Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

Isaiah 51:1-3

There are times we all feel a weakness
Timid, alone, or afraid
Isaiah takes time to remind us to look
To the quarry from which we were made

The promise was given to Abraham
And Sarah shares in it as well
As each year passes the fruit of it grows
Increasing the story to tell

We hear of the story of promise
How God will delight and restore
How those who wait and serve faithful
Will continue to yield even more

Even more fruit of the promise
Beyond we could know how to ask
Even though we may feel unworthy
Or ill equipped for the task

God directs our eyes to the quarry
For Abraham was only one man
Receiving the promise transformed
All things to be part of Gods’ plan

It may take some more chiseling
While continuing to seek the LORD
But take heart and be encouraged today
And great will be our reward

Not that we will gain earthly treasures
Or that God will bless our own nation
But that in His faithful presence
Our Lord brings complete consolation.

A garden will bloom in the desert
The places of pain, joy we’ll find
So for today, hear Gods’ call
Look toward from whom we were mined.

Posted in Different Scriptures, Spoken Word

Exodus 34:1-9, 27-28

It sounds like so much danger
An ominous invitation
To come into His presence
After testing Gods’ own patience

A threat? Or just a promise?
Onto our children’s kin
That parents aren’t the only ones
Impacted by their sin

We will all inherit
Choices made by those before
And from us to our grandchildren
A path we cannot ignore

Moses understood
The patient Love of God
And in the midst of all the heavy words
He includes an encouraging nod

The truth that we inherit something
God has committed onto stone
So Moses helped us remember
Who sits upon the throne.

He who proclaims such heavy words
About what children will receive
Calls us His own children,
If we will only believe…

Posted in Different Moments, Different Scriptures, Different Thoughts, Uncategorized

safety

A few weeks ago, my wife sent me a picture our daughter had drawn.   A stick figure that seems wrapped in a straight jacket, that my wife (because she rocks, naturally) asked our daughter to tell her more about.daddycross

Let me pause for a moment to remind the reader: We’ve had our daughter home from the DR Congo for a bit over a year now.  She’s learned a lot, and grown in so many ways.  One of the sources of her growth has been involvement in church activities and lessons.  A focus of our children’s’ ministry here at Moundford Free Methodist Church last year was to teach the kids about faithful followers of Jesus.  People who suffered for the cause of spreading the good news of the Love of Jesus – even when there were sometimes large prices to pay.

So when our daughter explained the picture to mommy, she shared “It’s daddy, and the mean people tied him up.”  My wife asked why, and she said “Because he was telling people about Jesus.”

It may have just been a silly moment of imagination.   But it may have actually been something in the back of her mind/heart for months now – wondering if and when daddy might actually be taken away or hurt because of how he spends his time telling others about the Love of Jesus.  We’ve assured her, thankfully, daddy doesn’t have to worry about this.  My job is safe (although maybe it should seem more threatening to the powers that be at times?) to do.

It made me incredibly thankful, when I allowed it to settle. Hanging from my door lately is a leather cross made by Coptic Christians in Egypt, given to me by a friend back in college.  It reminds me each day as I walk into my office – how thankful I can be to have a place where my life and work is not threatened each day simply because of Jesus.  It causes me to pause and pray for those for whom “safety” means something so far away and unknown.

I’m thankful my daughter (now) doesn’t have to worry about daddy being hurt or killed by “the mean people” who don’t know about the Love of God.  But there are children globally who aren’t free from that worry.  May we lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer even now, and live lives that strive to not take for granted the freedom we have to proclaim the love & peace of Jesus in the unique ways we’re given…