breathing room for my soul

Friday, March 25, 2016

Good Friday 2016 - Baptized by Holy Fire

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 Bread “is broken for you”. ~ Donna Oswalt

[Jesus said to His disciples] “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what He promised…in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5 NLT

After the resurrection, Jesus remains for forty days, appearing to the apostles and teaching the disciples. With a certainty of Jesus’ resurrection, their knowledge increases and a deeper understanding about the new promised power of the Holy Spirit evolves. At the end of these days, on the Mount of Olives at Bethany, Jesus ascends to heaven right in front of the remaining eleven disciples. Commissioned with making disciples of all nations, they now wait for the Holy Spirit.

Over the next days, the disciples continually meet and pray together with the other believers, “about 120”. They choose another disciple, Matthias, to replace Judas Iscariot, the betrayer. On the day of Pentecost, seven weeks (50 days) after the resurrection of Jesus, with all the believers together in one place, God sends a mighty, rushing wind comes and then “flames of fire” appear and settle on each believer. All are filled with the Holy Spirit, fulfilling prophesy (Joel 2:28-32). The church of the New Covenant begins with God’s mission to reach all people in all nations.

Spirit of the Living God ~ When I boast of achievement and accept applause or cover my face in failure and weep, You re-define me, re-align my perspective. You open my eyes to truth, to my need for redemption, to Christ who is the Bread of Life. You are Counselor and Comforter. You are the breath my soul craves! Kindle my soul with Holy Fire. “Lord, always give us this bread”. ~dho

Focus Point: The church of the New Covenant begins with God’s mission to reach all people in all nations.

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Thursday, March 24, 2016

Maundy Thursday 2016 - Bread and Wine

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 every time you east this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again. 1 Corinthians 11:26 NLT

In a letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the people regarding the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. Frequently in the first century church, a fellowship meal often precedes the celebration of bread and wine. Paul reiterates the purpose of coming to the table together using Jesus’ words from the Gospels: This is My body, which is given for you and This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of My blood. He reminds these believers that they are one body united in Christ. To honor Christ this way demonstrates unity within the body by remembering the new covenant given by Jesus through His death and resurrection and in proclaiming the promise that Christ will return again. Jesus echoes, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

This Holy Thursday Christians across the world will gather to remember the night Jesus hosts this memorial meal, will listen again to ancient but familiar words, will consider the cost of everlasting hope. On the night before His death and after a fellowship meal with the disciples, Jesus breaks the bread and pours the wine, says to remember His death and sacrifice for the sins of the world. Because of Jesus, our places of brokenness and suffering always find hope. Oswald Chambers frequently gives the call to believers of the body of Christ, “Be the broken bread and poured out wine.” Let us, the body of Christ united by grace, be the tangible bread and wine to others by sharing the love of Christ and His infinite hope. Jesus echoes, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Lord ~ You are my Hope in all directions, in every circumstance; You go before me, surround me, send Your angels to protect me. Without Your brokenness there would be no wholeness; without Your sacrifice there would be no hope. You bind my broken dreams and failures, take my empty places and loneliness and bring me into Your presence. This communion renews my soul and refocuses my heart. While praying, “Lord, always give us this bread”, I am embraced by Perfect Peace. Help me be bread and wine of Jesus to others. ~ dho

Focus Point: Because of Jesus, our places of brokenness and suffering always find hope.

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Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Joy and Wonder - 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

“Why are you frightened?” [Jesus] asked. “Why do you doubt who I am?”

Luke 24:38 NLT

As the two from Emmaus begin to tell their story of the risen Jesus appearing to them while walking on the road and how they recognize Him when He breaks the bread, suddenly Jesus appears. Everyone becomes terrified and thinks maybe this is a ghost. Jesus reassures them, tells them not to be frightened, asks them why they still doubt. In a gesture to relieve some anxiety and offer proof, Jesus says for them to look at His hands and feet. Then He asks them for something to eat? This supernatural Jesus seems beyond their comprehension.

Centuries later, without the visible and tangible body of Jesus, we are reassured by a living Jesus, invited to believe in a resurrected Jesus, asked to affirm the Lord is risen indeed. Ancient prophecies fulfilled over 2,000 years ago challenge us to believe in the Suffering Servant whose wounds on hands and feet bear our sins, to believe in the Lamb of God whose sacrifice offers us redemption, to believe in Perfect Love who calls us by name. Amazing? Yes! Beyond comprehension? Yes! The veil has been torn and the Bread of the Presence waits. Jesus is calling…do not be afraid…Trust in Me!

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord, the mystery of faith exceeds me, the mystery of such infinite love amazes me, the mystery of the cross overwhelms me. My sins are engraved on Your hands and feet. I kneel before such holiness and find the Mercy Seat transformed from a place of offering into a Grace offering for me. Wordless wonder fills me as I silently listen. With need that is beyond my own understanding, I whisper, “Lord, always give us this bread”. –dho

Focus Point: Jesus is calling…do not be afraid…Trust in Me!

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Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Leaving Jerusalem (Part 2) - 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 Lord is risen indeed,…” Luke 24:34 NASB

On the way to Emmaus Jesus teaches the two, Cleopas and the other, recounting the accounts of Moses, the Prophets. Jesus reminds them what the Holy Scriptures reveal about the Messiah. Coming near the village, the two invite their companion to stay for the night. As they sit down to a meal, Jesus takes the bread, blesses and breaks it, and gives it to them. Immediately their eyes are open; they know Jesus, and He vanishes. For the first time they recognize the risen Christ. In the breaking of bread they are renewed by the Living Bread, both in amazement and joy and with a new spiritual hunger.

Blackaby writing about spiritual memory and how important it is to a Christian’s faith walk says, “A spiritual marker identifies a time of decision when you clearly know that God guided you.” After Jesus vanishes, the two recall, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Acknowledging Jesus recalls the burning within their souls, the revelations of the Scriptures. This spiritual marker prompts their response. “So they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven and those who were gathered together, saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Peter!” These two not only proclaim their belief in the resurrection of Jesus, but confess their previous doubt about the messages earlier that day. The presence of Jesus stirs the soul and sears the heart with a holy passion and sacred hunger that requires compelling action.

“Lord, always give us this bread”. For You mark me with a holy fire, a passion of knowing love and a desire to share this love. Sometimes I am like the father with the sick son who said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Help me not to doubt. Kindle my soul, again and again! – dho

Focus Point: The presence of Jesus stirs the soul and sears the heart with a holy passion and sacred hunger that requires compelling action.

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Monday, March 21, 2016

Leaving Jerusalem (Part 1) - 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

While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. Luke 24:15 NASB

Within a few hours after Jesus dies and is placed in a borrowed tomb, the Sabbath begins. Many of Jesus followers find their Sabbath thoughts full of disillusionment and disappointment, even fearful of being identified with Jesus. The hours drag by, the disciples wondering and weary. Even though the next morning brings exciting news, visions of angels, and messages that Jesus is alive, doubt prevails. Some slowly begin leaving Jerusalem, but two encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus.

Jesus begins to walk with the two as they are deep into a sad, troubling conversation. Not expecting or recognizing Jesus, they tell their travel companion all that has happened to this man from Nazareth, calling him a great teacher, a prophet and miracle worker, someone respected by God and the people. Their hope, now crushed, had been that this Jesus would be the Messiah to rescue Israel. Jesus listens to their lack of understanding, their misplaced, unfulfilled hope. So often, like these two leaving Jerusalem, we walk the wrong way, doubt the messages, miss the presence of God. Nurturing our disappointments, we fail to see the bigger picture.

Bread of Heaven – Surrounded by multiple translations of the Bible’s holy, sacred writings and historical records and theological commentaries to help me understand, still, I turn and focus on my problems, my concerns, my needs. My demons may not be unbelief, but they interfere with my faith. When my hope in Jesus is replaced by doubt, when my faith in God is exchanged for power of the world, when my love for others becomes self-serving, then, I, too, am leaving Jerusalem without Jesus. Thank you, Jesus, for coming after me, for walking beside me, for answering my soul’s deepest prayer, “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus listens to their lack of understanding, their misplaced, unfulfilled hope.

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Sunday, March 20, 2016

Palm Sunday 2016 - Mystery of the Cross

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

Many will follow [Christ] as far as the breaking of bread, but few will remain to drink from His passion. Thomas a’Kempis

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 NASB

The cross creates visual and emotional pictures for us. While hard to fathom the violence of crucifixion, harder to imagine is the evil from within humanity that would commit such acts. Morton Kelsey, an American Episcopal priest and psychologist, writes, “The cross is the symbol, alive and vivid, of the evil that is in us, of evil itself.” History recalls countless examples of the evil within humanity, the horrors that people inflict on each other. Most often we view the cross as empty in celebration of the risen Christ; however, the crucified Jesus on the cross, no matter how hard to face, reveals the very depth of our depravity. If we stand at the foot of this cross, we come with those who crucified Jesus; we must stand with the cowards, the self-righteous, the betrayers, stand with those who represent “civilized vices” like fear, bigotry, deceit, and indifference. In the shadow of this cross, we face our own darkness; yet, this revelation is not the end but a beginning of transformation. Christ endures unimaginable suffering so Hope can be born for all. In defeating evil, the mystery of the cross allows Perfect Love to be “pierced for our rebellion …beaten so we could be whole”. – dho

You Are More ~ Tenth Avenue North (click here for video)

Perfect Love, let the cross disturb my indifference, my selfish acts, my fear – for You suffered the everlasting effects of evil… for me. Let the cross illumine my weaknesses, my failed-attempts to love, my empty promises. In the shadow of Your cross I come face to face with my demons, no matter how I try to disguise them. Let me embrace the cost of Your suffering, especially when I pray, “Lord, always give us this bread”. - dho

Focus Point: “You are more than the choices that you’ve made; you are more than the sum of your mistakes… You’ve been remade.” ~ Tenth Avenue North

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Saturday, March 19, 2016

Come to the Table - 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

Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we partake of the one bread.

1Corinthians10:16-17 NASB

The first century church continues to celebrate sharing the bread and wine as Jesus had instructed His disciples. Paul, talking to the church in Corinth, reminds them that the church, although many people, functions as one body belonging to Christ. In coming together and sharing the bread and wine, believers celebrate the unity of the church. In verse 16, the word sharing comes from the Greek koinonia meaning “fellowship, sharing, or communion”. Coming together to fellowship and celebrate and remember Jesus creates a common unity.

Today, Christians continue to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. When the church comes to the table as the body of Christ, a common unity of purpose rekindles the soul. We share the bread and cup with others whose lives have been transformed by the Lamb of God. We remember the brokenness of the crucifixion; we remember the sacrifice of the cross. We remember the Bread of Life broken for us; the blood of Jesus shed for us. We hear the echoes of prophesy, He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, by His wounds we are healed. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Lord, I come to the table to feast with fellow believers, to remember Your willing sacrifice, to listen for Your holy words. Together, one in Christ, we pray, “Lord, always give us this bread”. Oh, Broken Bread, Cup of Blessing, You are Amazing Grace. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

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Friday, March 18, 2016

Cup of Blessing - 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 to His disciples] Likewise He also took the cup after supper saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” Luke 22:20 NKJV

Four cups of wine celebrate Passover. Following the “Blessing After the Meal” comes the third cup, the cup of blessing, sometimes called the Cup of Redemption, which symbolizes the blood of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:13). When Jesus lifts the third cup, this Cup of Redemption, He says, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” With His crucifixion, Jesus becomes the true Passover Lamb, the blood sacrifice for eternal redemption. “This is My blood, shed for you.”

Establishing a New Covenant, Jesus calls the people to a new way of living. The body of Christ is a community of believers, all believing in one faith, one baptism, one Spirit. The cup symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Prophesied by Jeremiah some 600 years before Christ travels up to Jerusalem, the Lord promises with this New Covenant, “I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts.” The cross tells a new story of redemption to the world, a story of everlasting hope, a story of grace.

Jehovah, El Shaddai, Adonai ~ ancient names, holy names… Your promises capture my needs, anticipate my fears, prepare my future. Broken bread and a cup of blessing call to me centuries after You blessed them, after You surrendered for me, after You settled my debts. “Lord, always give us this bread” and this cup of blessing to remind me of Perfect Love. – dho

Focus Point: The cross tells a new story of redemption to the world, a story of everlasting hope, a story of grace.

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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Broken Bread - 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 to His disciples] And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19 NKJV

Common to Passover tradition, a blessing comes after a meal, after eating bread, a grace spoken to express gratitude for God’s constant and unchanging care. Until this night, the Passover meal involves a thanksgiving blessing of remembrance such as, “This is the bread of affliction our ancestors ate when they came from Egypt.” This night, Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks and says something new. The unleavened bread takes on a new meaning as Jesus establishes a new way of remembering. “This is My body, broken for you”.

For now, the disciples do not fully grasp the underlying meaning of Jesus’ words, do not understand the implications of the symbol, and do not recognize the offering will come within hours. Soon, Jesus will be hastily arrested, falsely accused, and brutally afflicted. This celebrated bread of affliction will be remembered as the Bread of Life, as Jesus willing allows His body to be broken for the disciples in that room, for those who arrest and beat and crucify Him, for those who do not understand, for all people ~ then and now and to come,… for you… for me.

Holy One, You call me to follow You, to share the Gospel message, to live like You! Broken Bread, this suffering for me reveals a deep love that surpasses me, surrounds me, spares me. “Lord, always give us this bread” to remind me, “This is My body, broken for you!” – dho

Focus Point: “This is My body, broken for you”.

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Wednesday, March 16, 2016

The Betrayer - 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

As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me – one who is eating with Me.” Mark 14:18 NASB

On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, the twelve disciples gather with Him for a meal. Most believe this to be a Passover meal, a time of remembrance of God’s provision and a time to fellowship together. Jesus knows who will betray him – one within His inner circle. While eating, Jesus mentions the upcoming betrayal, and the disciples begin to ask, “Is it I?” Jesus confirms that the one who will betray him is eating with Me!

One can imagine the looks around the table, glances and glares about whom it might it be, whispers and wonderings about what it could mean. Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, must have been surprised to hear Jesus say this, knowing the subversive plot a secret. Judas, likely sitting beside Jesus, even mockingly whispers, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” All four Gospels recount Jesus acknowledging His betrayer. In John 13:18, when identifying the betrayer Jesus says, “I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’”** Jesus never calls the name of the betrayer but reveals this truth to come to acknowledge His sovereignty.

Lord, I listen to this story and realize I betray you every day ~ me, a Christian ~ when I choose not to mention You in a crowd where faith is risky and when I trade time with You for time with the world and when I am convinced my selfish plan is better than Yours and when the lure of acceptance turns my heart from You. “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point: Jesus knows who will betray him – one within His inner circle.

references to the betrayer in the Gospels:

Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-30, John 13:8-30

** Psalm 41:9 - Scripture Jesus quotes

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Tuesday, March 15, 2016

The Last Meal - 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, reclining at the table with the apostles said, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Luke 22:15-16 NASB

This would be the last Passover Jesus would eat with His disciples. In fact, the blood sacrifice of Jesus the next day would transform the Passover celebration of redemption forever. Those who recline with Jesus do not understand that the suffering will come in the form of the cross. Those who rest beside him do not realize the implication of “never again”. Only one, the betrayer, keeps a secret, and even he does not understand God’s plan.

In this room, Jesus celebrates tradition and, at the same time, creates a new way. While the apostles relax in this time together, Jesus contemplates the emotional betrayal, the physical suffering, the mental agony he must endure. Jesus knows the cost of grace; yet, He expresses great joy in sharing this intimate time together. God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

Jesus, I try to see myself in this room, reclining at the table, listening to Your words. Forgive my preoccupation with my personal agenda because I completely miss the big picture. Forgive my careless ways of not noticing the suffering of another. Forgive my failure to recognize the Passover Lamb before me. As I ask, “Lord, always give us this bread”, open my eyes! – dho

Focus Point: God’s sovereign purpose to rescue humanity offers Christ as the Passover Lamb, once and for all.

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Monday, March 14, 2016

Passover Meal or Not - 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 sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eat it,” Luke 22:8 NASB

Scholars debate whether what Christians refer to as “The Last Supper” is actually a Passover meal. From the writings of historian Josephus and other ancient texts, various commentaries suggest that the confusion can be as simple as geography. The Jews living in Galilee, Jesus’ home town, count time from sunrise to sunrise, while the Judean Jews in the southern regions which include Jerusalem count time from sunset to sunset. Christians agree that God’s sovereign purposes always prevail.

Considering tradition and time, Jesus and His disciples likely celebrate the beginning of Passover with a meal together on Thursday night. In God’s divine plan, the Jewish traditions of Jerusalem and those religious leaders arresting Jesus would celebrate Passover beginning at sunset on Friday. With this timeline, Jesus is sacrificed on the cross and dies at the same time the High Priest in the Temple sacrifices an unblemished lamb in preparation for that evening’s Passover meal. Timing always remains in the God’s control.

Holy God ~ Your ways amaze and astonish me! Providing for Your people in all ways, leaves me in awe! My lips can barely ask, “Lord, always give us this bread”. – dho

Focus Point: Christians agree that God’s sovereign purposes always prevail.

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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 14, 2016