Song of Solomon 2:10-13 - NASB
"My beloved responded and said to me,'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along. For behold, the winter is past,the rain is over and gone. The flowers have already appeared in the land; the time has arrived for pruning the vines, and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our land. The fig tree has ripened its figs, and the vines in blossom have given forth their fragrance. Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along!'"
I am reminded of a family vacation I took a few years back. It was winter and we had spent a full day skiing on the slopes. We were all tired, cold and well…excited! After freshening up and grabbing our supplies we were heading over to the karaoke place where my nutty family tree was hanging out.
Before we could get ourselves together - myself, my two younger brothers and a best friend of mine - overheard what sounded to be like an interesting animal. Camcorder in hand and snow boots on I, along with my so-tailor-made-for-Army-mission guys, headed down a powder white, iced over hill. We ran through a forest that seemed to be made of icicles and frozen lakes - I was nearly convinced we would soon run into a living, breathing Gingerbread Man. To my later disappointment, we did not. Actually, we were so hungry at the time it was probably better for his sake that Mr. Ginger stayed away.
Anyway, as we ran all through this deep tundra of coldness the animal noises were getting louder and shriller. Within two flashes of a second the four of us were not only surrounded by eyes but we did not know quite where we were (that is of course except for knowing we were in the dead of winter)!
Yelling for me to get back to the condo my brother began to dash for the ice covered hill. Carrying the camera and trying to get the ‘best shot’ I could, I ran backwards while the boys continued on in their sprint. For some reason the three of them ended up behind me - I believe God knew my angels were going to need to get me out of there and fast. The closer I got to the hill the further the boys seemed to get from me. By now I was lucky the camera was in the upright position and after watching the footage later on it is clear to see that all panic had broken loose.
I did not think I would make it up that hill that charcoal mooned night. I kept sliding down. And then running fast and jumping only to slide right back down…Eventually, my hunter brothers and friend were also trying to make it up without falling down the cliff and being attacked by a pack of crazy foxes. Talk about excitement quickly turning into terror!
What imagery the Lord handed to me that freezing night. Sometimes our life story writes us right smack into the middle of winter. And there among the snowflakes and bitter frost we find ourselves surrounded by hungry enemies.
What winter do you face today? What arctic hill are you struggling to climb? What camera has fallen to the waste side just so that you can make it out alive? Beloved…among what foxes do you find yourself today?
Jesus speaks so strongly to my heart at times that I am beginning to feel forever warm. One promising phrase He has reminded me of tonight is straight from his heart to yours, “'Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come along. For behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone.”
Today I genteelly encourage you to,” Arise.” The winter is melting away and ‘the flowers have already appeared in the land…’ Stop struggling up the chilled mountain side and latch on to your beloved. He is calling for you to come along.
10.25.2006
10.24.2006
10.12.2006
Coloring Book Certainty
Getting my brother Eddie to bed as a child was quite the struggle for my mother. He was afraid of everything; emphasis on the word everything. He would see shadows in his room, swear the trees had eyes, stare at his pillow suspiciously…the boy had some nightfall issues.
One way to get him into his room and tucked away for the night was to allow him to sleep at the foot of his doorway. The hall light would be enough to assure him that any monsters creeping in the darkness would not be able to devour him while he was fast asleep dreaming.
Often, I too, would join him on the floor of the doorway. My room was across the hall from his and together we would lay with our heads sticking out of our doors, hall light beaming and giggles quietly being stifled into our fluffy pillows. To this day I remember how much fun I thought those moments were. What was a comfort to EJ’s terror filled nights was just plain fun to me! It was like he and I were having a sleep over in the hallway. I loved him for it.
Many nights after he had fallen asleep I would sneak out a book to read (the glow of the hallway offering the perfect recipe for night vision) and I would think about love.
I had this coloring book that had pictures of Christ and the events of His miraculous life here on earth. I assume that there were pages of miracles to be colored in such as Jesus asleep on the boat of panicking disciples, finally awaking and calming the storm with the simple sound of His commanding voice. I am sure that the bread and fish multiplication miracle was also a part of that coloring book. Perhaps the shriveled up olive tree.
I am assuming those things because I remember only one page; the page that I would look at time and time again. The only coloring book outline that I know was in that little, dinky, beat up book: a picture of my Christ nailed to the cross, a crown of thorns upon his head, anguish on his face, his bare upper body so fragile and lonely, his life given up for me.
I wonder who thought that was a nice coloring book page. Interesting choice to me. But if the creator of that art book had a mission to relay the love of Christ and the power of His sacrifice for each of us – then job well done. That art book gave me my first lesson in love.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9)
I remember my so very childlike tears streaming down my face. I remember the awe and honor I felt at the privilege of being called a child of God. The joy of a life centered on Christ’s redeeming love for me. And I remember looking over at Eddie’s room and thinking that if Christ so loved me enough to die – if that was His proof of love for us – then if I ever had to prove to my brother how much I loved him I would have gladly given up breath here on earth to make it known. Because I knew what it felt like to stare at this Savior of the world and feel His love for me. I so wanted Eddie to feel a love like that as well.
There is something about Christ that is contagious. When you know Him, let me tell you, you want everyone else to know him as well. And I am not talking about the diminutive Jesus with children sitting on his lap, probably feeding a lamb, with an innocent smile upon his face. I am talking about the all-powerful, death defying, grave smashing, oceans-that-are-obeying, stones- that- are -praising Jesus.
I wonder if you know Him? I wonder if His love for you is urging you on to love others the same way? I wonder under the cover of nighttime, in the cove of hidden doorways, what you are feeling?
Do you feel a heart wrenching love; the kind of love that is a struggle to contain deep inside? An overflow of willingness to lay down your own life just to point to the cause of Christ? Is it a John 15:13 night for you? “Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.”
We are not all called to die for our friends. I hope we are clear on that. If for every moment of overwhelming love we were asked to die for the person of our affection than surely I would have been dead years ago. Though martyrdom may not be our call don’t you ever forget that it was the call of Christ Jesus! His life laid down for us. Again read, “Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.”
He did that for you. And do you know why? So that when the sun sets and it is time for you to go to bed, you can rest in the peace of His light. No doorway bunk beds needed. No fear that cannot be conquered. Christ has proven His love for you and he has called you friend! Rest in His love for you.
Who knew a coloring book could teach us so much?
Romans 5:8, Kristen
One way to get him into his room and tucked away for the night was to allow him to sleep at the foot of his doorway. The hall light would be enough to assure him that any monsters creeping in the darkness would not be able to devour him while he was fast asleep dreaming.
Often, I too, would join him on the floor of the doorway. My room was across the hall from his and together we would lay with our heads sticking out of our doors, hall light beaming and giggles quietly being stifled into our fluffy pillows. To this day I remember how much fun I thought those moments were. What was a comfort to EJ’s terror filled nights was just plain fun to me! It was like he and I were having a sleep over in the hallway. I loved him for it.
Many nights after he had fallen asleep I would sneak out a book to read (the glow of the hallway offering the perfect recipe for night vision) and I would think about love.
I had this coloring book that had pictures of Christ and the events of His miraculous life here on earth. I assume that there were pages of miracles to be colored in such as Jesus asleep on the boat of panicking disciples, finally awaking and calming the storm with the simple sound of His commanding voice. I am sure that the bread and fish multiplication miracle was also a part of that coloring book. Perhaps the shriveled up olive tree.
I am assuming those things because I remember only one page; the page that I would look at time and time again. The only coloring book outline that I know was in that little, dinky, beat up book: a picture of my Christ nailed to the cross, a crown of thorns upon his head, anguish on his face, his bare upper body so fragile and lonely, his life given up for me.
I wonder who thought that was a nice coloring book page. Interesting choice to me. But if the creator of that art book had a mission to relay the love of Christ and the power of His sacrifice for each of us – then job well done. That art book gave me my first lesson in love.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:9)
I remember my so very childlike tears streaming down my face. I remember the awe and honor I felt at the privilege of being called a child of God. The joy of a life centered on Christ’s redeeming love for me. And I remember looking over at Eddie’s room and thinking that if Christ so loved me enough to die – if that was His proof of love for us – then if I ever had to prove to my brother how much I loved him I would have gladly given up breath here on earth to make it known. Because I knew what it felt like to stare at this Savior of the world and feel His love for me. I so wanted Eddie to feel a love like that as well.
There is something about Christ that is contagious. When you know Him, let me tell you, you want everyone else to know him as well. And I am not talking about the diminutive Jesus with children sitting on his lap, probably feeding a lamb, with an innocent smile upon his face. I am talking about the all-powerful, death defying, grave smashing, oceans-that-are-obeying, stones- that- are -praising Jesus.
I wonder if you know Him? I wonder if His love for you is urging you on to love others the same way? I wonder under the cover of nighttime, in the cove of hidden doorways, what you are feeling?
Do you feel a heart wrenching love; the kind of love that is a struggle to contain deep inside? An overflow of willingness to lay down your own life just to point to the cause of Christ? Is it a John 15:13 night for you? “Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.”
We are not all called to die for our friends. I hope we are clear on that. If for every moment of overwhelming love we were asked to die for the person of our affection than surely I would have been dead years ago. Though martyrdom may not be our call don’t you ever forget that it was the call of Christ Jesus! His life laid down for us. Again read, “Greater love has no one than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.”
He did that for you. And do you know why? So that when the sun sets and it is time for you to go to bed, you can rest in the peace of His light. No doorway bunk beds needed. No fear that cannot be conquered. Christ has proven His love for you and he has called you friend! Rest in His love for you.
Who knew a coloring book could teach us so much?
Romans 5:8, Kristen
10.06.2006
One Night With The King
Attention Everyone!Check out the following link to view the trailer for next week's movie release "One Night With The King". Adapted from the book "One Night..." by Tom Tenney, this story is taken from the book of Esther in the Bible and captures so accurately the account of Scripture. I have never read a book that just screamed MOVIE to me more than this one! If the movie follows even remotely close to the book, I just know that it will you mesmerized. I highly recommend everyone get to the movies and see this story unfold...I am counting down the days!
http://www.8x.com/onenight/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
