“How beautiful are the feet…”

And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”
Romans 10:15 ESV (English Standard Version)

Blessed are
the feet of those
who bring good news
and a light to shine in the darkened places.

Blessed are
the hands of those
who labor tirelessly
for those with weary faces.

We don’t always see
the ones spreading hope
of a destiny
many thought went missing long ago.

Sometimes thinly disguised,
contained within caring eyes,
and conversations that go beyond
the surface,
to communicate the saving message
for both kings and vagabonds.

Underwater

Have you ever felt like you’re underwater
but so unequipped to swim?
Have you ever believed the world walking by
knows some secret way to fit in?
Don’t buy into the message society likes to sell,
the story that goes: Buy our car, wear our clothes, eat our food
and all will be well.

Never enough
What the world sells
Never enough
though your accounts are topped over
Never enough
to buy your freedom from fear
Never enough
You must be new here,
’cause sooner or later everyone learns
things
are never enough.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 ESV (English Standard Version)

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world
1 John 2:16 ESV

Convivial Hot Spot Privity

For the world at large
or the world at small
convivial places are not so common
as we all
would like them to be,
though the patrons of corner watering holes would
beg to differ.

We read
or see
or hear about
nations at war with their own people,
hot spots,
where shifting political and financial fortunes
leave a few men in dubious authority while families seek in vain
for solid ground.

Is our future so bleak as the daily news would lead us to believe?
Would the privities shared between a few power brokers determine our future?
Is there another way to live that circumvents
the schemes of morally bereft leaders?

We have a representative who truly advocates for us.
He proved His moral authority and leadership by His literal sacrifice on our behalf.
Jesus Christ has already fought and won our battles for us.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Instead, we have one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet he never sinned.
Hebrews 4:15 International Standard Version (ISV)

Heaven in Our Hearts

5 1-5 “For instance, we know that when these bodies of ours are taken down like tents and folded away, they will be replaced by resurrection bodies in heaven—God-made, not handmade—and we’ll never have to relocate our “tents” again. Sometimes we can hardly wait to move—and so we cry out in frustration. Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less.”
The Message (MSG)

Heaven in our hearts,
a bit of beautiful against a background of despair.
So much is haywire in the world
and it does battle with the question we all carry to the cradle
and forward…
is it fair?

This notion of justice we apply with no schooling,
maybe before we ever speak at all,
have you noticed?
Somehow we know.

In our anguish,
we seemingly hire God
and fire Him
at will.
Evil speaks itself into our world
and our notion of justice
becomes one of proximity.

But,

God is still God,
whether an innocent child
dies
in Belfast,
Kampala,
or
Des Moines.

Now, that isn’t the typical
winning marketing formula
espoused by Madison Avenue.
“Thank you very much, Mr. Tipple. Ah, we have your number. No, no. We’ll call you.”

But,

At the same time,
a child is born
in Belfast,
Kampala,
and Des Moines
For those who have passed
and
for those who live,
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
English Standard Version (ESV)

Ego

I opened the door one day,
to the room
where I had decided to keep God.
It was a nice room
I thought,
decorated lavishly
but tastefully.

To my dismay,
revealed
where I believed
I had left God
was
instead,
my ego.

It was then
that I realized my mistake.
I had built a special room
for God,
while allowing my ego
full roam
through the house
of my life.

In that moment
of clarity
I realized I had managed
to get it all
quite backward.

23 But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”

24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Matthew 16:23-26
The Message (MSG)

Vision

much is expected from whom much is given

but all the same

so much more

He will do

through His children

the children of the Lord

often He waits only

for the moment we dare to ask

and then step out

believing He wants

to strengthen our bodies

for the task

our minds, too

to focus

on not small things

but great

for there is victory

in climbing daunting mountains

and reaching for a higher fate

8-10 So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.

11-12 This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.

13-14 So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.
2 Timothy 1 8-14 (MSG) The Message

the human race

It’s a good thing God has a plan
for the human race.
Left to our own devices
I’ve no doubt where we’d place…
all left behind,
none in front of the pack,
making ourselves the god we aren’t
turning our face
from the one we lack.

Hope

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
New International Version (NIV)

H)eaven knows how encouraged I am.
O)nly You Lord know every plan.
P)rosperous in all ways.
E)very day I praise Your name.

Unworthy

I am unworthy,
but I have the keys to the kingdom on my key ring.
It would be sad if I grew old
and forgot what they were for.
I am unworthy,
He must increase and I must decrease.
What’s that sound?
He’s at the door.
I am unworthy.
Washed in the blood.
Seeking revelation of my sin.
It is true, if in my flesh I have lost,
in the atonement of grace, I have won.

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: