When Jesus says No

I hate hearing "no." Most of us do, more than we would admit. As kids we ask away- for this thing or that thing- fearless of the answer. But as adults we begin to pick and choose, avoiding questions we might not like the answers to, in other words: avoiding "no's."
But then there's Jesus. "Whatever you ask in my name, believing, you will receive." I like that. The deep wants of a pure heart and renewed mind, those God-centered desires; surely we can come to Jesus asking for such, confident of his yes.

But then Jesus says... no.

Ouch. Now what? Maybe get mad- or sad.

This morning I found myself in John 13. It starts with Jesus washing the disciples feet. Picture it- So intimate, so close, flesh on flesh. A tangible Jesus.
How I want to be close to you, Lord. As a professional worship leader you would think I know something about intimacy with Jesus, at least it stands to reason I would. But this morning all I could feel was disatisfaction and distance. Like talking on a telphone line, when all you really want is to be in the room with that person. It wears on you. I promise you, it does.
Just to see my Lord, feel him, know his touch, oh that's what I want...
...an encounter with Emanuel, "God with Us," darn-it!
If you read on in John13 verse 33-35 say this:

"Dear children, how brief are these moments before I must go away and leave you! Then, though you search for me, you cannot come to me- just as I told the Jewish leaders. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

T: Jesus, I just want to see you, I long to be where you are.
The Lord: No.
T: ...what?
The Lord: No. You can't be with me right now. Not like that. Not yet.
T: But Lord... what will I do? I desire it so much. To be in your presence. To feel you. To love you.
The Lord: I want you to focus on that feeling, that ache in your stomach, that desire. Now go outside... Now love others with it.
T: (sighing and tearful) Okay... I'll try.

Love Him? ...then love each other.

ps. I still hate "no's."

Knocked up

I've been told that if "non-church goers" are gonna show up for church at all Christmas & Easter Sundays are two days to expect them. So I looked around the congregation this morning to see if it was true. Did you notice any new faces at your corps this morning? To be honest, I couldn't tell ( ...but I am kind of new at my place.)
What I can report is a strong SALVATION message was preached! Like many times before I started out with the preacher, heard something that stirred me, and spun out into thought- preaching my own sermon inside my head. Is that normal?

It ended up like this:

Mary, a virgin (a VIIIIRRGIN) was miraculously impregnated by God with Jesus! This bonafied miracle, this cornerstone doctrine of Christian faith- the literal seed of God being placed inside a women -is a truth most of us don't spend enough time thinking about. But lets be fair. As great as it is (and I do love singing the christmas carols), we are not the only religion that espouses a virgin birth. Could it be that an even more astounding miracle than the virgin birth two thousand years ago is God's desire...to do it again?!

John 1:12,13 "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan-this rebirth comes from God."

Do you know that God is longing to "overshadow" you (and me) with his Spirit and impregnate us with His life. No result of human passion or plan, but like with the virgin Mary- God the Father reaches down by His Spirit and places the life of his Son inside us, "the life that gives light to everyone"(Jn1:4). As Christians we are literally pregnant with a life not our own, yet given to us by God. This short stay on earth is almost like carrying the Life inside us to term... the difference being that the life He gives us will never be taken away. Instead we become one with that Life, like God is one with Himself. That sure makes John 17 a little easier to understand: "I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are- I in them and you in me, all perfected into one."(v22,23)

This puts a whole-new spin on: good pre-natal care, sonograms, and even abortion. As I sit here pondering it all, I place my hand on my belly and listen. Could that be the heart beat of Jesus in me?

giants

Been a soldier in TSA for 18 years. (...Junior soldiership counts, too, at least to God it does!) I began to seek Jesus on my own only 8 years ago. Scary, but true. Thank you Lord for sticking with me! Of course... that left a big window of time and opportunity for the devil to invade and make camp in my soul.

Now when Jesus comes into your heart he accepts you just as you are. But he also immediately begins to prepare you for a counter offensive. It's like D-day for your soul, and the prize is "abundant life." Like Joshua crossing the Jordan, Jesus leads us back to a land that is rightfully ours, but still occupied by ungodliness, shame, and fear (bunch of squatters!)
Apathy, lust, and man-pleasing/fearing have been the "giants in my promise land." [want to know the secret to killing giants: Step 1. knock 'em down, Step 2. cut their heads off. works every time.]
"Be strong and courageous!" Meet those giants in the field head-on. Tell 'em to go to Hell. The victory is closer than you think!

1 John 5:4- "For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory."
Hallelujah!
ONE FREE MAN

Fresh start

Welcome to my little corner of the BLOG world! I wouldn't have guessed when I woke up this morning that I'd be throwing my "hat in the ring" and starting a blog... But I believe this whole blog phenomenon is about more than just other people reading what you think. I think it's about YOU reading what you think. There's something about the act of putting your heart on paper...getting your thoughts out of that swirling head... and right in front of you in black in white.

I've been thinking a lot about death the last couple days. Seems to me that remembering "that heart inside of you is going to stop one day" is a healthy thought. It puts the day's agenda in perspective. Not just what you're doing that day, but more importantly why you're doing it. [When the devil loses his sway over our actions, I think he attacks our motives.] God says we're all gonna stand before Him and give an account. I got a feeling He's going to ask a lot more "why" questions then "what" questions. Every day I get up, I want to have that sorted out ahead of time so I won't have be searching for an answer when I see Him face to face.

Jesus is King!
ONE FREE MAN