The Mirror Bears His Image

Almost a year ago I wrote a blog about a dream I had regarding my encounter with a blind man isolated on a sandy beach, overlooking a vast ocean before him. Whether he was truly incarcerated is uncertain as it appeared there was nothing obstructing his pathway from moving forward. Those of you who read it, may recall that he ignored every attempt I made at urging him to come to the shoreline. Instead, he continued to dance around for freedom in a world all of his own. Realizing I had no control over his circumstances, I prayed a simple prayer, "Lord, let him see", and then I floated off into the distance. My heart ached for him and my soul burned with compassion. It was evident he had been standing on sun-scorched sand for many years and longed to dip his toes in the cool stream. If only he could see that freedom was closer than he perceived.

As I ponder upon this dream, I am reminded that oftentimes I am no different than the blind man standing on dry sand. If only I would draw closer to that living stream, I might catch a glimpse of the reflection staring back at me. One that is unbound, unshackled, and renewed. When you stand before the mirror every morning, whom do you greet, the man or woman from yesteryears or the regenerated person you have become? We miss out on the abundance God has for us in our daily lives so long as we continue to cling on to the mask of our past or the security blanket that provides a false sense of comfort in an uncertain world. There is great freedom awaiting the person who takes a stand, steps out from behind the former man, and latches on to his true identity in Christ.

Scripture tells us that "we are like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags..."(Isaiah 64:6). However, when we invite Christ into our hearts, there is an immediate spiritual transaction that takes place. In exchange for our sin and our hard shell exterior, we are given a radiant robe of righteousness, a new identity, and a heart of flesh, soft and supple in His hands. In summation, we are regenerated into a new man. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Not only do we become a new man, but we become a new man in Christ, bearing His image. "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). Upon acceptance of His gift of salvation, we have been given the opportunity to put on the garment of Christ's righteousness, a light that shines so bright it casts a shadow over our iniquity and the shame of our youth. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). God longs for us to be sober and aware of the implications of this rebirth as He so graciously leads us to crystal clear streams, not only to drink, but also to behold the new reflection we now bear of Him. This is why He invites us to study His Word. For in it, we behold His image like a mirror.

There is a three-step process as described in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 that leads us to an accurate depiction of what God sees when He casts His gaze upon us. Prayerfully, we too have or will come to realize this identity for ourselves. First, when one turns to the Lord, a veil is lifted. It is at this point in our spiritual journey that the scales covering our eyes fall. We are awakened, no longer blind to the error of our ways due to living a life apart from God and are now provided a pathway through Christ to freely come into relationship with our Creator. Then, verse 17 highlights an important aspect of our newfound relationship with God. It states, "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty". For those of us who have accepted Christ into our hearts, the Spirit now dwells within us, not only granting us access to the Father, but also freedom from the bondage of our sinful and decrepit nature. Lastly, in verse 18, we are told that "we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord". When we are baptized and accepted into the family of God, we instantly bear the likeness of our Father. We are then invited to look at ourselves "as in a mirror" and behold "the glory of the Lord". This mirror just like any other mirror has only one reflection. Those who have turned to Christ and received the freedom of His Spirit, now can look into the Word (Jesus Christ) "as in a mirror" and see himself (the transformed man cloaked in Christ's righteousness). This is how the Father sees us. Spiritually speaking, the transformative work has already been done. Now, all that is left for us to do is walk in it. But this is the mark that many believers miss. Oftentimes, because we can't physically see this transformation, we go on living deflated lives, falling short of the abundant life offered to the man on the other side of the mirror. As I pondered upon this thought, I began to question the process of sanctification as it pertains to our identity. The work that is done in us is not so much to ascertain God's approval of us as it is to lead us to the realization that we have already been approved. Once we fully grasp this, we can't help but to witness the fruit of this transformation as our minds come into agreement with our hearts, and our actions mirror the person whom God says we are.

However, our knowledge of this reality is not easily retained. In fact, all throughout scripture, we are instructed to "renew our minds" in order to lay hold of this truth. If we don't, we are susceptible to being influenced by the world. Romans 12:2 states, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God". Thessalonians 4:3 tells us exactly what the will of God is as it states, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification...". So, here we see that the process of sanctification is largely effected by one's perception of himself. We are told to renew the mind because it is through the mind that our true identity can become distorted which leads us to thoughts or behaviors that defy the will of God. The regenerated man still operating in his natural mind is also susceptible to the schemes employed by the enemy. Since Adam and Eve, the enemy has made every attempt to thwart God's plan for His creation by causing us to question God's purpose for our lives. He does this by depositing a seed of doubt into our minds, suggesting the possibility that we are not the redeemed man we read about in scripture. The enemy does not have to dig too deep inside his bag of tricks because this tactic has proven successful, steering faithful believers off course throughout generations. He attacks our understanding of true identity because without this knowledge, we are powerless. Exploring the depths of our identity in Christ provides the potential for liberty from the man or woman we used to be. This liberty includes freedom from addictions, from the wounds of our past, and from our desire to please man at the expense of pleasing God. Without such hindrances in our lives, we can readily move toward true restoration and healing.

As I came across the story of the man healed at the pool of Bethesda in John 5, I couldn't help but draw parallels from this passage to the dream I mentioned earlier. The chapter opens up with a brief description of the healing pool of water. It was geographically located in Jerusalem, specifically by the Sheep Gate. The Sheep Gate is a gate by which sheep and lambs used in the sacrifice were brought through. There is no literal significance mentioned in the chapter about this gate, however, I spotted an uncanny similarity between its location by the pool of Bethesda with that of the blind man's place of incarceration by the ocean. Symbolically, the Perfect Sacrifice was brought forth through this gate (like a lamb) to provide a pathway for our redemption. And now the Sheep Gate is our entryway to healing. Much like the blind man in my dream, we are like sheep in need of a Shepherd to lead us out of captivity. If only we could see the healing body of water that lies before us. If only we could catch a glimpse of our reflection in it. The blind man could not and in many ways, neither can we.

The man who does receive healing as explained in this passage was stricken with an infirmity for 38 years. His healing began with one question, "Do you want to be made well?" (John 5:6b). God's transfer of healing is instant unlike the long, drawn-out process previously endured by the man in years passed. But, because he was focused on all of those missed opportunities, he circumnavigates the question and begins to explain the reason why he hasn't yet been healed. Isn't that just like us? We carry a laundry list of excuses as to why we behave the way we do, dragging our feet toward the pathway of recovery. Instead of "renewing our mind" and remembering who God says we are, the appropriate response to this question, we rely on our own methods to arrive at a solution and rationalize ways in which we can get our needs met. A simple question is deserving of a simple response. Do you want to be made well? Yes or No. Christ has the power to heal us in an instant as was the case for the man in this passage. Shortly after Jesus commanded the man to "Rise, take up [his] bed and walk", he was immediately made well.

We, much like the man by the pool of Bethesda, misunderstand what the Lord is offering to us when he meets us by the Sheep Gate. Christ is the entryway through which we dip our toes in the healing stream. When He offered us the gift of salvation, He also offered us healing. In that, we have become a new creation, shedding the masks and the layers of our former self, giving way to the radiant glory of His righteousness. We delay healing when we neglect the knowledge of who we are in Christ. Living an abundant life means letting go of the person we are emotionally invested in (our former self) in order to lay hold of the new man, free of his iniquity. Christ paid a high price for us to experience and enjoy this freedom. He encourages us today, "Rise, take up your bed, and walk". Contrary to what you might believe, there is nothing or no one impeding you from reaching the healing streams and once you get there, take a mental image of who you see gently smiling back at you in your reflection. Christ identifies with you. Do you identify with him? Have you truly accepted what it means to bear His image?

To Dance With My Father Again

She stood in a white ruffled dress with matching white ruffled socks. Her Mary Janes showed no signs of wear and tear except for the soles she glided across the school gymnasium floor on. It was pitch black and before she was aware that the music faded, a spotlight flickered on above her head. The sea of grade school peers innocently cavorting around her began to fade into the distance like the decrescendo of music. She felt a strong hand reach out for hers and safely secure it within His firm, but gentle grip. His other arm pulled her close by the waist. She placed her feet on top of His and followed His steps, moving to a melody foreign to the human ear, but sweeter than any song she had ever heard. As her guard began to fall, she drew closer to Him and rested her head upon His chest, breathing a great sigh of relief. She belonged here in His presence. She was created for moments like these.

During the past few weeks I have felt a disconnect between myself and the Man described in this scene. It is not that I believe He has retreated back to His heavenly throne only to leave me alone to fend for myself. His word has already stared down the face of this lie, reminding me that He never leaves nor forsakes His children (Ref Deuteronomy 31:6). And yes, I am also affirmed in the truth that I am counted as His, not just a number in a crowd of people, but singled out for His divine purpose and endearing pleasure. But, lately I have wrapped myself up so tight in the busyness of my days that I have neglected to acknowledge what that purpose and pleasure is--dancing with my Father, embracing the Creator who has given me life and life abundantly. The longer I leave Him waiting in the middle of that gymnasium floor, the more my soul pants to return back to Him who provides the very air I breathe.

God as the breath of life is introduced in the book of Genesis as the Holy Spirit that "hovers over the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2). I read in the notes of one of my bible study lessons that the word for "hovering" can be translated as "cherishing, warming, and energizing" in Hebrew. When we fast-forward to Genesis 2:7, I imagine God hovering over His lifeless creation just before He breathed life into Adam's clay form. God "cherished" this man whom He fashioned in His image and "warmed and energized" him as soon as His breath was expelled into Adam's lungs. It is from this point in history that life as we know it was set into motion. By this very breath, all of Adam's descendants thereafter would be inescapably tied to their Maker, regardless if they choose to recognize this or not. There are plenty of people who disregard the sacred reality of this truth, either taking it for granted or believing that they are in control of their own air supply. But, the physical breath that fills our lungs is not what Christ is concerned about. What He sees is the spiritual filling that interweaves our hearts and stitches them back to the true Forefather of our genealogy.

The Holy Spirit hovering over Adam in the beginning of creation also hovers over us, administering not only each and every life-sustaining breath, but ministering to us through the breath that energizes a transformation from the old man to the new, born again into the family of God. We are awakened, spiritually loosed from our former state as soon as this breath fills our spirit. Thereafter, like a good parent who tends to his young, we are not left to fend for ourselves nor are we left exposed, but rather hidden under the shelter of His wings. "He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge" (Psalm 91:4a). It is in this very place that we are kept to flourish and operate. However, as soon as we step out from under this protective covering, we experience a state of unrest, for we are not meant to live apart from His will.

One night, my son and I decided to flip open the bible and read aloud whatever passage we landed on. The story we came across is recorded in 2 Kings 4:8-37. It is about a barren Shunammite woman who received word from Elisha that she finally would conceive and bear a son. She did in fact have a child at the time prophesied by Elisha but tragically he passed away some years later. The heartbroken mother travels to find Elisha after his death and he agrees to go back with her to pray over her son. When he sees the child's lifeless body laying on the bed, he lays upon him, puts his mouth on his, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. Elisha was completely stretched out over the child. When he did this, the text says that the "flesh of the child became warm" (2 Kings 4:34). When Elisha stretched himself out over the child for a second time, he opened his eyes.

This text reminds me of how the Holy Spirit falls upon us like a dove and hovers over us just as Elisha hovered over the child, stretching His wings far enough to cover every portion of our being. And when we are hidden under His feathers, our flesh becomes warm, no longer inhabited by a heart of stone, but rather replaced with one infused with love. And much like the manner by which the child's eyes were opened in this passage, we too receive sight that looks beyond death into life.

When I ponder upon the role and work of the Holy Spirit in my life, the disconnect I once felt begins to dissipate. For one, I am reminded that the breath that lingers within me is as intimate as it gets with my Father for it is inspired from His very lips. And as I dwell upon this thought, I envision my feet touching the tip of His as I hurl my body into His chest, and allow myself to be whisked away yet again into our secret place. I envision His arm stretched out, requesting my hand for one more dance. And just like that, all of the cares of the world melt away from these shoulders once heavy-laden with burden. I am validated in His loving arms. I am cherished, warmed, protected and covered, as He hovers over me. And I am reminded that I belong here in His presence. I was created for moments like these.

Come Now, and Let us Reason Together

My grandfather sat across from me at our kitchen table in the same chair he rests his weary frame week after week. I watched his frail hands comb through his midnight black hair now turned moonlight silver. His hands wear the signs of decades past, hardened by hard labor, famine, and war. He folded them together and rested them gently atop the glass tabletop.

Inside those very hands is a story etched deeper than the creases in his palms. Those hands once immersed in scalding hot dish water as an illegal immigrant working to earn his keep would one day hold citizenship papers as if they were a key to a newly purchased home. But sadly soon after, those hands would rise in surrender behind gunpoint in a carry-out restaurant he fought tirelessly to keep in business when flourishing businesses were a thing of the past. Those hands gripped and held close his grieving children after they suffered the loss of their mother (his wife) when she was tragically ripped from the seam of their tightly knit home. Those tired and broken hands have pat the backs of my sisters and I and later great-grandchildren for every job well done. Those hands speak more than my grandfather's stoic face would ever reveal.

The highlight of my grandfather's visits is chit-chatting over a cup of tea and a plate of Sandie's shortbread cookies. Though it's not often he shares his heart, my grandfather does have quite a bit to share on late-breaking news and current events. I often joke that he is a walking sponge, waiting for the opportune time to wring out all of the information he's absorbed in between his weekly visits. He typically only cares to discuss matters pertaining to the economy and politics. However, I've noticed recently, now that he has more time to ponder upon a man's purpose in life, our conversations have made a dramatic turn, heading straight up my alley--philosophy, spirituality, and the presence of a "Higher Power". Today, however, our light banter began to fuel a debate after I introduced God into the discussion. My grandfather initially seemed up for the challenge but then withdrew. Those hands that rested, loosely clasped together, began to clench up in a fist, and struck down like a gavel in a judge's grip while tears welled up for justice. He shrieked, "Where was God in all of my hardships and pain? Where was He in my suffering? How could God turn His back to all of the injustices in this world? If there is a God, then show me!"

I sat in silence and a flood of cliche responses formulated in my thoughts. But, instead of grasping for the first one that surfaced, I chose to listen. This time it wasn't pride, the roadblock we are often met with when challenging someone's worldview, but rather pain that emerged, buried under years of harbored grief, bitterness, and regret. I wanted so badly at that moment to prescribe him the Remedy to a "broken spirit" but knew it wasn't the time. It is in my nature to quickly retort with scripture in hopes to chip away at the divide between he and I. But, I'm beginning to see that sometimes it isn't what I say, but rather what I don't say that gives God breathing room to do all of the talking. I can rest in the fact that even though I'm silent, my life continues to bear evidence that He exists. And that is enough for now.

Explaining the deity of Jesus Christ is a source of great contention in the heart of a man who has refuted His existence since early adulthood. He counters my beliefs with scientific evidence contributed by Darwin and other evolutionists. According to my grandfather, recent studies have shown that our genentic make-up is 90% equivalent to a chimpanzee. In his opinion, these findings further solidify and support the notion that there is no greater power responsible for life as we know it. He believes that humans and animals alike have evolved from one common thread and exist now as a result of a series of random events.

The more I hear my grandfather speak, the more I realize that his opinions merely echo the general population's tendency to support a fairly "logical" claim that temporarily satiates our inherent need to know. The research conducted today may unearth some fantastic findings but has yet to answer the age old question: "What came first--the chicken or the egg?". When we begin to unravel our lineage, tracing it back to the very first "atom" or "Adam" in an effort to explain how our tiny piece of the puzzle was designed to fit into this great big universe, we utilize a component of our genetic make-up that undoubtedly separates us from all other species, and that is our ability to reason. This quality that characterizes the human mind is a phenomenon that can't be explained by paralleling our DNA with that of other species. This is because our ability to reason is a characteristic of God bestowed uniquely unto man when we were created in His likeness.

It is through reasoning that God calls us to Him for this is how we recognize our need for Him and in turn develop a relationship with Him. God invites us, "Come now, and let us reason together" (Isaiah 1:18). By appealing to our reason, God reveals life as it was intended to be, co-existing with our Creator, living in sync with the reality of His kingdom here on earth. He states further in Isaiah 1:18-19, "'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword'...". God calls us to reason with Him not to settle matters of pride, but rather to settle matters of the heart. One way in which this occurs as stated in the aforementioned scripture is the removal of sin. Our God-granted ability to reason facilitates introspection where the Holy Spirit actively identifies sin that separates us from Him which in turn leads us to repentance (turning away from sin). In the heart is where the root of sin is exposed and it is from the heart that obedience flows. This is the reason why God is always after our hearts. It is His desire to heal us of our brokenness and free us from the bondage of iniquity so that we might not only have life, but have it more abundantly.

Just as the root of sin is exposed and dealt with in the heart, other matters are revealed and explained through the heart. The world will rely on what is seen through the natural eyes to arrive at solutions for life's burning questions, such as an explanation for the origin of the human species. Christ, however, calls us by faith ("the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" [Hebrews 11:1]) to reason together with Him "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:2c-3) to obtain the answers. And we find these answers by closing our eyes and opening our hearts. The man whose heart is blinded by pride doesn't quite understand this. Matters of the heart are deemed foolishness to him. Wisdom, according to the ways of the world, is sought, gained, and earned through study, research, and experience. But scripture tells us, "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise" (1 Corinthians 3:18).

A regenerated heart grants us the capacity to observe the physical world with renewed vision or a spiritual lens. When we fall back on our natural tendency to problem-solve, however, it always leads to trouble. An example of this is described in Acts 8. Simon, a newly converted believer, confronted the apostles after witnessing the power of the Holy Spirit manifested through them by the laying on of hands. He asked Peter for this power in exchange for money. Peter responded, "'Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you'" (Acts 8:20-22). This account in scripture presents the following reality: the interests of God are independent of the interests of man. Simon desired power for selfish gain. As a result, and as Peter later explained to him, he could not be used by God. His attempts at manipulating the situation by offering something physical in exchange for something spiritual led to his downfall. Simon was trapped in the futility of his natural mind. He couldn't see past the works of man to conclude that they were in fact works of God. The natural mind leads us astray in much the same way when we begin to filter spiritual issues through a physical lens. Salvation, grace, and spiritual gifts can not be earned and neither can they be bought. This thought contradicts the mind and heart conformed to the ways of the world. The resolution Peter suggests to Simon is to repent and pray that the "thought" of his heart would be forgiven him. Peter's exhortation reinforces the fact that there is no reasoning with God unless our hearts are in line with His.

Reasoning by way of the heart secures our roles as ministers rather than manipulators. If we have doubts about where we stand on either side of the spectrum, remember the way in which God reasons with us. He appeals to our hearts first, rather than our logic. Gaining the allegiance of our hearts later leads to understanding that is spoken into our hearts by His lips. The man puffed up by pride, which includes even some of us believers, resorts to his own understanding when reasoning with others. This is why it is good measure to evaluate the motivation behind our desire to share the truth. Are we merely seeking to be right? Do we look at the souls we lead to Christ as another notch on our belts? Is it to fulfill some self-interest or need? Think about Simon and how he was unable to be used by God all because his heart was not in the right place. Simon's heart was not aligned with His Maker.

Pondering upon this matter has led me to question the ways in which I represent my relationship with Christ. Is my heart open, ready to receive all that He intends to reveal to me, such as how to confront opposition to my beliefs? Am I reasoning with Him over all the affairs of this life so that I might understand His position first before sharing it with others? We want to be sure that we do this in order to avoid presenting the truth in a skewed or misinformed way. It leaves room for the potential of great damage to occur in the spiritual walk of another individual when we misrepresent His word.

I pray that I take all this into account when my grandfather visits again. And when he does, I intend to take his hands, heavy laden with burden, and rest them in mine. When He and I begin to discuss such topics as the nature of our existence, I plan to state my case only after God has reasoned with my heart. I want to speak on behalf of His word and not my own understanding while doing it in a credible way--in love. But, if I am not afforded this opportunity, I am aware that sometimes God isn't requiring that we speak. A demonstration of Christ's love is often the brightest banner we can wave about the truth we stand behind. It is not about being right. It is about doing what's right in God's eyes. And when we reason together with God, He will help us to differentiate between the two.

An Ode to God's Rest

Please watch the video blog below as I share my ode to God's rest.  I have also typed out the poem for your reference, but please make sure to check out the video first as it is meant to be heard!  As always, thank you for taking the time out to read my blogs!  You are loved by the Most High!  <3

What does it mean to enter God's rest?  

I can attest 

to living many years striving for success 

marked by a mind overpopulated with matters that lead to insurmountable stress.  

I breathe in short breaths 

and jostle with the threat of unrest, 

a sort of cause and effect, 

accumulated by cheap lies 

that weave ties 

to my past while I'm busy wrapping the present in a box 

and with scuffed up shoes and worn-down socks, 

I tread atop the serpent's head 

and reach forward to deliver it to what lies ahead.  

But the cycle that ensues is what I dread.  

We're bombarded by open doors that offer an escape from this reality

that shimmer and glimmer like the qualities of fame but you'll have to be 

down to exchange your current salary 

for what we are told to act like, look like, think like, and be, 

of overpriced cares you call true religion jeans, 

of true religion schemes that dictate how true disciples dream, 

not prophetically but in fantasy, 

and suddenly we're told that this generation and the next has lost the ability to think.  

But, that is a lie 

spoon fed to us by the powers that lie beneath our beds 

and beckon us to rest our heads on every word they've said.

But, what if we pulled out the seams in our jeans and danced around in worn-down nikes?  

What if our reality somehow navigated the totality of a God who's not ashamed to call us brother and friend?  

He in His triune personality is closer to us than our closest kin 

and when we dance all He asks is that we save the last dance for Him.  

With our eyes on the prize, which is Jesus Christ, 

we soon find that the pressures fall just as fast as they rise 

and so does the price of a truly abundant life. 

You know I've read in between the lines of Psalm 23 

and realize that you and I are no different than sheep.  

We could be led to the slaughter if we bow down to groupthink 

or drawn to still waters, living and available to drink.  

It all depends on who takes our lead.  

The Good Shepherd is distinguished by the yoke that He bears 

and promises that His yoke upon us weighs far less than our cares.  

But to follow Him means we must first learn from Him 

and allow our attitudes to mirror His attributes.  

He is gentle and lowly in heart, 

the opposite of what the world deems "smart" 

but what He prescribes yields far greater results 

than what fellow men try to manufacture and exalt.  

And in this we find the true measure of success--

it is not in our works that He is impressed, 

rather the greatest accomplishment He's expressed 

is entering His rest.

Vivid green pastures and still water scenes 

remind our souls that He's all we need.  

He simplifies our complicated lives 

down to the least common denominator 

which is three 

but for us that means one in the Holy Trinity. 

Despite God's awesome divinity, 

He has for some reason an affinity 

for simpletons like you and me.  

Though we may be puffed up in our self-esteem 

and pride may have dried up our living streams 

connected to our source of everything, 

He is STILL our everything in whom all things consist.  

So we can persist, fight hard, and resist, 

or we can live not meagerly but abundantly 

when our perceptions on reality shift.  

But that takes for us to focus on who Christ is.  

He is rich and offers us the greatest gift 

when we respond affirmatively to this: Is He your Shepherd?  

Because in every other thing, person, or dream, 

we will still feen and strive to maintain or achieve.  

But, if we make Him pre-eminent, 

that thing, person or dream will have lost its sting 

bowing down to His sovereignty.  

And this leads us to the theme of Psalm 23.  

There is no material possession, no person on earth, 

that is worth worshiping over the God we serve.  

And when this message clicks 

and I pray that it sticks, 

He will restore our souls, 

lead us into paths of righteousness, 

prepare a table for us before our enemies, 

anoint our heads with oil, 

and fill us up until our cup runs over.  

We are offered these things undeservingly 

at the greatest expense known to men--

the good Shepherd laying down His life for His sheep.  

And now He speaks, 

"Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest".  

These might seem like simple words 

but they are rich when they fall upon ears who believe and agree 

with the last verse of Psalm 23:

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 

all the days of my life and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever". 

This is God's promise of rest from now throughout eternity.

There's Something Sweet in Me

"This is a great day for swimming", my son exclaimed, as he shoved the last Trader Joe's chicken nugget in his mouth. I agreed. I couldn't think up enough activities to keep my little energizer bunny busy throughout this summer. And as for today, there was no better way to spend it than wading around in a pool of ice cold water until his miniature-sized fingers and toes pruned. I scrambled around looking for flip-flops and sunscreen, tossed them in our pool bag, and we were off!

As soon as we reached the double doors leading to our destination, I dug down into the deep dark recesses of my oversized purse in search for our membership card. All mommies know that you can never be too prepared wherever you go and as a result what should have been a quick find turned into a scavenger hunt. I pulled out a package of tissues, 3 brands of chapstick (slightly melted), two bottles of water, crayons, a pad of paper, a gameboy, an umbrella, and still it was nowhere to be found! Melting under the blaze of sun rays and feeling the heat of my frustration rise and redden my face, I was folding under pressure and even more so when I noticed someone had been watching it happen. As I slowly looked up from scanning the inside of my purse, there was a man, dressed in a Gold's Gym cut-off shirt and neon green spandex shorts, standing before me. I hadn't realized this but while I was in hot pursuit of my membership card, my son found amusement in lifting up my t-shirt in order to poke at my stomach. And worse still, he was staring into my belly button like a one-eyed pirate peering through a looking glass! The man who must have been observing from afar thought it humorous to come up to us during our fiasco and interject, "There must be something sweet in that tummy!" There was a moment of silence as I didn't know how to respond. Instead, I turned around in embarrassment and laughed nervously. Thankfully, he walked away and was never to be seen or heard from again. Later that evening, however, I reflected upon the incident and a passage I had been reading from the book of Ezekiel the night before came to mind.

The passage reads, "And He [God] said to me [Ezekiel], 'Son of man, feed your belly, and fill your stomach with this scroll that I give you.' So I ate, and it was in my mouth like honey in sweetness" (Ezekiel 3:3). The context of this scripture goes back to a time in history when the nation of Israel was in rebellion against God. God called out one man, Ezekiel, to lead his generation out of captivity. In preparation to do so, God told him to eat a scroll which contained the message Ezekiel was to share with God's children.

I began to ponder upon the parallels between this scripture and the comment made by the man at the pool earlier that day. As ridiculous as it sounds, I wondered if I did in fact have something sweet in my stomach that had nothing to do with the ice cream cone I ate earlier, but everything to do with the source of spiritual sustenance. I'm referring, of course, to the sweet honeycomb known as the word of God. Ezekiel may have literally eaten the words penned on papyrus, but we are called to read it and receive it. After Ezekiel feeds on the scroll, God tells him, "Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears" (Ezekiel 3:10). To "receive with our hearts" and "hear with our ears" requires our full and undivided attention as the Holy Spirit quickens our understanding. We can't skim through the bible and expect to receive "all of [His] words". We must shut out the noise and distractions, get alone with God, and read, anticipating to hear His voice. Matthew 4:4 states, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" It goes without saying that just as our bodies require physical nourishment, our spiritual make-up requires the bread of life--not once a week or every other sunday, but everyday!

God's word is designed to equip us for every good work just as it did for Ezekiel. It wasn't until Ezekiel "filled his stomach" with the scroll that he would be prepared to prophecy to the house of Israel. Once He did so, God commanded in Ezekiel 3:11, "And go, get to the captives, to the children of your people, and speak to them and tell them, 'Thus says the Lord God,' whether they hear, or whether they refuse." Being washed by the word of God is an essential and practical application for every believer. Although it requires discipline and time, we should be good stewards of both if we have any chance of impacting our spheres of influence. Ezekiel wouldn't be able to prophecy to the house of Israel if he hadn't received the words to speak. In the same manner, the Holy Spirit grants us the power to speak into the lives of others through divine revelation rooted in the word of God. It is through our meditation and study of God's word that the Holy Spirit will bring to remembrance scripture that may pertain to our circumstances or the circumstances of others. But, preparation is key. 2 Timothy 4:2 states, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." Be ready in season and out of season to preach the word of God. You never know when God will use you to minister to others.

And how sweet are the words that proceed from our mouths when we proclaim the good news! "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). Our speech reflects what we meditate on. "For out of the abundance of the heart [our] mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45b). If we ruminate on God's word, we will fill our palate, our hearts, and our stomachs with a sweet savory flavor. Even the psalmist of Psalm 119 states, "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103) Scripture is not only delicious but nutritious! God's word fueled by the Holy Spirit restores and regenerates those who were once dead in their transgressions. He desires that we be made whole and complete as we fill our tummies and satiate our appetites with nourishment that only He can provide. He will bring health to our bones as mentioned in Proverbs 16:24.

And this was exactly God's intent when he sent Ezekiel to prophecy to the house of Israel. He desired to redeem the generation that was led into exile, free them from their captivity, and draw them unto Himself so they might find safety and shade in the shadow of His wings. Ezekiel was the conduit and catalyst whom God used to intercede on behalf of this rebellious nation. How can God use us in this way? For one, we can examine our stomach (and I mean that figuratively, of course). If we fill ourselves up with and delight in God's word, it will bring "sweetness to the soul". Our speech will reflect the words we feast upon and others will taste and see that the Lord is good! As the saying goes, "you are what you eat", may we also be a little more like Jesus every time we sink our teeth into the tender morsels of sweet truth! I'm beginning to think that the man at the pool may be right, there is something sweet in me, and His name is Jesus Christ!

And Then a Hero Came Along

I woke up this morning with a lyric from a popular song by Mariah Carey running through my mind. Most of you, I'm sure, are familiar with the song entitled, "Hero", but I have copied and pasted the chorus here for your reference. Feel free to sing along (you know you want to)!

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

I can't remember the last time I heard this song but, for some reason, it stirred within me as if awakened from the graveyard of oldies but goodies that lay down to rest in the recesses of my mind. It is probably due to the series of events that took place over the course of this Memorial Day weekend that the melody of this song resonated in my heart. You'll soon understand why!

It all began when my parents thought up a grand idea to take their newly purchased speed boat out into the open sea of the Chesapeake Bay. When I received the invitation, I jumped on board (no pun intended) without reservation and in anticipation, looked forward to a stress-free, fun-filled adventure awaiting my son and I.

Memorial Day came and in pure excitement we (my sisters, my sister's boyfriend, mom, dad, my son, and I) all piled into the shiny, brand new black and white vessel as it made it's way gracefully down the boating slip. As soon as we passed the speed restricted area, my dad plunged the lever of the gears into full throttle and we were thrusted forward into the open abyss. Here I could feel my heart soar in the wind as I settled into the passenger seat. Here all of my concerns at that present moment were whisked away into the salt-water breeze.

We came to an open span of water, free from any obstacles, and slowed down to a complete halt so that we could begin the water sport activities, commencing with tubing. My younger sister and I called first dips, tightened our bright orange life vests around us, and planted ourselves atop the fluorescent yellow and blue donut, gripping on to the handle bars with all our might. As soon as my dad started the engine, I waited anxiously to be whipped about on the surface of the current. But, we just sat there as the engine stalled and finally shut down. I peered up at my dad's panicked face and knew it wasn't good. This nylon-fiber line attaching the tube to the rear of the boat was sucked into the blower and tightly coiled itself around the motor. We weren't going anywhere and that rope surely wasn't budging. However, the two men on the boat, my father and my sister's boyfriend, rose to the occasion, jumped into the water, and for about one hour, exhaustingly dragged out several feet of rope, inch by inch. When the rope was finally free from its captor, we shrieked with excitement. "You are the hero of the day", my sister proclaimed! We joked about the incident thereafter and carried on as we were, jumping back on the tube, and holding on for dear life!

After a few of us had our turn on the thrill ride, my sister's boyfriend decided to give it a go. He signaled to the captain that he was ready, and the boat jolted forward. But, this time the tube and our hero were not trailing behind. In fact, they were nowhere to be found. Each of us jumped up from our seats and peered over the side rails to search for them. Soon enough, we discovered a clean-shaven head bobbing up and down in the water and a tube stuck in the tail pipe of our boat! We pulled our fallen hero back on board, grateful to find him unscathed, and unanimously decided to call it a day. We tugged on the tube, but it was stuck, and needless to say, we were too. The sun was setting and we were unsure if we would make it back to the pier before dark. So, my dad and sister's boyfriend went to work with a knife and a pair of pliers in hand. My mom jokingly recounts my dad's resemblance of Rambo as he held the knife in his mouth underwater attempting to cut the rope free. About 45 minutes later, the rope was loose, and we were on our way back to the pier.

In the car ride home, we commended the two men in our party who displayed acts of bravery while we were stranded on the open sea of the Chesapeake. I jokingly questioned, "What would it take for me to be a hero?" My sister answered, "Well, it is only when something bad happens that heroes are made." It seemed fitting that we discussed heroism on Memorial Day, the one day that commemorates all those who served in the armed forces and sacrificed their lives to defend our nation. When we wrapped up our conversation on this topic, the thought of inner-strength lingered on in my mind.

The lyrics I posted above in conjunction with the events that happened this past weekend remind me that we all have inner-strength equated to heroism readily available if we would merely call upon it. I think of tragic events that compel ordinary people to do extraordinary things, such as a mother lifting a car off of her child or rescue teams saving lives buried under the rubble left behind in the aftermath of 9/11.

These situations prove that there is power within us, but contrary to what secular media might tell us, it has nothing to do with us at all. "That power belongs to God" (Psalm 62:11). The inner-strength we receive day to day is a gift given to us by Him. And for those who accept the offer and truly believe, we can live our lives in the same power and authority that rose Jesus from the grave. Scripture tells us "For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you" (2 Corinthians 13:4). It is the human tendency to curl up in fear when met with life's great challenges, but the Holy Spirit, residing within us, helps us to face adversity, protect our families, and defend our nation. Therefore, we should not boast in self-proclaimed "super-human" strength, but rather boast in our infirmities so that the power of Christ may rest upon us (ref 2 Corinthians 12:9). As Paul states, "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10b). God's grace is sufficient for us, and His strength is made perfect in weakness (Ref 2 Corinthians 12:9). God knows our frailties and inadequacies. After all, He made us. And remember that He didn't render us helpless. We were created to depend upon our Maker. For "he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4b). He, in whom all things consist, holds all the power within His right hand. In Him, all things are possible. In Christ, I have a hero, and that hero abides in me.

If I might tailor the lyrics to Mariah Carey's hit song, "Hero", I think it should read:

And then a Hero came along
With the strength to help us carry on
He casts our fears aside
And in Him, you know you will survive
So cling to this hope and hold on
Look unto Jesus and be strong
And you will finally see the truth
That this Hero lies in you

The events that I described in my family vacation are in no means equated to the great sacrifice the soldiers of our nation made on our behalf. However, I provide this example to prove that even in the face of our day-to-day mishaps, our inner-strength is ever-present. We have the authority to walk in the great power that God provides to us even in our daily living if we would make room enough in our hearts to receive it. All those who abide in Christ find that a Hero abides in them. He serves up a double portion of His strength to all those who call upon His name.

The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom

Countless numbers of people spend a great majority of their lives on college campuses, sitting in counseling sessions and self-help conferences, and traversing line after line of book after book that claims to hold the answers to the assortment of questions we have about life. And we do all of this to gain what every one of us desire to obtain--wisdom. But, what the textbooks fail to cover is that all of the great mysteries of our existence are transcribed in the hearts of those who are filled with the knowledge of Christ. It is a byproduct of God's masterful design revealed through creation.

Take Solomon for instance. When he succeeded his father, David, as king, the Lord appeared to him, stating, "Ask! What shall I give you?" (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon, aware of his frailty as an inexperienced ruler, requested "an understanding heart to judge God's people and to discern good and evil" (1 Kings 3:9). The Lord, pleased by this response, granted Solomon not only "a wise and understanding heart", but that which he did not ask, "both riches and honor" (1 Kings 3:12-13). The Lord concluded, "So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days" (1 Kings 3:14). It was in Solomon's humility that God unleashed a great wealth of wisdom upon him that none before him nor none after would know. Solomon recognized his inadequacies and trusted that God would strengthen him to take on such a feat. I'm sure he was reminded of his father's counsel, who rightfully proclaimed, our "help comes from the Lord" (Psalm 121:1). The words spoken over Solomon in this dream serve as a precursor to what would later be revealed through him in the book of Proverbs.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Proverbs 1:7). Solomon gives us an example of upholding the fear of God. In the early years of Solomon's reign, he did not seek wisdom of his age in order to better serve the nation of Israel. He did not look to God as a magical genie in a lamp, ready to grant every request at his command. On the contrary, in this particular moment recorded in scripture, Solomon's desires were the desires of God's heart. This portrays a true fear of the Lord. In the book of Ecclesiastes, also written by Solomon, we find that he deems all of the honor and riches he receives as vanity. He has a God-fearing perspective that does not place its hope in the things of this world, but in the hands of its Maker. Just as the apostle Paul tells us, "Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all garbage, so that I could gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8 NLT). Paul demonstrated a fear of God and through this was filled with wisdom, evidenced in the epistles he penned to the early church.

We have missed the mark if we are striving to gain wisdom for wisdom's sake. Proverbs 1:28-29 addresses such people, "They will call upon me [wisdom], but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke" (Proverbs 1:28-29). The wisdom referred to in these verses is not what we know today as philosophy or new-age teachings. This wisdom is the same wisdom bestowed upon Solomon at his request. Just as God promised Solomon, this wisdom has the power to lengthen our days by helping us to navigate the course of life and problem-solve through the various obstacles that come our way. Wisdom has the power to do this provided it comes from God.

In studying Proverbs 1:28-29, I recognized that wisdom is personified and addresses those who do not fear the Lord in the same manner as God addresses the nation of Israel in Jeremiah 29:12-13. The only difference is the resolution. Jeremiah 29:12-13 states, "You will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart". Wisdom in and of itself can't respond to our beckoning, but God can. He will acknowledge the person who calls upon Him and prays to Him. He will reveal Himself to those who search for Him with all their hearts. It is just like God's nature to use the heart as the gateway through which His hidden wisdom is revealed. It is no wonder society refutes this idea. Matters of the heart are too simplistic for the complex individual, the "brilliant" minds of this world. And spiritual wisdom is but foolishness to the natural man. It is what the world esteems as ignorance that God deems desirable. Perhaps the reason for this is that it is in one's worldly ignorance that he is free from the entrapment of the worldly mind--the mind that demands authority over the soul. Souls free in Christ are compelled to trust and depend on God, not one's self. It all boils down to this: God desires "that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him [we] are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, 'He who glories, let him glory in the Lord'" (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).

When we search for God with all of our hearts, we are met with a promise--that we will find Him, and all of the wisdom and knowledge hidden in Him (ref Colossians 2:3). For it is the "Lord [who] gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 8:6). God gives us an invitation to partake in this wisdom when we accept Jesus Christ as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

Do You Love Me?

I have always enjoyed Mother's Day even before I became a mom. I look forward to watching my mother's eyes well up with tears of joy as she reads every last word I pen in adoration of her inside primrose adorned Hallmark cards. Now that my son is old enough to understand the meaning of the holiday, I was privileged this past Mother's Day to receive a card addressed to me. I gripped it, as soon as it reached my hands, with anticipation to read all that he poured out from his ingenuous seven year-old heart. I wondered at that moment if tears perspiring from an overjoyed heart would well up in my eyes as my mother's did. I wondered if my son would wear a smile on his face as he watched me read and reread all the various ways He chose to say I love you. Well, I can tell you now, this child is good! He began by writing down his appreciation for all the things we do together. He shared how he loves that we sing together, do homework together, and read together. He loves that we have long talks together and how there is no better time than now for us to discuss his problems, even the drama going on between two friends in his 2nd grade class! At the very bottom of this list, he wrote what summed up everything he was trying to say, "I love that you make time for me". That was where I lost it! The tears started forming like the drip of a leaky faucet and they couldn't be stopped. I'm not quite sure that I wanted them to. This was a precious moment that I desired to savor, wrapping him up in arms that were melting like butter.

Prior to this Mother's Day, I spent many days contemplating my effectiveness as a parent. I wondered if I was spending enough time with my son, doing enough for him, teaching him enough, or disciplining him enough. I wondered when was enough? I picked up a book from the Christian bookstore months ago that claimed to hold all of the secrets to raising boys. But, after thumbing through the first few pages, it dawned on me, there is no greater manual on the topic of parenting than the Manual inspired by God. Jesus is the Word and the Word is a lamp to our feet. Therefore, spending time in God's word illuminates our path and provides us the best possible solution in every situation. In the case of parenting, The Bible is rich with examples of God's love for His children. One, of which, involves Jesus' disciple, Peter.

We can think of our role as a parent much like a shepherd. Peter tells the elders in the church, "Shepherd the flock of God, which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock..." (1 Peter 5:2-3). We are entrusted with the care of precious souls and in the likeness of a shepherd, we are called to oversee their welfare willingly and eagerly, leading them by example. We are not called to inflict harsh judgement or place high demands on them. At the end of the day, they are but children. That is something I now try to keep in mind whenever my son doesn't measure up to my unachievable standards of perfection. I'm not perfect and there are countless ways I don't measure up in the eyes of God. Nonetheless, He offers us unconditional love, knowing our frailty. He extends grace and mercy, reminding us of our complete dependence on Him. None of this comes with a price tag because it was paid for in full by the blood of Jesus. As a result, we no longer have to strive for our Father's acceptance, but receive it undeservingly. It is in this love that we find rest. It is in this love that we are called to love others--with or without reciprocation. Our children may fail us, but our love should never fail them. There is an old adage that states, "Home is where the heart is". A home built on the foundation of Christ is infused with the scent of forgiveness and the walls are accented with warm smiles. In the home is where our children form healthy attachments. And to the home, their hearts will guide them, no matter how far they stray, secure with the knowledge that there is an open door and open arms waiting to receive them.

Peter, a faithful follower of Christ, was blessed to witness Jesus during His earthly ministry. He followed close behind Jesus like a child clinging on to his father's coattail. He believed in Jesus' sovereignty, worshiped Him as the Son of God, and loved Him with all his heart. But, his actions on a few occasions suggested otherwise. We all might remember the account written in scripture regarding Peter's invitation to walk on water. As he drew near to Jesus in the middle of the sea, he began to fear. Jesus addresses him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Ref Matthew 14:22-33). When our children discount our authority or doubt our advice, do we become discouraged as parents? We can refer to Jesus as an example in His dealings with Peter. Jesus takes Peter and two other disciples with him to the Garden of Gethsemane in order to keep watch while He prayed. Jesus returns to Peter and the two other disciples three times only to find them asleep. He singles out Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:40-41). Christ admonishes Peter just like a father chastens his son, reminding him to be on guard lest he fall into temptation. All of this was worthwhile instruction that Peter failed to adhere to. Peter's spirit was obviously willing, otherwise he wouldn't have dedicated his life to following Christ. But, the flesh, being weak, led him into the temptation of denying Jesus three times. Have you given your children strict orders to abide by but they are dull of hearing? Do you find your child in a spiritual slumber? Much like our children, Peter heard but did not heed the warning. He indeed falls into the temptation of betraying the Man he loved dearly. As we read further in Matthew 26:69-75, we can almost feel the guilt simmering in his veins to a quick boil. He first swears with an oath that he doesn't know Jesus. Then he curses those who accuse him of knowing Him. As soon as he hears the rooster crow, however, he is reminded that Jesus predicted this betrayal. In the turmoil of deep despair, he weeps bitterly. This is what sin does. It opens us up to the wide range of fleshly emotions--causing confusion, chaos, and finally guilt. I think we can attest to witnessing this in the behavior of our children when they know they have done wrong. But, it is our response to their wrongdoing that holds the most weight. We will soon come to find how Jesus responds to Peter after the betrayal.

Peter must have had this experience in mind when he wrote to his brethren in 1 Peter 5:8-9, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world." As a good shepherd, Peter exhorts the church to resist the devil, as he failed to do when he betrayed Jesus. There is no greater witness to Christ's deliverance than drawing from our own testimonies. We can refer to our testimonies, with discretion of course, when advising our children. Peter continues by praying, "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" (1 Peter 5:10). Peter experienced firsthand the grace of God soon after Jesus had risen from the dead. I can only imagine the emotional state Peter was in, perhaps distressed and burdened with grief, not only for losing Jesus, but even worse, for betraying Him. Nonetheless, when Jesus returns, He summons Peter and asks him three times, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" (John 21:16). Peter answers in the affirmative all three times using a less emphatic word for love. You see, Jesus expressed agape love, a self-sacrificing love, but Peter couldn't respond to Him in the same manner. However, soon Peter would come to know the love of Christ by receiving the Holy Spirit.


Jesus admonishes Peter on a few occasions recorded in the gospels, but in this particular scene, we see the love of God pouring out over all of his shame, guilt, and iniquity. 1 John 3:20 states, "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things". Jesus knew the condition of Peter's heart. He knew his spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. This is true for all of us. God wants us to repent of our sins, but this is not an isolated event. The process of repentance begins with a work of agape love in our hearts. I like to picture each time Peter professed his love for Jesus as a wave that brushed upon the shore of his heart, washing away the crimson stain of betrayal, and with it, guilt and shame. If you notice, Jesus never points out Peter's sin. He has not come to condemn Peter, He has come instead to establish His presence in Peter's life. His love for Him hasn't failed. He desires to settle his heart and strengthen him for the journey ahead. We come to find that these are the very things Peter prays for over the church in 1 Peter 5:10. Jesus commissioned Peter to shepherd His flock. Peter would soon become one of the great apostles who established the early church. In what ways, have you given up on your children? Are you encouraged in knowing that Jesus never gave up on Peter, regardless of his imperfections? Peter should serve as a great reminder to all of us of God's unfailing love.


"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this, all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35). Jesus, of course, is our perfect example of love. Scripture tells us, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). This new commandment given to us by Christ should not be taken lightly. It is with good reason that love is esteemed above any gift, such as knowledge or prophecy. It profits all. Take our role as parents, for example, what good does it do if we only share with our children our knowledge of right from wrong? How much more would it profit them, other family members, as well as a community of onlookers by displaying simple gestures of love? We are to shower others in agape love so that they may come to know Christ working through you.

I realize that I do not stand in my own ability as a parent. I surrender my authority as a mother to the working of the Holy Spirit. For without it, I know that I will fail. I intend to fill my home with the sweet aroma of Christ' love. I intend to spend quality time with my son because there is nothing sweeter than to hear how much he enjoys the time we share. I intend to allow room for error just as Jesus extended mercy upon Peter. I intend to humble myself before my child, admitting my mistakes and asking for his forgiveness. For in this, I pray to set an example of Christ's humility. In this, I pray that he will have an authentic representation of God. And when I am at my wit's end, I pray that God will remind me of my frailty and that His love has never changed for me. "Where [my] sin abounded, [His] grace abounded much more" (Romans 5:20). May this grace and agape love flow from my heart to the heart of my child so that one day when he ventures off into the world, he will remember that home is where the heart is and here he will always find a place where he belongs. May God bless you and keep you, my brothers and sisters. And when you wrap your arms around your little ones, may they feel the warmth of Christ's love. Agape hugs! <3

The Forgiveness I Found for the Enemy I Now Call My Friend

I sat beside his bedpost and wept. How could this be? Just days ago we spoke, a conversation that ended abruptly though after we exasperated one another on the only topic that sets fire to my veins, turning my blood to a quick boil. We had recently spent a grueling few weeks engaged in a tug-of-war match, vying for the prize of spending time with our son. In my self-righteous opinion, his actions forfeited him this privilege. This man represented my past and I despised him for that. You see, I exhausted several years of my life in a twisted mind game, surrendering to the deceit of folly when I should have been commending this person to the tender love and forgiveness of the Father. But, the mind flirts and often reverts our attention to a self-inflicted pity party and in attendance are all of our trespassers. For me, this meant one person--a man whom I loved in my youth. I often replayed the projector slide in my mind, each scene vividly depicting exactly how I was trespassed against, believing that I could find some kind of relief by looking back. Somewhere in the past, I can justify the present. Somewhere in the past, I pity the young woman who lies helpless on the floor. Somewhere in the past, I am not responsible for bitter resentment. He is.

But then the tables turned. I peered upon the hospital bed before me where the antagonist of my story lay helpless now. I wept and inside every tear drop was the antidote to the sting of unforgiveness. I wept healing.

I made tireless attempts to dismiss the sequence of events that led up to this very moment. If only they could vanish at the snap of a finger and the flick of a wrist. I wanted my presence to blend in with the present because here my battle wounds were unrecognizable. I wanted to be "normal", but soon enough people who knew anything about me would notice that I carried dead weight. I often referred to him as my ball and chain, but little did I know that the burden I lugged around didn't follow me. It was inside me. Locked up in a box I stashed deep in my heart was the one word I could never quite identify with--unforgiveness. But, oh to stare down the harsh reality peering back at me through eyes mirrored on plexiglass! These eyes no longer burned with infuriation though. Instead they sulked back in remorse as compassion stirred within my spirit. In a sequence of events that would soon take place, compassion began to tug at the lock box and then successfully pried it open. Unforgiveness was set free and relinquished into the hands of my Maker. A sigh of relief fluttered from my lips as the weight had been lifted and all the while I could hear the Lord say, "It took you long enough"!

It is often in tragedy that our lives make a 180 degree turn on its axis, giving way to a newly found perspective. In His masterful plan to create peace and order out of my chaotic mess, I watched God's hands piece together the broken vase, a now beautiful mosaic. It is here that I am reminded of scripture that states, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). It was just months ago that I held the fractured pieces in my hand in my own attempt to make things right. But, I let them all go the day I received the news...

In a matter of minutes, my whole world changed. I found myself frequenting John Hopkins' ICU, concerned about the man whom I once couldn't stand to be around. Now, I couldn't stand to be apart from him, wanting to ease the pain of his afflictions. After one of my visits to the hospital, I called a dear friend of mine who happens to be a pastor, desperately seeking her counsel. I first entreated her for prayer regarding his condition and then I asked a simple question that catalyzed a series of events. "Should I get involved any further?" I felt a pit in my stomach and then silence broke forth. She started to softly answer by stating, "Be the good Samaritan". She went on to liken the parable to our situation. To set the record straight, I am in no means trying to compare myself with the good Samaritan, but I share this pertinent detail to reveal how God's word shed light on His desired answer.

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus encounters a lawyer who interrogates Him about the way in which one inherits eternal life. Jesus responds by stating, "'What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?'" The lawyer gives a summary of the OT law stating, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind', and 'your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus states that he is correct, but the lawyer inquires even further, "'Who is my neighbor?'". Jesus responds by sharing the parable about the good Samaritan.

As the story goes, there was a certain Jewish man on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho who was met by thieves. They robbed him and left him half dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite both happened to walk down the road where the Jewish man lay, but didn't stop for him. However, a Samaritan who also journeyed down this path had compassion for the man. He went to him, bandaged him, and brought him to an inn to ensure his safety through the night. Jesus then asks the lawyer whom of the three men was the Jewish man's neighbor. The lawyer responds by stating, "'He who showed mercy on him'". Jesus tells him, "'Go and do likewise'".

Those who heard this parable professed from Jesus' lips knew the backdrop of the story. The Jews and the Samaritans had been at odds with another for a long time. They avoided each other at all cost. Using the example of the Samaritan man, Jesus made clear what the law (now written upon our hearts) truly means--not only are we to love our friends, family, and our acquaintances as ourselves, but we are also to love our enemies just the same. Jesus' death broke any barrier causing division amongst humanity and even greater still reconciled us to God. It is out of the great love God has for us, that He gave His Son to forgive us our sins. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand. We aren't called to love only when it's convenient. We are called to love under all circumstances. On the same token, to bear this love (Jesus' love) means we should have no room in our hearts for unforgiveness.

Forgiveness is a vital ingredient in Christ's recipe to fruitful living. It is so essential to our walk that scripture tells us this: "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15). Unforgiveness is like a cloud that hovers over a dying plant. The plant needs sunlight in order to rejuvenate its lifeless form, but has no means to survive (let alone be fruitful) so long as it's cut off from its life line. In the same manner, unforgiveness stunts our spiritual maturation. The longer we let it fester in our hearts, the farther removed we are from the Father. If God forgave our filthy, sinful nature, how can we not turn the other cheek to our neighbor?

As I glanced down at the man I had condemned for years, I thought about the Samaritan who looked upon the Jewish man lying helpless on the road. I took his hand in mine and prayed. I prayed for healing and a manifestation of the Lord's presence in his life. As for myself, I prayed that Jesus would show me how to extend mercy just as he instructed the lawyer to do in scripture. I prayed that He would search my heart and cast out any accusatory thought in the same way he dismissed the accusers of the adulterous woman, turning what would have been a public execution into a public display of Christ's love. God not only healed the man whom I now call my friend, but he healed my heart, which became a public demonstration just the same. That's exactly what forgiveness does. It wipes us clean of any residue reminiscent of condemnation and shines the Lord's radiant light through us for all to see. If I remained stifled by unforgiveness, what kind of witness would I be?

Mercy ushers out love that flows from the cross, looking for every opportunity to draw others to its refreshing water. This love takes no account of righteousness, race, or social status. In God's eyes, we are all alike. We all enter into this world in the same manner--born in sin. However, through Christ, we can be reconciled to Him. God deals out mercy daily and it is in the forgiveness he extends to us that we are empowered to forgive others. We are called to put off "bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and malice" (Ephesians 4:31). Instead, we are to "put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Colossians 3:12-13).

It is the power of the cross that led this bitter soul to the sweet taste of forgiveness. It is the power of the cross that led a lost soul into the arms of his Father. It is the power of the cross that revealed to us both the great love and tender mercy our Father has for His children.

Now, I no longer reach toward the Son, shadowed by the cloud of unforgiveness, but instead reach with anticipation to feel the warmth of His radiant glory!

At the Crossroads

There are times when we reach a crossroad in our life that forces us to hit the pause button. It is in those times that we feel the need to evaluate our surroundings, entreat the Lord for clarity, and look back at the progress we've made from where we came. It is at the crossroads where lives are transformed, yokes are destroyed, and families are restored. It is also at the crossroads where destruction hides it's ugly face, addictions persist, and failures ensue. It is here where we are given a choice. God will never impose His divine will upon us. He works in our hearts to prepare us for this moment. But, whether we choose left or right is ultimately our decision. One road leads to righteousness and the other leads to regret. We may hit the pause button, freeze frame, and delay, but I encourage us all to contemplate the length of our days. James 4:14 states, "...you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away". You don't have eternity to decide where you will spend eternity. Are you still dancing around the biggest decision you will ever make in your life? Will you choose Him?

God wants you...all of you. Therefore, we are either for Him or against Him. There is no middle ground. Jesus addresses those who exercise lukewarm faith by stating, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16) I know this is a tough scripture to sink our teeth into and the image it evokes is a bit grotesque, however, I believe it necessary as Jesus illustrates the seriousness of the matter. As it makes His stomach turn to watch us play the harlot, we should understand that our God is a jealous God. We walk a very thin wire, giving way beneath us, when we turn our affections toward false idols. This can include our relationships with other people. When do we finally realize that there is no man, woman, nor material possession that can fill the void deep within? Every time we try to satisfy our inner-longing for something more with something new, such as a new look, the latest technological gadget, a new boyfriend/girlfriend or new ways to keep them, we bow down to a lie the enemy has imposed on the human race since the fall of man. The lie is craftily devised and quite simple: feed your need by any means necessary. But no matter how much we feed the bottomless vat, we wind up even emptier than when we began. The common denominator missing in all of our tireless efforts to create "happiness" is the only piece of the equation that fits--God.

For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior yet still struggle with this, it is time for repentance. Our Heavenly Father does not relent from engaging us into relationship with Him. He may chasten us the way a good father should, but He does so in love. Later in the same passage drawn from Revelation 3, Jesus states in verses 19-22, "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear...".

The day "I heard" was after I met a young woman in my biology lab class in my freshman year of college. She and I became friends over late night cram sessions before exams. I remember thinking her odd as she would smile about everything, including the C she received on a paper she labored over for weeks. She was overly gracious and in all of our conversations, she reflected the love of Christ. She was (and prayerfully still is) zealous for the Lord. She was enamored by Him and couldn't help but to mention His name at every opportune time. I too had a heart for the Lord as I had recently been "saved", but I was still trying to gain my footing on the fence. I wasn't ready to give up everything, including occasional partying and weekends spent at my boyfriend's house. Admittedly, there were far too many distractions in the way of giving my heart fully to its Pursuer. She and I never became too close for this very reason. I feared she would judge me and frown upon my lifestyle choices. Now I understand the truth behind my shame. She was bearing the light that exposed the dark in my life. One day, very frankly, she said to me, "You can't live a double-life. Being lukewarm in your faith is just the same as if you were on the side of the adversary." I remember thinking how harsh those words felt. They plunged into my heart and twisted it around in knots. Now I realize that it was the Holy Spirit convicting me. Unfortunately, those words didn't register until years later. But, praise God for His incessant knocking until I finally answered. Now I've come to understand the real zeal! If I ever ran into my college comrade again, I would thank her for being so concerned with my soul. When we put God first, His priorities become our own. She was ministering to this lost soul in our every encounter and I had no idea of it at the time. I thank God now for her obedience!

I would like you to consider a passage in the Bible from 1 Kings 13. There was an unnamed man of God called to the city of Bethel where a shrine had been established by King Jeroboam. This king of Israel encouraged his subjects to bring their offerings to the altar he erected. In addition to practicing idolatry, the king made his own sacrifices at the altar and chose priests outside of the tribe of Levi, which was against the Lord's commandment. (Ref 1 Kings 12:25-33) The man of God was strategically called to this location in order to proclaim the destruction of the altar under King Josiah. King Jeroboam heard this and commanded that the prophet be arrested. However, after a demonstration of God's powerful anointing over this man's life, the king invited him to his home. The man, faithfully abiding by the Lord's command, refused to go. Prior to his arrival at Bethel, the Lord had instructed him, "You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came." (1 Kings 13:9)

So, the man of God did not return from where he came but continued to travel further. During his journey, he was met by a prophet who (lying) said that he received a word from an angel to invite the man of God into his home. The man of God trustingly followed him back to his house where they both ate and drank. As he was sitting at the table, the prophet received a word from the Lord, stating that because the man of God disobeyed the Lord's commandment, his corpse would not return to his father's tomb. The man departed from the prophet's home and was eaten by a lion on the road shortly after.

When I first read this passage, I sympathized with the man of God. He had been deceived by a fellow prophet. However, after reading the passage a few times over, I put aside my emotions and gleaned a shimmering morsel of truth, something I can identify with in my own prayer life. The man of God made a sad mistake. He trusted the counsel of man over the counsel of God. It was with good reason that God had instructed him to follow the path He had ordained. For one, the man of God would have hindered the advancement of the Lord's work if he returned from where he came. In addition, stopping for food and water would distract him from fulfilling God's greater plan and purpose. In this historical account, it ultimately led to his demise. Do you find that you sometimes trust fellow man more than our all-knowing and all-seeing God?

It is oftentimes at the crossroads that we lose our footing, sliding down the slippery slope to destruction when we aren't studying God's word or spending time in His presence. If we are bombarded with distractions, place our personal list of priorities before Him, and depend upon the advice and counsel of others, we fall victim to the lies and deceit of the enemy. And yes, we can be deceived even within the church. Scripture tells us, "For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14). It is through studying the word of God and spending time in prayer that we become better acquainted with our Maker and can therefore readily discern and guard ourselves against the counterfeit. We will feel empowered by the Holy Spirit to embark on the road less traveled when we choose the path that lead us into God's presence daily.

Do you find yourself at the crossroads? Before you take one step, I encourage you, just as the Lord commanded the man of God, "do not return by the same way you came". In addition, silence the invitations from anyone but your Heavenly Father. For He knows what's best for you. He has been incessantly knocking and patiently waiting for you to answer just so He can offer His love to you at no cost. His affections for you aren't determined by your social status, intelligence, or beauty. Isn't it liberating to know this? Be still while your heart seeks His face and He will reveal Himself to you. He will even give you a glimpse into the life He has tailor designed just for you. There is so much purpose and promise waiting on the other side of your decision for Him. Contrary to what you may think, His way is far more exhilarating, unpredictable, and adventurous than we could ever imagine. Get ready for the ride of your life with Jesus Christ by your side and as your guide!

The Walls of Jericho Will Crumble, But Not a Threefold Cord

Those of you who read my previous blog might recall the parched tone of writing as I was meandering through a spiritual drought. I talked about fasting briefly but didn't disclose the details of my fast. Now, several weeks later, and ten pounds lighter (j/k), I have completed the 21-day challenge and I feel compelled to share with you something the Lord placed upon my heart. Before I do this, however, I want to touch upon the purpose of a fast.

Fasting is a vital component in our spiritual make-up. Ecclesiastes 4:12 states, "A threefold cord is not quickly broken". Fasting accounts for one-third of the threefold cord. The other two-thirds include prayer and giving. When this cord is stretched taut through practical use, it strengthens our walk with the Lord. Denying the desires of our flesh, including our natural desire for food, strips the enemy of strongholds, footholds, or any authority he claims over our lives. Just like NOS stimulates the output of power in the engine of a race car, fasting also ramps up our prayers a notch, heightening their effectiveness. If it is a more intimate encounter with the Lord we seek, fasting can help us discern the chafing ingredient that produces a calloused heart. When we fast, we become vulnerable (in a positive sense of the term) and open to change. It induces a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading, presence, and power in our lives.

Remember that a fast is not a way to gain merit or the approval of others. Rather, as Jesus explains in Matthew 6:1-17, giving, praying, and fasting should be done in secret. When we go into a fast with pure intentions, we are humbled by the experience, rather than exalted.

On the first Sunday of my fast, I was invited to visit a friend's church. The preacher who spoke in their morning service based his exhortatation on Isaiah 58. This chapter in the bible describes the type of fast pleasing to God. What he shared with the congregation is summed up in one sentence: When we fast, we are to redirect our focus to those in need if we expect to experience true breakthrough. God calls us to fast, not only to magnify the urgency of our requests, but to be mindful of those without food and shelter. This is what Isaiah 58:6-7 tells us. As you read further, verses 8-9 encourage us that Lord will reply to the cry of our hearts when we make His business our own. But it was verses 10-11 that cut through me like a knife. They exposed and addressed my barren state at the time: "If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, THEN your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." (Isaiah 58:10-11) How's that for confirmation? The Lord reasoned with my heart, preparing me for a fast that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. My faithfulness, in turn, was greatly rewarded!

Just weeks ago, like a fish stranded on dry sand, my soul panted for the Fountain of living water. I thirsted for His divine mercy to fall afresh on me. There is no formula to acquiring it aside from running to His throne of grace with a genuine desire to pursue and be pursued by the Lover of our souls. So, that is exactly what I did. I laid before His feet and waited, denying all things that could potentially drift me back to the deserted shoreline.

During one of these occasions of kneeling and waiting, asking and praying, a thought was deposited into my mind, like a coin in a piggy bank, only this thought had no assigned monetary value. To me it was priceless. I wrote it down in my purple moleskine pocket-sized notebook to insure its safety, fearful that it would get lost in the crowd of useless ideas lingering around in my memory bank. The words I etched in black ink on white paper weren't quite black and white to me at the time, however. The thought read, "Shake the walls of Jericho until they come tumbling down". I interrogated the statement, questioning its meaning, but received no answer. So, I left it there in my notebook, closed the door, and saved questioning for another day. I have learned that if we don't find answers right away, we might have to wait for the answers to find us.

And sure enough, about two weeks later, the statement that pierced my soul with no explanation, suddenly became crystal clear. The day after my fast ended, I woke up early in the morning, as had been my routine, longingly pouring over Scripture. After lapping at the pool of living water, I was refreshed and ready to take on the day. But, my plans were interrupted. The phrase that the Lord deposited into my mind a few weeks ago revisited me. I felt a nudge in my spirit to turn to page 27 of a book I received from a conference a few days prior. I hadn't begun reading it yet and knew nothing about its content. I picked up the book, wasting no time, and started skimming through the first few paragraphs on that page. I suddenly came to a screaching halt when I noticed a phrase peering back at me, appearing all too familiar. It read, "Once you spell Jericho, you need to circle it in prayer. Then you need to keep circling it until the walls come tumbling down".

My heart pounded within my chest. I was ecstatic to receive not only a word from the Lord but a confirmation thereafter, affirming that the small still voice from within was His. Prior to this fast, I had been struggling in my prayer life, going through the motions, and not engaging in genuine dialogue with my God. I found myself imitating how others pray. Their prayers sounded better than mine. But, here I finally understood what God had been trying to show me in His chastening. There is a love language we share embedded in prayer, unique to He and I.

Regarding the revelation, for those of us who may not know the story of Jericho, it is described in Joshua 6. The Israelites were encouraged to lay seige upon the city but they faced one major obstable--its outer walls were impenetrable. Under the leadership of Joshua, however, the Israelites didn't sulk back in defeat. God commanded that they circle the city for seven days. On the final day, with the sound of a trumpet and a unified voice of praise, the walls of Jericho came tumbling down. The Israelites didn't have to strategize or rely on their human strength to combat the looming fortified tower. They circled the city in prayer and God handled the rest.

I went back over the laundry list of prayers written in my notebook and circled each one, symbolic of my plan to ceaselessly pray until something happens. The conditions in the physical realm might tell you that you are underqualified for that career choice, but the Lord says circle it in prayer. Divorce rates are steadily on the rise, but the Lord says circle it in prayer. You might have a family member who is battling addiction and the pathway towards recovery seems hopeless, but the Lord says do not give up! Healing, help, and divine favor is on its way. Do not miss out on what the Lord is doing in your life (or through your life) because you defeatedly stopped praying.

Join hands with others, forming a prayer circle around the issue that won't budge. Circles symbolize the indefinite nature of our God. He has no beginning or end. On the same token, Jesus Christ has never and will never stop making intercession for us. Therefore, why should we? What are the stubborn issues in your life? What have you been praying relentlessly over to no avail?

Imagine if the Israelites quit circling Jericho before the seventh day. They would have missed out on the miracle awaiting them. If I broke my commitment to the 21-day fast, I may not have received the confirmed word the Lord was holding out to reveal. I am grateful for this revelation and hope by sharing it, someone is encouraged to fight through prayer!

I find it interesting that the Lord used fasting in order to single out and strengthen the weak cord in my life. Directly preceding the verse I referenced earlier in Ecclesiastes, scripture states, "Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him". (Ecclesiastes 4:12) Fasting, as well as the application of the exhortation I received on giving, magnified the shortcomings in my prayer life. Stretching these cords helped me to identify the slack rope and God provided a directive on how to get back on track through the revelation.

My friends, let us not grow slack, but be vigilant and sober, longing to be stretched. Let us be fervent in prayer, ceaselessly circling the immovable walls in our life. Let us fast intentionally with pure motives and with a genuine desire to see God's sovereign power and mercy working in our lives. Let us give and do unto others as if Jesus Himself were the recipient. For when adversity comes, and it will come, we will not be moved. We will be the threefold cord, not easily broken!

Let Purity Pour in Through the Windows of Our Souls

I sat on the edge of my bed and contemplated for a few minutes just when and where I went wrong. I was numb and uncertain of the reason. I prayed and doubt set in. A question formed over the mind-numbing silence: Is the Lord truly hearing my voice? I quickly tried to dust the thought off the forefront of my mind, but couldn't seem to shake the eerie feeling that I was alone. My soul felt barren and my heart a wasteland, buried under a multitude of burdens. I entered into a spiritual slumber.

Have you ever experienced a season of spiritual drought? Do you ever find it difficult to discern God's voice? I did. In this particular dilemma, I was muttering questions to the wind and expecting God to answer. In all of my futile attempts to draw God near, I failed to remember a vital truth: God is always present. However, our sensitivity to His Spirit can be clouded by what what we feed our souls through the eye, ear, and mouth gates.

After a period of festering in my self-induced pity party, I felt an inclination to commence a fast. I realize now that my "inclination" was the working of the Holy Spirit, attempting to drag me out of the pit. Abstaining from food (or for some whose guilty pleasures also include television or secular music) redirects our focus back on the Creator and Sustainer of our lives.

Think about the world in which we live. It is easy to fall victim to the subtle ploy of the enemy that keeps us distracted by noise, whether it be the grumbling of our stomachs, a gossiping tongue, the tape reel in our minds, our cell phones, television, and/or radio. We are bombarded with ads that convince us to feed our bellies compulsively and spend our earnings impulsively. We fall into the trap of exalting others based on talent, natural wisdom, wealth, and good looks. Then, and particularly for those who enjoy reality television, we become consumed with their lives, coveting their lot and desiring their portion.

When what feeds through the channels of our eyes, ears, and mouths is impure, we start to reaquire and attire ourselves in the dirty rags we left behind when we were made new in Christ. Scripture is very concise about what is acceptable and pleasing in God's eyes. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

A fast brings us back to our roots, the essentials-- God's word (the bread) and living water. When we shut out the distractions that keep us from feasting on His word and diligently spending time with Him in prayer, we begin to naturally crave our true Source of strength and nourishment. We become revitalized and find warmth in the shining glory of God's face. He will reveal Himself to those who seek Him with a pure heart. Do you have a genuine desire to see God in all of His glory?

I enjoy reading biblical accounts of how God has manifested on earth: visibly, audibly, in visions, and in dreams. To be honest, I am a bit envious of some of the New Testament and Old Testament figures who were frequently visited by the Lord. I also admire their sensitivity to the working of the Holy Spirit. In the book of Acts, for example, Paul explains that his journeys to various provinces when furthering the gospel was directly led by the Holy Spirit. He knew what territories to enter and which to avoid. In one particular occasion, the Lord visits him in a vision, encouraging him to continue ministering in Corinth as described in Acts 18:9. I think about the pure heart of Paul. His life was a living sacrifice unto the Lord. As a result, He was met by the Holiest of holies and remained in tune to the desires of His heart. God may speak to us in various ways, even in the small, still voice resounding in our spirit. But, can we readily discern His voice?

As I mentioned earlier, a fast is oftentimes what it takes to silence the noise and center our attention on His ever-present existence in our lives. It is also the catalyst that promotes change, both in the heart of the believer and in the focus of prayer. Since embarking on this fast, the Lord has begun a new work in me, shedding light on faulty thought patterns and chipping away at the residue left behind. In a process known as sanctification, God tirelessly perfects us as it is His desire to see us holy, pure, and whole.

The bible tells us that without holiness "no one will see the Lord". This scripture is drawn from Hebrews 12:14-17. The writer of Hebrews intends to warn fellow believers against a negligent conduct. He provides a list of destructive behaviors or thought patterns that could compromise the state of our hearts and potentially block us from experiencing the presence of God in our lives. The passage reads as follows, "(14) Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (15) looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; (16) lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. (17) For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears".

In verse 15, we are advised to make certain that we do not fall short of the grace of God. This warning was directed particularly to the Jews who observed the law. However, the same holds true for us today. If we look at our relationship with Christ as religion, then we have so sadly missed the mark. Grace is extended to those who believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins. It was all done out of His great love for us, not because we earned it. Despite what our toxic belief system says, it was through His suffering that we are now called into a heartfelt, worship-filled romance with Him. This is the greatest love affair you will ever encounter as Scripture refers to Jesus Christ as the bridegroom and we the bride.

The writer also explains in the same verse that we should avoid bitterness at all costs. I expounded on this topic in my previous blog. Briefly stated, I likened bitterness to a weed. If allowed to spring forth, it will choke the life out of us as well as those around us. Needless to say, how might we be sensitive to the Spirit if our hearts are entangled in this bondage?

Lastly, verse 16 warns against heeding to fleshly desires. The writer uses the example of Esau who sold his birthright for one morsel of food. As I mentioned earlier, we must evaluate the areas of compromise in our lives. Are you submitted to the flesh in the areas of overindulgence or sexual immorality? Yes, overeating is a sin. Even our taste buds need to be subject to the Holy Spirit!

I am not suggesting that these three warnings are a comprehensive list that we must abide by in order to usher in the presence of the Lord. What I am saying, however, is that we should be mindful of and honor the instructions set forth in our Manual. We can not operate fully by the power of the Holy Spirit if we selectively pick and choose what works for us.

This particular passage states that those who pursue peace and holiness will see the Lord. Whether the writer means after death, on Judgement Day, or now, is uncertain. I think what matters most, however, is that we walk today in the understanding of His word and with the same desire to see Him as we did when we first believed. Do you remember the filthy ground the Lord lifted you up off of? He was faithful to meet you in your genuine desire to know Him. For those of us who are born again, we need to remember the days of our yearning and longing for the Lord as infants in our understanding. We may need to get back to that purity in heart if we desire God's touch in our lives.

Even when the light begins to flicker or dim, remember His presence remains. His Spirit is sealed within us. There is nothing that can separate us from His love. However, when we do not screen or filter the windows to our souls (our eyes, ears, and mouths), we allow the impure to infiltrate and take root in our hearts. This in turn clogs the artery that connects us to our lifeline, Jesus Christ. If we are desiring spiritual revival and true encounters with the Lord, remember that Jesus Himself spoke, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).