times it seems His cheif purpose is to Afflict the Comfortable.

I have also heard it said that we will not change until it becomes too painful to stay the same.

As I think any of you who read this on a regular basis can tell from my posts the last couple of weeks- life has been hard. There has been waiting and dissappointment and regret- Plenty of discomfort.

The central question in all of it has been,

"Where is God in all this?"

or maybe,

"Why hasn't He given me what I wanted?"

I will tell you He has been present.

He has shown Himself in Clouds and Streetsigns-

In conversations with friends-

In His Word-

In other books I am reading-

In time with my wife-

In time alone-

In bike rides and I am sure a million other ways that I have not even recognized.

In all of it the choice has been clear-

He has driven me to a place of discomfort-

A place where I must take hold of the reality of His Love and Care for me-

Really- Deeply- In my heart of hearts -

Or I must deny Him-

Lose faith and go my own way.

My own struggles have been real, but He has been so merciful to strengthen my faith through what really are trivial struggles compared to things I know others are going through.

It really is a shame that my transformations have to come through discomfort-

Maybe it is the only way my heart will take hold of what is in my head and own it.

It is time for me to move on from old dreams.

I have done all that I could to make them come to pass.

God has shut them down.

It is time to move on- to move on into what He has for me.

Romans 8:32 God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will He not also with the gift of His Son- Graciously give us all things.

Lord God Almighty I will trust You- That what You have in mind for me is Good and the Life I long for will be right there in it. Give me clarity day by day to see and walk the path You have laid out for me.

Amen

Now come on Matt- It's time to get up!

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

What's the hurry?

Slow Down.

These are the words that God gave me this morning as I awoke from some dream or other.

I wish I could remember it.

Driveness has plagued me as long as I can remember. One of my all time favorite quotes is from Vince Lombardi- The iconic coach of the Green Bay Packer dynasty of the 60's. Lombardi said,

"The Quality of a man's life is in direct proportion to his pursuit of excellence"

I love the quote- I think it is spot on............... Except for my own over emphasis of one word-

Pursuit

Is there ever a time to set aside the pursuit and rest? In my mind I say yes-

My heart and actions tell a different story-

I am driven- Relentlessly in pursuit of.................... Something-

Sometimes I get so busy I am not even sure what.

Mary, Martha and Lazarus loved Jesus- Jesus really seemed to enjoy spending time with them as well. On one occasion when Jesus was over for a visit it seems the family decided to have some folks over. Martha was a worker. Give the woman a task and get out of the way as she became a whirling dervish of motion and effeciency. A woman after my own heart- On a mission- Driven for everything to come together- just so. It was a good thing. It is a good thing for all of us to be able to rise to the occasion and "Get 'er Done". Maybe sometimes though it is not the best thing.

Mary on the other hand seemed a little more laid back- maybe even a little flighty- not so practical as her sister. It seems on this particular occasion as Martha was busy preparing for the guests and Jesus- Mary had decided to simply take some time and sit with Jesus- Visiting- Listening- Enjoying the time with Him.

Now as you can imagine as Martha was working her hind end off to make the preparations for a nice little party while her sister was just sort of chilling out with Jesus- Martha began to get a little resentful- a little angry even- not only at her sister, but at Jesus as well for not telling Mary to get up and get busy.

It's really odd that as I write these very words I am trying to hurry up and get ready to go out of town to relax a bit- Yet my very driveness will not allow me to stop until I'm done. What did I say about my actions a minute ago? Lord help me!

Anyway as Martha Complains to Jesus- His reply is recorded in Luke 10:41 as He said,

"Martha, Martha-You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better- and it will not be taken away from her."

Matthew 11:28 Jesus said, "Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden 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.

Lord Jesus help me- help me to slow down and come to You- Today, this weekend and all the time to come. Help me to live the better way.

Amen

Body Surfing

Summer Time in the South.....
Ninety-nine degrees in the shade.......
With humidity that can be worn as an outer layer of clothing.

Thunder Storms every afternoon and ........
The Beach!
The cool breeze skips up off the ocean......
With the faint whisper that says......
"Nahhhh, you're not getting burned......
You're hardly even pink"

Sand everywhere....
Hot sand to run across like a ballerina on opening night......
Sticky sand that cakes onto sunscreen......
Sand in shoes and Sand in shorts..............
But it's alright......
We're talking Beach Sand!

And then there's the ocean......
You know.....
The warm white foam that feels so good as it swirls up around your ankles......
But somehow turns a little chilly as you get knee deep......
Then gets downright icy as you slide in up to your belly button.....
Before finally gathering the nerve to take the plunge......
The plunge that feels ooooohhh....... sooooo....... good.

I gotta tell you guys.....
For me the very best of it all......
The coup de gras if you will.....
Has to be the waves.

The bigger the better.
I'm talking
Save the women and children.....
Hold on to your hat type waves.
Waves made for one thing only......
Body Surfing.

I can't tell you how much I love body surfing.
The exhilaration of timing and catching a wave just so...........

All that Power......

That rushing white tipped breaker of pure energy.....
Sweeping me away toward the shore.
This must be what Superman feels like.....
When he leaps into the air to fly.

Yes......
I'm Superman!

2Timothy 1:7.......
God has given us a Spirit of Power and of Love.........

Galatians 5:22-25 
But the Fruit of the Spirit is 
Love, Joy, Peace, 
Patience, Kindness, Goodness, , 
Gentleness and Self- Control............
Since we live by the Spirit, 
Let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

There are times in my life
When I catch hold of the Power of the Spirit just so........
Times when I am right in step with the Spirit of God............
Times when that rushing white tipped breaker of pure energy sweeps me along towards.........
Well....... Heaven.
Times when I am fully alive in the Kingdom of God-
Even here in this place.

Father in Heaven, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- 
Thank You for those moments of Pure Heaven- 
Thank You for even a glimpse of the Life to come. 
Move me more and more into step with You
So that this Life I long for- 
This life that is Life- 
This abiding in You .....
Becomes my daily reality.

Amen