God the Provider

{artwork Erik Hollander}

Passover is almost upon us and my Jewish friends will be remembering what God did for them.

The promises kept.

Abraham takes son Isaac to the mountain, God provides the lamb, this will be remembered.

Jesus goes to the cross for us, it will never be forgotten the grace that is given to us when we did not deserve it.

Justification

Redemption

Santification

Forgiveness

Love

The shedding of innocent blood, all for us

Prophecy and Promise

The Above is an artist's rendition of the cross and Christ upon it.

These types of displays are predominantly Catholic. This picture is from a Monastery and school in Austria, outside of Vienna, where we visited last summer.

The Monks originally came from France in about the 12th century. They were invited by the King at that time, who was a devout believer.

Austria has a strong Catholic influence that has remained for centuries.
i chose this photo only because the Christian church is about to celebrate Easter. Even though we know that this was not the time by calendar of the original happening.

In other denominations when you see a cross you do not see Christ upon it, for the simple reason that they celebrate the Resurrection as the primary importance of the Historical event.

We look at the whole life prior to his death, the introduction of God the Father, as seen through Jesus and the demonstration of his power and authority, and then his willingness to become the sacrifice on our account, demonstrating God's enormous love for us. But finally the power demonstrated by the Resurrection, that is the clincher for us who believe, because no other religion has a savior. Every other religion is based upon personal works, striving and qualifying yourself for an eternal reward.

No other religion hinges on the power of love from God to us and our love demonstrated back to him. God's plan for us through Christ, when you look at it objectively is incredible. It is so simple that it boggles the most sophisticated of minds. It is so simple that most people, even believers themselves miss it.

God set the power of love into motion. It came from his love for his creation. He then came himself in the person of Jesus, who by admission from the scriptures says he was not anything special to look at. He came from a non descript place in Israel at a particular time when the nation was under rule and occupied by Romans. He entered through a young woman, is born, raised with family, of no particular fame or name. Grew and was the perfect son and brought no attention to himself for 33 years.

He has a ministry that extends to within 70 miles (i'm probably too generous) for only three years. He is brought to trial by the local governing church, sentenced to death for no crimes, and a criminal in released instead of him. Hundreds of prophesies written about the messiah are fulfilled the day of his death. God demonstrates his power through the Resurrection and hundreds of witnesses prove it. A powerful occurrence happens 40 days later that has turned the world upside down even up to now.

Then you have a man named Paul, originally Saul, a Jewish teacher and Rabbi, who has an encounter with Jesus in a vision, suddenly stops what he was doing, killing the followers of Christ, and because of this encounter goes into seclusion for a time where God redirects him. He comes out and begins to preach to those outside of the Jewish community, the Gentiles, and sees the power of God affect their lives miraculously. From here comes centuries of the Christian church in all it's differences and form, right up to today, over 2 thousand years of history. The ramifications of the Christian church has had the greatest affect upon the educated world and influenced every walk of life. The standards and morals drawn from this one religion alone has shaped most of the greatest countries across the globe. And yet, "the fool in his heart will say there is no God."

The Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament in his writing to the Ephesian church, says this in chapter 1 and verses 18 - 22

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart might be enlightened in order that you may know the hope in which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given not only in the present age but the one to come. And God placed everything under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything, for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

This was written by a man who underwent incredible odds for the sake of the gospel. I don't think any one has had to endure the things he went through for the sake of sharing the heart of God for others. Oh yes he was writing while being held prisoner also.

The King of Kings comes and for us, he gives up his life, that we might gain our life through him.

What an awesome story that was only possible because of love.

(photo by my wife 07/08)

OLD & NEW

Contrasting images.

We who follow after the heart of God have a wonderful experience that continues to take place within us throughout our whole lives, and that is the chance to be renewed continually. There is a power working within us in the word of God that is rich with life because it is a living word and because we are a part of the living word, agreeing with it, living surrounded by it and having a birthplace in two arenas of life. That of the natural world around us and being born of a woman, and then a new birth of being born from above.

Jesus when talking to a member of the Jewish ruling council, whose name was Nicodemus, said to him you must be born again to enter into heaven. This was a new saying for the Jewish man, and thought, how is that to happen, do I have to reenter my mothers womb, I am old, what are you saying?

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit..." (see John 3:1-17)

We are much like the buildings we live in, work in and are surrounded by.

We are like them in this, that we must be built upon a solid foundation, one that no matter what the circumstances happening in the weather, especially where we live in the four seasons with it's multifaceted extremes. The building has to withstand everything according to it's surrounding climate.

You would not take a building design from here and built it the same way in Hawaii.

In the Christian community there are many different denominations but the same foundation. They are built upon the word of God and of Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone, and we are built as living stones into that foundation. The differences being in doctrine.

When our forefathers, both in Canada and the US, were drafting up the constitutions and separation of church and state were brought into being, it was designed so that there would allow this diversity of religion. They knew that this was necessary to avoid some of the past governments being ruled by the church, an example being when the Catholic church in the early centuries had a strong ruling arm and made sure that they could wield that power at will. This type of power was not a government of the people, that was seen by our fore fathers as the proper way to govern. But at the same time these men, who almost all were believing and practicing Christians of one denomination or another also knew the importance of God being involved in their lives and so prayer and the reading of the Bible was a priority. They knew the importance of a foundation in Christian principles.

We are all the better off because of the decisions made on our behalf only a very short time ago.

The Christian church around the globe is about to celebrate the wonderful event of Easter and the Resurrection of Jesus.

Awesome and ever new with every passing year.

"For God so loved that..."

(photo Down town Toronto, by my wife, who has a keen eye)

Stop This Thing, "i'm Getting Off!"

Life can look and feel like we are just spinning. One place doing the same thing over and over without end.

Stuck in the dark with a little light shining around our little space, while the world seems to go by beneath and around us without giving notice to us at all.

This can be the norm for most people, but within the Christian walk, there is this trap also.

We just finished a book in our small group that was reminding us that, "we are at war!"

There is a war for domination of our hearts. You take out the heart, that life beating desire, energy, spontaneity, likes, wants, needs, dreams, vision, joy, peace, right attitude, love for life and it's good pleasures, and love for God and what do you end up with? A heavy yoke of strain and lifelessness, that will take you to an early grave and keep you from truly experiencing what God wants for you.

It will lead you to become the walking dead.

The heart is at the centre of life, God knows it and so does the destroyer of all that God has for us in Christ. We need to fight for and preserve the life that is intended for us and for those around us.

i would invite you to read John Eldredge's book, "Waking the Dead" and a great follow up to it by the same author is "Walking with God."

Now we are going to follow up this book with "Praying by the Power of the Spirit" by Neil Anderson. i am reading through it now and as a student and person of prayer, i was quite intrigued with some of his insights. There is always more to learn.

i am looking forward to and excited about sharing this book with our group and seeing all our horizons expanded.

(Photo Vienna Austria, giant ferris wheel, 07/08, by my best friend Hella)

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Being laid up with an injury for the past few months has had me contemplating my next move.

Surgery, yes or no? Live with the pain and problem. Sustained nerve and reflex damage that will not be corrected by surgery.

Will not be able to continue life at the pace i was used to and be doing the strenuous work i had been doing.

i'm not interested in living on pain killers for the rest of my life just so i can get around.

So i need to learn how to best manage the pain and move on.

i remember my mother telling me after she was in a car accident shortly after i was born, that the Dr's said she had little chance of walking again due to the injury to her back. She proved them wrong.

i get a lot of my stamina from her, i have a high tolerance to pain that has helped me and a stubbornness that does not bend easily to injury.

God has been awesome in blessing me in my body in the past, so i have a faith that arises also.

There is just too much to say about that, this particular injury and time in my life and his getting my attention, that i know great things are yet to come my way.

i have been taking a more serious interest in furthering my education and getting a degree for ministry, that would fulfill some dreams i have had and let die. (there was an attack on my heart that wanted to kill all of that, God has a better idea.)

So having to stop, literally what i was doing and reevaluate my life has been good.

i am researching an on-line school, with accredited and recognized courses to get my degree and further if i so desire. This is something i have wanted to do for a very long time.

As the saying goes, "good things come to those who wait", but "better things" come to those who love God and put him first!

Yahoo! LOL

Restoration A Process

from broken spirit to life from Jesus the love of God comes to me

changed in an instant from blindness to sight

from lameness to life

from broken to repaired, restored

from captured to one set free

healed in one second as he breathed on me

time is meaningless as life begins at the beating of his heart

his word, his Spirit hovering, he looks and sees that it is good

it is very good.

who can know him, hold him, embrace him?

he is wind, he rides upon cherub wings

he is wine and bread, water and wind living in timeless existence

that he alone understands, he created it

there is no barrier to hold him,

who shall build a dwelling place for him?

he is endless upon endless upon everlasting love

words are not enough, experience is not enough,

imaginations are too small to describe such a one as he,

an awesome God.

he comes to me, words on wind, words of wind

wind words hovering, creations breath in every whisper

ever so slowly, gently, fathering me with fire words

passion, love, embracing my heart, spirit.

Now his rushing wind of presence into my space

filling, lifting, piercing me through and through

i am helpless sails on a ship, i just let go

engulfed in what is unseen and yet there and everywhere

i am saturated, i am breathless, i am and I am.

i an eagle high upon a perch, and now catapulting

wings out and out and out, stretching reaching as far as i can

i want every breath of wind, riding, gliding, soaring,

pouring myself into this joy, now effortless updraft upon updraft

higher and higher living for these moments, days, months, years

fulfilling my purpose in life to bring him joy.

he wants me to ride his winds, always new heights, new winds

new life, new purpose, and the wind i knew a second ago is gone.

i wait once again, looking, listening, eyes open, ears perked

day upon day with intent,

for i am created for his glory, and good pleasure to enjoy.

In his presence is fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures forever more.

Feb. 05 rewritten March .09

L.

Steady as we go.Holding the course.

Our winter session for our home group came to an end on Friday with a social evening of sharing some food, laughter, and prayer.

Out of 32 groups for the winter session, there were lots to choose from. Ours was designated to 30+ singles and we studied a book about the heart by John Eldredge. (of which i had written in the past.)

i think we all were affected in one way or another and blessed.

John Eldredge has written many fine books, this being one of them.

Next session will start up after Easter and go till June.

We will decide what direction we are going, as i've ordered some books to view and get a feel for where to take us.

This week at the church brings us to a special happening called; Three Days in His Presence. People will contribute time to prayer and fasting and meeting with God. There will be a focus from music, worship, praise, adoration, prayer, intercession, all to entreat God's special visitation on behalf of our community, city, surrounding area, province and country.

We have great expectation and know that God's heart is to affect people. He is so in love with us all and really desires to bring his glory into our midst. He's awesome, there is no one like him. We are totally in love with him and we have no reservation about sharing him with others.

When Jesus was here he showed us the heart of the Father and we gained a wonderful insight into his person. He lavishes his love on us, wants to see us free from things that would harm us, bind us, control us, damage us, kill us with diseases or crippling our health.

i have not regretted, that at 18 yrs of age i made a decision to follow him. Had i not, i might very well be dead right now. i am a better person, worker, citizen, and no one has been twisting my arm or threatening me with beatings or anything else. i do what i do because i want to, because he is easy to love and when you love someone you don't want to hurt that special someone.

It's now some 36 years later and not without its mishaps and failures. Out of weakness comes strength and foolish things to mess with the heads of the so-called wise.

As most of you awaken tomorrow and the sun lights up the sky, you won't be thinking about creation, or the big bang theory, or Darwinism, or what can i do to make someone else's life easier. No you'll be looking for your coffee, hoping no one will tick you off or get in your way so your day can serve you.

All the while he will be addressing ways to get your attention and he has done that throughout every day of your life.

Thank you Lord!

(photo: waiting on the bridge at Sarnia, ON, before heading south. L.)

i was re-listening to a past sermon at our church by Larry Randolph, who came for a couple days in November, to share some things with us.

Don't despise transition.

All of us have heard the story of butterflies before and their metamorphosis from worm to cocoon to transformation into some of the most colourful of God's creation.

He parallels the Christian life, and our struggle. We eat and eat and eat, prepare, prepare, prepare, struggle, struggle, struggle most all our lives.

Some of us make it and some of us don't.

He spoke about many scientific studies with different stages of the insect and how environment plays such a huge roll in our development. Who we are surrounded by, who is leading, going in circles and starving to death.

We should be excited about transition, the squeezing, molding, growing up, development, character, becoming the real church.

Many times God forces change, simply because we don't want to, are not willing to change.

The cocoon is a special length of time, like a child in a womb. Designated time for 9 months to complete the process. This 9 months to us could be 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 years.

The birth process is messy, and usually loud.

Discern: the spirit of religion could have you bound to old stuff, past, dead, unwilling to move into something new.

God is a God of the positive, linear, progressive, does not live in the past.

Joshua and Caleb got hold of God's thinking, while the others were stuck.

Jesus spoke in Jn 14, about not letting our hearts be troubled or afraid, right before he went off to be crucified. Something new was about to happen and Peter had tried to stop him when he said, "get behind me Satan".

Positive thinking sends the right chemicals through our bodies and promotes health and well being. Phil. 4, Paul encourages us about the things we should be thinking. We should be talking God talk not our talk.

God's truth is absolute but it is also progressive, developmental, growth faceted and we should always be ready for the unfolding of God.

Museums have a museum mentality. God doesn't live in a museum.

God is extraordinary, extravagant and we need this to pour out of the church. The church is filled with God likenesses, creative, incredible people who should be leading the world.

During economic uncertainty Joseph rose to his destiny, his blessing.

There are gold fish that will grow within the confines of their specific environment and no more.

Jn 3:16 "For God so loved the WORLD", not just mankind.

The church has the ability to change the landscape.

We are each a unique piece of God's personality, a special individual given the ability to think God thoughts, with Godly mindedness and each of us have a place and are needed to fill it. Enough of us together with the courage to enter into the provision of God, and who knows what could happen. We are given permission to succeed.

(These thoughts were taken from my notes on the subject)