He will come to us like the rain!

Hosea 6:3(NRSVCE)

Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
    his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
He will come to us like the showers,
    like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Why pray?

I heard a wise man say that if we really believed in the power of prayer we would do it more often.

Why pray?

Because the Lord has great promises for us. Because he desires to answer our prayers! Because he wants to come to us. "Those who seek me find me"  

Proverbs 8:17(NRSVCE)

 I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently, find me.

I think about the times of drought where the land gets so water deprived that it actually cracks open. It is as if the ground itself is crying out to the heavens seeking to be filled with water. As if the cracks themselves are the visual proof that there is space for the water to go. The ground speaks to the clouds "here I have made room for your precious rain, here in these open cracks."

What about us? Have we made room for the presence of Gods Holy Spirit in our lives? Are our prayers desperate? do we have passion in our prayers? Are we understanding our need to be filled? Can you hear Gods whisper pulling you away from the distractions of this present world, calling you to find Him in prayer?

Cry out to God, cry out to his blessed mother, cry out to the saints, go to your brothers and sisters for prayer! Be encouraged, be comforted, and be expecting, for our Heavenly Father is waiting.

And He promises us that He will come like the rain!

What does your heart tell you?

I have a quote hanging on my wall.  "Make time for the quiet moments, when God whispers and the world is loud." Now that's the challenge  isn't it. You see God is not insecure, therfore he will not compete against all the loud voices in this earth, no He whispers.  Can He shout? Of course, His word tells us His voice can be as loud as thunder if need be! A thunder that will make any man faint, even to give up the ghost if one were to hear it!  Our Lord knows the meaning of "tough love."  It is because of His mercy that He often comes to us in a whisper.
Question,  Are we taking the time away from all our distractions to hear His whisper?  If we are not careful the voices of this day can sweep us far away from God's presence, and then what will we do? Wander about seeking fullfillment yet never able to be satisfied. For all the blessings in this world will not bring us peace if they are not received in the presence of God.
Our hearts tell us this is true. I have been among friends, and in gatherings of amusement, and in those moments I have felt my heart stop me, crying out for God..."Jesus how I need thee, love thee, you are my joy. " 
The heart knows.
I have been in the midst of receiving blessings and enjoying material goods and have felt my hearts cry for God.
And in the time of suffering,  God has been my only consolation, my comfort.
The heart knows.
What is your heart telling you?

Hypocrite!

The finger has been pointed.
The charge laid down.
The critique spelled out.
Hypocrite!

Is it true?
Am I false, what makes me so?
Is it my sins, my failures, my brokeness?
Do my thoughts and feelings betray me?
My actions or my lack of actions?
Can a man speak of God though he himself is not perfect?

Before God I stand.
My soul laid bare before Him.
He sees all, from His searing  glance into my depths I cannot hide.
In shame and humility my failures are on display...and they are many.

Yet He also sees my heart, if I could be perfect before Him and all persons I surely would be!
What if I had all the answers?
All the perseverance, all the strength? All the time? What if I could be everything for everyone?
Truth is, I'm not even close.
I know this.

Day by day I struggle and question.
Ponder and pray.
Stand up ... back down.
Speak up...stay silent.
Act...do not act.
Trust...don't trust.
Draw the line...be trampled upon.
Sometimes I'm wise.
Mostly I'm  a fool.

What is my defense?
He is my defense! Christ Jesus!
Suffered, died, rose again, for me and all fellow failures, sinners, hypocrites!
While the accusers blind of their own faults, point their cold fingers, the Perfect God of love shows me grace and acceptance.
And though this hypocrite does not deserve it, he stands in my defense.

And yet He is more than my defense, He is my only hope.

What dreams may come, may go.

There comes a time for all of us.
A quiet time, swallowed up by somber regret, where the truth of our present circumstances must be accepted. The dreams fade...slowly  turning gray.

What if I. ...why did i...too much time has passed now...is it too late for me?

Even the dreams of fools refuse
To die easy, they live on like the small burning  embers of a forgotten campfire.

The hollow silence inside, longs to be filled. Have I been forgotten by my God? Has he removed His guiding hand . Are my steps unsure? Has my earthen journey led me to a land of dark and fog?

Hope...hope and remembrance.
I can hear their faint cry, I am afraid to listen, to believe.
What if I fail again, what if the voices are the mere illusions of a wounded soul trying to find healing?

Hope...hope and pray.
That the sun will shine through the night and find my face.
Can the mighty God remember me?
Can mercy turn His face towards me?
Can my hope blossom into my reality?
Will my prayers find footing?
Hear my heart almighty God, for this lost and discouraged fool needs a Shepherd.. ...
needs a Father.....
needs to be loved.

Shalom

Shalom...

Father Bob says it means Gods peace and presence... Even if things around you are not so peaceful. So here I am at church prayer, asking God for His peace and His presence. I am aware that I am being greedy with this request. God has blessed me so much already. All my life He has called me and made Himself known to me, yet I ask for more of His presence in my life. All my life He has provided for me and yet, I ask for more provisions. I am keenly aware that I am insufficient in being able to provide, and produce in any way for myself and my loved ones. It is God who makes all things happen and who orders my steps. It is God who will one day watch me take my last breath and command my angel to bring my spirit to Him. In the mean time I wrestle...against this fallen world...against my fallen soul. I am the most unworthy, and yet, spoiled by my Father. With all this I pray, Lord Jesus, Father God give me your shalom. Lord God, Father God I come to you with my fears and dreams, shepherd me I pray. Amen.

The Staircase

1.   Just another day Gin thought to himself, another day full of the same old boring chores. The sound of fathers constant yelling was causing Gins ears to ring. Although, Gin thought to himself, as he emptied the burlap bag of rubbish onto the backyard fire pit, life here in the meadow land is peaceful...too peaceful perhaps.

2.   Gin could hear his mother calling him from inside their small thatched cottage home "be careful not to burn yourself Gin, do you hear me?" "Yes mother!" Gin yelled back with a tone of annoyance. "How many times have I burned the family rubbish?" Gin asked himself, "only a thousand times!" was his quick answer to himself.

3.   night fell as the fire grew and faded. Gin laid next to it on the grass starring at the night sky. The stars looked amazing on these clear summer nights. What if I could somehow go up to the heavens and commune with the ancients who lit the stars so long ago? What could they show me? What could they teach me? Many in the meadow lands are saying that perhaps the stories of the ancients were just legend, like fairy tales, but Gin, he was a believer, and he knew up there, or somewhere far away there were great things!

4.   "Hear ye Hear ye!" came the morning call. Gin jumped up from his earthen bed, he must have fallen asleep and now the whole village was in a stir as the kings messengers were yelling and posting the kings proclamation on various post and doors throughout the village. Gin did a quick morning stretch and then quickly ran to the front of his families cottage. Mom, dad, and little brother were already there. dad had the kings proclamation, which was nailed to their door, now in his hand...mom looked worried.

5.   "Says here that King Xavier is calling all , able bodied, young men to his service" "what's it about?" Gins mother asked as she looked at Gin. "Doesn't say" Gins father replied. "But all qualified candidates have to be ready by sunset tomorrow, the kings regiment will come through to pick them up" Gin looked down at Sammy his little brother at age five he surely would not be a candidate, Gin however, had just celebrated his nineteenth birthday last week. It was a merry celebration indeed with too much food and too much drink, it took a couple days for Gin and his friends to recover. Funny,  Gin thought  I sure didn't imagine this coming. What is going to happen to me and my friends now?

6.   to be continued...

The blessing of God for the new year

There is a prayer of blessing in the old testament that is absolutely perfect...

Nm 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses: “Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:

The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

What strikes me this first day of the new year is the "may the Lord keep you" part.
The longer i walk with God the more I realize that I need Jesus to keep me.
Given up to my own lustful passions and desires I would surely consume to my undoing.
It is the tragedy of the human condition, we are fallible sinners with appetites for destruction.
So this year as I pray the blessings of God on my life and for my family and friends, I focus on the keeping!
Lord Jesus keep me in you, in your presence, in your care, filled with your Holy Spirit and love.
Don't let me stray Lord lest I wander beyond finding!
May Gods blessings rush upon all who read and share this message!

Godspeed
Jimmyg

Prayer of blessing

Sometimes the best way to pray is by pouring your heart on paper and writing a prayer down, here is one I wrote for my family and i. My wife and I use it now as we go before God. Maybe you can use it as well.

Prayer of blessing 
Heavenly Father, Savior Jesus Christ, Precious Holy Spirit ...we come to you with this petition. We pray as we have been sealed in the natural with the chrism oil upon our confirmation, that in the spiritual realm you would always pour out your abundant blessings upon us. We pray you would grace us with the gifts of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. That we would gain your spiritual discernment, that you would open our eyes to you and the spiritual unseen realm around us. We thank you for making us victorious, the head and not the tail, the lender And not the borrower, and for bestowing upon us your humble servants, all the blessings you desire to bless us with. We pray that we would be a blessing to all those in need that you put before us. We ask you Holy Mary Mother of God, Saint Joseph and Saint Anna to pray and intercede for us to The Lord Jesus Christ as only you can from your heavenly position. We ask you to keep us in your prayers, care, and watchful eyes from now until the day we go to meet The Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen!


From Spurgeon. ....

From Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" Who Has the Majority? August 17 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. (2 Kings 6:16) Horses and chariots and a great host shut up the prophet in Dothan. His young servant was alarmed. How could they escape from such a body of armed men? But the prophet had eyes which his servant had not, and he could see a greater host with far superior weapons guarding him from all harm. Horses of fire are mightier than horses of flesh, and chariots of fire are far preferable to chariots of iron. Even so is it at this hour. The adversaries of truth are many, influential, learned, and crafty; and truth fares ill at their hands; and yet the man of God has no cause for trepidation. Agencies, seen and unseen, of the most potent kind, are on the side of righteousness. God has armies in ambush which will reveal themselves in the hour of need. The forces which are on the side of the good and the true far outweigh the powers of evil. Therefore, let us keep our spirits up, and walk with the gait of men who possess a cheering secret, which has lifted them above all fear. We are on the winning side. The battle may be sharp, but we know how it will end. Faith, having God with her, is in a clear majority: "They that be with us are more than they that be with them." From the Faith's Checkbook Mobile Devotional Android app - http://www.LookingUpwardApps.com/fcb

Day after Christmas

Well, it's the day after Christmas.

I woke up wishing it was Christmas morning again! 

I woke up struggling through some thoughts as well.

Why the two different emotions?

Well, there is something about the magic of Christmas, 

the good food, 

family visits, 

gift giving, 

traditional music, 

talking to old friends again! 

I especially love Christmas mass, the church looks amazing and the choir sounds beautiful. 

I have to admit this year I am stunned at how God blessed me so that I could bless others. It was nice to see my kids faces light up when they opened their gifts!

But I also see how God is changing my heart. I really understand that Christmas is not the holiday of materialism, it is indeed a birthday celebration. The greatest birthday celebration In the world! 

But God gave me a sober Christmas spirit this year. I am so aware that many people in the world are suffering, many people did not have a merry Christmas. For some people it was their circumstances, their health, for some people it was their attitudes and mind sets that kept them from being blessed. 

Me? I feel humbled. I know I don't deserve the blessings God bestows on me. And yet, He blesses me anyway? I feel humbled and if I'm totally honest with my self, a little guilty.

Let's face it God the Father spoils some of us! 

What's my point?

As Gods children we have to find better ways to help those in need, those who are suffering. We need to take our abundance to the needy. It's about giving not taking. That's the true Christmas spirit. Not shopping till we drop. Not hording metal and plastic goods that we really don't need. 

We have to keep in mind it's the Lords birthday. 

Funny how all year long The Lord Jesus and even the church is attacked, but on Christmas Day the whole world is aware that it's the saviors birthday!! And most of the world is celebrating it. 

Ever wonder why?

I think in the hearts of all people there is a deep longing for peace, the peace that passes all understanding. The peace that only Jesus can give. 

The church can't be selfish, we have it and we need to share! There is too much need out there!

So many people need Gods love.

So many people need Gods peace.

So many people need Gods blessings.

But they don't know how to get it.

When we take our blessings and give them to others people don't just see us, they see Jesus through us. That's how Christ the savior is born each year, that's one of the ways He keeps coming unto mankind. Through our giving!

So I have to ask myself.....

Am I helping people see Jesus?

Am I helping people get into Gods kingdom?

Helping people see the true meaning of His birthday?

Or am I part of the thing that keeps people blind?

Have a BLESSED Christmas!!

Merry Christmas,
its a very catchy phrase this time of year. One the ways I like to greet or say goodbye to people. It is a great way to present the name of Christ to people, to try and throw a blessing at people, to remind people what life is really all about.
We have a creator that has come to us and continues to come to us in so may ways!
Merry Christmas, but it is so much more than that...more than "merry"
this Christmas I am humbled
this year I realize I am having a Blessed Christmas!

Why? Perspective.

A young lady stopped by at work today. I haven't seen her for awhile because she has been out on disability most of the year. I didn't realize how serious her condition was, I must admit when I saw her I was shocked, it was obvious, this poor girl has been suffering.
Here I am thinking about so many trivial things, you know Christmas shopping, Christmas dinner, Christmas visits from family and friends, Christmas money. In my little world that God has protected and blessed so much this year I almost forgot that so many other people are suffering.
As I looked at this young lady, I felt foolish, and instantly humbled.
Lord forgive me for taking for gran it all my blessings. The good life you have given me, as a sinner I know, I sure don't' deserve it.
Its so easy to forget how blessed we are. to not see all the blessings we have in life,
  food,
    water,
       clothing,
            shelter.
                employment,
                   transportation,
                      indoor plumbing
                        safety,
                          good health,
                             loved ones,
                                the church,
                                     and Jesus Christ himself!
In so many ways the cup is half full not half empty.
So this year
have a BLESSED Christmas,
         ... I think if you search your heart you'll see your already having one!

We dont suffer alone

Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent. ~St. John of the Cross

Need Gods help?

Well.... I went to confession the other day...as usual it turned into a mini counseling session... I started to share with father that I have been struggling with My finances... I received some pure and simple advice.... Worth sharing I would say, especially for American Christians who happen to be positioned in one of the most affluent / materialistic Cultures in the world....so here goes...

1. Be content with what you have.
2. Be grateful that God has provided for your NEEDS.
3. Strive to live a simple and humble life.
4. If you are suffering offer your suffering up to God, consider that you are suffering with Christ and His church.

I was then given a prayer I could pray daily:
Prayer for All Needs
We beg you, Lord, to help and defend us. Deliver the oppressed. Pity the insignificant. Raise the fallen. Show yourself to the needy. Heal the sick. Bring back those of your people who have gone astray. Feed the hungry. Lift up the weak. Take off the prisoners’ chains.
May every nation come to know that you alone are God, that Jesus is your Child, that we are your people, the sheep that you pasture. Amen.

I hope you are blessed!!!!

Godspeed
Jimmyg

The ministry of reconciliation, the gift of grace and forgiveness.

"One of the "strange" things about the Christian understanding of sin is that Christians become more aware of sin in proportion to their growth in holiness. The more we love, the more we know how much the lover is offended. The great saints really knew about sin. St. Francis of Assisi, as he lay dying, claimed he was the greatest of sinners. At one time I thought this was just the pious rambling of an unearthly man; but now I see that this was the honest realization of a great lover."

Are we working it out?

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

What blows my mind is the "work out your salvation" and then the "fear and trembling" parts. We don't often think we have to work out anything , we receive what Christ did for us on the cross and then, We kinda relax , waiting for His return or for our departure. However, the word of God says we need to work it out. This reminds me of what Paul meant when he said " I die daily" and John the Baptist said " He must increase I must decrease. Is there more of me today or more of Jesus in me today? Am I really trying to die to myself and live for Christ every moment? Do i still seek after what i want? Lord Jesus change my heart fill it with an overwhelming love for you!

Where are you going?

Well, today I was walking around work and looking at everyone and thinking about how so many people don't know Jesus Christ. It's a bummer when you think about people you know might end up in Hell. You want to tell everyone about God and stuff but they will just think your weird, but what will happen when they pass from this earth and have to face God? It's a bummer. If your reading this and you don't know Jesus Christ ask Him into your heart and ask Him to forgive you of your sins and do your best to live a life that pleases Him! In the end you won't regret it!

Mercy for A heart waxed cold?

 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

                                                                                         Matthew 24:12-13 (KJV)

        Lord Jesus have mercy on me and all who read this. Surely the times of increased lawlessness are upon us and the cold winds of the days chill our bones and our souls, tempting us to grow lax in our love for you. Touch our hearts Lord Jesus fill us with your love and life so that on the last day we can bow before you unashamed! For passion must not only be remembered, but it must continually be had!     
        Mercy! 
        Mercy! 
        Mercy!
        But how can one stand in these last days, it seems our flames are small and our lights are dim. Like homeless beggars  we strive to warm our cold numb fingers around small, dim lit, candles hoping to obtain full warmth for our bodies and souls. Many delights of this present world offer us warmth but none seem to satisfy us for very  long. And after awhile, our hearts bring us back to remember you, your love, your companionship.
        In the midst of death I remember life.
        In the abundance of many things I remember the joy of abiding only in you.
        In the roar of all these present voices, I long for your word.
Remember me oh Lord, look upon me once again, remember your child and have pity. for I do need your presence in my life. 
Can a man and woman in love live apart? No! Now that they know each other things are not the same, and things cannot be as if they never were. The longing for each other would be too great, and if the wait is too long, then the vexation would break them!
        Yea Lord, I desire your flame. Do not forget me lest I be broken too deep. I fear, that if I wander alone in the cold dark woods too long I will be forever lost. Save me Father!  Call my name!
         Mercy!
         Mercy!
         Mercy!
             

brotherly love

I sat behind two brothers today in church service. Their story brought me to tears as I watched them.....Its quite a remarkable story actually, you see, not too long ago one of the brothers was dying.
One brother had a blessed life...good wife, great kids, good career and following Christ.
The other brother was not doing so well...you see...years of  living a hard life style in a hard world had done its toll on his liver, and now in the end, he was dying.

Here is where the story gets awesome.
Brotherly love.

The one brother took the sick brother into his home...he did not reject him or cast him off..he did not close himself off from him...he didn't say "You made your bed now lie in it!"......instead he opened his arms and he loved him. He not only accepted him into his family, he brought him to the family of God...
..and in his dying days the sick brother hears the good news of Jesus Christ and receives Jesus into his heart!

Here is where the story gets incredible.
The family of believers start praying......

Father God steps in and the sick brother gets the medical help he needs and liver transplant...it was rough at first..but after a while...both men, two brothers are in front of me healthy and whole...in church ....worshipping God...because one man didn't give up on his brother...because brotherly love prevailed.

funny..it got me thinking....the liver cleans our blood...too much pollution in the blood  and after a while it kills the liver and then the person dies...that's actually all of our stories
the pollution is our sin..it poisons our life flow, our blood...but Jesus comes and he gives us a transplant...a heart transplant...he takes our sin ...so we may live...to stand and worship and love Him forever!
Its all because of love!

Back to Him

Somehow i got lost in the middle of it.
In the beginning it was pure....it was about being loved and accepted,   being called....a messed up sinner who did not deserve it..... and my heart responded with gratitude and passion.
At some time I was given my draft card and I willingly signed it!
I'm in the Lord's army now!

But somehow, over time my service became stale and  worship became a pattern....it became about attendance and proving to others that I loved Jesus ...proving it to myself .
I found myself feeling guilty or afraid if i didn't meet up to the expectations of others, if i didn't do what I was supposed to do.
Maybe things didn't feel perfect, but that's OK...after all I was doing what I had to do for God...right?
I looked to my fellow recruits for advice. Some got angry with me for not being committed to the plan. The machine must be fed.  Others were tired, just trying to hang in there until the Lord called them home or returned here.
But a few understood my heart, that the machine,  like the Tin Man needs a heart to be complete, to truly live.

I'm finding out that In true worship our motivation and actions spring forth from love and gratitude to our Savior.
In the institutionalized state our actions and deeds are often propelled by feelings of obligation, guilt and fear of criticism.
Crazy how the institutional pattern removes the zeal and love motivation....most people try to solve the fellowship gap with more activity, more works.
Just stay busy until or Lord comes or until we go to Him.
if things don't feel right do more....your service will be rewarded.

but its not about religious business....its supposed to be a love relationship...a friendship, deep and personal.
...not a work contract.
In the fellowship and abiding the Lord will whisper to His bride  once again "come away with me"
The Lord will show His children how we were created to glorify Him!
How we each have a special and unique calling.
so why is the body of Christ copying each other....copying the past?
Lost in a pattern the bride has become an institution....but many are hearing the Lord calling them back....back to Him.
........Jesus has our marching orders and duty assignments and they won't lead us away from Him.
..........Holy Spirit speak to your church...fill us with your love..revive us...ignite us with your fire!
............Father we need your presence, by your Spirit may we always abide in you, empowered and motivated by your love.

John 4:23  (ESV)

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

the heart of a hero and the call of God

      What is it about stories of heroes and battle that thrill the hearts of men? The brave warrior who wins and rescues the beautiful girl. No matter how much the same story line is repeated, it is loved. Brave heart, Gladiator, 300,  the matrix, John Carter,  the list goes on and on, it is endless. There is something in us that wants purpose, and not just to have it, but to win at it. To have battle and struggle and in the end to overcome it. To have love and to be loved, to be needed by the ones we cherish. To be admired by the crowd around us. To be the rescuer, the hero!
       Why is this hidden away in the hearts of men?
        I would say because it is the unseen story of our lives. We have a day to day battle to overcome the evils around us, and not become that which we despise. Its harder then it sounds. The hurts of living in this world weary the strongest of men. If we live long enough we will all feel the temptation to carry a bitter heart. To give into temptation for temporary pleasure. To allow the lines of morality to be blurred for personal gain, after all, everyone else is doing it. Right?
        But, the heroes heart calls us to more, to stand against the tide. To confront the enemy and bow our knee only to truth. To do that which is right, even at the cost of our comfort. To not let the light of our souls to be stamped out by this dark world. The question is, are we brave enough and strong enough to go against the grain of our society? To live righteous, dare I say holy?
        There is a God, and he is calling the men and women of this world. Calling us with Him and His purposes. Calling us to be heroes, calling us to love. Calling us all to live for more than a moment... but for eternal glory with Him.  Whether we realize it or not we are all living out a story, an adventure, and Jesus Christ wants a heroes ending for us all.
          When I depart from this life and move on into eternity, I pray that that the people who knew me on my journey will say simply "Here was a man after Gods own heart, who dared to love God  in this dark world. Here was a man loved by many, because he was a hero"
              Galatians 6:9
              And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.