I remember it clearly. Her warm body, lying on my stomach. She had been placed there seconds ago, but as I gazed down, I could only see the back of her head and her shoulders. I had been waiting for this child, this daughter that I began to know in my womb over the last nine months, and here she was. She entered the world, and I longed to see her. I asked the nurse, "Can I move her?" - not knowing what to do as a first-time mom, scared that I would somehow … [Read more...]
Due Date
I have been waiting, anticipating this day. The last nine months of hopeful excitement anticipating the new child in our family, and worry and concern that everything in the pregnancy goes well. It really is a long time – nine months. The day has arrived – my due date, and I am still awaiting this miracle.She waited too, only her wait was much longer than 9 months. She suffered the aching, yearning for a child that lasted years. Through tests, doctors visits, answers that provided more questions … [Read more...]
Slow Seconds
His head rests gently over my shoulder, his shoulder curving around my neck. The arm on the outside of his body drapes over my shoulder and I can feel his fingertips brush the back of my arm. My neck fits snuggly, like his body was created to be cradled. I rest my head on his head. He breathes deeply. He had come over and lifted his chubby little arms up to me, his eyes bright with expectation. I could tell he knew I would lift him up. I would hold him … [Read more...]
Meaning to Life?
I walk upon this earthly ground And seldom ponder lifeThat we should all come once by birth And then to one day die.What is this middle ground here for?That chasm ‘tween birth and death?A fraction of time, a group of secondsUntil eternal rest.Should I say what skeptics say, that this is all there is?Or should I look to human kindTo explain this vast abyss?Can a God out there exist who findsPure joy in knowing me?And what does that imply for lifeAnd all humanity?I don’t think I like this … [Read more...]
Pleasing God (Part Two – Knowing God)
Colossians 1:9-12"For this reason we also, from the day we heard about you have not ceased praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects - bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might for the display of all patience and steadfastness, joyfully giving thanks to the … [Read more...]
The Battle
Lately I feel an overwhelming defense growing inside of me - a hesitation to absorb what seems to be a growing deception even among those teachers we trust. Something feels like we are being led astray. I am cautious, not wanting to condemn, not wanting to accept, not wanting to falsely accuse, and not wanting to make my thoughts self-righteous or pretend that I know more than someone else, that I know the truth and others don't. I am hesitant to do anything. I am not sure if this growing … [Read more...]
Pleasing God (part one)
Have you ever tried to please someone who thought they were perfect? It's a losing proposition. No matter how hard you try, you feel like it is never good enough. Frustration ensues. For some people, complacency sets in. They give up, they quit trying. "Why bother if it never seems to matter?" they ask themselves. Others may have thier frustration lead them to rebellion. "If I can't please them, I might as well do what I … [Read more...]
Deception
What if someone told you that there is a world around us, that is active, deceptive, engaged in, and infiltrating our lives. This is not a physical world, but a spiritual one. But don't let that decieve you. It has more impact on your physical world than anything else. It drives our physical world into caos. It infiltrates our very minds, manipulating our cultures, not from a distance, but among us. They are here. They are real. Would you … [Read more...]
Colossians 1:21-23
"And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds, but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him - if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard."I don't know why I do the things I do. I don't mean to, but I do them. OK, sometimes I mean them. But sometimes I don't. … [Read more...]
Colossians 3:12-13
"Therefore (because of Christ we are), as the elect of God (chosen, called), holy (perfectly, honorably, spiritually pure) and dearly (precious, cherished, a high price, prized, scarce, worthy, honorable) loved (tender, passionate affection, warm personal attachment, taking great pleasure in ), clothe yourself (this is not passive - it suggests that I am actively engaged and choosing to dress myself in these things!) with a heart (the center of the personality, or emotion) of mercy (compassion, … [Read more...]
