Deep unto deep
How far down
What length in my soul
Every nook
Every crevice
A resounding cry
A reverberating groan
Wonders
Show me wonders
Mysteries
Reveal mysteries
Awaken the sounds of hunger
I must know
I must taste
I must handle
You're good
I know it
Stir up the stagnant waters
Here's my heart
All of it
Whole heart
Holy life
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Vintage
The reason I like vintage so much is because it come from an era in the past where life was simpler. Immorality and wickedness weren’t as rampant as they are now. Boredom and apathy rarely occurred, fascination and wonder consumed. A time when mankind didn’t have the answers for everything and a solution to anything. There was joy and delight in invention and working hard to produce. All I see in this generation is drive-through, grab-and-go religion, going through all the semantics just to get a gold star, “Good job, you mindlessly completed another task where your heart and emotions were completely unattached and can now remain in your warm, cozy, vain, self-consuming bubble for yet another week.”
The reason I like vintage so much is because my spirit knows I was made for sinless perfection. I was made for the Holy One who creates out of love and shares His secrets to the simple ones. He doesn’t enjoy confusing, overcomplicated relationships- just pure, unadulterated, blissful communion. He likes honesty. He likes the weak lifted up. He likes joy unspeakable marinating in the heart. He likes confidence in love. He likes reality to be filled with incomparable fascination. He likes the hungry filled.
No death. No sorrow. No pain. No crying. No lying. No backbiting. No judgments. No self-seeking. No boasting. No envy. No immorality. No preying on the helpless. No false assumptions. No thieves. No cursing. No pity parties. No humanism. No good-byes.
What was lost in the garden shall be restored. There will be a new Heaven, a new earth and a grand, beautiful, breathtaking city. Our sins forever washed away and the mercy of the Lord ever on our lips. Blessed hope gives me strength to endure suffering and persecution. To let the light in me contrast with the darkness of this world. To stand firm on the truth that one day my faith will become sight. Bygone eras will lack nostalgia for the future, eternity with YHWH, I fix my gaze.
The reason I like vintage so much is because my spirit knows I was made for sinless perfection. I was made for the Holy One who creates out of love and shares His secrets to the simple ones. He doesn’t enjoy confusing, overcomplicated relationships- just pure, unadulterated, blissful communion. He likes honesty. He likes the weak lifted up. He likes joy unspeakable marinating in the heart. He likes confidence in love. He likes reality to be filled with incomparable fascination. He likes the hungry filled.
No death. No sorrow. No pain. No crying. No lying. No backbiting. No judgments. No self-seeking. No boasting. No envy. No immorality. No preying on the helpless. No false assumptions. No thieves. No cursing. No pity parties. No humanism. No good-byes.
What was lost in the garden shall be restored. There will be a new Heaven, a new earth and a grand, beautiful, breathtaking city. Our sins forever washed away and the mercy of the Lord ever on our lips. Blessed hope gives me strength to endure suffering and persecution. To let the light in me contrast with the darkness of this world. To stand firm on the truth that one day my faith will become sight. Bygone eras will lack nostalgia for the future, eternity with YHWH, I fix my gaze.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Thorns
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. Luke 8.14
The parable of the sower contains much depth than simply surface, which is exactly why Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean?” Yet many have not asked Holy Spirit the same question. I think it’s safe to say that obviously the seeds which fall by the wayside and the seeds that fall on the rock is an inherent depravity in humanity, but not the definitive seed of the Church. Sadly, I don’t think it’s the fertile soil either. There is one last option that with a distressing disposition I surrender my zeal and intercede for the bride.
Thorns, the Word has fallen on thorns and no one has even noticed.
The voice of the Church has been stifled, choked. Riches, abundance and comfort have dulled the hearts of formerly lovesick Christians. What began in the Spirit is now vainly trying to be made in the flesh. The pleasures of life, the fame of a well-known name in religious spheres prevail over the Name. Constant publishing of “How to Grow Your Church by 50” and “How Your Cell Group can Grow and Multiply” incessantly flood the mind thus the heart lacks maturity. Super pastors have begun to sweep through their congregations like a some high-profile actor or movie director while pride oozes out their pores.
I’m tired of celebrity ministers. I’m tired of cultural relevance taking preeminence. There is only one found worthy of all blessing and honor, glory and power. His name is Jesus. The Church must wake up, shake Herself from the dust of the lusts of this age and press into the Spirit.
Are we reading the Word? Are we studying the Word? Are we held accountable to a higher vision of life? Accountability does not equal talking in circles about vain, self-preserving complaints.
When Paul preached on Mars Hill, how many converted? Three. Why such a small number? Because Paul tried to make it relevant to the culture and win the approval of man. Once in Corinth, he went back to preaching the simple message of the Cross, and God birthed a whole church because there’s power in the name of Jesus. Jesus doesn’t need man’s witness, but man needs the witness of Heaven. There is life and liberty in the wounds of Christ. No matter how much charisma any preacher of the Word contains, if Christ and Him crucified isn’t first place then there is no purpose.
It’s all about Jesus. He is the mediator between God and man. Jesus is the highest expression of God to humanity and He is the highest expression of humanity to God. We need Him. We need Him preached. We need Him prayed to. We need Him adored. We need Him sacrificed.
And so as the Church we offer our humble sacrifice, a meager gift of worship. We give Him our life. We give Him our time. We give Him our rights, opinions and selfish notions. We lay it all aside and buy gold refined in the fire that we may be fit to stand, serve, minister and burn before the throne of grace. To find the Word planted in the fertile soil of the heart, cultivating a lush garden of humility, faith, joy, hope and love.
The parable of the sower contains much depth than simply surface, which is exactly why Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean?” Yet many have not asked Holy Spirit the same question. I think it’s safe to say that obviously the seeds which fall by the wayside and the seeds that fall on the rock is an inherent depravity in humanity, but not the definitive seed of the Church. Sadly, I don’t think it’s the fertile soil either. There is one last option that with a distressing disposition I surrender my zeal and intercede for the bride.
Thorns, the Word has fallen on thorns and no one has even noticed.
The voice of the Church has been stifled, choked. Riches, abundance and comfort have dulled the hearts of formerly lovesick Christians. What began in the Spirit is now vainly trying to be made in the flesh. The pleasures of life, the fame of a well-known name in religious spheres prevail over the Name. Constant publishing of “How to Grow Your Church by 50” and “How Your Cell Group can Grow and Multiply” incessantly flood the mind thus the heart lacks maturity. Super pastors have begun to sweep through their congregations like a some high-profile actor or movie director while pride oozes out their pores.
I’m tired of celebrity ministers. I’m tired of cultural relevance taking preeminence. There is only one found worthy of all blessing and honor, glory and power. His name is Jesus. The Church must wake up, shake Herself from the dust of the lusts of this age and press into the Spirit.
Are we reading the Word? Are we studying the Word? Are we held accountable to a higher vision of life? Accountability does not equal talking in circles about vain, self-preserving complaints.
When Paul preached on Mars Hill, how many converted? Three. Why such a small number? Because Paul tried to make it relevant to the culture and win the approval of man. Once in Corinth, he went back to preaching the simple message of the Cross, and God birthed a whole church because there’s power in the name of Jesus. Jesus doesn’t need man’s witness, but man needs the witness of Heaven. There is life and liberty in the wounds of Christ. No matter how much charisma any preacher of the Word contains, if Christ and Him crucified isn’t first place then there is no purpose.
It’s all about Jesus. He is the mediator between God and man. Jesus is the highest expression of God to humanity and He is the highest expression of humanity to God. We need Him. We need Him preached. We need Him prayed to. We need Him adored. We need Him sacrificed.
And so as the Church we offer our humble sacrifice, a meager gift of worship. We give Him our life. We give Him our time. We give Him our rights, opinions and selfish notions. We lay it all aside and buy gold refined in the fire that we may be fit to stand, serve, minister and burn before the throne of grace. To find the Word planted in the fertile soil of the heart, cultivating a lush garden of humility, faith, joy, hope and love.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Read Church, Read
It’s not a case of rebellion that’s sweeping the youth in the Church, it’s immaturity. It’s a lack of knowledge of the Holy One. Sunday school stories aren’t the end of true understanding of the only Man worthy to take the sins of the world. There is so much depth to the Bible, much more than time is even give to it. That’s the problem. We’re illiterate. We feed on Sunday morning Bible reading and maybe a Psalm every once and a while. God’s people have quit searching the Scriptures and rely on others for insight and wisdom.
The Word is supposed to strength our faith. The Word is meant to give language to the journey to Zion. The problem is that the Church doesn’t even know about Zion, the New Jerusalem. The city coming down prepared just like a bride for her husband. It’s the eternal dwelling place of the righteous. Read the Word. Let His love break through. Let His words of life pierce the lies and the accusation against who God is. No more chasing after other lovers, no more broken cisterns.
Oh, the bride doesn’t know who she is. She hasn’t read about herself in the pages. The glorious and dramatic truths of God orchestrating His union with His children. No more veil. The more we read, the less we know. The Word is endless. There is no bottom point, no place of arrival. Each hour upon hour our mind is blown as we let love win in our hearts. Choose to believe words of life. The Word brings healing and freedom. Listen to the language of Heaven. Hear His voice.
Pray the Word back to Him. Thank Him. Lavish adoration upon His name. As He astounds your heart, astound His with your love. It’s time to read again. Swipe the dust off your heart and Bible; let Him blow your mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the feelings of God.
It’s time to read! It’s time to devour! It’s time to digest the scroll! Turn off the TV, there’s no eternal rewards in American Idol anyways. Log off Facebook. Block out two hours, shut the door of your room and ask the Holy Spirit if He would give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. (Ephesians 1:17) Go slow, don’t rush through and open your heart to the Lover of your soul waiting in anticipation to reveal how He feels about you.
The Word is supposed to strength our faith. The Word is meant to give language to the journey to Zion. The problem is that the Church doesn’t even know about Zion, the New Jerusalem. The city coming down prepared just like a bride for her husband. It’s the eternal dwelling place of the righteous. Read the Word. Let His love break through. Let His words of life pierce the lies and the accusation against who God is. No more chasing after other lovers, no more broken cisterns.
Oh, the bride doesn’t know who she is. She hasn’t read about herself in the pages. The glorious and dramatic truths of God orchestrating His union with His children. No more veil. The more we read, the less we know. The Word is endless. There is no bottom point, no place of arrival. Each hour upon hour our mind is blown as we let love win in our hearts. Choose to believe words of life. The Word brings healing and freedom. Listen to the language of Heaven. Hear His voice.
Pray the Word back to Him. Thank Him. Lavish adoration upon His name. As He astounds your heart, astound His with your love. It’s time to read again. Swipe the dust off your heart and Bible; let Him blow your mind. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the feelings of God.
It’s time to read! It’s time to devour! It’s time to digest the scroll! Turn off the TV, there’s no eternal rewards in American Idol anyways. Log off Facebook. Block out two hours, shut the door of your room and ask the Holy Spirit if He would give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. (Ephesians 1:17) Go slow, don’t rush through and open your heart to the Lover of your soul waiting in anticipation to reveal how He feels about you.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Questions for the Mother of Jesus
1. Did Jesus every tell you the names of the stars?
2. Did you ever call Jesus YHWH on purpose just to see if He would respond?
3. Did Jesus ever talk to you about Isaiah 7:14? Did He ever thank you?
4. Did Jesus ever prophesy over you?
5. What was it like when the wise men and their entourage showed up at your door? How did it feel to get unexpected, expensive gifts? What did your neighbors ask you about them showing up? How did you respond? Did you tell them Jesus was God?
6. How did Jesus react to girls liking Him while He was growing up?
7. Did you ask Jesus if He knew Joseph would die? Was He acting differently the weeks leading up to it?
8. How did you tell Jesus’ siblings He was God? Did you?
9. Did Jesus ever get lost?
10. How did Jesus meet people? Did He ever forget people’s names?
11. Was Jesus good at every activity? Was there anything He wasn’t the best at?
12. At the market was Jesus good at bartering for fair prices?
13. What were family dynamics like? Did Jesus make sure no one was left out? On outings was He always cheerful, talkative and fun?
14. Was Jesus introverted or extroverted? Did He spend the majority of time alone?
15. How did Jesus display humility as a child? Did He always invite outcasts home for dinner? Did He take punishments from you even when He didn’t disobey?
16. Did Jesus play music? Did He write songs? Were they about the Throne? Or the nature of the Father? Did He sing silly, improvisational songs?
17. Did Jesus collect anything? What was He fascinated with? Or did earthly treasures never interest Him?
18. Was Jesus a good cook? Did He know the way all the spices would work together?
19. Was Jesus the best carpenter in Nazareth? Did He make tables perfectly?
20. How did Jesus react to violence and anger?
2. Did you ever call Jesus YHWH on purpose just to see if He would respond?
3. Did Jesus ever talk to you about Isaiah 7:14? Did He ever thank you?
4. Did Jesus ever prophesy over you?
5. What was it like when the wise men and their entourage showed up at your door? How did it feel to get unexpected, expensive gifts? What did your neighbors ask you about them showing up? How did you respond? Did you tell them Jesus was God?
6. How did Jesus react to girls liking Him while He was growing up?
7. Did you ask Jesus if He knew Joseph would die? Was He acting differently the weeks leading up to it?
8. How did you tell Jesus’ siblings He was God? Did you?
9. Did Jesus ever get lost?
10. How did Jesus meet people? Did He ever forget people’s names?
11. Was Jesus good at every activity? Was there anything He wasn’t the best at?
12. At the market was Jesus good at bartering for fair prices?
13. What were family dynamics like? Did Jesus make sure no one was left out? On outings was He always cheerful, talkative and fun?
14. Was Jesus introverted or extroverted? Did He spend the majority of time alone?
15. How did Jesus display humility as a child? Did He always invite outcasts home for dinner? Did He take punishments from you even when He didn’t disobey?
16. Did Jesus play music? Did He write songs? Were they about the Throne? Or the nature of the Father? Did He sing silly, improvisational songs?
17. Did Jesus collect anything? What was He fascinated with? Or did earthly treasures never interest Him?
18. Was Jesus a good cook? Did He know the way all the spices would work together?
19. Was Jesus the best carpenter in Nazareth? Did He make tables perfectly?
20. How did Jesus react to violence and anger?
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Live Lovely
Sin has gripped humanity where outburst of rage and verbal abuse is the norm. There is a decline in the dignity that a human being holds to not live off of emotions and the heat of the moment. Life is consumed by comparison of one’s life versus another. Usually that other comes from tabloids, magazines and gossip television shows boasting of extravagant, self-indulgent lifestyles. In the abundance of excess, where is the heart refreshed? Where is the soul exhilarated? Where is the mind set on things above? Momentary, passing pleasures don’t satisfy. They seem inviting, a solution to the ache of excitement yet increases the longing for more. It’s a hole that doesn’t seem to be filled. A missing piece of an intricate, complex puzzle.
I’ve found the remedy.
Listen. Incline your ear to the rhythm of running. His name is Jealous Jealousy, He’s an all-consuming fire and He won’t stop pursuing His beloved ones who have strayed. No longer will He allow His bride to run after other lovers. The first commandment must return to first place.
Idol worship doesn’t exist just because this is the 21st century. Look at the monuments built to food; our god is in our belly. Consume, devour and supersize. A constant dulling of the spirit, consistent scrambling to satisfy. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5.6) Hunger, longing, fasting, praying, devotion, seeking for more. The bride is obese, no pangs of hunger found in her. She has indulged herself far beyond recognition. It’s time to fast, Church. It’s time to mourn. It’s time to be poor in spirit. It’s time to come face to face with the depravity of human vigor and strength. Oh our frame is but dust yet pride mitigates the true nature of our being.
What about the temples built to our bodies? Millions of dollars spent on clothes. Extra clothes to fill closets to the brim. Hours upon hours wasted wandering up and down streets and through malls lusting over garments to that make us feel better about ourselves because clearly there isn’t enough. There’s never enough. We want more, more, more. Filling and numbing and searching. It’s not a hobby, it’s not a fun pastime, it’s an obsession. It’s an addiction where we’ll even watch shows about it. It’s a waste of precious time. Are we asking the Lord what He thinks about the hours wasted? Are we sensitive to the Spirit on hundreds of dollars being spent?
How will the cry, “Marantha!” ever go out if the bride is perfectly content with weak prayer, prosperity messages, another round of grace for everyone and a completely culture dictated lifestyle? I thought this world wasn’t our home. Aren’t we pilgrims, sojourners passing through on our way to Zion? Why is the bride completely unrecognized in the eyes of society? Kindness is great to show to our neighbors, but why isn’t Jesus preached? Why does it all have to be so anonymous and inoffensive? If it’s not Jesus, it’s not justice.
There’s only one way, one truth, one life, one door to the Father and that’s through Jesus. Not Buddha, not Mohammad, not the Virgin Mary, not good deeds alone. It’s Jesus. He’s the only way to God. We need a right perspective of this Man.
He’s the very nature of the zealous Father of lights who loves to give good gifts to His children. Jesus needs to have preeminence once more. Christ and Christ alone preached in the churches and sung in our worship. It only comes from time in the secret place, tucked away from the eyes of man. It comes in the mundane life of an obedient lover who’s yes is weak and small, but it’s so sincere and moves the heart of God. To linger in the presence of the Lover of the soul should be the best part of the day. We should pant for this time with Him like a deer pants for water. It’s in the Word that we find refreshment, it needs to be our getaway. Sunday morning shouldn’t be the only time in communion with Jesus. Before meals and tests can’t be the only time to pray to the Creator of all.
Eternal glory rests upon this life. Proximity to Jesus forever is determined by this age. Do we truly mourn for Him? Are we truly undone by the fact that Jesus isn’t walking in the midst of us ruling and reigning in righteousness? If Jesus wasn’t in Heaven, would we even be bothered by that?
It’s about Jesus. He’s the very picture of the nature of God. And He is also the very picture of humanity’s image to God. Once saved, we’re clothed in the righteousness of Christ. It’s time to put on our heavenly garments and live lovely. To know we’re enjoyed by God, to know we aren’t condemned by God because of past failures. We repent, move on and delight in the Father delighting in us. For we are the prize of all creation, the joy set before Jesus to endure the pain of the cross. It’s time to live lovely, out of the overflow of being alive to God and dead to sin.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) Live lovely and all else will fall in line.
I’ve found the remedy.
Listen. Incline your ear to the rhythm of running. His name is Jealous Jealousy, He’s an all-consuming fire and He won’t stop pursuing His beloved ones who have strayed. No longer will He allow His bride to run after other lovers. The first commandment must return to first place.
Idol worship doesn’t exist just because this is the 21st century. Look at the monuments built to food; our god is in our belly. Consume, devour and supersize. A constant dulling of the spirit, consistent scrambling to satisfy. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5.6) Hunger, longing, fasting, praying, devotion, seeking for more. The bride is obese, no pangs of hunger found in her. She has indulged herself far beyond recognition. It’s time to fast, Church. It’s time to mourn. It’s time to be poor in spirit. It’s time to come face to face with the depravity of human vigor and strength. Oh our frame is but dust yet pride mitigates the true nature of our being.
What about the temples built to our bodies? Millions of dollars spent on clothes. Extra clothes to fill closets to the brim. Hours upon hours wasted wandering up and down streets and through malls lusting over garments to that make us feel better about ourselves because clearly there isn’t enough. There’s never enough. We want more, more, more. Filling and numbing and searching. It’s not a hobby, it’s not a fun pastime, it’s an obsession. It’s an addiction where we’ll even watch shows about it. It’s a waste of precious time. Are we asking the Lord what He thinks about the hours wasted? Are we sensitive to the Spirit on hundreds of dollars being spent?
How will the cry, “Marantha!” ever go out if the bride is perfectly content with weak prayer, prosperity messages, another round of grace for everyone and a completely culture dictated lifestyle? I thought this world wasn’t our home. Aren’t we pilgrims, sojourners passing through on our way to Zion? Why is the bride completely unrecognized in the eyes of society? Kindness is great to show to our neighbors, but why isn’t Jesus preached? Why does it all have to be so anonymous and inoffensive? If it’s not Jesus, it’s not justice.
There’s only one way, one truth, one life, one door to the Father and that’s through Jesus. Not Buddha, not Mohammad, not the Virgin Mary, not good deeds alone. It’s Jesus. He’s the only way to God. We need a right perspective of this Man.
He’s the very nature of the zealous Father of lights who loves to give good gifts to His children. Jesus needs to have preeminence once more. Christ and Christ alone preached in the churches and sung in our worship. It only comes from time in the secret place, tucked away from the eyes of man. It comes in the mundane life of an obedient lover who’s yes is weak and small, but it’s so sincere and moves the heart of God. To linger in the presence of the Lover of the soul should be the best part of the day. We should pant for this time with Him like a deer pants for water. It’s in the Word that we find refreshment, it needs to be our getaway. Sunday morning shouldn’t be the only time in communion with Jesus. Before meals and tests can’t be the only time to pray to the Creator of all.
Eternal glory rests upon this life. Proximity to Jesus forever is determined by this age. Do we truly mourn for Him? Are we truly undone by the fact that Jesus isn’t walking in the midst of us ruling and reigning in righteousness? If Jesus wasn’t in Heaven, would we even be bothered by that?
It’s about Jesus. He’s the very picture of the nature of God. And He is also the very picture of humanity’s image to God. Once saved, we’re clothed in the righteousness of Christ. It’s time to put on our heavenly garments and live lovely. To know we’re enjoyed by God, to know we aren’t condemned by God because of past failures. We repent, move on and delight in the Father delighting in us. For we are the prize of all creation, the joy set before Jesus to endure the pain of the cross. It’s time to live lovely, out of the overflow of being alive to God and dead to sin.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33) Live lovely and all else will fall in line.