i've always read how Christ is a "mystery" and for some reason that's been on my mind all day today. Christ is referred to as this mystery several times in Scripture, two places being colossians and ephesians 3. colossians is one of my favorite books and the mystery is brought up several times by paul. i've always loved how he tells us that the mystery is Christ in us, the hope of glory. He lives IN me. that alone stops me in my tracks. but, i had a different take on it today. i had the thought today in the car that God loves being called a mystery...in regards to showing us stuff...revealing stuff. just kinda came out of nowhere. love those moments. Holy Spirit moments. allow me to throw a thought out there. now, i do believe He loves to show us things. DUH. sometimes He gives us the biggest billboards to help us follow Him.
i also believe he loves to be a mystery and sometimes He doesn't allow the signs to just pop out so easy. why?
i think He wants to be studied.
and not just studied...pursued.
he wants us to crawl up in His lap and seek Him and be with Him. not because we want things from Him, but just because we think He's kinda neat. the neatest EVER. i think He longs for us to go deeper and deeper with Him and the closer we get to Him, the more we see who He is. and when we go looking for a certain path at a certain time, we end up finding Him. and that changes everything. that's part of the beauty of the mystery i think. i'm just thinking out loud.
reminds me of when jeremiah tells us that if we seek after Him as if buried treasure than we will find Him. (jeremiah 29)
he wants to be pursued. lives for it.
g
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
secret song.
ok. so, before our services start on wed. night i usually like to listen to a song before I speak to get me in the right frame. to center. kinda like an athlete in the locker room bf they run out of the tunnel. but not really. it's just a weird thing i do. i've never told anyone. consider yourself lucky. today it's can i lie here from crowder.
Jesus is exactly who He says He is. He is who Isaiah said He was all the way back in his book. He is our King.
In a manger. God with us.
Jesus is exactly who He says He is. He is who Isaiah said He was all the way back in his book. He is our King.
In a manger. God with us.
nervous still. it's this way every week. i truly believe the nervous feeling is His way of reminding me that it's not me that has any of the power. it reminds me that i'm the weak one in this relationship. He's teaching me it's Him doing the work and i'm simply the instrument. sweet. when i am weak, He is strong right? Father, may i be weak tonight.
matty henry's thoughts...
matthew henry on Immanuel "God with us" -
"Behold, in this the deepest mystery, and the richest mercy, that ever was."
"...for if he had not been named Immanuel-God is with us, he could not have been Jesus-a Saviour; and herein consists the salvation he wrought out, in the bringing of God and man together; this was what he designed, to bring God to be with us, which is our great happiness, and to bring us to be with God, which is our great duty."
currently wrapping my head around that. i've got to read, re-read, and read yet again until i realize the beauty of what he's talking about.
"Behold, in this the deepest mystery, and the richest mercy, that ever was."
"...for if he had not been named Immanuel-God is with us, he could not have been Jesus-a Saviour; and herein consists the salvation he wrought out, in the bringing of God and man together; this was what he designed, to bring God to be with us, which is our great happiness, and to bring us to be with God, which is our great duty."
currently wrapping my head around that. i've got to read, re-read, and read yet again until i realize the beauty of what he's talking about.
it's time for an announcement.
and
and yes dad, i am getting work done.
"make work your new favorite."
g
His pursuit of you. and me.
what kind of God jumps out of the bushes and says let's wrestle?
what kind of God holds onto you all night long
what kind of God will not let you go
what kind of God holds you so close that your face smothers in His chest?
that the air He breathes is the air you breathe?
He is close enough for you to smell
what kind of God stays this close?
what kind of God holds on so hard so that you will finally at long last understand that the only thing that matters is to be blessed by this God who has jumped you in the night?
-mike glenn speaking about God pursuing Jacob in a totally unexpected moment.
it's the reality of how He pursues you and me too. i know of nothing better.
unexpected God moments are the BEST.
g
what kind of God holds onto you all night long
what kind of God will not let you go
what kind of God holds you so close that your face smothers in His chest?
that the air He breathes is the air you breathe?
He is close enough for you to smell
what kind of God stays this close?
what kind of God holds on so hard so that you will finally at long last understand that the only thing that matters is to be blessed by this God who has jumped you in the night?
-mike glenn speaking about God pursuing Jacob in a totally unexpected moment.
it's the reality of how He pursues you and me too. i know of nothing better.
unexpected God moments are the BEST.
g
good morning.
never underestimate what God can do before 8 o'clock in the morning!
the Lord is with us. believe it. thank you Father for thinking enough of us to send your Best.
g
ps...today the blog will act as a twitter account. thoughts (probably random) will be posted all day. merry christmas!
the Lord is with us. believe it. thank you Father for thinking enough of us to send your Best.
g
ps...today the blog will act as a twitter account. thoughts (probably random) will be posted all day. merry christmas!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
snow report. part dos.
there is no snow this morning. my pal james and i are completely bummed. perhaps tomorrow!
the talk tonight with the kiddos runs through luke 10. we're learning how the 72 were sent out and what Jesus told them to do when they got there. first, you must believe. obviously. that's essential. but then, our belief must bring out of us a love for the hearts of the people we're going to see...both in lubbock and around the world. we must know how to speak to them and explain who God is and what He's done. clearly. sounds simple enough, but what if they have never heard of Christ and are of another religion or faith system? what if their english is nonexistent? that's a whole different ballgame. i think we've got studying to do. i think i've got studying to do. i have to love enough to study. care enough to study.
may the Lord awaken my heart to have a greater defense for Him and faith in Him.
and check out the eighth verse of chapter 10. "when you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you." really? my heart instantly screams, "what if it's pickles?!" seriously. the Lord had me read it again.
i don't think the text leaves room for picky eaters. not in this case.
looks like it's time to put my big boy britches on.
g
the talk tonight with the kiddos runs through luke 10. we're learning how the 72 were sent out and what Jesus told them to do when they got there. first, you must believe. obviously. that's essential. but then, our belief must bring out of us a love for the hearts of the people we're going to see...both in lubbock and around the world. we must know how to speak to them and explain who God is and what He's done. clearly. sounds simple enough, but what if they have never heard of Christ and are of another religion or faith system? what if their english is nonexistent? that's a whole different ballgame. i think we've got studying to do. i think i've got studying to do. i have to love enough to study. care enough to study.
may the Lord awaken my heart to have a greater defense for Him and faith in Him.
and check out the eighth verse of chapter 10. "when you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you." really? my heart instantly screams, "what if it's pickles?!" seriously. the Lord had me read it again.
i don't think the text leaves room for picky eaters. not in this case.
looks like it's time to put my big boy britches on.
g
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
snow day & happy new month.
a couple of quick things today. (so far)
1. it's snowing like crazy this morning in lubbock. bear wouldn't leave his kennel and i couldn't figure out why. we had a father and son stare down and then i opened the door. apparently, bear is ivy league material. thick and large snowflakes. it's absolutely "stop everything and watch" material. every good and perfect gift is from above. Father, thank you for the beauty of the morning and a warm spot to watch it in. i need to be more thankful for the "simple things" i am given.
c. in studying for wed. night, i came across this thought from matthew henry. i'm currently attempting to wrap my head around it. he says "The confession of a Christian’s faith cannot credibly be supported but by the two means here specified— a good conscience and a good conversation. conscience is good when it does its office well, when it is kept pure and uncorrupt, and clear from guilt; then it will justify you, though men accuse you. A good conversation in Christ is a holy life, according to the doctrine and example of Christ." good stuff.
4. my sister let me know that matt chandler suffered a seizure last week and the docs found a small mass on the front of his brain. he has another appointment this week i think. matt loves Jesus a lot and God has given him the gift of teaching. he teaches at the village church in dallas. i've never met him, but i listen to his podcast all the time and God has used him to teach me so many things. i'm praying. if you want to follow along with the chandlers through this, click here.
be strong in Him today. Jesus is exactly who He says He is.
happy new month y'all! and you're probably wondering why i didn't take a picture of the snow. sorry. my camera isn't always stuck to me. i was gonna pull one off the web from colorado or something. that woulda been fun. tricky mctrickster.
g
1. it's snowing like crazy this morning in lubbock. bear wouldn't leave his kennel and i couldn't figure out why. we had a father and son stare down and then i opened the door. apparently, bear is ivy league material. thick and large snowflakes. it's absolutely "stop everything and watch" material. every good and perfect gift is from above. Father, thank you for the beauty of the morning and a warm spot to watch it in. i need to be more thankful for the "simple things" i am given.
c. in studying for wed. night, i came across this thought from matthew henry. i'm currently attempting to wrap my head around it. he says "The confession of a Christian’s faith cannot credibly be supported but by the two means here specified— a good conscience and a good conversation. conscience is good when it does its office well, when it is kept pure and uncorrupt, and clear from guilt; then it will justify you, though men accuse you. A good conversation in Christ is a holy life, according to the doctrine and example of Christ." good stuff.
4. my sister let me know that matt chandler suffered a seizure last week and the docs found a small mass on the front of his brain. he has another appointment this week i think. matt loves Jesus a lot and God has given him the gift of teaching. he teaches at the village church in dallas. i've never met him, but i listen to his podcast all the time and God has used him to teach me so many things. i'm praying. if you want to follow along with the chandlers through this, click here.
be strong in Him today. Jesus is exactly who He says He is.
happy new month y'all! and you're probably wondering why i didn't take a picture of the snow. sorry. my camera isn't always stuck to me. i was gonna pull one off the web from colorado or something. that woulda been fun. tricky mctrickster.
g
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