A Consuming Fire

The God of the Bible who appears as a burning bush now burns passionately and personally today. He kindles a fire in the souls of men and women that may start out reminiscent of the tune "This little light of mine...", but it grows and burns brightly. You see, we have the luxury of experiencing God, not as a burning bush from a distant desert in the middle east, but in the closest confines of our own hearts.

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"
-Hebrews 12:28,29

The Love of God

He is the picture of perfection and his picture hangs on every wall of my heart. But even while I am not picture perfect, my picture still hangs on every wall of his heart.

Do you know where your picture hangs?

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
-Romans 8:37-39

Overflowing

I want to sing a song so that it fills the air, but the air cannot possibly hold what I treasure in my heart. So I slowly release the gratitude overflowing from a place deep inside. A place where he speaks tenderly, offering wholeness to everything broken. And he calls me his own.

Do you know this God I love? Do you know Jesus? My heart is overwhelmed by his goodness.

"I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him."
-Psalm 40:1-3

Truth

He carries loads of metaphors in his hands, all heavy like suitcases. Still, he delivers each one with ease when they flow from his pen, all smooth and fluid. And he writes the truth the way no other can.

Have you read his story?

"I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ."
-Galatians 1:11,12

Overwhelmed

I get caught in the thick of things where life grows tall like grass in summer. So when time sinks low in the sky, I wonder how I end up so far away from everything I know to be familiar. Still, the hand of heaven gently leads me back day after day.

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
-Lamentations 3:23

Enter In

I tried to let go of control, but control would not let go of me. I then tried to check my need for perfection at the door, but perfection seemed to still need me. So when I entered into a relationship with Christ, I was surprised to discover both perfection and control laying on the floor behind me.

"... he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory."
-Isaiah 61:3

Digging Deeper

We do not have to dread the details of the day when we know the details are determined by God...But we still ought to submit to his plan. So I seek his will in places where I know it can be found. And I feel so thankful to know that God does not play games of hide and seek, but leads me to a place of understanding as I dig deeper in his Word.

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
-Romans 12:1,2