Thursday, February 24, 2005

kiss me

Lord Jesus, I need your tender kiss.

"May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth!
For your love is better than wine.

"Your oils have a pleasing fragrance,
Your name is like purified oil;
Therefore the maidens love you.

"Draw me after you and let us run together!
The king has brought me into his chambers."

- The Song of Solomon 1:2-4

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Monday, January 24, 2005

father bursting

"This is the best of good news: God loves us for ourselves. He values our love more than He values galaxies of new created worlds. He remembers our frame and knows that we are dust.

"The God we love may sometimes chasten us, it is true. But even this He does with a smile - the proud, tender smile of a Father who is bursting with pleasure over an imperfect but promising son who is coming every day to look more and more like the One whose child he is.

"We should revel in the joy of believing that God is the sum of all patience and the true essence of kindly good will. We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections and believing that He understands everything - and loves us still."

- A.W. Tozer, Whatever Happened to Worship?, p 29.

Live free! Live in Father's love!

January snowfall in Lancaster County, PA Posted by Hello

Saturday, January 22, 2005

breathless adoration

"There is the point of reality where we begin our fellowship and friendship and communion with God. But where we stop no man has yet discovered, for there is in the mysterious depths of the Triune God neither limit nor end.

"When we come into this sweet relationship, we are beginning to learn astonished reverence, breathless adoration, awesome fascination, lofty admiration of the attributes of God and something of the breathless silence that we know when God is near.

"You may never have realized it before, but all of those elements in our perception and consciousness of the divine Presence add up to what the Bible calls 'the fear of God.'

"What we need to plainly recognize is that the fear of God the Bible commends can never be induced by threats or punishment of any kind."

- A.W. Tozer, Whatever Happened to Worship?, p 30.

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

islam

"Since the horrendous events of September 11, 2001, anti-Muslim attitudes have increased among most Americans. Within the Christian community, prominent spokespersons have used inflammatory remarks to feed negativism toward Islam. One television evangelist has called Islam an 'evil religion.' Another of America's best-known evangelists has gone on record declaring Islam to be wicked.

"Christian missionaries serving in Islamic countries find themselves increasingly threatened by Muslims who react to such accusations by viewing these missionaries as people who despise them. It is no surprise that in some places, Muslim extremists have physically attacked and even killed missionaries.

"On simply pragmatic grounds, we have to ask what good we accomplish with such inflammatory rhetoric. And we have to ask if those outspoken Christian leaders who claim to be committed to winning Muslims to Christ have given any consideration to the possibility that their accusations might make Muslims even more resistant to the Christian gospel.

"At just about every missionary conference I attend, the speakers talk about the need to evangelize those who live within 'the 10/40 window.' This is a reference to that part of the world between 10 degrees and 40 degrees north of the equator, which covers North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

"What evangelicals have to recognize is that the majority of the people who live within that 10/40 window are Muslims. And if we really want to evangelize them, we had better find ways to show love to them rather than wage war against them. To that end, we must critique our rhetoric about Muslims, study who they are and what they believe, and seek out common ground for a creative dialogue in which we can tell them about Jesus and His salvation."

- Tony Campolo, Speaking My Mind, pp 138-141.

...God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.... (1 Timothy 2:3-6)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood.... (Ephesians 6:12)

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Monday, January 17, 2005

muslim

What a beautiful testimony of the Father's heart for a young Muslim -

"Suddenly a breakthrough of hope flooded me. Suppose, just suppose God were like a father. If my earthly father would put aside everything to listen to me, wouldn't my heavenly Father? ...Shaking with excitement, I got out of bed, sank to my knees on the rug, looked up to heaven and in a rich new understanding called God 'My Father.' I was not prepared for what happened.

"Suddenly the room wasn't empty any more. He was there! I could sense His presence. I could feel His hand laid gently on my head. It was as if I could see His eyes, filled with love and compassion. He was so close that I found myself laying my head on His knees like a little girl sitting at her father's feet. For a long time I knelt there sobbing quietly, floating in His love. I found myself talking with Him, apologizing for not having known Him before. And again came His loving compassion like a warm blanket settling around me.... I reached over to the bedside table where I kept the Bible and the Koran side by side. I picked up both books and lifted them, one in each hand. 'Which, Father?' I said. 'Which is your book?'

"Then a remarkable thing happened. Nothing like it had ever occurred in my life in quite this way. For I heard a voice inside my being, a voice that spoke to me as clearly as if I were repeating words in my inner mind. They were fresh, full of kindness, yet at the same time full of authority. It asked, 'In which book do you meet Me as your Father?'"

- Bilquis Sheikh, I Dared to Call Him Father: The Miraculous Story of a Muslim Woman's Encounter With God.

In light of the Father's heart, what should our heart be towards those who call themselves "Muslim"?

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Sunday, January 16, 2005

father's pleasure

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

He is also head of the body, the church;

and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross;

- Colossians 1:15-20

It was the Father's good pleasure to reconcile you to Himself through His beloved Son, Jesus! How much more does the Father take pleasure in the fruit of that reconciliation - an intimate, ongoing relationship with you!

"We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections, and believing that He understands everything and loves us still."

- A.W. Tozer, The Root of the Righteous, p 16.

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Friday, January 14, 2005

next

This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children.

- Romans 8:15,16, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

his mercy

"Run into My mercy!"

These are the words the Father spoke through a dear brother last night. When we've failed, when we've fallen, when there seems to be no hope - "Run into My mercy!"

But the Father, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were lost in our transgressions, (Ephesians 2:4-5a)

Even at our worst, love and mercy flow freely from the Father's heart.

Live free! Live in Father's love and mercy!

Saturday, January 08, 2005

no fear

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

- 1 John 4:18

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Thursday, January 06, 2005

no rules

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.

- Galatians 2:21, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language.

Live free! Live in Father's love!

Tuesday, January 04, 2005

father's heart

"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.'" - Luke 15:31

"We have here two things describing the privilege: First, 'Son, thou art ever with me' - unbroken fellowship with thy Father is thy portion; Second, 'All that I have is thine' - all that God can bestow upon His children is theirs."

"'Thou are ever with me;' I am always near thee; thou canst dwell every hour of thy life in My presence, and all I have is for thee. I am a father, with a loving father’s heart. I will withhold no good thing from thee. In these promises, we have the rich privilege of God’s heritage."

- Andrew Murray, The Deeper Christian Life, Chapter II.

Sunday, January 02, 2005

i believe

Here's a "less is more" challenge for the new year:

State your "theology" in ten words or less. Here's mine -

1. Father is great!

2. Father is good!

3. Father loves me!

Saturday, December 25, 2004

the gift

"So deep and passionate was the Father's love for ALL of humanity, that He freely gave His only Son, that whoever trusts in Him will never perish, but live in the Father's presence forever."

- Jesus, John 3:16, paraphrased.

Wednesday, December 22, 2004

living

Excerpts from Wayne Jacobsen's Blog at Lifestream.org:

"We have to remind ourselves and each other that Christianity is a life lived in Father’s reality. It is not at its root a theological system, though it does have a coherent theology. It is not primarily an ethical system, though it will teach us to live in God’s righteousness. It is not observing rituals or ethical mandates. We live the life of Christ as we learn to abide in him, like a branch in a vine. He yearns to teach you how to do that. All you have to do is ask him, lean into him every day and watch his glory sort out in the real experiences of your life."

"Live each day to the fullest. There will never be a day when God will love you more. There will never be a day when more grace is available to you. Too many people waste time pining away for a future that never comes or envisioning a future revival instead of living deeply in God each day they are alive. Religion has to keep you hoping for a better day, but knowing God lets you live every day in the adventure of following him."

- Taken from "A Life Lived, Not A Theology Observed" (June 10, 2004) and "Sharing the Journey With An Elder Brother" (July 5, 2004).

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

freedom

Excerpts from an email to a friend discussing the Father's work in my life:

As far as what the Lord is teaching me, I think it can be summed up in two words: Father and Freedom.

Father: I have been brought back continually by the Holy Spirit to the simplicity of a day by day, moment by moment, living relationship with My Father. He is to be my continual Life and all in all. He is the only One I need to please. I need only walk with Him, hand in hand, spirit to Spirit. He will make known to me the path of life and in His Presence there are surely pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).

Freedom: My relationship with Father releases me to walk in complete freedom, knowing that I need only walk with Him in love and simplicity. Walking with Him, I am free from the expectations of others (whether it be individuals, groups, or movements). I need only speak what I hear Him speaking. I need only do what I see Him doing. I am free from the compulsion to "be something great" or "do something great" for God. I am free to follow Him wherever He leads. Of course, this freedom will be challenged and tested, but this freedom is in Him and He is in me, so ultimately no one can touch it. It's not that I am even looking for freedom or desiring freedom, it's that when I walk in simplicity with Father, I have it in Him.

Monday, December 20, 2004

elder son

"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.'" - Luke 15:31

"The words of the text are familiar to us all. The elder son had complained and said, that though his father had made a feast, and had killed the fatted calf for the prodigal son, he had never given him even a kid that he might make merry with his friends. The answer of the father was: 'Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.' One cannot have a more wonderful revelation of the heart of our Father in heaven than this points out to us. We often speak of the wonderful revelation of the father’s heart in his welcome to the prodigal son, and in what he did for him. But here we have a revelation of the father’s love far more wonderful, in what he says to the elder son."

- Andrew Murray, The Deeper Christian Life, Chapter II.

Saturday, December 18, 2004

Friday, December 17, 2004

fellowship

Excerpts from an email to a friend discussing the Father's leading in regards to fellowship:

I have seen over the past several months that as I walk with Father, He connects me with those of like heart and mind, completely apart from any planning or effort on my part. It just happens. Even though I see "house church" as a nice form/method for "doing church," I see that WE are truly "the church" and that as we are vitally connected to the Head, we will be connected by Him with those of like heart and mind. I see myself as part of one huge family - the Body of Christ - that cannot and will not be contained and restrained by the man-made barriers of groups, movements, and denominations.

In regards to our fellowship, the Lord is teaching me to completely release and lay down all expectations I have of others, my relationships with others, and even "house church" or "fellowship." I am to release others to follow the Lord as their heart leads. I am to embrace, accept, and love them as my brothers and sisters. Whereas six months ago, I would have been crushed if our "house church" had disbanded or ceased to meet, now I have a peace that the Lord will build His church whatever the outward circumstances. I don't doubt that I was looking to "house church" or our "fellowship" to meet needs in me that the Lord is jealous to meet. Now I know that whatever happens with our house church/fellowship, the Lord will connect me with dear brothers and sisters or send me out into a desert/wilderness with Him - it's ALL good when it's Him and when He's our Life and Source - when He has preeminence in all things.

I'm also seeing that it's NOT about house church, liquid church, emerging church, simple church, organic church, relational church, 24/7 prayer, worship, intercession, warfare, the Bible, prophecy, healing, deliverance, revival, etc. It's about Him and Him alone. He alone is enough!

Thursday, December 16, 2004

bible study

Excerpts from an email to a friend discussing the Father's leading in regards to studying "difficult" passages in the Bible:

In light of the Lord's current leading in my life, I don't feel an obligation to "reckon with" every one of the words that are written in the Bible in hopes of resolving every "difficulty" or "seeming contradiction." I don't feel obliged to compare specific verses of Scripture related to Calvinism and Arminianism in hopes of reconciling them. The Lord may be requiring that of you at this point in your journey, but I can honestly say with a clear conscience, that He is not requiring it of me.

Likewise, at this point in my journey, the Lord is not requiring me to wrestle with or explain difficult passages. I don't feel the need or the calling from God to square particular verses of Scripture with my "theology."

I am content to simply walk hand in hand with My Father, trusting that He will reveal all good things to me in His time. One of the verses of Scripture that rings loud and true to me right now is Psalm 36:9 - "For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light we see light." Amen! Simply being with Him, resting in His Presense, captivated by His wondrous beauty - that is LIFE to me right now. In the Light of His Presense, He will reveal to me ALL that I need to know and understand about Him.

My passion is to know Him and love Him more deeply, and the Scriptures are definitely a means of grace for me in accomplishing this goal as they reveal the beauty of His nature and character.