Mystery ~ Lent 2010

. . . the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, . . . according to His own mercy . . . and renewal of the Holy Spirit . . . that we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:4-7 ESV

Christians know these truths about undeserved mercy and grace, how our sin-offering has been paid, and the hope of everlasting life.  Yet, this remains a mystery.  God's goodness is changeless and certain, but it exceeds explanation. 

Be with me in my silence and in my speech, in my haste and in my leisure, in company and in solitude, in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening; and give me grace at all times to rejoice in Thy mysterious companionship. 
John Baille

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Find one new way to rejoice in God's mysterious companionship! ~ dho

Rhythms ~ Lent 2010

The thought of You stirs us so deeply that we cannot be content unless we praise You, because You have made us for Yourself and our hearts find no peace until they rest in You.  Augustine

God is our true resting place, in all times.  Consider these words from the Gospel of Matthew:

I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with Me and work with Me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
Matthew 11:29 The Message

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Let the everyday walking and working with Jesus, reveal His unforced rhythms of grace. ~dho

Evidence ~ Lent 2010

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

We have the faith to hope, the faith to believe because God gives us this.  Writers struggle with words to define faith and hope; they are not tangible but known by the heart's relief or the soul's peace.  Faith and Hope would not be great witnesses in court; attorneys like sure evidence, certain proof.  Healing happens, and doctors cannot explain; science always wants to know why, but sometimes the evidence is not seen ~ at least in conventional ways. 

A.W. Tozer wrote: God's plans will continue on God's schedule.  We must trust God's Way, even if the evidence is not seen by us.  This is faith.  The evidence of our faith is demonstrated when we trust God more than our circumstances and consequences. Our obedience to God's Word marks us faithful.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Lay down the burdens of circumstance and consequence; boldly stand with faith and hope and know the power of the Invisible I AM! ~dho

Everywhere ~ Lent 2010

God is everywhere and yet invisible, . . . We need more than a watchmaker who winds up the universe and lets it tick.  We need love and mercy and forgiveness and grace - qualities only a personal God can offer.
Philip Yancey

What do you say to your friends about God when you gather together?  Consider these words:

Here's the story I'll tell my friends
when they come to worship,
and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:
Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;
give glory . . . adore Him . . .
He has never let you down,
never looked the other way when you were kicked around.
He has never wandered off to do His own thing;
He has been right there, listening.
Psalm 22:22-24 The Message

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Tell your God-story to your friends and punctuate it with Hallelujahs! ~dho

Prince ~ Lent 2010

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died,...
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?...
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
Isaac Watts - When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

Like the first budding of Spring's dogwood blossoms from empty, dormant branches, Christ breathes new life into us.  Love so amazing that words cannot capture the meaning.

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Consider His amazing creations, wordless and beauty-full and offer God your all ! ~dho

True ~ 5th Sunday of Lent 2010

When the soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His garments and divided them into four parts, one part for each soldier; also His tunic.  But the tunic was seamless woven in one piece from top to bottom, so they said to one another, "Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." This was to fulfill the Scripture [Ps.22:18] . . . John 19:23-24 ESV

Today the pastor at St. Matthew's UMC in Madison, MS, the Rev. David Carroll, preached his sermon on "The Tunic and Dice" and used this phrase in describing the soldiers . . . and us when we choose the world's view of indifference instead of turning our eyes to Jesus, the crucified and risen Savior:

"The soldiers were . . . trading the True for the trivial."

Our sacrifice of praise ~
Let your daily witness to the world be one that trades the trivial things of this world for Jesus - the True! ~ dho