The Lord said, "Come!" and then "Go!"

O let this guilt and gloom now go.
On the cross, His great love He did show.
"God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 
Romans 5:8

O let His glory and grace be shared,
Jesus came and bled, so much He cared.
"He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Let despair and doubt depart,
He's risen and enthroned, take heart!
"Take heart; I have overcome the world," Jesus said. 
John 16:33

O let this fear and fuss now cease,
For God is the God of perfect peace,
"peace that passeth all understanding." 
Philippians 4:7

O let His peace and power be felt
With the Spirit we are indwelt.
"May you know His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 1:19-20

O let this joy and hope now rise,
For our God is holy, wholly wise.
"You believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy." 
1 Peter 1:8 

O let His praise be sweetly sung
His righteousness always on my tongue.
"My tongue will proclaim your righteousness, your praises all day long." Psalm 35:28

O let our love and light be bright,
For with Him He has made us right.
"Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin." 1 Corinthians 1:30

Jesus came and said, "Come to Me. I am the way, the truth and the life." So I came and come to Him daily. He also said, "Go!" Go share the Gospel in word and action. So I go, for He is with me, in me, for me.

Where do we/should we/could we live?

Dear you,

If you share a traveller's heart, you will understand that this is both a wonderful and wearisome thing. A full-of-wonder thing because we want to live and learn the delightful diversity that the God of the nations has created. We want to celebrate His genuine genius in the sights to see, sounds to hear, aromas to smell, flavours to taste, people to meet. Variety beckons, curiosity calls, interest ignites. We crave the next adventure. Yet a wearisome thing because we are easily haunted and daunted by a restlessness. There is always somewhere new to go and someone new to meet. Being present at many places, yet feeling absent in many spaces. The possibilities sometimes seem too many, and a sense of feeling settled is now craved. We are all over the place, both geographically and mentally.

And so, like with all of life's funny feelings, we need to go to God's Word which is our compass. He points us to the True North whether we be north, east, south, or west. He reminds His blood-bought children that we are on a journey heavenward. And just that - a journey with a destination. Wherever we are, wherever we go, whoever we enjoy meeting, however we are doing, are we conscious that wherever we roam, we are really heading Home? This feeling of restlessness is a very real one and can dominate us if we do not overcome it with the truth - that this earth is not our true home and actually "the Most High is our shelter." We cannot seek in a place what can only be found in the Person of our Lord - contentment.

We must live the reality, not the dream. The reality is that here on earth "we have no lasting city, but we seek the City to come" which is beyond and better than all our dreams, because we will be in the everlasting splendour of the kind King.

Though it is natural to get lost in the charm of travel, we must hear the words of the Lord Jesus. "Seek Him first and His Kingdom!" The Gospel is what keeps us going, both geographically and mentally. Let's not forget that it is because the Lord Jesus left His glorious heaven for our grim earth that we might even have the hope of living in Him now and with Him later. May we hum the old hymn - "Oh there are ten thousand charms" in the Saviour!

When my heart feels hopelessly homesick for different places on this planet, I recall to mind that "He is our dwelling place in all generations" and therefore I have hope. He spoke that to a group of wandering, wondering Israelites and still speaks it to us all now, because His Word is living and active. "In HIM we live and move and have our being." Regardless of our street address for the time being, the question is - do we live in Him? Do we love Him because He first loved us, and do we love others along the way? Is His Word a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path? Are we follow His ways of faithfulness and truth? Do we wander for Him? "By faith, he went out, not knowing whither he went." Are we filled with wonder in His presence? Do we "declare His glory among the nations"? And so we can be all over the place geographically, yet settled in purpose because of His Holy Spirit in us.

Cheers to all the many God-given adventures that await you and me, if the Lord wills. Whether they be near or far, let us realize that He is always very near. Let's keep in mind our present citizenship in heaven which is also our final destination, and invite family, friends and strangers along the way to come with us by coming to Jesus. And He said, "Come unto Me."

Grace and peace to you,
from a fellow wayfarer

P.S. Scripture references in order - Psalm 47:8; Psalm 91:1; Hebrews 13:14; Matthew 6:33; Psalm 90:1; Acts 17:28; 1 John 4:19; Matthew 22:36-39; Psalm 119:105; Psalm 25:10; Hebrews 11:8; Psalm 96:3; James 4:15; Psalm 139:8-10; Philippians 3:20; Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:1

grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace grace upon grace upon grace upon grace

Do you know the song "Amazing Grace"? That old hymn penned by John Newton, the slave-trader-turned-saint-and-servant. That grand anthem that has been sung for hundreds of years by people worldwide. It's a great song, isn't it? It's sung at weddings and funerals and reunions and church services. However, I fear that we don't live like it is true at times.

In the book Holy, Holy, Holy, R. C. Sproul tells the story of his second year in teaching. He had been assigned to teach a class on Old Testament Introduction to 250 college freshmen. As part of the coursework, Dr. Sproul required three small papers due on the 30th of September, October and November. Twenty five students missed the deadline in September, but he showed some leniency. Next month some 50 students missed the deadline, and he graciously gave them three more days to turn in their papers. By this stage Dr. Sproul was one of the most popular professors on campus. When November came around, 150 students crossed the deadline, and R.C. started handing out failing grades. One student called Fitzgerald cried foul, and protested that what the professor was doing was not fair. Sproul reminded him if it was justice he sought he could give him an “F” for his tardiness in October as well. Reflecting on the whole semester, R. C. Sproul said this: “These students had grown accustomed to my grace. In September they were amazed by grace, in October they were surprised by grace, but by November they were demanding grace. They had forgotten that grace is not an inalienable right or an entitlement you deserve.” (Philip De Courcy's Truth Matters #66)

Can't we all relate to those students in that story? My hand is raised.

I find myself like those students sometimes: ungrateful, apathetic, demanding. I forget that everything is grace in the first place. The very fact that I’m alive is God’s grace.

I forget what grace is. That it is God’s unmerited kindness to me. He doesn’t only rescue His enemies (which is marvelous mercy); He then provides a feast of fellowship with Him forever. Grace: undeserved yet unreserved goodness from God. I forget who I am. That is a puny, rebellious, needy creature. Most serious of all, I forget Who grace comes from. That is God. God! Who is eternal and holy and high and wonderful and all-powerful. God Who needs nothing and gives everything. He is Light everlasting, never slumbering, never failing, always reigning... the everlasting Rock of ages.

And so this amnesia, this human dilemma of forgetting God's grace in every place, what does it look like? It looks like apathy in my life. This forgetfulness of His grace looks like ingratitude in my life. This oblivion to His grace looks like a sense of entitlement in my life. This ignorance of His grace looks like boredom in my life. Perhaps being occasionally amused or emotionally moved by the thought of “Amazing Grace, so sweet the sound” but then going on to abuse it. 

This is a slow, slippery slope that we need to fight against, lest we fall into what Paul observes in his letter to the Christians in Rome - "Although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened."

So why am I sharing all of this – because we need to put the "AMAZING" back into "GRACE"! God deserves it and we need it.

So as I thought about God’s grace, a few things came to mind…

First of all – Who.God.is. In His Word, we see Him called “the God of ALL grace.” “FULL of grace.” That means He is full in Himself. “There is no one like Him.” He is always pouring out. Pouring out "grace upon grace."

Paul’s testimony is our own - “The grace of our Lord was POURED out on me ABUNDANTLY, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Timothy 1:14

Secondly, who are we? We are in constant need… of food, of sleep, of strength, of help. We are nothing and can do nothing without Him. We are but recipients of “GRACE upon GRACE.”

An image that came to mind was us standing at the bottom of Victoria Falls in Zambia with a cup in hand. “Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes – His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen.” Surely, His eternal power is on great display at this African wonder of the world!

Did you know? Victoria Falls is approximately 5577 feet wide and varies in height from 262- 304 feet and when all dimensions are taken into account along with flow rate it is considered to be the biggest curtain of water in the world. Around mid-April is when peak flood waters occur. Roughly 625 million litres of water flow over the edge per minute. This huge volume of water produces a spray that rises up to 1650 feet into the air. Because of the spray of Victoria Falls the Rain Forest at Victoria Falls is the only place in the world where it rains 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Info

God’s grace is like that. Falling relentlessly! More than enough. Tons and tons. Never ceasing. Always pouring. Will we wake up to the wonder of it? Will we realize that we are soaked? Completely drenched in His grace! Will we stop living on empty and run to His falls of “grace upon grace” that He might “overflow our cup.”

Ah, I love the language of Scripture – “He overfloweth my cup!” For the Christian, the cup is neither half-full or half-empty, but overflowing. Because our God is full of grace!

It’s time to stand in awe again. Just like how we would be in amazement at the bottom of Victoria Falls. Our God is much, much greater! Even this metaphor is too weak, because our God is so, so strong! He has never, does never, and will never run out of grace for us.

He is FULL of all kinds of grace…

Saving GRACE – Ephesians 2:8-9

Strengthening GRACE – 2 Timothy 2:1

Serving GRACE - Romans 12:3-8

Singing GRACE – Colossians 3:16

Sufficient GRACE – 2 Corinthians 12:9

(Philip De Courcy's Truth Matters #66)

It's always time to sing “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound." Heaven forbid, this old song ever gets old. "I will sing a new song to You, O God!" Psalm 144:9

connect-the-dot thoughts...

A couple of months ago, I picked up a copy of My Utmost for His Highest for just twenty-five cents at a neighbourhood garage sale. I felt as though I had struck gold, and I had. This penny-bought classic by Oswald Chambers has proved to be priceless, page after page.

Don't you love how God works?! How He speaks to us about a certain thing over time, at very timely times. How He connects the dots of our thoughts through His ancient living Word, certain meetings with people, specific sermons, several songs, even... particular quotes from a book snagged at a sale. Oh, the divine involvement of His hand in the daily details.

It all started about a year ago, when He illuminated a sentence string of letters from Paul's letter to the Colossians. "May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to God." How does God's big power show up in my little life? His power shows up in my enduring with joy, in my being patient with gratitude. Really? God's power - that spun the planets into motion and spins them still now, that created and calmed the stormy sea with a word, that resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead - that power manifests itself in my persevering with pleasure? Exactly! His power shows up when we show up to work whistling. His power stands out when we stand up to the difficulties of life with hope in our hearts. His power is displayed when we press forward, looking upward to Him Who is high above all, yet low to our call.

The next thought in the line of dots was a clever quote said at the perfect moment. Hundreds of kindred spirits at Kindred Community Church had just finished singing. For two straight hours, strings were strung, drums were drummed, and pianos were played. Voices were on high volume in victorious song! We sang and sang, anthem after anthem of praise to the Saviour of sinners, our Saviour. After the last song was played and sung, my dad said something that I needed to hear. He said, "Inspiration MUST lead to perspiration." He was jolting the church with the reminder that two hours of inspiring and inspired worship on a Sunday night must not end with the last song. Rather, it must fuel Monday morning. The words we had sung must be lived too. The tune in our hearts must be true, and tried and true in the mundane and mournful realities of life. How is this possible outside the walls of the church building? Because God is with us wherever we are, and He Himself is the worthy Subject in all settings.

God continued to play connect-the-dots with my thoughts as I read My Utmost for His Highest. This section glared with rare meaning and blared with application. He says,

"The secret of the Christian life is that the supernatural is made natural in him by the grace of God, and that the experience of this works out in the practical details of life. Ministering as opportunity surrounds us does not mean selecting our surroundings, it means being very selectly God's in any haphazard surroundings which He engineers for us. The things that JESUS did were of the most menial and commonplace order, and this is an indication that it takes all God's power in me to do the most commonplace things in His way. Can I use a towel as He did? Towels and dishes and sandals, all the ordinary sordid things of our lives, reveal more quickly than anything what we are made of. It takes God Almighty Incarnate in us to do the meanest duty as it ought to be done."

Jesus not only successfully endured with joy the greatest work of all - the crucifixion; He successfully endured the smallest work of all - the carpenter shop. Though we honour and love our Saviour for His nail-pierced hands; we also must love Him and follow Him for His splintered fingers. Let us follow His example, by His enabling - magnifying Him and ministering to others wherever we find ourselves. When it's dim, we must let His character colour in the grey. When it's dreary, we must invite His company liven up our's. When it's difficult, we must believe His power overflows into our joy and patience.

P.S. Sure, working this all out is a work-out. Like my dad said, it involves sweat. Thankfully though, He works in us and through us to make enduring with joy and patience possible.

Where do we hang our hearts?

Have you heard the modern-day Simon and Garfunkel? All I can say is - hallelujah for harmony! This duo is as dynamic as it gets. Not only can they sing well, they sing wisely. This song, in particular, puts to melody an old truth penned by C.S. Lewis. "Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose."

"Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." - New Testament

stories

As far back as I can remember, I have always loved a good story. Whether it was read or told by heart, I was all ears. All imagination. All interest. Open heart drinking it all in, eating it all up. Still digesting.

Perhaps it is my being Northern Irish that has to do with this love for a good story. I would not be surprised if one of my first sentences as a child was - "Tell me a story!" And tell me stories they did. Parents. Grand parents (whose sleeves were the fullest). Guests visiting our home. Missionaries coming through our home. Strangers stopping by. Anybody and everybody - "Tell me a story!!!" I would sit, captivated by the tales they had to tell. All different kind of tales - from the funny to the fascinating, from the scary to the sad. Words woven, relations relating past realities that would inspire, make me want to inquire. Narratives of courage and care, that would dare me to be someone, to do something, just like they had been someone, done something. Memories of life and love that would compel me, propel me to live and love. After all, don't those two things go hand in hand? Life, holding, helping hands in love.

So, there I sat. Wee British girl, enthralled, at the feet of whoever was willing to share. Growing up collecting people's stories. Growing up because of other people's stories. Many of my own memories, remembering their memories.

Stories. Words about life, words of life, living legacies.

But, it's definitely more than my being Northern Irish; it is my being a child of God that makes me appreciate good stories still now. All thanks to the grace of Jesus Christ, I am a child of God. And as His child, I have loved His story. He has told it to me over and over again from His Word, and I never tire of it, always desire more of it. Like the New Testament letter says, "Crave the pure, spiritual milk of God's Word, that by it you may grow - if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good." Oh, I have tasted and seen that He is good. So good. Too good. And I want more of His Words, for they tell me about Him, "the Word from the beginning, who became flesh, who made His dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth".

And the reality of His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and glorification is the best story of all. And how glad I am that this story is fact, not fiction - that we, sinful-selfish-souls, can be forgiven and reconciled, and invited into His glory story.

Our filthy rags for Christ's robe of righteousness is the first great exchange. The second - our futile, boring mini-dramas that are passing away for God's glory story that is from everlasting to everlasting. He made the stars; He is the Star. And we are part of the cast; we are the choir in the soundtrack of this spanning, stretching story. Though seemingly small, we must remember that we are not, because His hands are infinitely big and busy weaving together a marvelous story of redemption. We only get to "see in part" on earth, and these parts may seem minute and mysterious at times. But of this we can be sure - how the story culminates. People from all around the world uniting with the angels above, crying out - “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

Until that day, that glorious forever-day, we have the riveting role of being His servants on earth. Act one, two and three, etc. - love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our script - the Good News of so great a salvation to all people.

Oh, let us listen to stories. Oh, let us be good Story-tellers.

prayer & paradox

Perfect God,
"Not that I loved you, but that You loved me."
These words of Your's continually cause hope to swell up in my heart,
to overflow out of my life into others.
Your love is so undeserved, yet unreserved.

Lord, help me to always love others like You have loved me.
Graciously. Generously. Gladly.

This is Your intended way -
that You bless us so that we can bless others;
that it is more blessed to give than to receive;
that in service, we are most free;
that in surrender, we are most secure;
that in the losing, is the finding of life;
that being rich in mercy is true treasure;
that helplessness precedes hopefulness;
that humility ushers in victory;
that grace generates good works;
that Your beauty shines through the broken;
that You oppose the proud,
but give grace to the humble.

Help me walk in Your wonderful, full-of-wonder way,
because You are worthy.

All this - from You, by You, for You.

In Jesus' name,
let it be.