Tag Archives: Love

There You Are Jesus!

19 Jul

Look up to Heaven - Universal Church of the Kingdom of God

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

What happens when innocence is lost?  Like a fresh new flower, ripped from the plant, first we wilt, then harden, then we crumble and are blown away.

I love movies, especially children’s movies.  One of my favorite is Peter Pan, the version where Robin Williams plays Peter.  At the beginning of the movie, he doesn’t realize that he’s Peter.  He’s lost his innocence.  He’d lost touch with what things in life are truly important.  He believes the tale of Peter Pan is something made up and passed down in stories from generation to generation.

Movies, as they are, overlook the logical (that’s what I love about them) and Robin Williams ends up in Neverland with the Lost Boys.  The Lost Boys try desperately to convince him of who he is and teach him how to be a child again.  Everything in Neverland is completely dependent upon imagination.  They wouldn’t even have food, drink or sustenance without a good, active imagination.

The Lost Boys are finally successful at helping Peter find his innocence again and let go of the stresses and frustrations of schedules, bills and responsibilities of the real world.  At one point in the movie, one of the Lost Boys walks up to Robin Williams, looks deep into his eyes and says, “Oh, there you are Peter.”  A revelation of innocence returned.

This sequence always reminds me of my Christian faith.  So many times we’re caught up in the stress and frustrations of schedules and appointments and trying to please so many in so little time, that we loose the miracle and the innocence of working in ministry.  Our innocence is dependent upon our faith.  Sometimes we allow the enemy to convince us that by striving we work the good work, when in fact, it is by faith and the leading of the Holy Spirit that we accomplish everything that God has called us to do; without the loss of innocence.

I look hopefully to the time when I can casually enjoy all of those around me, without worrying about where I should be, lest I fall behind (again!!).  I look forward to the day when I will be filled with faith to the point of complete peace and serenity.  When someone, perhaps a child, will look deep into my eyes and say, “Oh, there you are Jesus.”  When the Jesus in me will shine past my many earthly flaws.

Jesus, may I always hear and obey your voice.  That the innocence, birthed in faith, will always be the most obvious attribute in my life.

** Moments With The Master

By Linda J. Humes

Written 7/16/2000

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My Brother, My Friend

17 Nov

 

zebra finch

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down

his life for his friends.”      John 15:13 KJV

I have three small finches.  All three are of a different variety.  They have nothing in common, except a bright white cage and the normal amenities.  Bandit has a red mask across his eyes, Speckle is dark brown with a tan chest and brown speckles, Tangerine has a bright orange beak and legs.  They were put together over different times and took turns getting used to each other.

On a normal day they disagree and sit as far apart as they can, tolerating the sharing of their space.  But, sometimes the abnormal happens.  On occasion Speckle will lay on the bottom of the cage and shudder.  He’s unable to move one leg.  He will fly if startled, but must lean against something to stay upright.  He does this by gripping and balancing with one leg while pushing against a tray, bar or basket.

This will go on for days and, as unusual as it seems, it is not the truly amazing part.  What is truly amazing is that when he’s on the bottom of the cage, shaking and shuddering, one of the others will sit against him, crying out, while the other flies around the cage, screaming and shrieking.  At night, when I check on them, all three will be on the branch, one on either side of the ailing bird, propping him in place so that he can sleep in comfort and safety.

They are so protective and caring of the hurting friend that they take risks that they would not generally take.  Several times I have reached into the cage to stroke Speckle, to pray for him, to hold him.  The other two would sit right with him until I was close enough to touch him, then they would fly off until I removed my hand.  Immediately they would return to their vigil.  After a few days Speckle appears normal again and they all go back to “status quo”, fussing with each other and keeping their distance.

So often I see people tolerating each other, but not pull in to the troubled and hurting friend.  We call each other brother, we call each other friend, but choose to be busy if we think there is the slightest possibility that our emotions may get caught up in another brother’s pain.

Shame on us, Lord, if we fail to have the love and compassion of a handful of caged finches.  If I call you brother, if I call you friend, then I pray for the compassion to sit with you when you hurt, to cry out for help to carry on, and for the strength to hold you up until you are strong enough to stand alone once again   –   as often as you need me.

 

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BEHIND YOUR VEIL

16 Jan

 Veil

“And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy”. Exodus 26:33 KJV

 —-

Pull me back,

Behind Your veil,

For I have ventured out,

Into the land of Giants,

Trying to forge the path,

I think You want me to walk.

Yet in this land is confusion,

Not born of You.

In this land is strife,

Not called by Your lips.

—-

Scourge the stubbornness from my soul,

Which says this is the way,

This must be the way.

 —-

I know this is the wrong way, Lord,

For ‘round about mingle tormenting demons,

Cast from the souls of the dying lost.

Light and darkness may not dwell together.

 —-

I humbly step back, Lord,

Behind Your veil.

Repenting of the thoughts,

That I could know Your will.

 —-

Behind the veil is perfect peace.

Behind the veil is Grace.

 —-

I’ll rest my mind and bathe my feet,

Until you open the door,

Preparing my journey.

Leaving no possible doubt

Of the path You have set.

 —-

But let me rest,

Behind the veil,

Until You are sure,

I will stray no more.

—-

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THE WASHERWOMAN IN THE PALACE OF THE KING

12 Jan

Washer Woman

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”  Romans 5:5

—-

It was a time of rejoicing – the King has returned and all had come together to celebrate.  The house was trimmed in Scarlet and Blue and most glorious Purples.  The Golden goblet was set, preparing for the finest Wine.

As the sky drew dim the people came – in beautiful raiment.  Their joy shown clearly – their love so pure.  In beautiful gowns the women danced – jewels sparkled all about – and from a distance the washerwoman watched.

She wondered how it felt to be so beautiful.  She wondered what it was like to feel such joy.  And as she watched each beautiful woman dance with the King, she wondered what it was like to feel such love.

Back she stepped, so as not to be seen, how could she chance to be seen in her rags and covering scarf.  Yet she dared to desire to belong.

She cherished the moments she cleaned for the King.  Did He know she prayed as she cleansed His garments?  Did He know that she treasured the brief moments when they shared a word?

So back she stepped, into the shadows – swaying with the music, drinking in the joy that danced around the room.  Careful, oh so careful, so not to be seen, she raised her hand up to the missing hand, and placed her arm around the missing waist as she moved slowly around the shadows.

Then a breeze passed by and a tender word touched her ear.  Opening her eyes she saw her King before her, at the edge of the shadows.  Bowing down she humbly and quietly spoke, “Yes, My King, your servant waits.”

Speaking not He reached down, taking her rough red hand in His.  Gently He pulled her up, placing His arm around her ragged dress and together they danced from the shadows to the light.

As the music stopped He kissed her hand and thanked her for her love and the beauty she presented every day.  And at that moment she knew herself what it was like to feel beautiful, what it was like to feel joy, and how wonderful it felt to be loved.

For SHE was the washerwoman in the Palace of the KING!

—-

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Into Every Hand

17 Nov

Hands 

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?    Matthew 7:11

—– 

Into every person’s hand,

God brings life.

 —–

Sometimes they are the children, of our passion;

Sometimes the children, of our compassion;

Sometimes the hopes and dreams, of our soul.

—–

And with the honor, comes obligation;

to breathe truth, to breathe love,

to breathe hope, to breathe light,

into that life.

—–

With the guard of ministering angels, life can grow.

But tempted by the guard of the fallen,

 they find anger, they find strife,

they embrace perversion.

—–

We choose their angels, in their toddler years;

They choose their angels, in their teens;

All choose again, in the maturing of life.

 —–

Where have we sent them, these precious lives?

What have we shown them?

What example have we set?

 —–

Do the angels of our light,

war with the angels, of their darkness;

Or do the angels of our darkness,

strive to drive away the angels, of their light?

 —–

Into every hand, God places the gift of life.

Some are the children, of our passion;

Some are the children, of our compassion;

Some are the hopes and dreams,

of our soul.

 —–

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RISEN HEROS

20 Jul

Prescott 19 Hotshots

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Recently 19 Hotshot Firefighters went home to be with the Lord. Most of them just beyond voting age. All of them were courageous and deeply loved.

In the hours that followed the recognition of the horrible tragedy that had just taken place, Yavapai County, the State of AZ, and the Brotherhood of Emergency Responders pulled together to comfort these families and attack and extinguish the fastest moving fire in AZ history. It was a true example of the love of God manifested in the little town of Prescott, AZ.

I knew one of the young men and consider his family to be dear friends. Between my 3 boys, we knew 6 of the 19 who perished. Social Media helped us to stay updated with the community events, news stories, videos, shared memories, fundraisers, the Memorial Wall around the fire station, where there was a need and where needs had been met.

It showed us what needed prayer and where prayers had been answered. It showed us the pain and the helplessness of the families, but it could not take us close enough to hug them and hold them as they cried. I was so thankful that at this most challenging time for these families, that God rose up an arm of caring people to be His hands and feet. God sent people to comfort. God sent people to clean homes. God sent people to provide meals. God inspired people to offer rooms for those who came to help. God sent people to fill out forms and complete paperwork that the families would have had such a difficult time completing. God sent people bringing thanks and honor and respect. God brought an army of Angels to be His hands and feet.

The families will continue to struggle with “Whys” and ‘Hows” for a time, but they will never wonder about how much love God can send to them in their hour of pain, they have already experienced that.

Jesus, please keep me always mindful of the pain and the needs of others. Every life in crisis, no matter the cause, needs to be touched by Your love, by any means you have placed in our hands. We won’t always be able to solve the problem, but we can always offer a prayer, speak a word of encouragement, give a hug, listen, and sit with them as they cry. We can be Your hands and feet of compassion to a hurting world.

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