Speechless. It is all I can think. The verbal expression of what is rising up may never be present. All that comes are chills. They rush over my skin like a tsunami over the land, changing every piece of scenery, crushing so more may be rebuilt. Controversial. Always. Because truth will never be fully, willingly accepted. By the Spirit only. By God only is anything possible. By His grace I will never be lost. By his Truth I will always grow. As He is bringing me higher and higher, His Spirit covers me more each day. And there is no changing how difficult it is to look away from his love. Awe-striking, piercing, heart-breaking, never ending, steadfast, inspiring, saving love. He pulls so fast it feels my body doesn't keep up. Then the Spirit lifts me again. Each time I am filled, my body is stronger. How could I not continue to follow!
It is time for movement. The pace is quickening. We will quicken with it because the Lord has said we would. No clearer has the picture ever been. The dead flesh around me falls away. As I walk the Spirit restores my soul, leaving no room for anything but faith. By His vision I see. By His feet I walk. By His hands I work. By His Spirit I move. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The overwhelming presence sets the tone. The tone warrants immediate movement. Lord, let your will be done. Your Kingdom will come.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Face Continuation
A step of faith has allowed a great door to appear. It is bright and beautiful despite the film that would trick my mind into seeing darkness. Soon we will step through together, as a whole. He is teaching me how to see brokenness and how to deal with fear and its fruit.
It will have no place.
It will not be ignored, or pushed under the rug. It will not have a place in our lives such as it has for so many idealists and bitter and empty people over history. Instead, it will be put into perspective. We will meet each other with a gentle hand, or a secure arm, or perhaps even using the entire body as a support and the Grace Of God in all its fullness and acceptance and healing will present itself. In that moment, fear and emptiness will feel so small in its pursuit (and being recognized for the pitiful existence it has) it will run away. Many tears will be shed and relationships started anew, an honesty which speaks lifetimes of building will be present, and we will remain under the covering of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then, we will look at each other and see the brokenness we are. As words escape, our soul will understand and faith, however small, will be born.
Our window to walk forward together will have come.
Let Us Love by Needtobreathe
We were born to embrace, not accept it
We were given nothing more, and so we kept it
As the colors of our boots keep fading
We live a life that we hate without saying
Who would listen to the cries of a poor man
We've never done nothing
How could we be something
Every heart has an hour of existence
Every breath brings a chance for redemption
If somehow we could wake up
Let us love
Like we were children
Make us feel
Like we're still living
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
Give us time
To beat the system
Make us find
What we've been missing
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
In the crowd of the dead and disappointed
We're ashamed, giving up on what we wanted
Take a chance on a long shot this time
Aren't we all just at least worth another try
I'm a king in the land of abuses
Undermined by the promise of excuses
Who's to win if we know that it's not fair
Who would fight when it seems that no one cares
If somehow we could wake up
Let us love
Like we were children
Make us feel
Like we're still living
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
Give us time
To beat the system
Make us find
What we've been missing
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
It's hard to stay here but where do we go
I know we can't feel it anymore
It's true that time is wearing us down
We fall further and further away
Waiting for always to change
Let us love
Like we were children
Make us feel
Like we're still living
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
Leave your hurting on the road behind you
Let the wind go with you 'til the morning comes
Yeah, your sorrow, no it can't save you
It won't answer for what you've done
It will have no place.
It will not be ignored, or pushed under the rug. It will not have a place in our lives such as it has for so many idealists and bitter and empty people over history. Instead, it will be put into perspective. We will meet each other with a gentle hand, or a secure arm, or perhaps even using the entire body as a support and the Grace Of God in all its fullness and acceptance and healing will present itself. In that moment, fear and emptiness will feel so small in its pursuit (and being recognized for the pitiful existence it has) it will run away. Many tears will be shed and relationships started anew, an honesty which speaks lifetimes of building will be present, and we will remain under the covering of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then, we will look at each other and see the brokenness we are. As words escape, our soul will understand and faith, however small, will be born.
Our window to walk forward together will have come.
Let Us Love by Needtobreathe
We were born to embrace, not accept it
We were given nothing more, and so we kept it
As the colors of our boots keep fading
We live a life that we hate without saying
Who would listen to the cries of a poor man
We've never done nothing
How could we be something
Every heart has an hour of existence
Every breath brings a chance for redemption
If somehow we could wake up
Let us love
Like we were children
Make us feel
Like we're still living
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
Give us time
To beat the system
Make us find
What we've been missing
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
In the crowd of the dead and disappointed
We're ashamed, giving up on what we wanted
Take a chance on a long shot this time
Aren't we all just at least worth another try
I'm a king in the land of abuses
Undermined by the promise of excuses
Who's to win if we know that it's not fair
Who would fight when it seems that no one cares
If somehow we could wake up
Let us love
Like we were children
Make us feel
Like we're still living
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
Give us time
To beat the system
Make us find
What we've been missing
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
It's hard to stay here but where do we go
I know we can't feel it anymore
It's true that time is wearing us down
We fall further and further away
Waiting for always to change
Let us love
Like we were children
Make us feel
Like we're still living
In a world I know that's burning to the ground
Leave your hurting on the road behind you
Let the wind go with you 'til the morning comes
Yeah, your sorrow, no it can't save you
It won't answer for what you've done
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Face End
Galations 5:16-26
"16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
"16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
There is discord. The Spirit could cure it. It can abolish our sinful nature if we have faith in it. The struggle will only intensify, but then so will God's strength through us. So why resist? I know I am prideful and arrogant, that I wish no honesty in our relationship, that I don't want you to heal, that I do not understand, that you must do things a little at a time. You told me already. And I disagree.
So our dissension begins.
Christ wishes to be our righteousness and the Spirit gives us guidance to resist all our sinful nature. That means all our bad habits go. With complete response to the Spirit, the discord vanishes. So why must there be separation? It is an honest question, although an already answered one. Looking around so much growth is happening and you are not part of it. The question of "Why?" surfaced too many times to count. Then it became apparent you were not trusting the Spirit. Instead, you put your hope in many other things. The rapid expansion of growth and regression never ceases to leave me speechless, and sometimes angry.
Then I remember He has spoken.
The Lord has promised growth. You have as well. So it will be. Finally, in some small amount, to a minuscule of a degree, God is strengthening my faith. Not much longer can we run. A decision must be made. No one is going to make it for you or I, and no one can help you escape.
By the Spirit, fear will no longer drive this life. God let that be the same for all of us.
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