Miracle Presence
November 14, 2012
~
I will listen to one voice
The one that can be trusted
He has been tested and tried
He heals all my wounds
~
This daily practice
Of choosing not to worry
Just because he said
“Don’t worry about your life”
“What does worry add to you?”
I have found a key
For healing and freeing men
Helping people move forward
Through obstacles
Understanding your own story
The richness of your own life
~
If you look within
The wounded places stand out
You survived the pain
Do you know the reason why
And where to find the healing
~
He knows your story
Understands right where you are
And offers healing
Who is this one who is present
Who makes a promise of life
~
Know his story well
Listen only to his voice
What he says is relevant
Connected and true
I know how much he loves me
~
I’ll be strong and courageous
I will not give in to lies
I’ll be kind and merciful
And love without end
~
Because Jesus loves
I’ll love you with the same love
Forgiveness at the center
Miracle Presence
I believe with all my heart
His resurrection power
~
Energy given
When I decide to believe
And act in obedience
Against my feelings
Then his healing touch will come
I drink the living water
~
“Faith needs to meet people where they live otherwise it is irrelevant.” Glenn Hinson
For fifty-one years, I have asked the real hard questions about human relationships. No one has made more sense to me about life than Jesus of Nazareth. His teachings and the way he treated a person were contrary to the religion of his day. They killed him for it. They are contrary to the religion of my day. What mattered to him was the person. It will take your best mind to look carefully at your own story, and his story to make the connection. The distractions of your own pain, and the distractions of others vying for your time and energy are formidable obstacles. When Jesus said, “I came to give life and give it abundantly” I said he is either a liar, crazy or telling the truth. I was in such a desperate state I was compelled to search out the facts of his story. I wanted to know how he put his pants on, who he ran around with, what was important to him, because he gave a promise that was outlandish, but one I so desperately wanted to be true.
Reflections this morning are from Jesus Calling , by Sarah Young as well as Luke 12:22-26, II Corinthians 10:5, Deuteronomy 31:6, John 4.
Who Are the Heroes?
November 12, 2012
“Life breaks everyone”
A line that is familiar
But some become strong
~
The human heart will judge you
Whether you are religious
Or just believe in yourself
On the twists and turns of life
You’re wise to seek good counsel
The ones who can admit
Tell the truth about themselves
Come out from hiding
Hold themselves accountable
Then arise from the ashes
The General Petraeus
A leader in the country
Told the truth about himself
Then resigned his job
Many condemn him
His own heart judges him most
How he handles this
Will be the test of his life
King David can be of help
Power does corrupt
Pride makes one vulnerable
Easily deceived
Lust will dismantle the soul
Greed poisons the human heart
A leader has fallen hard
His great opportunity
Is to model now a way
To be forgiven
One way to escape
The deep judgment of your heart
Meet one that’s greater
Who knows your story so well
Who loves you like his own son
~
General Petraeus, your story is not over. God meets you with the same compassion he met David the King, the “woman at the well”, “the Centurion”, “the thief on the cross” and me. I pray mercy reigns for you, your wife and your children. Let the world see now, how a leader rises by the grace of God.
Ernest Hemingway stated: “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.”
“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up to us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”Romans 8:32, Psalm 51
Your Story Matters 