breathing room for my soul

Monday, March 07, 2016

Up To Jerusalem - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

During this season of reflections and renewal, join me in exploring the Bread of Life. When we encounter Jesus Christ, this Living Bread feeds, satisfies, and transforms us. Come on this journey and remember this True Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 NIV

Jesus spent the last months of ministry making His final journey up to Jerusalem. This verse in Luke’s Gospel announces the turning point in Jesus’ ministry. Focus on His teaching ministry changes, and Jesus begins to prepare the Disciples and Himself for His destiny, the cross. Over the next months Jesus repeatedly explains to the Disciples that He will suffer beatings and betrayal, death and resurrection. Christian discipleship always comes down to the cross!

Scholars call Luke 9:51 through Luke 19:44 the “travel narrative”. Jesus and the disciples minister to people from Galilee to Jerusalem. Parables and healing, opposition and rejection become lessons about the cost of discipleship. Plots to kill and schemes to discredit both challenge and confront Jesus’ authority. Up to Jerusalem really describes Jesus in steadfast determination and faithful obedience to accomplish His assigned mission. God’s plan requires a journey to the cross!

Lord, I, too, know something about suffering and betrayal, rejection and confrontation. Like the disciples, I, too, do not always understand. In the shadow of the cross, I pray, “Lord, always give us this bread” to sustain me, to strengthen my resolve as I go up to my Jerusalem. - dho

Focus Point: Christian discipleship always comes down to the cross!

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Sunday, March 06, 2016

4th Sunday of Lent 2016 ~ Mystery of God's Image Within Us

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Define yourself as one beloved by God. This is the true self.

Every other identity is illusion. Brennan Manning

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness… God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27 NASB

God breathes life into every being. When we begin to recognize the splendor of God, the soul finds a holy marker, finds God’s love permanently etched deep inside. With His enduring hope, God uses the cruel lessons of worldly success and moral apathy to expose our innocence and vulnerability, our brokenness and frailty. Then, He re-molds our apathy into compassion and our successes become fruit for His kingdom. God gathers all our broken pieces, creating a new beauty that reflects His divine image.

Come As You Are ~ Crowder (click here for video)

Bread of Life, You sustain me no matter the circumstances. Invincible Love embraces me, never leaving despite disappointment or daggers, ugly words or evil ways. Great is Your faithfulness from yesterday and beyond tomorrow. Your love conquers the world while holding me. – dho

Focus Point: “Come as you are!” ~ Crowder

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Saturday, March 05, 2016

Bread of Presence - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Place the Bread of the Presence on the table to remain before Me at all times. Exodus 25:30 NLT

In giving explicit instructions to Moses about building a holy sanctuary, God’s plan is to be present with His people. Chapters 25-27 in Exodus provide the specific details for the Tabernacle in which the Ark of the Covenant would stay. The Tabernacle includes two distinct areas: an outer space called the Holy Place where the lampstand (menorah), the table, and the Bread of the Presence would be, and an inner space known as the Most Holy Place surrounded by curtains where the Ark of the Covenant stays. This Bread of the Presence, 12 loaves of unleavened bread baked fresh each week before the Sabbath, must be placed on the holy table in two piles of six to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The Bread of the Presence depicts the people’s offering to God and God’s desire to always be present with His people.

Only to be eaten by the priests in a holy place, the Bread of the Presence of the Old Testament can symbolize Jesus, the Bread of Life, the people’s offering to God. Christ, as the true High Priest, enters the Most Holy Place as a blood sacrifice, an offering for all people. Christ becomes the New Covenant offering atonement for sins, offering forgiveness and grace and everlasting life. Jesus, the Holy One, becomes true bread, spiritual bread that satisfies the hungry. Jesus, always present, is the Bread of Life.

Lord, my life needs something constant and knowing You are always present calms me, reassures me, comforts me. “Lord, always give us this bread.” Bread of the Presence and Bread of Life, Holy, Holy, Holy! I fall to my knees aware of Your unlimited love and grace. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus, always present, is the Bread of Life.

[**read Hebrews, chapter 9 to better understand the OT Tabernacle and Christ, the Perfect Sacrifice]

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Friday, March 04, 2016

Jesus Promises - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

[Jesus says] “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.” John 6:56 NASB

These verses in John definitely fall in the category of hard sayings. Even the disciples ask, “Who can understand it?” These metaphors of flesh and blood offend some who seek a literal implication, but actually point to the cross. For some Jews, a sacrificial Messiah would be ridiculous. Spiritual truth evades their understanding and many turn away.

Jesus says, “He who eats this bread will live forever.” Teaching about a mutual abiding, a personal unity of God with every believer comes as a new idea to the people. The lesson focuses more on faith and less on works, more about trusting and less about rules. Grace comes to humanity by way of the cross, both crucifixion and resurrection.

Jesus, the way to salvation cost You everything; still, You promise to abide with me if I abide with You. My head echoes the question asked that day, “Who can understand it?” The cross brings me Grace and teaches me to pray with purpose, “Lord, always give us this bread.” - dho

Focus Point: Grace comes to humanity by way of the cross, both crucifixion and resurrection.

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Thursday, March 03, 2016

Misunderstandings - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Then the Jews began to argue with one another, saying, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” John 6:52 NASB

Misunderstandings by those who listen to Jesus cause disagreements. Thinking with reason and logic, they ask, “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” When Jesus speaks about sacrificial death and eternal life, the people miss the spiritual significance. With the Passover celebration near, Jesus hopes the people will see beyond the physical components of the meal, the unleavened bread and an unblemished lamb, to see God’s promise in Him as Living Bread and Lamb of God. The concept of the personal sacrifice of Jesus escapes them because they still believe the Messiah will be a political king. Jesus reveals His true identity but the people misunderstand.

In the Old Testament, the prophet Jeremiah proclaims God’s plan, “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah…I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts;, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Jeremiah 31:31-33) This new covenant is Christ. Some 600 years later, most of the people who witness Jesus do not understand, and 2000 years after that, people still struggle to grasp the spiritual nourishment Christ offers.

Lord, I am guilty of thinking too logically, wanting simple answers to hard questions. When thoughts exceed my understanding, it’s easy to shrug and move passed. Scripture tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. Help me realize that sometimes faith alone is required. “Lord, always give us this bread.” May my mind and heart and soul truly be nourished by True Bread. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus reveals His true identity but the people misunderstand.

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Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Again and Forever - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

“I am the living bread that came down our of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I give for the life of the world is My flesh.” John 6:51 NASB

Jesus repeats the promise of God’s divine purpose. Life forever with God comes by believing in the living bread from heaven; life forever comes through Jesus. In this verse Jesus gives a glimpse of His crucifixion, the bread also which I give for the life of the world is My flesh. Greater than the wilderness manna, Jesus becomes living bread, not temporary, not finite, but everlasting and infinite. The wilderness manna meets daily physical needs with God’s promise of faithfulness, while Living Bread completes all spiritual needs with God’s promise of everlasting life.

Jesus, willingly obedient to the Father, will soon be condemned to crucifixion by false witnesses too afraid to complete the task. Jesus, betrayed and beaten by people and politics, will be nailed to a cross by soldiers assigned to the task. Jesus, mocked and cursed and denied, will die for generations of people undeserving such love. Jesus, Son of God, the living bread, is broken to bring everlasting life to a weak and weary world.

God, Obedience can be hard for me. Hiding in the crowd I say, “Lord, always give us this bread,” but I’m not sure I really want this if it means standing up to false teachings and talking against the majority. My heart weeps at my weakness in contrast to Your willingness. Forgive me. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus, Son of God, the living bread, is broken to bring everlasting life to a weak and weary world.

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Tuesday, March 01, 2016

Jesus Answers - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Jesus said, “Don’t bicker among yourselves over Me. You’re not in charge here. The Father who sent Me is in charge. John 6:43 The Message

Grumbling and mumbling about what Jesus tells them gets a rebuke. Much like a parent responds to bickering children, Jesus says to stop arguing, as the decision about what is true or not true belongs to God and not them. Jesus tries to explain His obedience to the Father’s plan. When God sends daily manna from heaven in the wilderness, the people complained, and now, again they complain about the way God is sending everlasting bread.

Sadly, the crowd then and the crowd now often draw the same conclusions. Sometimes God’s provision does not look like we think it should, or does not come when we want it to come. Frequently we argue that it just is not enough. We plead our case, bring our need, cry in desperation, and beg through valleys, “God give me what I want!” In obedience to the Father, Jesus identifies himself as redemptive manna, as the Bread of Life. How often do we reject God’s provision because it fails to meet expectation?

“Lord, always give us this bread.” I pray this but sometimes I don’t mean it! Sometimes I really mean, “Give me what I want!” My prayers come full of needs and desires and come empty of praise and gratitude. Open my eyes to Your daily Holy Provision. – dho

Focus Point: How often do we reject God’s provision because it fails to meet expectation?

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Monday, February 29, 2016

Crowd's Unbelief - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

The people began to murmur in disagreement… We know his father and mother. How can he say, ‘I came down from heaven?’ John 6:41-42 NLT

Unbelief denies even the possibility of Jesus’ divinity. Hostility towards Jesus grows even more during His last months on earth. How could this man, a carpenter from Nazareth, be the Son of God, how could he come down from heaven? Strong rejection of Jesus’ revelation spreads through this crowd. What makes believing so difficult?

Some 2,000 years later, the crowd still struggles to believe in the authenticity of Jesus’ identity. The Good News remains the same today ~ Believe in Jesus and have everlasting life! Some want proof, others want more miracles. Many simply ignore the message and create their own truths. Hostility towards Jesus grows as the days until His return shorten. Christians do not know when Jesus will come back to earth or exactly how that will look, but we do believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Living Manna from heaven for a hungry world.

Lord, there are crowds wandering, murmuring unbelief, and its people suffer great injustices. Without everlasting hope, the possibilities are few and the disappointments are many. Starving spiritually and unaware, anger and rage take control. “Lord, always give us this bread.” Help me feed this hungry world. – dho

Focus Point: Christians do not know when Jesus will come back to earth or exactly how that will look, but we do believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Living Manna from heaven for a hungry world.

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Sunday, February 28, 2016

3rd Sunday of Lent - Mystery of God's Infinite Love

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

When we understand the mystery that we are loved not for what we do but because of who God says we are, we are free to love others in a similar way. Henri Nouwen

God showed how much He loved us by sending His only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9-10 NLT

While revelations of God’s character and redemption find expression in the Holy Scriptures, humanity struggles to find words that completely define or describe the glory of God. As one begins to recognize the splendor of God, the soul discovers the mark of God’s love permanently etched, the image of the Creator forged inside, a remnant of God’s life-giving breath. The heart overflows with emotion; the mind strives to comprehend. The mystery of God’s infinite love exceeds explanation. - dho

You Are Loved ~ Laura Story (click here for video)

God of the Heavens, You find me here, right now. My hunger for more and my dissatisfaction with less struggles to ignore Your everlasting, never ending, all-consuming love! “Lord, always give us this bread.”; You complete me! – dho

Focus Point: “Everlasting, never ending, all-consuming, You are love!” ~ Laura Story

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Bread of Life - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

Yeshua told them, “I am the bread of life…” John 6:33-40

Every year at Passover the Jewish people remember God’s protection as they recall putting the blood of an unblemished lamb over their doorways for the angel of death to pass. Religious rituals of removing all leaven from their homes and eating only unleavened bread during this time reminds them of God’s promise and God’s plan for His people. God provides.

God’s redemption of Israel from Egypt and hope of a Promised Land finds the people full of weariness and fear, struggling with disobedience and consequence. Historical retelling of daily manna from heaven for the forty years in the wilderness reveals a God of faithfulness. Centuries later, Jesus enters this world and becomes God’s living manna from heaven, God’s promise of redemption for all, for you and for me. Jesus, Bread of life, broken for you; broken for me. God provides.

Bread of life, I need a God of promise and hope, faithful and true. “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point: God provides.

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Friday, February 26, 2016

Soul Food - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38 NASB

Reinforcing His relationship to the Father, Jesus explains His purpose fulfills God’s plan and does not include a personal agenda. While God’s sovereignty never changes, Jesus reveals a unity with the Father. Together, the plan of salvation unfolds before the people. Living Manna from heaven brings redemption to a lost people. God’s soul food!

God provides the food, but humanity still gets to choose. God’s sovereignty allows us to come to Christ by faith, each individual by personally believing. Verse 40 explains God’s plan: believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and have eternal life. Grace comes through faith in Jesus. Perfect Love demonstrates obedience to the Father’s plan. God chooses each of us. How will you reply?

Lord, I struggle to lay down my agenda, my plan, my dreams. Sometimes, I want life to evolve on my terms, my timetable, my truth. You call me by name and invite me to call You Father, to rest in Your purpose. You ask me to believe! Teach me how to pray “Lord, always give us this bread” so that I find Living Manna. - dho

Focus Point: Perfect Love demonstrates obedience to the Father’s plan.

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Thursday, February 25, 2016

I Am the Bread of Life - Lent 2016

Living Bread ~ Jesus said to them, “I am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35 NKJV

Teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, telling those who crowd in to hear, Jesus explains the bread of God comes down from heaven. The crowd says, “Lord, always give us this bread.” Recognizing their spiritual blindness, Jesus clarifies, “I am the bread of life.” The Bread of heaven is spiritual food that completely nourishes the soul. Jesus declares “I am this bread!”

Listening but not understanding, the people struggle with the spiritual concept. Jesus, the Messiah, the Bread of heaven, sits in front of them, speaks directly to them; yet, they do not believe. Today, the Living Bread of heaven still calls each person into a relationship with Him, offers to love us, to meet all our spiritual needs, but like these people 2,000 years ago, we hesitate and sometimes we step back further into the crowd. Jesus sees our uncertainty but repeats believe in Me. Jesus waits, and we remain hungry!

Bread of life ~ sometimes my thoughts are dull and shallow. I say, “Lord, always give us this bread”, but I miss Your point. Believing doesn’t mean the answers will be simple or the questions easy, doesn’t come with a guarantee of life without difficulty or disappointment. As I find my nourishment in You, I discover new strength for the sadness, fresh hope for the hard times, and inner joy for the journey. Jesus, I believe! – dho

Focus Point: The Bread of heaven is spiritual food that completely nourishes the soul. Jesus declares “I am this bread!”

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A New Beginning

"This is my [new] life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message. It came as a sheer gift to me, a real surprise, God handling all the details . . . God saw to it that I was equipped, but you can be sure that it had nothing to do with my natural abilities.

And so here I am . . . writing about things that are way over my head, the inexhaustible riches and generosity of Christ. My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along."
Ephesians 3:7-10, The Message

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Monday, March 07, 2016

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Thursday, March 03, 2016

Wednesday, March 02, 2016

Tuesday, March 01, 2016

Monday, February 29, 2016

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Friday, February 26, 2016

Thursday, February 25, 2016