Hello?

“Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’”—Mark 9:21

This entire scene in Mark 9 is a seat-squirmer, because most of us have been there: That situation you’ve been praying for forever that seems to be getting worse, not better. What’s with that? We wonder what on earth Jesus is doing. (“Hello? Is Anyone there?!”)

There are no cut and dried answers to why this is so. But this much we know: Jesus does not love us partially, but wholly. He is all-in with us and for us in this walk of faith. It stands to reason, then, that He also isn’t about answering prayers with patchwork solutions that may “fix" one situation while neglecting the larger issue.

Sometimes, as with this boy's father, the delay in answer to prayer may be because Jesus is also working to strengthen the heart of the person doing the praying.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus

O for grace to trust Him more.

Clay Feet

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”—2 Corinthians 4:5-7 ESV

On any given day, we can feel too cracked, chipped, and misshapen by the effects of walking through life to be of little or no use to God. But it’s good to know that God has never been into putting pretty packaging on His imperfect everyday servants—Moses, David, Peter, Paul, for example—and instead places what’s truly beautiful on the inside: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

In the hands of the Potter, each jar has a unique, fantastic purpose to carry something precious and Life-giving to a dry, weary and thirsty place--a situation or person that another jar, even one seemingly superior in appearance, can’t satisfy.

Edited Post 6-8-14

Quiet Time Unleashed

“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.”—Deuteronomy 30:14

God’s Word is wildly symphonic, full of color, tempo, and mood changes…and life--because God knows our frame and is ever-ready to speak to our every need and season. And while there’s nothing like the wash of peace and rest that rolls over us in those moments (however brief) when we can get away from the noise, distractions, and barrage of outrageously bad news to refocus our bearings on the only One who:

Never changes…

Never sleeps…

Never lies…

Never freaks out…

…there is also power and strength when we remember to break that silence and open our mouths to speak back the promises to our heart and soul--power and strength to walk it all out.

How does that work? Who knows? We only know that, from the very beginning, in the silence of the formlessness and void, the example was established:  “And God SAID… and it was so…and it was good.” 

Posted 6-1-14

Never 'Busy with Other Customers'

“Lord, with all my heart I thank You. I will sing Your praises before the armies of angels. I face Your Temple as I worship, giving thanks to You for all Your lovingkindness and Your faithfulness, for Your promises are backed by all the honor of Your name. When I pray, You answer me and encourage me by giving me the strength I need.”—Psalm 138:1-3

For those moments this week when our fervent prayer was just one word—“Help!”—we have every reason this morning to open our mouths in praise and thanksgiving that God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness includes the fact that when we call, we are never put into voicemail.

Posted 5-18-14

Uncontainable

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare His praise?”—Psalm 106: 1-2


But as long as there are words and phrases, as long as there are notes and chords in you, and as long as there are people who are desperate for some really good news, let's give it our best shot.



Posted 5-4-14

It's 'Go' Time

“Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to Him.”—Ephesians 5:1-2 LB

In some traditions, the Sunday after Easter is known as “low Sunday.” Among contemporary churches, it implies the letdown after all the festivities, people, and excitement of Resurrection weekend. Instead, today is a good day to remember that, of all the names and attributes of God, there is not one that comes close to implying letdown or “boring.” The tomb is still empty, and it is now “go” Sunday. Let’s follow our Leader into the glorious unknown….

Posted 4-27-14

Always, Not Mostly

“He launches His promises earthward—how swift and sure they come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, He scatters frost like ashes, He broadcasts all like birdseed—who can survive His winter? Then, He gives the command…and it all melts; He breathes on winter—suddenly, it’s spring!”—Psalm 147:15-18

There are some things that we know in our brain but that require daily jumper cables to our hearts. Here’s one: God is always (not mostly) faithful to His promises, and, unlike us, doesn’t have the word “impatient” in His own vocabulary. Everything He has made—reflected by the rhythm of the seasons—is perfectly in His hands, with His timing, for His glory.

Awake, my soul, and sing!

Posted 4-6-14