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“Jesus” by Rich Mullins (performed by Ashley Cleveland)

21 Jul

“Jesus” by Rich Mullins (performed by Ashley Cleveland)

Jesus

They say You walked upon the water once

When you lived as all men do

Please teach me how to walk the way You did

Because I want to walk with You

Jesus

They say you taught a lame man how to dance

When he had never stood without a crutch

Well here am I Lord holding out my withered hands

And I’m just waiting to be touched

Jesus

Write me into Your story

Whisper it to me

And let me know I’m Yours

Jesus

They say You spoke and calmed an angry wave

That was tossed across a stormy sea

Please teach me how to listen how to obey

‘Cause there’s a storm inside of me

Jesus

Write me into Your story

Whisper it to me

And let me know I’m Yours

Jesus

They drove the cold nails through Your tired hands

And rolled a stone to seal Your grave

Feels like the devil’s rolled a stone onto my heart

Can You roll that stone away?

Dear God, this is one of those great songs that it’s a crime isn’t know better. Rich Mullins wrote it shortly before his untimely death. I say untimely, but I suppose everything is in your time. But it sure felt untimely at the time.

Anyway, I love the connection between Bible stories about Jesus and an aching heart here and now. I try to imagine Rich writing it and the emotions he felt that drove the request he makes in the song.

It opens simply enough: “Please teach me how to walk the way you did because I want to walk with you.” The more I become like Jesus the more closely I can be to him. No, that’s wrong. The closer I get to him and you the more I will walk like him and be like him. My salvation is one thing. My discipleship and transformation is another that I must grow into.

Then he moves on to needing healing: “Well here I am, Lord, holding out my withered hands. And I’m just waiting to be touched.” One of the first stages of the walk is seeking your healing. Healing my soul. Chris Pratt recently said in an awards show, “You have a soul. Be careful with it.” Well, a lot of us are careless with our souls, or others damage our souls. It’s really a combination of both. But we need your healing before we can really move along in our journey with you.

The next thing is tuning into you: “Please teach me how to listen and how to obey because there’s a storm inside of me.” It’s interesting that he made a connection between the storm Jesus calmed with listening to and obeying you. I don’t think I would naturally have made that connection, but I can see it. The storms that rage inside of me—the fear, the unsettledness, and the selfishness—all combine to drown out your voice. I need your healing and your calm to bring me to a place where I can hear you.

And finally: “Feels like the devil’s rolled a stone onto my heart. Can you roll that stone away?” Father, I can’t do this myself. I need you to do it. My wounded soul. My stormy heart. My sin. My selfishness. I cannot will it to be gone, and I cannot will myself to be acceptable to you. I am acceptable to you because of Jesus’ sacrifice and because you choose by your will to accept me. Thank you for this freedom.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 21, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Facing death

20 Jul

No verse

Dear God, I want to talk a little about end of life stuff. Through my job yesterday, I came across a woman who is terminally ill. I don’t think she understood the gravity of her situation. She just came in with a couple of diagnoses, either one of which would be a terminal situation, but combined make it nearly impossible to treat. It was hard.

How will I respond when I have to face that conversation for myself or my wife? I think I know how I’d like to respond, but that’s all intellectual. It’s not emotional. I’m going to die one day. So will she. When that day comes, what will my heart reveal about what I really believe about you, life, death, and eternity?

There’s another woman I know with a very serious, likely terminal diagnosis. She is handling it like I would hope I would. She is older—80+. She has had a full life. When she got the news from the doctor, she took it in stride. Yes, there might be some emotions she’s denying through pure will of her intellect, but she is at least coming at it from what I consider to be the right perspective.

Father, I hope I was okay yesterday. I do pray for the woman and her daughter who were in my office and the staff that helped me talk to her as well. Make their path straight. Make this pain count. Don’t let one teardrop be wasted. Give them comfort. Give them peace. Draw them to yourself. Hold them close. Be their Prince of Peace.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 20, 2018 in Miscellaneous

 

“I Will Sing” by Rich Mullins

19 Jul

“I Will Sing” by Rich Mullins

I will sing for the meek

For those who pray

With their very lives for peace

Though they’re in chains

For a higher call

Their mourning will change into laughter

When the nations fall

In spirit poor, in mercy rich

They hunger for your righteousness

Their hearts refined into purity

Lord, let me shine for them

Lord, let me sing

Lord, let me shine for them

Lord, let me sing

Dear God, I used to sing this as part of a trio of songs I sang for my children when I would put them to bed when they were little. This was the lead-off song. I hoped at the time it would plant seeds of compassion in them. I still hope it did.

The truth is, there is a lot of suffering in the world that I have zero clue how to address or as to what my role in alleviating it should be. What does “shining for them” look like?

I guess the conclusion I’ve come to is that shining for them is all about following my convictions and callings. There are some things I can do and there are many more things I cannot do. And no matter how much I do, it will not come close to helping even a percentage. But you didn’t call me to solve the world’s problems. You called me to respond to your still small voice. As long as I don’t find myself living in denial, hiding in a cave like Elijah, I am more than likely on the right track.

Father, bless the work of my hands. Help me to know what to do, what not to do, and to do everything through your leadership and for your glory. Help me to be shrewd and wise. Help me to be encouraging and to point people to you. And help all of us through these difficult worldly times.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 19, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 

Psalm 119:1-8

18 Jul

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

Psalm 119:1-8

Dear God, when I read this passage this morning it made me think of the verse that says to obey is better than to sacrifice. I looked it up and it turns out that those words are the ones Samuel spoke to Saul when God rejected Saul as king for doing a sacrifice at the wrong time without Samuel. All of these things are said under the “old covenant,” before Jesus earthly life, but it doesn’t make their words and message any less true now.

I just did a little search because it seems like Jesus references this passage somewhere in the Gospels, but I didn’t find it. I did find Proverbs 21:3. It’s a pretty common message, and it makes sense.

Father, thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice. It makes it possible for me to even be here this morning, talking to you. But help me to simply obey. It is for my own good anyway. Help me to obey you. Help me to glorify you. Help me to decrease as you increase through me. I love you and need you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 18, 2018 in 1 Samuel, Proverbs, Psalms

 

Romans 1:16-17

17 Jul

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

Romans 1:16-17

Dear God, I think 98% of Christians need training in how to share the Gospel. I’m included in that group. We either don’t know or over time we forget what we are “selling.” In fact, I know there are people in church every Sunday who are there because they’ve heard about this hope, but they still leave having never heard the message: There is hope! There is peace! There is freedom! All you have to do is let go of yourself, accept this wonderful gift of Jesus and then begin a life of discipleship.

I’ve been asked to preach at this one church every month for the last few, and now I’ll be there twice in August. Up until now, I’ve been following the passages the national church assigns for the day and then preaching from that—usually the Old Testament lesson. But now I’m really feeling led to take the second one in August and do an old fashioned Gospel message.

There’s a son by Dennis where the chorus says, “And I wish I could take your heart into my heart. I wish I could show you just how good it feels to let go of the pain you know is killing you and cling to the only one who can heal. But I know if I did then it wouldn’t be you. Because you, you’re the only one choosing for you. It’s true.”

Father, teach me to share the Gospel and make me your messenger. Remind me of the need that you met in my life over 30 years ago and guide me deeper into your presence.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 17, 2018 in Romans

 

“Growing Young” by Rich Mullins and Beaker

16 Jul

“Growing Young” by Rich Mullins and Beaker

I’ve gone so far from my home
I’ve seen the world
And I have known
So many secrets
I wish now I did not know
‘Cause they have crept into my heart
They have left it cold and dark
And bleeding
Bleeding and falling apart

And everybody used to tell me
Big boys don’t cry
Well, I’ve been around enough to know
That that was the lie
That held back the tears
In the eyes of a thousand prodigal sons
Well, we are children no more
We have sinned and grown old
And our Father still waits
And He watches down the road
To see the crying boys
Come running back to His arms
And be growing young, nah, nah
Growing young, nah, nah, nah, nah

I’ve seen silver turn to draw dross
I’ve seen the best there ever was
And I’ll tell you, it ain’t worth what it cost
And I remember my father’s house
What I wouldn’t give right now
Just to see him
And hear him tell me that he loves me so much

And everybody used to tell me
Big boys don’t cry
Well, I’ve been around enough to know
That that was the lie
That held back the tears
In the eyes of a thousand prodigal sons
Well, we are children no more
We have sinned and grown old
And our Father still waits
And He watches down the road
To see the crying boys
Come running back to His arms
And be growing young, nah, nah
Growing young, nah, nah, nah, nah

And when I thought that I was all alone
It was your voice I heard calling me back home
And I wonder now Lord, what was it that made me wait so long
What kept you waiting for me all that time
Was your love stronger than my foolish pride
Will you take me back Lord
Take me back and let me be your child
Because I’ve been broken now, I’ve been saved
I’ve learned to cry and I’ve learned how to pray
And I’m learning, I’m learning even I can be changed

And everybody used to tell me
Big boys don’t cry
Well, I’ve been around enough to know
That that was the lie
That held back the tears
In the eyes of a thousand prodigal sons
Well, we are children no more
We have sinned and grown old
And our Father still waits
And He watches down the road
To see the crying boys
Come running back to His arms
And be growing young, nah, nah
Growing young, nah, nah, nah, nah

 

Dear God, I first heard this song nearly 25 years ago, and although I loved it at the time, I never knew how much it would come to mean to me. At the end of the day, we all need to have our wills broken to the point where we are willing to submit to you. And it comes easier to some that it does to others. The harder the heart, the more time it takes to break.

I have those in my life now for whom I pray this song and the sentiments of this song. Some are relatives. Some are friends. And I am in there too. You are still working on my heart and drawing it into yourself. I’m still learning to get over myself. I’m still learning to repent and pursue holiness. I’m still learning to look to you for my happiness and fulfillment.

Father, I’m willing to cry, so that’s a start. I’m willing to express my hurt and my faults. That’s a start too. The last 25 years have brought wounds and scars, but they have also brought me compassion, wisdom, love, and humility. Be glorified in me and please help those whom I love.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 16, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Pressed but not crushed

15 Jul

Dear God, over the last couple of days, I’ve spent a lot of time delving back into some stuff that was important to me back in the 90s. One is the music of Rich Mullins. The other is a book called The Tale of Three Kings. The latter is a simply written book looking at King Saul, King David, and Would-be King Absolom.

I was in my 20s back then and life looked very different to me. I have scars now that I didn’t have then. I have some wisdom that was learned by being pressed but not crushed (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). It seems, however, that I laid enough foundation in my faith to have kept me here, praying to you. For that, I’m very grateful.

And now I’m watching my kids enter their 20s. One of the hardest things to do as a parent is let them grow and walk in the path you have for them when it looks so different than the path you had for me. I remember when they were in high school and telling a friend that I don’t know what it looks like to “turn my children over to God.” I’m still not where you draw that line as the parent of a teenager. It’s easier for me to find now, although I do find myself tempted to intervene.

I’m re-reading The Tale of Three Kings and the basic thesis of the book is that you used Saul and his treatment of David to mold David into your king. The suffering David experienced at Saul’s hand made him a better king than he ever would have been on his own. As I look at my life, sure, I’ve suffered at times, but I still have enough perspective to acknowledge that my suffering has not been beyond what I could bear, or close to what others have suffered. But I can say with certainty that it was the low times that taught me the most about loving you.

Father, help me to keep from getting in the way of anything you are teaching my children. As I bless them and turn their paths over to you, help me to have faith in you that it’s all okay. Like the father who cried out for his child, my words to you are, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. (Mark 9:24)

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 15, 2018 in 2 Corinthians, Mark

 

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Romans 12:3-5

13 Jul

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 12:3-5

Dear God, I have some confessions this morning. I was given a really great award this last week—one of which I’m really proud. A couple of years ago I would never have imagined that they would choose me for it, but my first confession is that this year, with some of the things with which I’ve been involved in the community, I thought I might have a shot at it and I wanted it. So that’s my first confession. I wanted the award I got and I would have been disappointed if I hadn’t gotten it.

Second, I confess that I like the attention. You know me well, and you know that I love to be admired. It is a huge vice for me. I’m getting better—I can feel myself getting better about needing it—but it’s still an issue for me.

Third, there’s a part of me that is tired and nervous that I will allow myself to slump after receiving the recognition. Or worse, that I will make my activities about the recognition instead of about giving you the glory and honor for everything I do, and following your lead and seeking your blessing.

Father, I’m a mess, but you provided me one really gracious thing in this. The award was actually awarded to another person in addition to me, and he is such a great guy. If I put pen to paper, I would say that he is more deserving than I am. I just appreciate and respect him so much. So it is humbling to be honored in this way for doing things that I’ve done out of obedience to you. It is humbling to be put in the same category and league as this other man. My trick is to embrace everyone around me and the vision you have given to all of us as your body. I cannot do everything. I am certainly not good at everything. I need you. I need my wife. I need my children. I need my parents, in-laws, and siblings. I need my friends, my church, and my community. I am just a part, and one unfortunate thing about the role I usually play is that it often gets recognition that other parts don’t get. So help me to be mindful of all of this and to always remember that it’s all about you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 13, 2018 in Romans

 

“Make My Life a Prayer to You”

13 Jul

“Make My Life a Prayer to You” by Melody Green

Make my life a prayer to you
I want to do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers. No compromise

I want to shine the light you gave
Through your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know you’re really there

Well I want to thank you now for being patient with me
Oh, it’s so hard to see when my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust and just believe what you say
Oh, you’re coming again, coming to take me a way

I want to die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave to me
A love that set me free

I want to tell the world out there
you’re not some fable or fairy tale
That I’ve made up inside my head
You’re God the son. You’ve risen from the dead

Oh, I want to thank you now for being patient with me
Oh, it’s so hard to see when my eyes are on me
I guess I’ll have to trust and just believe what you say
Oh, you’re coming again, coming to take me away

I want to die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave to me
I want to share the love that set me free

 

Dear God, this song is just great. The lyrics are really a perfect prayer.

I was lying in bed right after I woke up and I read the verse for the day from Bible Gateway (Phil 2:9-11) and, frankly, it really didn’t do anything for me. So then I started looking at YouTube to see if there was anything interesting there while I kind of killed a little time before getting out of bed. As it turned out, a live video of Keith Green playing this song came up and I watched it. I hadn’t heard this song in a long time. He introduced it by saying that his wife wrote it, and it was really something to be able to sing your wife’s song. It made me think I should probably look for opportunities to read my wife’s poetry out loud–even if it’s just for me.

So I listened intently to the words and sang along (I’ve known this song since the 80s). Like I said, it really is a perfect prayer.

Make my life a prayer to you, I want to do what you want me to

Of course. My life as a living prayer. If that were to happen at a 100% level, what would that look like?

No empty words, and no white lies

How much of my communication with others throughout the day is just empty, thoughtless words? I don’t know that white lies are a problem, but certainly empty words are.

No token prayers, no compromise

Yes. I want my prayers to be meaningful, thoughtful, and consistent. I want to live a life that is completely surrendered to you and does not look out for myself.

I want to shine the light you gave through your son you sent to save us from ourselves and our despair. It comforts me to know you’re really there

That’s what it’s all about. When people see me, they should see you and they should see something that they want in them.

Oh I want to thank you now for being patient with me. Oh, it’s so hard to see when my eyes are on me.

Yes. You are patient. You are loving. You expect a lot from me, but you know better than I do the journey I am on in discipleship. If I can turn my eyes from myself to you then I will be able to see a lot more around me.

I guess I’ll have to trust and just believe what you say. Lord, you’re coming again. Coming to take me away.

I have very little thoughts about you coming back in rapture form during my living life, but I will say that I have every confidence that you’ll be there to take my soul when my earthly time is done.

I want to die and let you give your life to me so I might live. And share the hope you gave to me. A love that set me free

Again, this is a song about just getting over myself. I can only imagine what was going through Melody Green’s mind when she wrote this, but I know it must have been a beautiful moment between the two of you.

I want to tell the world out there you’re not some fable or fairy tale that I’ve made up inside my head. You’re God the Son, you’ve risen from the dead.

I am so weak and talking about who you really are and boldly proclaiming you. But may that come as I continue to learn to make my life a prayer to you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 13, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Matthew 4:3-4

12 Jul

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Matthew 4:3-4

Dear God, as I read this passage this morning and asked myself what thoughts come to mind when I read it, the first thought that came into my mind is that I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Living on earth and the struggles. Fasting for 40 days. Dealing with Satan in this way. Of course, brutal crucifixion. And it was partly for me. I’m really sorry you had to do that.

But as I now continue my journey, one of my jobs is to live by your bread. Not the communion bread (eat this in remembrance of me), but by the scripture prepared for me and the still small voice that speaks to me. Both must be run through a discernment filter. I can’t always trust my interpretation of scripture, and I cannot always trust the voices inside my head. But awareness and discussing my thoughts in community help to mitigate any selfish interpretations that will deceive me.

Father, thank you for everything you’ve done. Everything Jesus had has done. Everything the Holy Spirit has done. My life is small and my time on earth is short. Help me to make the most of the opportunities you put in front of me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 12, 2018 in Matthew

 
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