Christ the Lord Is Risen Today!

While a day late for Easter, this is as true today as it was yesterday, as it will be tomorrow, and as it will be for all time. I think Charles Wesley put it into beautiful words, and I won't try to top them. Alleluia!

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia! 

Holy Week?

     It's that time of year again. In the Christian calendar, it's known as Holy Week. It is set aside to remember Christ's entry into Jerusalem, His last meal with His disciples, His suffering, death, burial, and at the end of the week, His resurrection. But why set aside a week for this, when as Christians, this should always be something we remember and cherish? Because we are human, and can easily forget even something as life changing as His salvation.
     Just as an example, let's look at that last meal Jesus had that Thursday night. It wasn't just any meal, but was a Passover Seder. Once a year, the Hebrew people were commanded to serve a special meal, to remember both their suffering and their rescue from suffering. It was a chance to bring God's presence out front. Even with this yearly celebration, how often did God's children forget their salvation!
     When Jesus sat at this particular meal, God's people were once again under persecution. So what is the purpose of remembering past persecution, when there was plenty to go around currently? Because, just like today, we tend to see the troubles, and not see the salvation. The Seder meal was not just about past suffering, not just past rescue, but also current suffering, and God's promise that He was there, and would still rescue. It was about His promise and salvation both then AND now.
     And that's where Holy Week comes in for us today. Just as the Seder has different elements to help remind of suffering and redemption and victory, so the different aspects of Holy Week allow Christians to reflect remember, grieve, repent and celebrate. Not just His resurrection close to 2000 years ago, but our current sufferings, as individuals, as a people, as a country, as a world. Then remember that just as then, He Is Alive, present, and is the salvation for all our suffering, then AND now.
     Then, God's children hoped for a king, that would magically eliminate all their problems. Today, much of that same thought exists among Christians as well.

"If only we had the right (insert pastor, government, leaders, etc.)".

     But our salvation is not in any of those things. Only when we call on Him to act in us, and through us, will things begin to change. Give as Christ has given to you. Forgive, without condition, as Christ has forgiven you. Love all, as Christ has loved you. Be Christ in this world, and He will save, regardless of the governments of the world. Regardless of the leaders of the world. Not just regardless, but in spite of.
     Full disclosure, when I say "you", I mean it as a universal term, "we". I am guilty, so very often, of not being a worthy representative of His Holy Name. Even then, Jesus forgives me, when I come to Him. When I remember Him. His salvation is never more remembered than on this Holy Week. Remember Him.
    

The Bell - A Clarification

It seems a clarification of my little parable yesterday may be needed. In my defense, my brain has always thought in a weird, abstract kind of way. I just tend to hold on for the ride!

The long, low bell tone is the voice of God. A still, small voice that calls us, and we are to follow that voice on the path it leads us. A straight and narrow path, because the message is simple and direct; love God and love each other. No deviations, just love.

But we are human. We begin to trust our own direction, rather than simply follow the voice that leads us. (Side note: following my own directions once landed me in Indiana, when I was actually headed for Southern Kentucky - just saying) When we start to trust ourselves and our own guidance, then other voices begin to be heard. Some of them may even seem to be in harmony with God's voice, at first. Soon though, these voices become more and more important, and take us off the simple straight and narrow path onto a path not of love, but corrupted.

"If you don't vote for (political party inserted here) you're not a Christian!"

If you don't agree with my views on (immigration, healthcare, civil rights, gun laws, child rearing, pants on left or right leg first, chicken or egg first, etc.) then you are not only not a Christian, you are the anti-Christ!"

On the many different social medias we now have, on television and radio, and far too often in our churches and work places, these voices flow freely and loudly. And the voice actually behind these voices reveals itself. Hate. Hate generated by fear. Hate that uses fear, manipulates it, whips it, and us, into a frenzy. Now here is my point. Anything, repeat ANYTHING, that does not come from a place of God's love, is WRONG. I don't care how right the cause may seem, God is Love, and if there is no love, then God is not in it. Anything that calls away from God's love is wrong, because we focus on the cause, not God. We think we know the truth, when we only see through a glass darkly. Worst of all, we judge, as if we were gods, and think we can do the job God has expressly given to Himself only. There's a reason we are told to "judge not". We don't and can't ever have all the answers and details of someone else's heart.

Get off the paths the other voices lead us on. Get back on the path, straight and narrow, that God's voice has never stopped calling for. Love, in all things. Love others with God's love, even, especially, when our own fails. Love, because every cause not lead by love will ultimately destroy others... and ourselves. Love, because Love never fails.

The Bell

A bell sounds in the distance. It is low and deep and seems somehow true, and yet ominous, final. As if only its pealing should be heard. Only its pealing was worthy of listening. But that bell is in the distance, so far away.

Years ago we walked towards it, never straying from the path it showed, led by its single, melodious tone. Then other bells began to sound, at first harmonious, but soon producing a high, shrill discord that surrounded us, distracted us, even terrified us. Soon the lone bell could not be heard for the cacophony that surrounded us. We began to believe those bells were the true sounds that lead, and all but forgot our original path. Further we strayed, as the noise grew louder and louder, until the only noise heard above those bells was the screaming of our hearts.

Still, the lone, low bell rings. Slowly, steadily. Flee from the bells that took us away, bells of hate, intolerance, prejudice, fear. These bells ARE NOT TRUE, AND HAVE NO PART IN THE TRUTH. THE TRUTH IS NOT IN THEM. The low ringing we hear is love. Not of some, but all. Eliminate the others, for Love, and He who is Love, is the only truth, the only way, life. The others WILL destroy, that's what they are made to do. Love will last.

Sonrise

Sunrise Service. As someone who is most definitely "not" a morning person, these two words are usually not connected in my lexicon. But then there's Easter. There is something so beautiful and significant in the rising of the sun and the rising of the Son. I like listening to the more modern anthems (if you call "Rise Again", "He's Alive" and Easter Song" new) but I love singing the old hymns..."Christ the Lord is Risen Today", He Arose" and of course that old chestnut, "He Lives".

He Lives, He Lives, Christ Jesus lives today.

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life's narrow way

He Lives, He Lives, Salvation to impart.

You ask me how I know He lives,

He Lives within my heart.

 

As to the timing of the rising, the Bible doesn't specifically say Jesus rose at the crack of dawn. But I can't imagine the Lord of Creation holding back for one second longer that he had to, before busting open the gates and rising victorious.

 

If you were to ask me why I believe he rose from the dead, that's a little more tricky. I could give you any number of personal reasons, all of which could be explained away, or even just ignored. I could tell of things He's done for me, and some would say coincidence. Yet nothing will shake my faith in Him.

 

I think that we all have the choice to accept or reject God's existence. We can either believe that our world in which we are born, live and die, as bad as it is, is all of our own creation and making, and for our time here we are trapped in its existence. Or we can see God, not as a warden, but as a liberator, with the keys to our cells (ourselves), allowing us the freedom to become better than we can be on our own. We can believe that the history of how mankind has treated others is evidence there is no God, or We can believe that God's will is not to condemn each other, but to lift each other up, with a love strong enough to die for even those who would hate us, and that He did just that as an example for us.

 

 

You see, I can choose to believe in a world that many would say we could just as soon do without, or choose to believe in a God that would have us be a change in that world. Belief is choice, and I choose Him. You ask me how I know He lives, He lives within my heart.

A Love Poem

I searched for you.
everywhere I looked I would see you,
but you were not there.


In the gray stillness of the morning,
the peacefulness of those last moments
the moon and stars still rule the sky,
You were not there in the peace,
yet your peace was all around.


In the exuberance of the dawn
The joyful moment the sun overcomes the night
and rises, at first just peeking over the horizon.
Then rising high, blinding all those who doubted
it could ever overcome the darkness again.
You were not there in the joy.
Yet your joy was all around.


In the warmth of the day.
The sun giving life to all it touches.
Sustaining it, caressing it, the earth and
all in it reborn. And hope, knowing that even when it wasn't there, it still
gave life.
You were not there in the hope.
Yet your hope was all around.


Lying in bed at night.
Hungering for your peace, your joy, your hope, your love.
Yet filled completely, for all that is here, all around.
And I have found you, where you were all along.
In my heart.

Christmas Every Day!

     Hello. My name is Mark (Hi, Mark), and I'm a Christmas Junkie. I enjoy Christmas music all times of the year, and I keep a 365 day countdown calendar at my desk. I love everything about Christmas (except maybe fruitcakes).
     I realize that many would claim Easter to be the more important holiday in the Christian year. I wouldn't disagree with that point. Without Jesus death and resurrection, Christmas would have no meaning, just another long winter day that causes the addition of at least 5 extra pounds of weight. But for me, the distinction is this...When Christ died and rose again, it was once for all our sin. When we give of ourselves for Him, Jesus Christ is born again!
     Every time you show love to another, you show him Christ. Jesus is presented new and fresh and, just like Christmas, is born again to someone on Earth. every time you purposely show kindness to another, show love, not hate or judgement, He is born again. New and fresh and surprising, not just to those who don't know Him, but even to those that do.
     And this love should be given to all people, not just those to whom it is easy to show love, but to those who make it difficult to love. Especially to those who are difficult to love, because they need to see the love of God the most. And just like the advertisements for a certain gym, that love must be given in a "No Judgement" zone. It is not ours to judge others for what they do, that's between them and God, not us. But if we don't show them God's unconditional love, then that's back on us, not others! Other people can't be blamed for not wanting something they've never seen nor felt, and we've never shown or given.
     Back to my point. (I do tend to wander :) )Christmas is something that can come everyday, because every time we love, react, act with kindness, or otherwise treat others as He would treat them, Christ is come into the Earth again. Let's have Christmas Every Day! (minus the fruitcake for me though.)
     And now, I have a little poem for you to send you on your way, hope you enjoy it!

Jesus Christ is Born

We celebrate this special day.
Jesus Christ is born.
To all the world we gladly say
Jesus Christ is born.

With friends and family so dear
All our loved ones gathered near
let's not forget just why we're here
Jesus Christ is born.

When we give love to fellow man
Jesus Christ is born.
And offer them a helping hand
Jesus Christ is born.

When Jesus died and rose again
It was just once for all our sin.
But whenever we give ourselves for Him
Jesus Christ is born!   

The Last Night Before Christmas

A Christmas offering for all...Merry Christmas!

The Last Night Before Christmas

On a night in the future, time still unknown
All of Earth seems in ruin, humanity gone.

Rumors of Wars have covered the globe
The simplest of food worth its weight in gold.
Tornadoes and earthquakes, fires and floods,
The sun barely light, the moon like blood.

The fish have been boiled by the heat of the sea.
The trees and the gardens as dry as can be.
The rivers are bitter, no water to drink.
All of creation is perched on the brink.

Still brother hates brother, and blames for his woes,
all but himself, and doesn't suppose
His own self the culprit, the reason for ruin.
And so he continues to seal his own doom.

When out of the east, in the clouds should appear
a rider on horseback, a Savior so dear.
His Sceptre in hand, and crown on His head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

With a thundering voice, He calls up His own,
both living and past, to join at His throne.
Then angelic armies, the warriors of God
Soon blot out the sky with their glorious throng.

A charge is then called, final war is begun
And Lucifer's children battle God's Holy Son.
But unlike First Christmas, a baby alone,
This time as a King, reclaiming His own.

When all the dust settles, and fighting is done,
He shall be triumphant, and we shall be one.
New heaven and Earth will be ours on that day.
And all of our tears and our pain washed away.

As once the world waited for Him to appear,
Again it is Advent, His coming is near.
First Christmas has come, we hallow the night.
Last Christmas is coming, when all is made right.

Like First Christmas was, it shall be again,
For God will come down and make His home with man

Catfish

I love catfish. Especially the catfish my brother-in-law, Mike Jones, used to make. My mouth starts to drool just thinking about it. But apparently, this word has taken on a new meaning. Now, catfish also refers to an online relationship on facebook, but one party is not really who they say they are.The most recent example of this is the Notre Dame football player, Manti Te'o, who had a long term relationship with a girl he never saw, then thought had died, then thought was alive, then found out never was! (Wow, and I thought it was tough back when I was dating!) MTV even has a new reality show, "Catfish", that has two guys exposing these fake profiles.

This phenomenon is nothing new. We've seen it in online dating services, phone date lines, even web chat rooms (BTW, ESPECIALLY if you're under 18, be very careful what you say in a web chat room. You NEVER know for sure who you're talking to!) The question that always arises from this form of relationship, at least by everyone else, is "How can you be in a long term, loving relationship with someone you've never seen?!".

Well, I have a confession to make...I am in a catfish relationship. I know their love is deeper than any sea, higher than any mountain, wider than any river (insert Motown song here). Their love is kind, forgiving and patient, and even though I've never laid eyes on my love, I could not exist without it. My catfish is named "Jesus".

And He even saw this problem coming, some 2000 years ago, when talking to His disciples (John 20:28-29). He's got a pretty full bio published - What He looked like (Is 53:2-3), What He looks like to those who KNOW Him (Luke 9:28-36), His personality (I Corinthians 13: 4-8, and so much more!). And even with all MY faults, His love continues to be faithful. (check out the book of Hosea - This guy had a wife with the unfortunate name of "Gomer". She left and came back so many times you could call her "Yo-Yo!).

The great thing about this relationship is that its not exclusive! Anybody can get in on this good thing (John 3:16-17) and the more, the merrier! (2 Peter 3:9) I know how difficult it can be to love Someone you've never seen. Even St. Augustine said "Unless you believe, you will not be understood". But this love, like ANY love, requires faith and hope to survive. (Hmmm... I Corinthians again...) And half the battle is done because He loved us, each of us, from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:3-5).

Stepping out in faith into any relationship can feel a little scary, and it seems much easier to stay status quo. But look at it logically. If the love of Jesus is false, but you believe in it, at the end of your life you leave the world no worse off, and maybe a little better. BUT, if the love of Jesus is TRUE (and I believe it is), and yet you refused to let yourself enjoy and partake in that love, how much you are missing!

Bottom line, my "Catfish" is an open relationship, based on my faith in Him (and more than a little bit of His faith in me!). I am to love my brothers and sisters, even the ones that don't like me, and His love is to all the world. Want in??

Generations

Hello, everyone! Was reading this morning, and came across a scripture that I've read many times, but today came at me from a different angle. The scripture was Psalm 90, and it was in the very first verse.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. (ESV)

Normally, I read that, and think of God being eternal, and all knowing, and the like. Today, I started thinking of how God was there for my family this generation, and the past one, and the one before that, and so on. And I wonder how I stack up compared to my God-fearing generations before.

I think to my Grandfather Frizzell, he was a hard working, good man. Used to do collection work, back when that was done going to a person's door, rather than over the phone (aka-my job!). At his funeral, there were people there that no one in the family recognised. We found that there were times when a family was having difficulty, he'd help them out. Never told anyone, just did it.

My Dad, I could give all kinds of examples, but the one that always stayed in the forefront was when I was 19 or 20. I was at the salvage yard, getting a carburetor for my very mix and match car. I realised I had left my check book at home, and would need to go back for it. Offering to leave the carburetor and come back, the owner said "That's OK, I know your dad, you're good for it." I remember thinking "Wow. My dad's reputation is so good, it extends to me without even having to earn it!"

I see all of this, in my family history, and sometimes think "I don't even come close to being so generous, so honest, so, well, good." If not for Christ, I could claim no goodness at all, and my being in Him is not because of anything of my doing, but all because of His compassion.

That's where this verse hit me today. "our dwelling place for all generations." In thinking back, I know there must have been times when my dad felt right at the point of losing it, or maybe even did, but his dwelling place was Christ, and that was so much more than himself, that became who he was. Same with my grandfather. And thank God, same with myself. Not myself, but He who is in me who is greater, and truer, and purer that I could ever be.

Now there are generations in front of me. Generations that are being raised in God-fearing homes, and already in their young lives have Christ in their hearts. Who will grow up and say, "I can never live up to who my parents were". But they have made God their dwelling place as well, just as those before them.

So I look to that dwelling place, and see my Grandfather, my Father, my Brother, Sister and I, my Nephews and Nieces, their children as well, and so many others in our family. And I thank God, and take comfort, that He is our dwelling place.

What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?

As I walk this land of broken dreams
I have visions of many things
But happiness is just an illusion
Filled with sadness and confusion

What becomes of the brokenhearted
Who have love that's now departed
I know I've got to find
Some kind of peace of mind
Maybe.

     (This is a sermon from a few years back - still seems fitting)
     Most of you know I'm a firm believer in the "gospel according to Motown" and this song is one of the greats. Jimmy Ruffin, 1957 (yes, over 50 years old, and if you actually remember it...you don't have to admit it!), but for such an upbeat tune, the lyrics are downright depressing. But just work with me here, and keep this song handy.
     Let's do some time travel here. Let's go back, way back. Back to A.D. 30, in a synagogue in the town of Nazareth. The place is packed this Sabbath, because word has gotten out that Jesus, local son made good, will speak. And when He speaks, people tend to listen. Not just for the scripture, any Joe Shmoe could do that, but He'll get to talk about it as well, and Jesus spoke as if He really understood.
     Now, Jesus is walking to the podium, reaches to the wall behind him and pulls out a scroll. Gently kissing the seal, he open it up, then unrolls it, and begins to read.

"The Spirit of Adonai ELOHIM is upon me, because ADONAI has anointed me to announce good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted; to proclaim freedom to the captives, to let out into light those bound in the dark."

(The Complete Jewish Bible - Isaiah 61:1)

     He carefully rolls the scroll back together, kisses the seal again, and replaces it. In the pause, the congregation is getting excited, and the whispers are everywhere. "This is one of the Messiah scriptures! I can't wait to see what he says. OK, so its not one of the 'blast the enemys' ones, but it's still good!"

     Jesus stood before them and said "This day has this scripture been fulfilled in your presence."

     The audience was stunned.

"What did he say...this day this scripture will..."

"No, he said this scripture has."

"But that would mean he's the...oh no, he's not going there! We know his brothers, we know his mother..."

"Nobody knows the father!"

"How dare he blasphemy in G*d's house?"

"KILL HIM!...STONE HIM!"

     The men picked up stones and chased him, but just when they thought he was caught, he simply walked through the midst of them.

     Wow, these guys were really ticked off, but why? Well, for one thing, making the claim of Messiah was dangerous at best. But the Messiah they were looking for was one that would "crush the oppressor" not "heal the broken hearted". They had taken just about enough of Roman rule, thank you very much. So this didn't set well at all.

     Just what did Jesus mean by "broken hearted" anyway? The word for broken here is "Shabar" which translates "break in pieces, tear, rend violently, quench". That's a lot more than the "Boy loses Girl" those words usually bring up. So how deep was this "broken heartedness"?

     Let's hit the way back machine again, and travel all the way back to the garden (another great song, BTW). Eve out gathering ingredients for her famous apple dumpling, and the serpent appears.

 "Eve, you don't want those...look what I've got over here on this tree."

But we're not supposed to eat those."

"Oh, but come on, this fruit is to DIE for."

     So, she eats. And where was Adam? Not off naming the animals! Scripture says she ate, then turned to him, gave to him, and he ate. Yes, folks, Adam was there the whole time. Adam could have stopped it at any time, but...he didn't. And that's when the "broked-ness" occurred. At that moment we were "rent violently" from God himself, torn, broken in pieces, ...quenched.

What becomes of the broken hearted? "I have come to heal the broken hearted".

       Well, let's see how that healings going so far, shall we? In the last two weeks (this was back in 2007).....

Don Imus proved racism is alive and kicking.

The Duke lacrosse case showed hatred can be stirred with no evidence.

A gunman goes on a university campus and shoots 50 people, killing 32.

One day of Iraq bombing kills over 230, wounding hundreds more.

Oh, and in a small printing shop in Turkey, men broke in and slit the throats of it's three employees. Their crime...printing bibles.

     "Why don't you just come down and blow these people out of the water? If you want healing, then you've got to cut out the cancer...right?"

     But healing won't come that way. In WWII, Hitler was taken out, but there is still an Arian Nation and the Nazi Party survives. Sadaam Hussien is no more, but bombings are still a daily occurrence, just as sure as waking up in the morning. We took out Osama Bin Laden, but there are myriad more ready to take his place. You see, the "brokenness" goes further than a person here or a group there. Thanks to Adam, all of humankind became diseased, we all were "rent violently" from God.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God." Romans 3:23

What becomes of the broken hearted? "I have come to heal the brokenhearted."

Well, how do you intend on doing that?

     The same way the break occurred. We were torn from God because of one man, Adam. So our healing comes because of one man, Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross was the only sacrifice strong enough to bridge the gap mankind had created.

     "Well, great, but back to point number one, since this has happened, evil is still here. NOW WHAT!?"

What becomes of the broken hearted? "I have come to heal the broken hearted."

     If cutting out the evil won't work, then how does healing occur? By one man sin arrived, bu one sin was conquered, and broken hearts are healed the same way - one heart at a time.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

     God doesn't just tweak the heart we've got. He doesn't do a bypass. He takes out the "Heart of stone" and puts in a "heart of flesh". And not just any heart, but His heart, His Spirit. The broken hearted are healed, one heart at a time, with the only thing that can bring together that which is broken, His own heart.

     A friend of mine writes in a blog, and recently he spoke about the Mary Winkler case. Now, no matter what side of this you take, it has had the positive aspect of bringing abuse to a national debate. In my friends blog, he mentioned how he had always talked to his son about "never hitting a woman". Now his son, big for his age of 10, shows every sign of being a man who will not allow abuse to occur at his hands, and his father couldn't be prouder. One person, one heart who will not share the disease.

What becomes of the broken hearted. "I have come to heal the broken hearted."

One heart at a time.

Very short one here, borrowed from Jon Wise at http://www.jonwise.org. Use this sentence to help you with all the busyness that gets in the way of prayer. God Bless.

Weddings!

I've been thinking a lot about weddings recently. You see, my godson Terry, and his fiance' LaRae, are having a wedding on the beach in Mexico Beach, Florida in less than two weeks, so I'm having to study up to be ready. Of course I'm prejudiced, but I see in them a real devotion to each other, and to God, that will see them through quite a few troubles in life.

You've got to wonder, with divorce rates as high as they are, why two people would even want a relationship, much less get married. Why does God put such a high emphasis on marriage, when it is so difficult to sustain? It is so important, that God even uses a marriage to represent the relationship between Christ and the church!

I think it goes to the verse in Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh." We human types are made in the image of God (in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them Gen 1:27). So do we all have a physical characteristic that is like God's? Nose perhaps, eyes set just so? No, because God is a spirit, it is in our spirits that we resemble Him. But if men and women are so different (and they are) how is THAT possible?

I think the man resembles God in His strength, in His vengeance and justice (The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name - Exodus 15:3). Most boys, as they play, find ways to fight battles. I remember picking up a long stick from a tree and being Robin Hood, or some other sword carrying crusader. As we grow older, we turn the fighting to competition, sports, girls, pretty much any way we can. But the need to fight for a worthy cause never really leaves us, even as we suppress it in the corporate world around.

The women, on the other hand, resembles God in His beauty. In the love and compassion that is in the female make-up. Where most boys fight, wrestle, and so on, most girls play is involved in some type of relationship. Tea parties, dress up, even sleep overs, their play involves nurturing the relationship.

God, in all His glory, is both of these at the same time. So the couple "becoming as one" is how the marriage represents God Himself. And this is something the evil one cannot stand. This is why he tried to bust up Adam and Eve from the beginning. Because the two together were the image of God on earth. And trust me, he still tries to destroy marriage anytime he can, unfortunately, divorce rates seem to prove him very successful.

But the two becoming one goes even deeper than this. In the beginning, God and Adam (and we presume Eve, too) walked and talked together. They shared everything between them. They had...wait for it....a RELATIONSHIP! There was nothing hidden between them, no secrets, no fears, only love. But after the serpent incident, all that was shattered, there was a barrier that blocked us out, kept us from that intimacy. And God would not stop until that intimacy was restored! He called, He scolded, He begged, He wooed, He came through time and time again, and finally, He came to earth and paid the ultimate price, His own life, to restore all that had been. All for love.

The marriage shows just that love. That the man would leave everything he has known, father and mother and home, just to bring the woman to be with him, to love intimately, no secrets, no fears, only love. And that she would give her love, totally, completely, vulnerable, yet trusting in her husband's strength. God wants us that intimately, that desperately, and continues to draw in the church as his bride.

When I asked Terry how he saw the relationship between himself and LaRae, he said with no hesitation "We are like one, soul mates, each part of the other." So at the end of the ceremony on June 25th, I plan on saying "I now pronounce that these two have become one, intricately woven by God Himself, Husband and Wife together. Whom therefore God has joined together, let No Man break asunder!"

May it be so between Christ and us, His church.

Sing the Song

Hello, all! I want to post a poem that I wrote a couple of years ago, and had posted on another website. Not being a poet by trade will hopefully excuse any glaring technical faults!

Sing the Song

It's words began a world ago,

When Love was all there was to know

And from His depths all else did flow

Sing the Song.

Then Love reached down with His own hand

And gath'ring up the dust and sand

And mud He shaped the form of man.

Sing the Song.

He then knelt down, and face to face,

Lips to lips, new life did create.

Love's very breath through man did race.

Sing the Song.

So man, with woman as his bride

Was placed by Love to dwell inside

A garden, Eden, Paradise.

Sing the Song.

Then came another, filled with hate

Towards the song of Love so great.

It's melody he must abate

So none could Sing the Song.

A subtle lie, a knowing nod

A wink, a nudge. "You'll be like god!"

And with two bites, man's voice could not

Sing the Song.

In fear, and nakedness of sin

Man lost the song, and empty then

Did Death replace where Love had been

To Sing the Song.

So Love, who once breathed life within

Knew if He would dwell there again

He must, Himself, pay for the sin

And Sing the Song.

If life once came by touching man

Then coming down He would again

Give life, and teach of Love's refrain.

Sing the Song.

Some heard the Song as only noise.

To others just a madman's voice.

Still others felt they had no choice.

They would not Sing the Song.

But some the melody did bring

Their hearts to praise; their voices sing

The Word of Love once more to ring.

And Sing the Song.

The evil one, in mighty rage

That Love would steal his victory stage

With seething hate, he would engage

A plan to kill the Song.

In dark of night, he captured Him

And precious Love took on the sin

That is, will be, and that had been.

And crucified the Song.

Despair came down like darkest night.

The few that sang just ran in fright.

The evil one laughed with delight,

"Now try to sing the Song!".

For three long days, the silence lay

Thick and heavy in dismay

That in a grave our Love did lay.

Silencing the Song.

Then Death itself reversed its course

And rising with a mighty force

The King of Love lifted His voice

And roared out the Song.

The sun and stars now at His feet

At God's right hand He takes His seat

Till His return brings joy complete

And all Sing the Song.

"All hail the true and mighty King!

Salvation to His children bring.

So to the world we all must sing -

SING THE SONG!"

Smoking or Non-Smoking

I took part in an interesting Facebook discussion recently. My friend and singing partner, Susie-Q, posted a wonderful call to choose Christ, ending with the words "Smoking or Non-Smoking?" referring to Hell or Heaven as your eternal destination. One to the responders seemed to take the words a little more literally, saying he wouldn't mind a smoke now and then, but didn't want to burn forever for just making a bad choice. He wanted someone to explain why a person could be doomed eternally for one minor "infraction", and what kind of God could be so harsh. I posted a note back (thanks Susie!) that if it came down to "infractions" we were all toast! The choice was between having Christ come down to heal our hearts and be with us, in spite of the infractions, or having to live eternally without His love and healing.

A fairly simple answer at first look, but the implications are so deep. It's so easy to look at Christianity as a set of rules for living right. Do this, this and this, not that, that and that. But if we start trying to justify our salvation like that, trying to prove we're worth the salvation Christ has given us, we'll go belly up in a hurry. No one is righteous enough to "earn" Heaven . Even the Bible says "...all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". So lets begin with the understanding that when it comes to "Do this, not that", it's a Pass/Fail course, and we ALL fail. Kinda puts all humankind on the same level, doesn't it?

Now, since we are all the aforementioned "toast", what hope does that leave us? In ourselves...nada, zilch, the big goose egg. Nothing. The only one capable of restoring the God/man relationship is the the one that has been offended, God. And since there was no way any of us could reach up to His level, He came down to ours. We tend to think of salvation in terms of forgiving sin, and it is that, but that is really a byproduct of the main thing. You see, when Adam sinned that first sin, what happened was that the relationship between God and man was broken. When Christ offers salvation, He says, "I've missed you. I desire you. I long to be with you, together, eternally, as brother to brother/sister. Please, please come to me, all you that are weary, burdened down, and I will give you rest."

Now, if the things we do are not going to give us salvation, but only accepting Christ, then is it ok to party like it's 1999? Not so fast there! If you've finally come upon the one true love of your life, you're going to do everything possible to make yourself better for your lover, not slack off. But even though we know that we will fail, His love is greater than our failures. Pretty cool, huh? So, "smoking or non-smoking" is about our choice to live with His constant, surrounding, never ending love for eternity, or without that love for eternity. And rather than force that decision upon us, like slaves, He allows us to say "No." How that must tear at His loving heart, yet He abides by our decision. We should never take that Love for granted.

Setting Your Mind

I've been reading a lot lately that speaks of joy. Not a joy that comes after we die, or even at some future time. This joy is a joy that is for now, and not just a little but abundantly! This seems really out there to me, unreachable. Yeah, that would be great, but this is the real world, and that just doesn't happen. Maybe a little rest from the never-ending battle now and then would be good, but joy? Even if it were true, I don't have the time to let myself experience it.

But it is there. JOY. And somehow, we're supposed to have it. Need to have it.

The joy of the LORD is your strength. (Neh. 8:10)

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. (Ps. 4:7)

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

(John 15:11)

There it is, in black and white and red. The Christian life is to be a life of joy. Joy, even in the middle of suffering. Joy, even when there seems to be nothing to hold on to. Joy, even when I can cry out, and it seems all I hear are echoes in a vast wasteland. And deep inside I know that when I don't feel joy, it is not because He is not supplying, but because I'm too busy to receive. I've got that type of personality that says go and go and go until you break down, and that's when God wants you to rest. Trouble is, I don't really believe that. I really do believe that God wants us to rest, and take joy in being with Him, but when I try to rest, I find a dozen different "godley" things that I can be doing, and I substitute doing for Him with being with Him. Now this is not all the time, but it happens a lot more than I would like. Stillness is hard for me. Sometimes, I get stillness when my health acts up and I am forced to be quiet, yet even then I anxiously await being able to get back to "doing".

For me, it's really about breaking the habit of busyness, and learning how to rest in Him. Because that joy comes from Him, and the only way we receive his joy is in intimacy with Him. His plan of redemption was not only for the defeat of satan's hold on us, the defeat of sin. Don't get me wrong, Christ did come to defeat what satan did in the garden of Eden, but another part of that plan was to re-establish that relationship God shared with Adam and Eve in the garden, that intimacy. And that can be scary, because it means, just like Adam and Eve, we will be naked before Him, faults and all. So we refuse the joy we could have, so that we can hide behind our fig leaves, hoping He won't see.

Something I read today may help in getting me to be still a little more. It's in Phillippians.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Imagine if our minds were taken up with these things more often than the normal day to day thought process we have. I really think the things that are inconsequential would begin to drop away, clearing our time up to actually spend time being with and listening to God. And then maybe our joy can be complete. I press on to that goal, often falling, but getting back up again, dusting myself off, and starting again. Will you journey with me?

Light and Dark

What is it about light that fascinates us? If someone shines a flashlight on a wall, someone's hand will immediately form a bird or dog shadow. When someone goes on a astage, a spotlight shines down to announce their presence. When you see a sunrise, even in the gloomiest of settings, somehow your heart lifts into the sky along with the sun. We just feel that, as long as the sun still rises, we still have some hope in this world. Not everything can be dampened by the cares of this world.

As Christians, we see Christ as the "Light of the World". On top of that, we are told to "walk in the Light, as He is in the Light.". Does that mean that all trouble will disappear? No more dark clouds, or pain, or heartache? No, but it does mean that we have something stronger than what the world throws out. Light is stronger than darkness. You walk outside at night, flashlight in hand, and the darkness will move aside for as far as that light will reach. Darkness cannot overcome it. For us in Christ, we walk in His Light, and even with the pain and despair all around, we are safe.

It strikes me as odd, now that I'm on the other side, the people that prefer darkness to Light. It's as if since pain and sorrow are all they've known, they are afraid of what the Light might show them. So many of us are like that, we'd rather go with something familiar, even if painful or sad, rather than take a step out into the unknown. Still others are afraid of what the Light might reveal of them, and they don't want their own darkness revealed. Well, the sins and wounds in our hearts will be revealed, but that is so they can be destroyed. The Light can overcome any darkness, especially that darkness inside of us, no matter what. Let me say that again...NO MATTER WHAT.

I think there are three choices available to us. We can stay in total darkness, and embrace the pain and sadness as our friend. We can shine a flashlight on the wall, but then the joys that we experience are still just shadow images on the wall. Or we take a deep breath, open the door, step outside and look to the sky, and rise with the Son. What do you choose?