Do you think He moves away?

Among the crowds at market, my eyes fell on a mother with 3 children in tow.

Two of them were right along side, but one, the youngest I think, was pulling back.

Having children of my own, I didn't need a translator. He had "to go" and was begging her to stop. And, I knew what she was saying. "We can't..... there is no place here ......just hold it!"

In his actions, I could see the desperation and the awareness of the crowds. He was old enough to be ashamed.

Now, don't get distracted by the impropriety of the next scene. There is a lesson here.

Just when the boy could hold it no longer and began to squat, his mother, with one quick sweep of her outer garment, completely covered the boy from view. Moments later, another quick sweep and they were gone, leaving a damp spot on the otherwise dry and dusty ground of the market.

Now, I know this sounds strange, but that mother so reminded me of our Lord.

To some, God is so about "thou shalt and thou shalt not" that they miss the parental side of Him.

Do you think He just stands and stares?
Do you think He moves away?
Do you think He is less skilled than this mother to deal with His children.

No matter what, in the crowded streets of this sinful world, do not let go of His hand, for He will certainly never let go of yours.

Are You Coming?

If a commander gives an order, does the footsoldier ask to see his plan?
When he says “move out”, does he dare say “why”?

I know it sounds crazy but prayer can be an attempt to gain power, control and security.

The logic goes like this: "whatever is bothering me, I can take it to God, and because He loves me, He will make it better." This is a kind of "kiss my boo boo prayer."

Now, there is a level of truth in this thinking but the deeper reality is that prayer is often a dialogue with God about the surrender of power, the transfer of control and perhaps the sacrifice of security.

"Come, follow me."

"Lord, it looks like I could lose everything if I go that way."

"You will lose everything."

"But, Lord, why would you ask that?"

"Don't you understand that you are going to lose everything anyhow, it’s just a matter of time. None of this will last."

"Then shouldn’t I enjoy this while I can?"

"You were created to follow me."

I start to walk his way, but still I ask, "Lord, will you restore what I lose?"
To which I get a direct stare and a very abrupt response.

"I’m finished with this talk; are you coming?"

"Yes, Sir" seems the only appropriate response........................Doesn't it?

Holy Rebellion

When she was taken from us, the Enemy became very real and intimately personal to me. I consciously hated him, despised him and cursed him with a bitter desire to see his humiliation.

Her loss didn't cause me to fear him or death. Rather, it introduced me, for the first time, to hatred. Pure, raging hatred.

I violently railed at him with vicious words. Never a prayer was uttered with such passion.

You see, I sensed our enemy laughing us. I envisioned him drinking our pain like a black wine and I would curse him in the name of Christ and do my best to ruin his pleasure with the prophesy of his end.

(Rage runs at the edge of insanity. One slip and we could be gone.)

That is why, as children of light, we were never meant to concentrate on hatred and revenge. Even righteous anger is dangerous.

The answer to death is life.

The defeat of hatred is love.

The solution to frailty is immortality.

To harm the enemy, one must return fire.

His tool is death, but the sword in my hand is life.

And so, we had more children!

(Expected some deep spiritual act, didn't you? .......................Well maybe it is.)

First, son #3 was born and we named him after his sister. ttyb

And then, son #4 was added to our line! ttyb
Each son, himself, a wonderful gift........... but more.

They are born of defiance, they are the fruit of a holy rebellion against finality.
Each of their names should be followed by a little acronym.

ttyb

ttyb, “Take That You Bastard.”

"You revel in our death and suffering, but by God, we made life!"

"We win and you lose.... you lose........ you lose.

O Lord, how I love that!

Amen

Sticks and Stones

Let me show you something,

When life gets out of control and you are confronted with more problems than solutions, you begin feeling like a victim don't you?

Yes Lord, I do. I remember reading that we are prime targets for the Enemy because we have declared our allegience to you.

That is true but it doesn't mean you are a victim.

You've heard the idea that "the best defense is a good offense." You can't put up a good fight with a defeated attitude. That's why I have equipped you with two great tools. One is anger and the other is fear.

Anger and fear, Lord?

I know that seems a little strange to you but that's because the Enemy is so adept at his work. He has corrupted fear and anger just as he corrupted sexual desire.


You're having a hard time with this are'nt you?


Yes, I am, Lord. I know sexual desire is a good thing but I hate fear and I fear anger.
Fear has cut me deeply and anger gives me a sense of power that makes me uneasy....... how can I describe it..... ..?

When I was a boy, there were unleashed dogs all over our neighborhood and I had this feeling of vulnerability when I walked by their territory.

But if I had a stick..... not a twig but a good stick.... at least 3' long and about 3/4 to an inch in diameter...... and if I had a stone, say about an inch in diameter....... With these two in hand, I felt ready, I felt pretty powerful.

Anger is like the stick and stone to me. It has the ability to address my fears but it seems inappropriate to walk around with it. I don't trust it.

So, you are agreeing with me that they are powerful.

Yes Lord, no doubt.

But you can't see them as good, can you?

No Lord.... perhaps in theory, but not for me in practice. I would like them both out of my life.

Just as a woman may refuse the passionate advance her husband because it reminds her of sinful lust?


..................me thinking.....................................

You don't want to talk about this do you?

No, you are making me uncomfortable and I would like to walk away right now.

You usually do! ...................Are you staying?

Yes........ Yes, Lord.

What I want you to hear again is that you can't put up a good fight with a defeated attitude. I have equipped you with two great tools. One is anger and the other is fear.


You see their power but you don't know how to use them for good. There is power bound up in fear, and it must be released, draw it out for good.


Your anger bears a force, aim it, concentrate it. All things work together for good to those who love me and are following the my call.


The greater the suffering, the tighter the pull
The deeper the pain, the longer the shaft
The fuller surrender the sharper the tip
The enemies fall by your hand

Do you see this?

Do you understand this?

A little, Lord. Just a little.

It's Over

I don't want to live with constant frustration but I just can’t settle in and live out my days on a leash.

I understand the tiger pacing in his cage.

Back and forth, side to side, in and out, round and round.

He wants to escape.

He wants to hunt.

I honor his wild heart.

If he quits pacing……..if he lies down and waits,……………..

He is dead.

He is no longer a Tiger and it’s over.

I worship you, O Lion of Judah. Amen