Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Beautiful Thing
Mark 14 records the story of Christ being anointed by a woman. A similar story is recorded in Mt. 26 and Lu. 7. Everytime I encounter this episode, my heart is challenged. It was at a critical time in the life of Jesus. It was an invasion of a situation that was stale with hypocrisy and selfishness. It was beautiful and stands in stark contrast to the selfishness and sin that surrounded Christ. It was true worship, and the Father is seeking worshipers. The Father is seeking the beautiful. The heart that is humble before Him. An aroma filled the house that made many uncomfortable. Words escape me concerning this picture; however, the Holy Spirit always uses it to search my heart, expose my motives, and question my authenticity. That she was willing to be so brave, transparent, and vulnerable. That she was willing to appear foolish, and to take such a risk to honor Christ. I have a hard time lifting my arms in praise of Christ in corporate worship. In preaching in different churches each week, it seems hard for people to step forward and come to a place of prayer. It seems as if we are stuck, entrenched, and afraid of what others might think. If there is going to be a revival in the church in America, the church must do something beautiful. We must humble ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to lift us up. We must, through the work of the Holy Spirit, become true worshipers. My prayer is that in the end, the life I live in this flesh will have been something beautiful for the Lord.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Our Father
Tomorrow my oldest daughter gets married. She is a beautiful young woman, and has chosen a first class young man for her husband. It has been an awesome responsibility being the 'man' in her life during these years. My shortcomings and failures in that task, point to our need to be intimately connected with our Father in heaven. Sometimes human failure creates a barrier to the development of that relationship. The good news is, the Father in heaven has gone to the most extreme measures to reveal Himself. He opened wide his heart through the Son. All the barriers were removed, and whosoever will may come. His heart is wide open. It is a heart full of grace and mercy. This holy Father embraces us in our darkest hour and promises to transform us into the image of His Son. As Jesus said, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father."
What a picture Christ brought into focus! Let's move through our excuses, barriers, and selfishness and seek to know our Father in heaven. That relationship is life to the fullest.
What a picture Christ brought into focus! Let's move through our excuses, barriers, and selfishness and seek to know our Father in heaven. That relationship is life to the fullest.
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Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Beautiful Thing
Mark 14 records the story of Christ being anointed by a woman. A similar story is recorded in Mt. 26 and Lu. 7. Everytime I encounter this episode, my heart is challenged. It was at a critical time in the life of Jesus. It was an invasion of a situation that was stale with hypocrisy and selfishness. It was beautiful and stands in stark contrast to the selfishness and sin that surrounded Christ. It was true worship, and the Father is seeking worshipers. The Father is seeking the beautiful. The heart that is humble before Him. An aroma filled the house that made many uncomfortable. Words escape me concerning this picture; however, the Holy Spirit always uses it to search my heart, expose my motives, and question my authenticity. That she was willing to be so brave, transparent, and vulnerable. That she was willing to appear foolish, and to take such a risk to honor Christ. I have a hard time lifting my arms in praise of Christ in corporate worship. In preaching in different churches each week, it seems hard for people to step forward and come to a place of prayer. It seems as if we are stuck, entrenched, and afraid of what others might think. If there is going to be a revival in the church in America, the church must do something beautiful. We must humble ourselves before the Lord and ask Him to lift us up. We must, through the work of the Holy Spirit, become true worshipers. My prayer is that in the end, the life I live in this flesh will have been something beautiful for the Lord.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Our Father
Tomorrow my oldest daughter gets married. She is a beautiful young woman, and has chosen a first class young man for her husband. It has been an awesome responsibility being the 'man' in her life during these years. My shortcomings and failures in that task, point to our need to be intimately connected with our Father in heaven. Sometimes human failure creates a barrier to the development of that relationship. The good news is, the Father in heaven has gone to the most extreme measures to reveal Himself. He opened wide his heart through the Son. All the barriers were removed, and whosoever will may come. His heart is wide open. It is a heart full of grace and mercy. This holy Father embraces us in our darkest hour and promises to transform us into the image of His Son. As Jesus said, "If you have seen me you have seen the Father."
What a picture Christ brought into focus! Let's move through our excuses, barriers, and selfishness and seek to know our Father in heaven. That relationship is life to the fullest.
What a picture Christ brought into focus! Let's move through our excuses, barriers, and selfishness and seek to know our Father in heaven. That relationship is life to the fullest.
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