The Fear Factor

The images that rise when the phrase "fear God" is raised aren't the most accurate. The fear of God is actually the Christian's secret key to wise, fulfilled living. In Exodus 9:9-18, Moses knew the rich reality of what it meant to be in the very presence of God. He went eighty days needing neither food nor water on Mt. Horeb; God spoke to him there as man speaks with man-His revelation, The Ten Commandments. If Moses could comment on His time there with God. I believe He'd say that he felt at ease in God's presence but a little on edge for having tasted of the greatness and grandeur of God. To live in God's fear is to live awakened to the reality that this world is God's space, He sees all, knows all, and is never fooled. It's to live changed by our place in God's space. Our change begins with the revelation we receive for understanding His fear. The everywhere, at every time picture of God we glean leaves us transformed and transported into holy living. His fear makes for remedy it brings us clear vision, it's a place of provision. His fear also makes for rest, for with God on our heart's throne, our cares are as good as owned, we cast them on Him, He cares for us. No better place to live than in Godly fear.

Celebrating my Odessa; we've had a wonderful wedding anniversary

How I love you, for trusting that time and God's plan would weave you together with me, hand in hand
How I love you, for waiting the winding moments through, knowing in time I'd be with you
How I love thee, for pushing aside other options, you loved me alone, saw the day of our nuptials
How I love thee, for daring to seize this clergyman's hand, embracing a future precarious, precipitous, others-centered and grand
How I love thee for resonating a joy that's in reach, you happy hurting hearts with your laughter that heals
Your simplicity yet self-belief allow you to spread healing 
On considering other options, you gave alone gave my life meaning
Your kindness and innocence separated you from the crowd
You will to see His face, be a mirror of God
Your life gives a sheer glimpse of joy lightening duty
You do your work with head wit, but heart grace is your story
As a mother you transfer an in-touch picture of God, above yet in reach, He's a God we can hold 
You lighten the lives of those, meeting yours lost in their shadows 
You pour healing oil into their murky mud puddles
You immerse me daily in your radiant, sweet smile, you add luster to my life through the madness of life's miles
You simplify me in my sophistication, ease my frustration
Run me playfully through our house, tickling me till it hurts
You encourage me each moment with your heart that believes 
You trust in our future, you believe God is for me 
Your passion to live true to His change in you is infectious
As others follow, they'll glow as they relish His radiance
A life, aglow and alive, you luminesce His love
Your hearty, rich life is a gift from above.

Time to live linked in to Christ

I've had much food for thought over the last couple days. Rick Warren said, "It's easier to fight for truth than to live it. It's why there are more defenders (of truth) than disciples." There's much debate over what the primary attribute of God is, whether holiness or love. Today, I'd like to place my ballot for both. The Bible beckons us to be pure in heart but pregnant with love. I'm learning that my need in life moments is more holiness and more love, for just as purity is power in my life, love is strength for my living. It takes a pure heart to show perfect love; but it takes a heart that loves God to have a heart that loves others. Our call is to live as apprentices would live in relation to their teachers, connected at the hip, in our relationship to Christ; following Him wholeheartedly, regardless of our feelings, our enemies, and our "rights." We need to be intentional about raising our bar of discipleship, for living snug close to Jesus, is the best defense and witness to the resurrection life of Jesus within us. As our focus is on living close to Christ and not on our outward expressions of spirituality; we find ourselves aglow with the light and life of Christ. It's then that people listen to our words of faith and truth. I'm passionate about a renewed heart to live as Christ's follower, one in love and truth.
"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Eph. 3:19 (NLT)

Dealing with someone who is a pain to you?

My wife has a way of looking at my son with her pure heart and telling him, "Don't let one of those girls break your heart." I used to tell my little one the same things too, but life has taught me that heartbreak is God's primary mentoring tool in our lives. Our growth is forged in the fire of interpersonal relationships. I believe relationships are the medium God uses most to procure growth in our lives. God has a way of bringing people into our lives, who seem gifted at making us happiest and angriest all at the same time, whether it be a spouse, acquaintance, boss, or close relation. God tests, refines, and transforms us in the hot pot of relating to "stupid" people. You may say, "Why did you allow this person into my life. I feel akin to the devil for having to relate closely to them." Well, had that person not been allowed in your life, you may have been best friends with the prison guards, for doing something, which may have cost you your personal freedom. As they tried your faith, your treasure chest of patience, experience, and love unashamed was loaded (Rom. 5:3-5). Each new person God brings into our lives is a rainbow of dark and bright; they are God's messengers to mull and shape us into the image of His seamless Son. The Bible speaks clearly to our need to allow love to control in how we are with others (2 Cor. 5:14). We don't have to feel like we can love the seeming (messengers of Satan) God brings our way; we just need love them, dominated by a greater love (James 1:12). At the very least, we can love them for the better person they are making of us. Pray for me as you pray for you that God will help you accept the people gifts He brings your way, leaving you filled with His love to love them on purpose. This one's from deep within me, hope it helped you. People will lie about you to make themselves look better, they'll seem more interested in what you have to give than you; if our focus is on any thing less than their standing as creations of almighty God, hand-picked to grow us in our journey; we'll not allow God's love to control in our interactions with them.

Are all your friendships superficial or do you have close friends?

The love of Jesus is nothing short of boundless. When Christ condescended from heaven's portals to walk our mile; He came with one purpose, to show us the bond between Him and the Father so that we'd see our desperation apart from a personal relationship with God. Christ and the Father were one in their close union. How about you? Do you have a close friend? One you can bear your feelings to without fear of embarrassment, judgment, or betrayal. We drove our closest friends to LAX today. As we dropped them off we felt as if we lost them, though they're gone for just two weeks. I believe the reason we feel as we do is because they listen open-mindedly, there is nothing we can tell them which demeans their view and love of us, they share generously, there is nothing within reason you should withhold from those you love; but they hold to us closely, to be near those you love is to reveal who you really are and see parts of others that don't always rub you the right way. But, to be near the beauty and rust of others gives us a vision of how we want to be accepted and loved, simply for who we are. Genuine friendship provides an avenue to be yourself but Biblical friendship refines you as we are lovingly led to rid the rust in our lives, which makes us difficult to be around.