Hebrews 5:9

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek." ~Hebrews 5:7-10 (NIV)


"During the days of Jesus' life on earth..." Start to finish, what was He in the habit of doing? "He offered up prayers and petitions." And not in a passive, "oh-I-guess-I-better-pray" sort of way. He did so "with loud cries and tears." That's pretty passionate. To whom did He pray? "To the One who could save Him from death." Why are we not able to keep (and balance) that perspective on a regular (daily) basis? Death is our payment for a life lived on earth... unless, that is, we've placed our trust in the One who can save us. (Have I truly done that? Read on...)
"He was heard because of His reverent submission." He submitted, daily, to the will of His Father... Our Father - God. (John 1:12) "Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered." Our Father is able to keep us from suffering. Being God's son did not keep bad things from happening to Jesus - and neither will it be so for us. Why? Because we are being made perfect (perfect, in the Bible, is another word for maturity) through our obedience when it's not so easy to obey. And get this... "(Jesus) became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him..."
How will I know if I'm saved? If I believe in Him, I will obey Him. And as one who reverently submits to Him, I'm awarded eternal salvation. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him." And living faith obeys the One in whom we trust. Lord, help me to continue to see with Your eyes, as You mark out the path prepared for me. May I remember Your Word, and live according to the precepts therein. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Psalm 123

I lift up my eyes to You,

to You whose throne is in heaven.

As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

till He shows us mercy.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us,

for we have endured much contempt.

We have endured much ridicule from the proud,

much contempt from the arrogant.

No more "if only"s

I've decided that there are to be no more "if only"s in my life. I'm going to give thanks, and be content in whatever the day brings. Today was a terrific day. And here, at the end of it, my thought was, "It was great day. It would've been better if..." No more of that. It was a lovely day, from start to finish! In fact, yesterday was the start of this lovely day. My daughter helped me baked pies. Later on, my son and his girlfriend helped prepare yams for 15-20 people! This morning, I set the table for a lovely breakfast... enjoyed breakfast. Then spent the morning finding our way around downtown Seattle to deliver the goodies we'd prepared. I have the most beautiful children (who are not so much children anymore!) Had fun at the movies with my daughter. Then drove up to the Island to spend the remainder of the day with my family. Yes, there are elements that were missing. But, what I was given was fantastic! Thank You, Lord, for taking care of me. Help me to enjoy Your grace as it is given... which is abundantly! Hm. One of Aaron's favorite biblical concepts is that when you're proven with the little things, then you'll be entrusted with more. Let me be content with what I have. To manage it well, and be grateful. Amen.

it's late...

and this is where i get silly. :) so i'm wondering... why is it so hard to trust God sometimes? hmmm... maybe the question is... *when* is it hardest to trust God? my answer is... when people let you down... let you down? hmmm... isn't that all about expectations? so are they really letting me down? or is it just that my expectations are too high? yep... i'm sure that's it. so why can't i learn to recognize that in the moment, rather than letting my emotions rise up inside of me? letting my "self" take control, rather than keeping the Lord on the throne. if the Lord were seated on the throne, how would He have me respond? that's what i've got to remember in that moment. those moments when trust takes a flying leap out the window. ok, Lord... You are there. on the throne. what's next? (thanks for putting up with me. thanks for Your faithfulness to me.)

and yet...

"...Jesus has called us to live a life of unimaginable adventure. It begins the moment we choose to follow Him." ~Erwin McManus, Chasing Daylight

I agree with Mr. McManus, as he says in Chasing Daylight, that God has been horribly misunderstood in our time (and probably long before our time)... and that He's been badly misrepresented. We're forever giving Him a bad name, and/or imposing on ourselves all sorts of restrictions and limitations He never intended for us. His is a glorious plan. His is a tremendous purpose in our lives. The other day, I was reminded how following Christ is not easy, pretty or free. But... it is, most definitely, the most rewarding experience in all of life. It is an adventure that comes with the most amazing rewards and blessings. It's real life. And it all starts with a moment of decision.

"The journey chose him, but the adventure was his to chose." ~entry 203, The Perils of Ayden (McManus)

it ain't easy...

it ain't easy.
it ain't pretty.
it ain't free.

(Luke 9:57-62)

Jesus addressed three different men, and, essentially, gave them these three responses. To one, He said that following Him would not be easy. He had no place to lay His head. To another, it may not be pretty. The dead would have to bury their own. And to another, it isn't free. Obedience is the price we're required to pay.

How important is it that we do our best *not* to offend people?

"The words of the Lord hurt and offend until there is nothing left to be hurt or offended." -My Utmost for His Highest, Oswalk Chambers (edited by James Reimann)

This is such an important lesson for me. Only when I've completely died to myself am I able to completely live. When I am humble, I am able to love unconditionally. On the other hand, when I am self-righteous is when I am most at risk of hurting the people around me.

Following Jesus isn't easy. I'm not doing it because it's fashionable. I'm doing it because He saw something in me worth redeeming. He loves me, and He believes in who He's called me to be. Only by His grace am I a follower of Christ.

my hideaway

i love the idea of running to a place that's safe. a place of refuge... where i can find rest, and be refreshed. knowing that my Lord is waiting for me there. waiting to offer comfort and encouragement. willing to train me in ways i'm not yet skilled.

but, do i always have to be running? what if i just showed up regularly to recount the day's events? or stopped by early to consider what's ahead? hmmm...

my hideaway.

i'm safe and secure. i'm growing. i'm relinquishing not only my sorrow, but my vices and dependencies outside of Christ. i'm relishing the joy that is mine in Him.

may i be ever-mindful of my need to get away. to be still and know that He is G-d - and i'm not.

Lord, will You help me with this?