"Come Let Us Adore Him"

"Tis the Season" to celebrate God's gift to the world, given to us in Jesus Christ.

For we have been given a gift of incomprehensible value....the gift of salvation,

forgiveness and new life.

The best gifts will always involve sacrifice in order that someone else might receive His very best.

As we consider what gift we will give our Savior and the body of Christ this Christmas and into the new year...wouldn't it be just like "radical love" if it was the gift of adoration in the beautiful form of grace?

"Adore" is an action verb meaning to love and respect (someone) deeply.

As we so willingly adore our Savior, shouldn't we so willingly adore one another in order that the sacrifice not be taken in vain? Shouldn't our adoration and grace for others overflow and pour out as freely and abundantly into their lives as God so freely poured out His son Jesus into ours?

When we think of how adoration is expressed in the bible through Mary and the anointing of Jesus, or the widow that gave out of her lack, we are reminded that the deepest form of adoration comes through what we are willing to surrender, offer, give up and give extravagantly.

Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

John 12:3 NASB

All these others made offerings that they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all!

Luke 21:4 The MSG

We tend to take what's truly a beautiful form of adoration in gift giving and strip it of it's more significant meaning because we have learned to give "at the least cost to ourselves" and to "get" value rather than "give" value.

David said, "I will not offer to the LORD, that which costs me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24

When is the last time we offered something to the LORD, that cost us something?

Wouldn't it be like radical love if we gave up our own rights in order to give someone else the blessing of grace?

Wouldn't it be like radical love if we were to give up our need to have a voice, our need to be justified, our need to be vindicated, or in control, that someone else might experience the "unmerited favor of God," through us?

Wouldn't we be radically changed on the inside through what we had to sacrifice to love?

Might not those experiencing God's heart for us all now feel loved instead of judged, forgiven instead of condemned, encouraged instead of discouraged?

Might not our relationships improve, our ministries flourish, our churches experience favor and blessing...all because we gave up our rights as individuals that random acts of kindness, radical love and bounteous grace could be present throughout the entire body?

And wouldn't it be radical love kind of living, if we lived lives in which we continued to walk out our faith in adoration; giving back to God through our gifts to one another by the very same means that He expressed His gift to us in Jesus Christ...grace poured out in radical love.

"... but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13

Heavenly Father,

Give us Your eyes to see. Help us to behold beauty as you see it.

For you see not as the world sees and you do not hold dear what we esteem. You see beyond and through it all ...to every heart. You know what we are made of. You know how every outward symptom is a product of an inward condition. You know how every time we don't take the time to see with Your vision, hearts stay broken.

Forgive us for not being "healers" in every situation... for You came to heal the broken-hearted.

Forgive us for giving the world inaccurate pictures of you. You are love. You didn't come to condemn the world but to save it and you did it by and through who You are...love.

May in our adoration for You...we "be the gift" You so want that world to know...love.

In Your Son's Precious Name We Pray,

Amen

Entertaining Strangers

Do not forget to entertain strangers for by so doing, some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Matthew 11:25

As I walked to my car, I was "unsure" of what awaited me on the hour-long drive home. I say I was "unsure" because I had a passenger. A young man whom I'd heard spoken of before, but had never met. He was in need of a ride and I was going his way.

I didn't know if we'd have an hour of silence or if I'd just sound to him like one of those adults trying to talk to a kid who wasn't interested. "Gosh LORD," I prayed, "Help, please...cause, here we go!"

Well, little did I know the surprise that awaited me.

It turns out I didn't even have to even think about what to ask, because before I knew it, he was talking and I was listening.

He talked in an easy going, mild-mannered sort of way that reminded me of a cowboy. One that might've grown up on a ranch and learned politeness, patience and the value of conversation from experience and plenty of time to think about them all.

With sincerity and wisdom, a surprising acceptance and lack of bitterness, he talked about the troubles he had, had and how he felt about them all. We talked about God; what is true and how things aren't always how they should be, and he understood in a knowing sort of way.

He went on to share the stories of his life and the people who frequented it. He shared how he enjoyed the praise and worship at his friend's church and how there were people that went around praying over you and how some people would just go and kneel at the front, "they were so touched by the Spirit." He described liking how certain people could preach and make the Word come alive; about having a friend that he looks up to like a brother and how he is a really good influence on him; about how his parents have worked hard to have a better life and how he loves to go hunting with his father on a beautiful ranch where you can watch the sun come up over the horizon and see the beauty of the land run for miles.

Funny thing, how this hour ride left me rather speechless until now.

But it is a story so beautiful, it begs to be told.

You see, I met Jesus that night in the heart of a 14-year-old boy.

Graced by His presence, I'm still in awe of the moment and I can't help but wonder how often He visits us in the hopes that we'll see Him...in the hopes that we'll see Him...in them.

A Season of Remembrance

As we approach the Christmas season, it hurts to remember and we'd rather not think about the overwhelming sadness of the losses and tragedies of the past year, within our own community. What can we say or do that would ever be enough to comfort and ease the pain of those who are grieving and suffering? They will feel a heightened awareness of their loss and pain during this season. Nothing could ever be enough except the healing and peace from the One who has each of our names inscribed in the palm of His hand, but let us do what we are able.

Our community of saints can give offerings of heartfelt blessings, love, kindness and intercessory prayers to help comfort them through the winter and long-haul of their grief. We all have something to offer… Let us bless them in ways we feel led to. We all can reach out to the hurting and hopefully, we will. Let us show them the love of Jesus.

Heavenly and merciful Father, Impress upon our hearts to love our neighbors and not look away. Help us remember not to forget them; not only in this season of celebrating the birth of our Savior, but always. Let us do it for Your glory. In the tender and mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

Anonymous

Godly Sorrow:

A Key to Repentance, Salvation, Restoration and Transformation

Now I am happy, not because you were made sad, but because your sorrow made you change your lives. You became sad in the way God wanted you to, so you were not hurt by us in any way. The kind of sorrow God wants makes people change their hearts and lives. This leads to salvation, and you cannot be sorry for that. But the kind of sorrow the world has brings death. See what this sorrow—the sorrow God wanted you to have—has done to you: It has made you very serious. It made you want to restore yourselves. It made you angry and afraid. It made you want to see me. It made you care. It made you want to do the right thing. In every way you have regained your innocence.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 (New Century Version)

There is a sorrow that hurts deep.

It's often a grieving over something we've done or said, or something that left unintended harm. It is not the superficial and momentary sorrow of the world, but a "godly" sorrow, a work of the Spirit that leads us to repentance. A conviction of the Holy Spirit that's dawning weighs heavy; an overwhelming burden and a cumbersome yoke.

It's cry is of desperation...it's need so great, only Jesus can meet.
In the desert wasteland of our grief, broken and undone, we humbly cry out for just a drop of life, of love, of forgiveness, of consolation for that which we cannot "undo." We can only beg for mercy, implore forgiveness and abandon ourselves to the only One who can pardon and grant our souls rest. Deeply distressed, our flesh preferring to avoid the feeling of exceedingly great sadness, we resist before we succumb, knowing that the will of the Father that has begun involves walking a difficult road, but we must journey it none the less, until it's work is complete.
It is in this chasm of sorrow between our need and His meeting thereof, that we are led to repentance. A place where our eyes meet the eyes of an innocent Savior on a cross and our spirit is overcome with the realization that our own human failings have put Him there. It is a moment that pierces our soul. In our resignation, He comes. We feel unworthy of His kindness; His gentle lifting of our head and healing of our heart. He forgives and the burden is lifted. In this experience we are changed by the power of love and forgiveness. We are given rest, newness of life and another chance to live it right and true.
The darkness has turned to light. The storm clouds have cleared. Received and relieved, we dust off our knees and discover we can stand.
We are the same, but we are different. Our heart is enlarged and our understanding of the depths of His love has been stretched; painfully so...yet granting room for a greater filling, a greater capacity now from which to understand and express his grace, mercy and undying love.

Heavenly Father,
Forgive us for preferring instant relief from our sorrows. The kind that the world offers in comments like "Shake it off," and "Don't give it another thought."
Forgive us for desiring to avoid pain and thus preventing ourselves from experiencing You to the degree we so fiercely claim to desire.
Forgive us for always wanting something at no cost to ourselves.
Forgive us for thinking knowledge of You is equivalent to experiencing You.
For if we only knew how often You knocked and we didn't open the door; You invited and we declined; You came near and we rejected...we might actually be sorry, truly sorry.
For if we only knew...if we only allowed ourselves to be truly sorry for the things we do or don't do...we would be different and the changes in us would transform the world.
Thank You that in Your supreme goodness and kindness, You have clearly shown us that which produces repentance and leads to salvation.
For we are in need of Your salvation each and every day.
May we not despise the manner through which it comes, but be open and broken to receive the greatest gift and may we bear fruits worthy of it's transforming work in us.
In Jesus' Name We Pray,
Amen

Let's Dance

the dancing nebula


Though I am not full of the understanding of the Word, I thought I’d share what the Creator has shown me recently. Many times I have focused on my family’s trials and tribulations and not the blessings that have happened along the way. We have walked in the valley of the shadow…, as many have. The light bulb recently turned on in my mind (albeit dimly because of my human-ness). I do intend to let Him nurture it into a light growing brighter and brighter because of His pure love. A good friend shared with me the wife’s blueprint in the LORD’s Word, regardless of our feelings at any given moment…. Ugh! Really? …seems uncomfortable, improbable, and highly unfair! Recently, Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart, the longing to try to become this woman to my husband. This was a struggle for me and I realized I could only do it with His help. I strongly desire to show my husband more love, kindness, and compassion like never before. Only Jesus could model this love. I alone cannot attain it; but through Him I can try. A new found joy I haven’t felt in a very long time, or maybe never, has filled my heart, as I have often been self-absorbed in my own pain and struggles. I can only hope that this feeling of His extreme joy will last without my flesh getting in the way, but chances are it won’t, of course, and I’ll need my Savior’s help time and time and time again. I believe Holy Spirit shows up when we open the eyes of our heart and seek the Father’s perfect will for our lives. I also believe He will show us in ways that touch us the most. There may be times of His hidden-ness that we must persevere through, with His Word and our prayer. To me, our Father didn’t intend for His Word to complicate our understanding. He meant it to be made simple: to love Jesus with all our heart, might and soul and to love others as we love ourselves (paraphrased Deut 6.) Be the hands and feet of Jesus so others may see Him through us. Quite simply, if you love Him, feed His sheep (paraphrased), as found in John 21:17. I hope I never lose the hunger to know Him more, nor ignorantly believe I am the one doing His works, but always remember He chooses to do them through us (always a work in progress; grateful for His patience). It’s never easy to do the hard things; to be the “change”, especially through our trials here on earth. But if we want to be more like Jesus, we must give it a try. To my sweet husband I dedicate the song “I Hope You Dance”. Although a secular song, I feel in a small way, it shows a super tiny glimpse of the abundant life Jesus desires for all of us.




You have turned for me my mourning into dancing” Psalm 30:11a


Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank you that you love us enough to grow us, teach us and help us to become more like Jesus and You never give up on us. Thank you for showing us Your everlasting love through Your Precious Son. It is my prayer that not one of Your children ever gives up on the true HOPE found in Your redemptive love for us. Let us all dance for You, our King. And let us dance with each other for Your glory. Even in the hard times, let us find the joy You alone can give. In the name above all names, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

“I hope You Dance” Lee Ann Womack
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
G-d forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

Anonymous

There's Value in the Waiting

Sometimes our impatience comes from knowing the likely outcome and
desiring it fulfilled...NOW!
In our instant gratification society, we have trouble with waiting.
We feel like were wasting time or we find we're bored.
We've lost the ability to appreciate time's gift.
We've begun to think of jam-packed schedules and a frantic pace as "normal."
Most of us could do without waiting in the doctor's office, the pharmacy drive-through
lines, traffic jams and the like, but if we can allow ourselves the luxury of a deep breath
and pursue His purpose during our times of waiting, we just might discover there is "value" in the waiting.

Our very lives involve waiting. An engagement period of waiting is recommended before a marriage. We spend 9 months waiting before the birth of a child and then we wait for them to crawl, walk, talk, grow up and so on. And although there is waiting, our impatience easily stems from a perspective of productivity and accomplishment instead of just being able to enjoy the time given and find value in what God gives us in the extra moments.

If time were to really speed up to what we think we'd prefer, we just might find we'd rather wait.
Midnight would arrive before we've ever enjoyed New Year's Eve, our weekend of R&R would be more
like a weekend of B&G (blink and it's gone), the time needed for our broken heart to mend would
be non-existent and most likely we'd never rest, nor be quiet long enough in order to hear what
the LORD may want to say.

Waiting prepares, prevents, allows for and expands.
Waiting prepares our hearts for what is to come.
Waiting prevents our emotions from ruling our hearts.
Waiting allows for us to get right, to settle, to grow; for our hearts to soften and our courage to rise.
Waiting gives time to God's purposes.
Waiting creates space in which the Holy Spirit can move.
Waiting expands the atmosphere and makes room for God in a world where we tend to crowd Him out.

What would have become of Isaac had Abraham not waited when he heard the Angel of the LORD calling to him from heaven?
What would might have happened had the father of the prodigal not waited for his return?
What would happen if we didn't wait for test results ?
What would happen if we didn't wait for stoplights to turn green?
And on the flipside, what might not have happened ...if we hadn't waited?
Maybe we wouldn't have had a chance to make-up after an argument with a loved one...
Maybe we wouldn't have seen the person God gave us ample time with, through His eyes...
Maybe we wouldn't stick to that impulsive decision we made and we'd decide to change our mind...
Maybe we wouldn't throw in the towel over our marriage and instead made a vow to never give up...

Do we realize that heaven waits?
Heaven waits for the yet to be drawn to Him, to be drawn in God's perfect timing.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 NKJV

The visions of heaven are for an appointed time.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.
You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness,
Who remembers You in Your ways.
You are indeed angry, for we have sinned—
In these ways we continue;
And we need to be saved.
Isaiah 64:4-5 NKJV

And it will be said in that day:


“ Behold, this is our God;
We have waited for Him, and He will save us.
This is the LORD;
We have waited for Him;
We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.”

Isaiah 25:9 (New King James Version)

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[a] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-10 (New King James Version)

Heaven waits for us to awake to the light and for the fulfillment of God's promises.
For all of heaven, your life is worth waiting for....there's value in the waiting and the value is you.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that time is in Your hands.
Thank you that when we wait, you save.
Thank you for not giving us what we want, but always giving us what is best for us.
Thank you that when we wait, You can move.
Thank you that when You wait, we are moved by the depth of Your love and long-suffering towards us.
Thank you that Your Kingdom and it's purposes are worth waiting for.
Thank you that when we look to You, we can find the value in waiting.
Thank you that before Your son was born the entire world waited.
Thank you that His waiting for every scripture to be fulfilled, allowed for the Cross' work to be complete.
Thank you that waiting gives the Holy Spirit time to reach each and every heart.
Thank you that waiting makes room for You in a hurried and crowded world.
In Your Son's Beautiful Name,
Amen

"You're Still the One"

You are my King and my God.
You command victories for Israel.
Only by your power can we push back our enemies;
only in your name can we trample our foes.
I do not trust in my bow;
I do not count on my sword to save me.
You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies;
you disgrace those who hate us.
O God, we give glory to you all day long
and constantly praise your name.
Interlude

Rise up! Come to our help, and deliver us for
Your mercy's sake and because of Your steadfast love!

Psalm 44:4-8;26 NLT

Magnificence Unchanging

Photo: Tyann Clement and Artists of Houston Ballet in The Nutcracker. Photo by Amitava Sarkar.

Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Sometimes we get discouraged. Things can begin to feel "churchy," and not like authentic God, radical faith, or free, unconditional love. Our vision of community suddenly feels marred. We may find ourselves feeling disillusioned and disenchanted. How do we get past this?

How do we not get so disappointed that we abandon our faith or walk out on the church?

Try thinking of a beautiful ballet such as, The Nutcracker.

Watching it, we are mesmerized. We are able to forget about our troubles as we are taken away; enthralled by the story and moved by the music that rhythmically mirrors the emotions stirring within in our hearts.

But sometimes things don't go as planned. The backdrop falls, the dancer fails to complete a pirouette, our seats are near the stage and we see the director communicating with his team...and with the abrasiveness of a broken record, the moment feels ruined and we're forced to enter the present.

Could it be that God might want to say that the body of Christ is sometimes like that? Not that it's a "production," but that we shouldn't let knowing what it took to create something so magnificent, take away from what is still "undeniably" magnificent?

Could God be saying that we will, at times, in the body of Christ, encounter things such as "process," entangled communications, roadblocks, unchristian-like attitudes, and things that perhaps seem "off" in their execution or are just never what we envisioned, but that we mustn't let these things take away from the heart of how magnificent the body of Christ is...and will always be?

Backstage and behind the scenes is simply, "a view of the 'imperfectness' of humanity and the 'work in progress' that we all are...it doesn't mean that the beautiful moments and the wonderful times are ever "fake"...it just means that the true beauty of the church is the brokenness coming together in unity and harmony to create those moments of oneness in His Presence that we'll never forget.

It is through His eyes of grace, that we can overlook inconsistencies.

It is through His tender mercies that we are not consumed by the trivial.

It is through His ears and His heart that we can hear the hurtful and offer forgiveness.

It is through His unconditional love that we keep reaching out when we are weak.

It is through His humbleness that we are able to no longer think of how we're affected but instead focus on how we're "affecting."

It is through our faith, perseverance and commitment that we never stop believing and "giving up" becomes no longer an option.

It is through the power of love that light breaks through the darkness and living waters that bring healing, begin to flow.

It is by His sacrifice that we no longer condemn; having been made free from sin and death; having been given new life; eternal and everlasting.

"God is in the making," says Esther Simon. Beauty and love transcend what the eyes can see and the heart can feel. Just as witnessing a minor glitch in the midst of The Nutcracker doesn't change how magnificent the ballet is, neither should discovering the imperfection amongst us change the magnificence of the body of Christ. We must focus on what we know is true...and that is always one thing...how the story ends.

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God]. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (Amplified Bible)

Heavenly Father,

Forgive us for the times we allow doubt and discouragement to take up residence in our hearts.

Forgive us when we fail to believe that You are BIG ENOUGH.

Forgive us for expecting the church to be perfect ...for it is perfect when we look at it through Your eyes.

Thank you Father that we can see the beauty of Your heart played out in the pages of the Bible.

Thank you for always giving us "grace to grow" and for never getting impatient.

You are a majestic God and what You create is truly magnificent.

To You Be the Glory.

Forever and Ever,

Amen