Fat Man's Religion

NEW HOPE

2011-12-08T10:31:00.006-05:00

In addition to the mission, I volunteer at a weekly R.E.A.C.H. meeting.

Reach

Every

Addict with

Christ’s

Help.

The weekly REACH meeting walks attendees through a series of discussions about the nature of addiction, how it takes control of our lives, and how Christ can deliver us from this horrible affliction.

Last week a young girl came to the meeting for the first time. She was a mess. We spent nearly the whole hour and a half letting her vent frustrations and cry. Her marriage had failed. She had lost custody of her only son. But she checked herself into a rehab center 4 months earlier and had gotten herself cleaned up. She had even regained custody of her son. Her mother, however, was still hurt and distrustful, which is understandable. But after all her efforts to get clean and regain custody of her son, this distrust really hurt.

There were many, painful tears.

It was a gut wrenching meeting.

Among other things, she made several comments about being really distrustful of Christians because of what she said she went through at home as a child even though her parents were regular church goers. Still, we were straight with her that we believe Jesus is real and that, regardless of her experiences, He is the answer. But mostly she just cried and vented. And we prayed and encouraged.

I’ve known this girl ever since she was in high school. She is well known in our little community, comes from a family with a solid reputation, and basically had everything going for her. But drugs and drug addiction penetrate every section of our society. No family is immune. No one is immune. It’s devastating. And this poor child’s life, like so many others, had been destroyed.

It broke my heart.

But there was something in the midst of all her tears and pain. According to her, her father had been an abusive alcoholic even though he was a “Christian”. But she noted several times that now he was the one who seemed to really understand her addiction. And he was the one who seemed to really care about her and her recovery. And he was genuine about it. He had changed.

She came into the meeting last night and you could hardly tell she was the same girl. Her dad had asked her to go to church with him Sunday. She didn’t want to go, wasn’t interested at all. But she said she had basically been cooped up at the house since she got out of rehab and didn’t have anything else to do. So she got ready and went with him.

She said it hit her as soon as she walked into the door of the church house. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She could barely contain the tears. She noticed her dad noticing her as if he knew she was “under conviction”. She said she tried to distract herself by playing with her son. But she couldn’t get past it.

When the preacher asked, she said she same as dropped her little boy and almost ran to the altar! She said she prayed for mercy and cried and cried and cried and probably screamed some, too! I was moved to tears hearing her tell about it. I later laughed with her and joked that her son probably hadn’t bounced his second bounce off the floor by the time she was half way to the altar.

Thank You, Jesus !!!!!!!

What an amazing change when you say “Yes” to Jesus and let Him take away the weight of all your burdens. Her entire countenance had changed. Like I said, she didn’t even look like the same girl. There’s a physical change as well as a change of heart when the weight of the world is lifted off of your shoulders.

Lay down your burden

I will carry you

My child, my child

There’s a glow. The smile is so much more real and deep and contagious. They eyes aren’t hiding anything anymore. Hope jumps out from you. Joy spills all over everyone around you. Heaven has been tasted.

Heaven is here now

He’s all around us

Heaven is Jesus

The moment we meet

She encouraged everyone at the meeting last night with an overwhelming enthusiasm.

Thank You, Jesus !!!!!!!

I know trials will come. Addiction had its hooks deeply in her. It will try to draw her back into that world of darkness. There will be many challenging troubles ahead. But she has taken the first step. She said “Yes” when Jesus asked “May I come in?”

Christ will surely be with her through any and all of the troubles and trials she will surely face.

But right now, let’s rejoice with this young girl who, for the first time in years, has had her guilt and shame lifted and has hope for her future.

Hallelujah !!!!!!!

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You, Jesus. THANK YOU, JESUS !!!!!!!

The Encounter

2011-09-14T11:38:00.007-04:00

I stumbled across a movie called The Encounter on Netflix last night. It's one of those low budget, B-Movie-feeling kind of movies put out by Christian groups that don't have the multi-hundreds-of-millions-of-dollars kinds of budgets that many Hollywood movie companies enjoy. So, yes, it has that low budget feel to it.

But thank God Christian groups keep producing these movies. By the way, they're getting better at it. And apparently there's an emerging market for this kind of material. We're seeing more and more uplifting, openly Christian offerings. The 2011 movie, Soul Surfer, is a recent example of an openly Christian movie with higher production values and more recognizable actors.

Hallelujah !!!!!!!

But back to The Encounter: I loved this movie. I encourage anyone and everyone to watch it. I kept getting the overwhelming feeling in my heart that this kind of message is what I'M supposed to be sharing with people.

Lord Jesus, I pray You continue to encourage my heart toward You. Help me, Lord, to share Your wonderful love and the incredible good news of Your mercy to anyone and everyone who needs to hear it. Fill me with Your spirit so I can share this blessed peace with everyone around me. Prepare the way before me, God. Give me the words to say and a humble spirit with which to deliver them. Live in me, Jesus, so that my life becomes Your message, Lord.

Amen

Then this morning I see K-LOVE's Encouraging Word for the day is:

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. (Phil 2:13 NLT)

Hmmm ...

\o/

The Promise - The Martins

2011-09-07T14:07:00.002-04:00

The Promise - by The Martins

What a promise !!!!!!!

Thank You, Jesus !!!!

I so need Your strength right now, Lord. I need to know my wretched self is somehow, unbelievably loved by You; accepted by You; kept by You. Hold me, Jesus. Love me, Lord. Comfort me, Precious Savior. Help me let go of myself, my guilt, my shame, my weariness. Help me accept Your love and mercy. Help me fall into You, Lord, and live in Your wonderment once again. You are an incredible friend, Lord Jesus. Help me remember that. Help me trust You, Lord. Help me to relax and rest in Your grace. Help me to walk in You, God.

Thank You, Jesus.

What if God Stopped Covering us with His Grace?

2011-08-29T16:55:00.000-04:00

The preacher asked yesterday, "Where would we be if God said, 'Tomorrow I will stop covering you with My grace. Tomorrow you will receive justice.'?"

Indeed.

Sometiimes all we can do is stand ...

2011-08-24T13:09:00.000-04:00

We fight. We struggle. We worry. We believe. We doubt. We wait. We manipulate. We do everything we can think of to make things as best as we can imagine they ought to be.

Then we realize we have no power, no ability to make things work out like we want them to. It's frustrating. It's discouraging. It's lonely.

That's where I am right now. But you know what? Even though I don't really like the "feeling", it's a very good place to be. Because it's right here in our weakness and inability that we find God. It's when we have no other choice but to rely on Christ that we see His love for us.

Father, let me stand in Your grace. Let me trust You. Let me believe You. Let me know Your presence, Your love, Your provision for me. Prepare me, Lord, to be Your vessel. Make me able to stand. Give me strength in You, Lord God Almighty.

Amen.

Ephesians 6:10-20 KJV)

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Beautiful

2011-08-22T11:50:00.000-04:00

I saw something truly beautiful yesterday.

My wife and I visited a tiny Enterprise Baptist Church waaaaaay out in the country. Some friends of mine go there. They are awesome, so I thought we'd worship with them some. Know what I mean?

A shy, young man with a truly gifted, beautiful voice sang with his grandfather while his grandfather played guitar. The grandfather also has a good voice. But his shaky hands only occasionally found the right chords on his guitar. And his effrots to change chords often threw off their timing.

You would expect a boy this age (I don't know, somewhere between 17 and 20 I guess) to be embarrassed. Yet he kindly waited for his Papaw to catch up (or finally give up finding the right chord) and sang right along with the old man without a hint embarrassment or impatience.

That, my friends, is beautiful !!!!!!!

What You say goes, God, and Stays

2011-08-15T13:19:00.000-04:00

Psalm 119:89-91 (The Message)

What you say goes, God,
      and stays, as permanent as the heavens.
Your truth never goes out of fashion;
      it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.
Your Word and truth are dependable as ever;
      that's what you ordered—you set the earth going.

Submission and Authority

2011-08-11T14:15:00.004-04:00

I've never been there, but I occasionally catch a TV broadcast from the Southland Christian Church in Lexington, KY. And I usually like it a lot. Especially when Mike Breaux is doing the teaching.

Here's a clip of a recent study he did on Submission and Authority.

I caught the segment starting at about the 5:00 minute mark in the video one Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church. When he talked about the difference between the worldly view of authority and submission versus Christ's view I was blown away.

I had never put those exact thoughts together in my own mind. But I immediately recognized the aspect of Jesus that Mike is talking about here is the aspect of our Lord that truly changed my life.

Christ starts with love and acceptance. I promise you, there is no other way I could have been reached. I was so guilty. I was so filthy. I was so unable to make myself right. Honestly, I was near the point of giving up on Christianity because I just knew I could never be that good.

Then Jesus came. It was the voice of a radio preacher that plowed the ground and opened my heart at that moment. But then Jesus came and spoke to me.

"I know you," He said. "I have always known you. I know the very worst parts about you. I have always known them."

"I know you can't make yourself good. I know you stumble and fall many, many times over the same issues. I have always known that. I know the shame you hold in your heart. I know how you struggle. I knew it before you ever came to Me."

And He brought to my mind all that I am most ashamed of, all that I struggle with the most, my deepest, darkest me. There I was, exposed, naked, vulnerable, and ashamed before the God of all Creation. There was no defense. There was no excuse, only guilt. I cannot put my shame into words.

Then He said, "I love you anyway. I died on the cross for you anyway. This is why I have come for you; to set you free from all this sin and from all your guilt."

"I know the worst about you. I love you anyway."

That has become my anthem.

Thank You, Jesus !!!!! Thank You, precious Lord, for Your mercy, Your love, Your kindness, Your tenderness, Your acceptance !!!!!

Hallelujah !!!!!!!

\o/

Father, Let us Walk in Your Way

2011-08-08T09:27:00.002-04:00

Colossians 1:9-14

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

2011-08-08T08:57:00.003-04:00

Rich Mullins - All the Way My Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies?
Who through life has been my guide
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort
Ere by faith in Him to dwell
For I know whate'er fall me
Jesus doeth all things well

All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me
Though a spirit joy I see

And all the way my Savior leads me
Oh, the fullness of His love
Perfect rest in me is promised
In my Father's house above
When my spirit clothed immortal
Wings it's flight through the realms of the day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way

Note:

It just came to my attention that this song was written by Fanny Crosby.

I Will Sing ...

2011-08-08T08:42:00.001-04:00

Romans 15:3b, 4, 6 (The Message)

... Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. ... Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

Rich Mullins "I Will Sing"

I will sing for the meek
For those who pray with their very lives for peace
Though they're in chains for a higher call
Their mourning will change into laughter when the nations fall

In spirit poor
In mercy rich
They hunger for Your righteousness
Their hearts refined in the purity
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing
Lord let me shine for them
Lord let me sing

Godlieness with Contentment

2011-08-05T10:08:00.002-04:00

Godliness with contentment is great gain. (I Tim 6:6)

Why is it so hard for us to be satisfied with what we have and where we are right now ???

Help us, Lord. Teach us like You did Paul to know how to be satisfied no matter the circumstances.

Can I Be With You

2011-08-02T13:17:00.005-04:00

Jesus spoke to my heart on the way home the other night. It wasn't one of those clear, to-the-point things. This time it was just a general feeling. Yet the overall message was very clear and very reassuring.

"The things you are losing need to be gone. The things you are gaining are making you more complete in Me."

I'm coming through a really rough couple of years. The pain of going through this fire is intense. But I'm coming through. I'm not the same man I was. And I like what I'm becoming.

I know Jesus better and more assuredly than I ever have. I need Him now - and I KNOW I need Him now - more than ever before. I'm beginning to understand, experience, and live the joy of knowing what it is to be completely helpless and dependent on Jesus Christ.

Lord I pray You continue Your work in me. Lord I pray You burn out all that is unlike You. Lord I pray You build me up with all that is pure and true and breathe Your life into me. And Lord I pray, can I be with You?

Rich Mullins - Be With You

Everybody each and all
We're gonna die eventually
It's no more or less our faults
Than it is our destiny
So now Lord I come to you
Asking only for Your grace
You know what I've put myself through
All those empty dreams I chased

And when my body lies in the ruins
Of the lies that nearly ruined me
Will You pick up the pieces
That were pure and true
And breathe Your life into them
And set them free?

And when You start this world over
Again from scratch
Will You make me anew
Out of the stuff that lasts
Stuff that's purer than gold is
And clearer than glass could ever be

Can I be with You?
Can I be with You?

And everybody all and each
From the day that we are born
We have to learn to walk beneath
Those mercies by which we're drawn
And now we wrestle in the dark
With these angels that we can't see
We will move on although with scars
Oh Lord move inside of me

And when my body lies in the ruins
Of the lies that nearly ruined me
Will You pick up the pieces
That were pure and true
And breathe Your life into them
And set them free?

And when You blast this cosmos
To kingdom come
When those jagged-edged mountains
I love are gone
When the sky is crossed with the tears
Of a thousand falling suns
As they crash into the sea

Can I be with you?
Can I be with you?

Complete and Free Access to God's Kingdom

2011-08-02T08:36:00.001-04:00

"... This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.

And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."

- Matthew 16:18-19 (The Message)

Oh Hallelujah, what a promise !!!!!!!

Do you have ANY idea who you are in Christ? Do you have ANY idea of the freedom and power granted and available to you through His wonderful grace and mercy.

We are WAY more than forgiven. We are the church, the Body of Christ, the manifestation of God Himself on earth.

Why, oh why, do we stumble and struggle in darkness and disbelief?

Father in Heaven, Mighty God, Lord of all Creation, open our eyes and hearts and minds to see Your heavenly kingdom. Show us our place in You, God. Help us believe Your incredible, precious, and holy promises.

Make us to walk in Your love and grace and power. Let us manifest Your presence in everything we do. Let Your spirit flow in and through us, Lord. Let us open every door. Let us know You.

Touch us, Jesus. Pour Yourself into us. Let us rise and know You. Let us embrace You. Let us worship and adore You, God. Let us live in You. Let everything we do and say honor You and display Your character. Let all who see us know You, Jesus.

Let us be Your church.

Amen.

Rich Mullins

2011-07-21T09:23:00.004-04:00

I didn't discover Rich Mullins until shortly after a tragic accident took his earthly life. His music - his heart - has been a major part of my spiritual development ever since. I've often thought, and still do, that no one could write what he wrote without knowing God intimately.

Many, many times through the years I've heard just the right Rich Mullins song at just the right time and was ministered to in just the right way.

Rich Mullins has this unique perspective. He seems to understand the genuine, powerful struggles we all face. Yet he also has this easy confidence in Christ that both unsettles religious establishment and encourages believers.

Hmmm ... Just like Jesus !!!

It happened again this morning. I've been going through some very serious, genuine, powerful struggles these past many months. Yet, strangely, I am so thankful for them because I have a vague idea of where Christ is taking me. And it's good.

But even though I know Christ is working in and around me, these struggles are hard. They are heavy. I am weary.

Then this morning I hear Rich Mullins singing "Bound to Come Some Trouble".

Again he sees me. Again he understands. Again he encourages me.

Thank You, Jesus, for the work You do through the willing heart of my dear brother, Rich Mullins.

You may have noticed that I refer to Rich Mullins in the present tense. That's on purpose. He's not dead. He is alive forever more in Christ Jesus !!!!

Bound to Come Some Trouble

There's bound to come some trouble to your life
That ain't nothing to be afraid of
There's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
Reach out to Jesus hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

There's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't nothing to be ashamed of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
Reach out to Jesus hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

Now People say maybe things will get better
People say maybe it won't be long
And people say maybe you'll wake up tomorrow
And it'll all be gone
Well I only know that maybes just ain't enough
When you need something to hold on
There's only one thing that's clear

I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
But that ain't nothing to be afraid of
I know there's bound to come some tears up in your eyes
That ain't no reason to fear
I know there's bound to come some trouble to your life
Reach out to Jesus hold on tight
He's been there before and He knows what it's like
You'll find He's there

Beggars Who've Found Bread

2011-07-06T13:51:00.007-04:00

We Christians are real people living in the real world. We suffer pain and loss just the same as anyone else. Our faith is not based on comfortable living with no difficulties. And we don’t rely on that to measure our relationship to Christ.

Quite the opposite. We are no different than anyone else except that we have been found by Jesus. One preacher said it something like this: “We Christians are beggars who have found bread telling other beggars where they can find bread, too.”

We are not free from troubles. We are not free from loss. We are not free from tragedy. We have not been placed in a protective bubble.

But we do have hope. We do have the promise of Christ that, though we may experience trouble, even crushing loss, we WILL NOT BE CONSUMED. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. There is nothing that has the power to separate us from Him.

Our hope is in Christ. Our peace is in Christ. Our trust is in Christ. Our very lives are in Christ.

The temptation to be bitter is sometimes very strong and well justified. Resist it anyway. Like the martyrs past and present who displayed joy and peace in the face of oppression and murder, let your faith, hope, and love be steadfast during the trying of your faith. Testify of the enduring provision of Christ. Encourage those who are afraid.

Live a life of witness that the love of God is above all things, is greater than all things, brings us through all things. Remember, "many are the afflictions of the righteous. But the Lord delivers them out of them ALL."

Go to Jesus. Admit your fears and frustrations. Bare your heart and soul to Him. Ask Him again to be your God and your salvation. Ask Him to help you believe. Ask Him to show you hope and faith and love. Ask Him to provide every spiritual and physical need. Ask Him to help you trust Him.

And when you have done all that you can do, simply stand firm.

When the enemy comes rushing in like a mighty flood, God will raise up a standard against him. You will not be consumed. You will not be forsaken. You will not be defeated.

You are this very day the beloved child of God. In you He chooses to live. With you He chooses to be one. Through you He makes Himself known to a lost and dying world.

He loves you. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you.

Go to him.

But leave your strength behind. Leave your ability to stand strong behind. Go to Him in your weakness and fear. You will find Him right there.

I don’t know what’s coming. I don’t know what may yet have to be endured. But I know we are in Christ. I know we will not be defeated. It may be difficult. It may get really bad before it gets better. But it's going to get better.

I am absolutely confident that Christ will become more alive in us than ever before. I’m certain we will find strength and depth in Him that we never knew existed. I’m confident we will be lifted high in Him.

A Different Road

2011-07-06T10:50:00.002-04:00

I was asked recently what I was going to do about a certain very difficult situation.

I said, "Nothing. I'm going to wait on the Lord."

I wasn't being all religious or self-righteous. Nor was I hiding or running from the situation. I simply had nothing else. My only hope was and is in Jesus Christ.

My response was met with anger, bitterness, and mockery. I was asked in very bitter tones by someone very close to me, "What kind of God do you serve?"

You see the other person involved wanted an immediate solution.

I waited anyway. There was nothing else I could do. I've tried to fix things. I've tried to do things. But all of my doing and fixing ends up in a mess every time. This time I waited even in the face of mockery, though I was sorely tempted to respond in my own defense or to lash out.

There's an old sying, "When times get tough the tough get going." The truth is when times get tough the children of God run to Jesus.

I waited.

A week later Jesus spoke to my heart. Then I spoke to the situation.

It was good. It was broken. But it was soft. It was reassuring. It was right. It's what needed to be said, not what I wanted to say.

I'm coming to find more and more that following Jesus doesn't always go hand in hand with positive recognition from others. You don't always get an "Amen" and a pat on the back. You aren't always recognized for your patience and faith.

But I'm also coming to find more and more that following Jesus is the only right way. I'm finding more and more that following Jesus works.

Left to our own devices we very often stray and make things worse. But this time I'm going to walk a different road.

There are many very difficult challenges ahead. There is great temptation to take action, to say some things, to stand up for myself. But this time I'm going to walk a different road.

I believe Jesus. He has always told me the truth.

The funny thing is - no the really amazing thing is - that, even though I haven't always followed Him, He still speaks to me and I still know His voice.

And I know when I'm not hearing His voice. I'm learning to know the difference between what I'd like to hear, or do, or say and what Jesus is actually saying and doing. I'm learning the difference between well-intentioned advice and the voice of God.

I'm not going to follow the same descructive patterns of my past. No, this time I'm going to walk a different road.

I'm going to wait on the Lord. I'm going to walk a different road.

A Different Road

Mike Mains & The Branches - The Drifter

2011-07-06T09:50:00.003-04:00

A very dear and very precious friend sent me a link to The Drifter by Mike Mains & The Branches. Check it out:

If you're calling me a drifter,
I'd say you're probably right
Just trying to get to where I'm going
Even if I don't know where it is

And if you're calling me a liar
Well, a liar is fine
I'm so sorry to have hurt you
I'll leave you alone

PRECHORUS:
Cause I've been so stuck on myself
Can't seem to help anyone else

CHORUS:
Tear me down again and build me back anew
Rid me of myself and fill me up with you
Take me to the place where I once knew
You were for me and not against me

And if you say I have no peace
I'd say you're probably right
Cause I can't seem to find it
You see I don't know what it is

My God, my God, my past haunts me
From the top of the morning to the bottom of the night
So sick, so sick of walking in darkness
Oh please shine your light

PRECHORUS
CHORUS

2ND CHORUS:
Tell me where to run and that's where I'll go
I want so bad for once just to finally know
That I'm not above and I'm not below
The place that you want me

I've burned so many bridges
I've run out of bridges to burn
I've failed so many times
I'm wondering if I'll ever learn

It's you I need, Its you I want,
It's you who can complete
This very world, this very life
That you've begun in me

CHORUS
2ND CHORUS

Create in me a new heart and make it clean
A single-minded pursuit of everything
That you would desire from this offering
That you call my life

Broken - Updated

2011-05-06T10:26:00.011-04:00

Ever watch a tree and its branches sway with the wind? It’s a beautiful sight, soothing to the soul. I could watch it for hours on a breezy, sunny day. It truly is beautiful and wonderful and a welcome, relaxing adjustment to the stresses of life.

It’s also how they survive. Trees bend with the force of the wind and then snap back to normal when it’s over. It keeps them from breaking. If they were rigid or stiff they would break under the pressure, the continual pressure of the wind. They certainly couldn’t withstand a storm.

But God created the trees and their branches to survive the constant and sometimes tremendous pressure of daily life. He made them flexible. He made them able to bend under pressure and snap back alive and well. There’s beauty in that, and a lesson.

The wonder of God’s holy creation inspires appreciation and awe from all who observe it. When you realize this almost constant battle serves the higher purpose of strengthening the limbs and the tree, helping it to grow tall and strong and sure, you get a glimpse of God’s grace and provision. It’s like exercise for the body. The more exercise, the stronger the body.

And it’s like trials for our spirit and the testing of our faith. The more trouble, the more difficulties the Lord brings us through, the stronger we become in Him; the more we are able to truthfully and powerfully testify to His love, His grace, His life, and His work in us.

Understanding that helps us endure the many difficult situations we all must go through.

But sometimes the force is so strong, or so repetitive that something snaps. Branches break. Sometimes the whole tree breaks or is torn out of the ground. There’s no snapping back from that any more. There’s no return to normal any more. There is only broken. There is no more growth or increased strength. There is only broken. It can kill the tree.

Have you ever been broken? I have. I am right now.

I’ve been swaying. I’ve been bending. I’ve been snapping back. For years I’ve been yielding. I’ve sometimes willingly and sometimes unwillingly sacrificed self in honest hope and belief that I am being recreated in the image of Christ. I’ve clung to the faith that taking on the nature of a meek and humble servant is a good thing.

I still believe that.

And the truth is I have been made stronger. I have been brought through many terrible trials. I have been made stronger.

But right now I fear something may have broken. I don’t see myself snapping back right now. The renewed tenderness that usually follows a trial, that refreshing newness of life, the awareness of having overcome, survived, and grown stronger is not there. In many ways, I couldn’t care less. Compassion and empathy seem to have been replaced by resignation. In place of active encouragement there is silence. Compassion has been replaced by indifference.

I’m afraid something has broken.

Like a tree or its branches, when something breaks, there is no snapping back. There is no more growth. There is only death. And it’s usually a slow, lingering death as the part that isn’t broken tries desperately to maintain life.

There it is. That’s nature. There is no snapping back once something is broken.

That is unless help arrives. Healing and restoration can come from an outside source. If someone binds up the broken branches, if someone puts it all back in place and binds it back together, then healing can occur. Life can be restored. Growth can continue. There may be a scar, but the branch and the tree will live on. And the scar will be a testimony for all to see that healing can and does occur; that we can survive the storms.

I so desperately need Jesus Christ to put things back in their proper place and bind up these wounds. I so desperately need God to heal me and restore me because I’m afraid something has broken.

Pray for that, will you?

:o(

That’s where I was until last night. It’s a tough place to be, especially for someone who has been brought through the fire many times. It’s heartbreaking to see a sometimes strong spirit who is normally enthusiastic and encouraging to, instead, be silent. There’s something absolutely wrong when someone who so freely gives love has resigned themselves to merely co-exist.

But last night I had a very nice, comforting time and talk with our precious Lord, Jesus Christ. He reminded me once again that I’m not alone. I will not be left broken. I will not be left to die a lingering death. He will bind up my wounds. He will restore life and love to my spirit. I will once again be made stronger because He is still with me. He has always been with me.

My circumstances are still what they are. There is still a wound, a broken place in my heart and in my spirit. But Jesus encourages me that He will put things back where they belong. Jesus will bind up this broken heart. Jesus will heal this broken spirit.

Like a limb that has been broken and put back together and bound. Healing will take place even if it does take time.

This will become a testimony of the love and healing of our most precious High God, Jesus Christ. His joy will replace this emptiness. His love will flow through me once again. And I will testify of Him. My life will testify of Him.

My Deliverer is coming! His gift of empathy and encouragement will be restored to me. The Encourager, the Giver of Hope, the Giver of Life will resurface in my spirit and in my life.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your mercy, for Your love, for Your healing, for Your restoration, for Your spirit.

Thank You, Jesus.

Amen.

Christy Nockels

2011-05-06T10:00:00.001-04:00

Christy Nockels has been blessing and moving my heart for years with her incredible voice and the songs she writes and / or chooses to sing.

Thank You, Jesus, for the blessed gift you've given this woman. Thank You, Jesus, for preparing the way for her to share Your gift with a world thirsty for Your love, including my very own heart.

Waiting Here for You (Live)

Guilty

2011-05-04T14:02:00.003-04:00

Ever here of Steve Brown? He's a radio preacher with an incredibly rich, deep voice and an unusual take on Christianity.

I stumbled across a daily 15-minute radio broadcast of his several years ago while driving to work. I don't agree with everything he teaches. In fact I strongly disagree with some of his teachings. But I still greatly appreciate many of his insights and perspectives.

Here's a good one on guilt:

You Think About That - Guilty

7-Up Rules

2011-05-04T13:40:00.002-04:00

Rules from God for 2011

1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day.

"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it"

Psalms 118:24

2 Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

"He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.

"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as w e have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !! To the Lord.

"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !! For something higher.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !! Your Prayers.

"Do not worry about anything; Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

I've been chosen

2011-04-29T09:34:00.000-04:00

I don't think I've ever done this before. I think I'll simply paste this directly from an email I received from a friend in North Dakota:

Whenever I'm disappointed with my spot in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott. Jamie was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother told me that he'd set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.

On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to pick him up after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. "Guess what, Mom ," he shouted, and then said those words that will forever remain a lesson to me....

"I've been chosen to clap and cheer."

whether you've been chosen to lead or follow
whether acknowledged or unknown
whether yours is to speak or be silent

may you always clap and cheer !!!!!!!

Jesus Saves !!!!

2011-04-28T11:01:00.000-04:00

Here's a video of a couple I met at the mission. I'm so pleased - blessed - to see this beautiful, wonderful couple serving Jesus Christ.

I visit them every now and then. What an incredible testimony to the saving, healing, restoring power of Jesus Christ !!!!

Thank You, Jesus!
Thank You, Jesus!
Thank You, Jesus!

Hallelujah !!!

Amen.

The Mission

2011-04-28T10:54:00.001-04:00

I volunteer at a local mission called "Kentucky Mission Bible Training Center" in Salyersville, Ky. It's affiliated with Mission Teens, Inc. The mission is a Christian discipleship program designed to free people from addictions and emotional problems by introducing them to Jesus Christ.

I love this mission. I love the work they do. I love those doing the work. I love those receiving the help.

I pray God continues to bless this mission.

I expect the majority of my posts on this blog will either have something to do with the mission or be inspired by it.

My Religion

2011-04-28T10:47:00.000-04:00

My religion can best be summed up by the recording of an old time preacher at the end of Michael Card's song: "For F.F.B." :

"I have no hope, except that I beleive that Christ died for my sins, according to the scriptures. I expect to sing out into eternity on that."

Test Religion Post

2006-07-06T10:42:00.000-04:00

Test Religion Post