Silent little friend
of very few words;
just a hum here and there.
No words needed,
just sitting quietly;
peaceful,
in each other’s presence.
Words are not needed.
Just silence.
Being still.
Enjoying the moment.
Watching
Listening
Acknowledging
Wait…
Is this describing worship?
Be still and know.
Spirit interceding.
Yes!
Thank you, my little friend,
of very few words.
Peaceful…
The chorus of creation makes the most beautiful music
under the direction of
the Director;
perfect music for a weary soul.
I sit down and the concert begins;
shielding me from the noise out there,
giving peace to my noisy heart.
I sigh a happy smile,
and enjoy.
The Director leads the way,
cueing every sound.
Soon I’m lost in perfect harmonies,
the world out there is forgotten.
But soon a person jogs by
and startles me away from the creation chorus,
my heart races,
but I quickly reengage the concert.
Again I am lost,
and my heart is calm.
Birds sing their melodies.
The wind adds its part.
The trees applaud with joy.
The flow of the river keeps everything together.
The Director’s composition is perfect.
Nothing did He miss.
As I stand to reenter the world;
I applaud, praising the Director.
I am ready now,
ready to reenter the world,
with a heart that is at peace.
2 Peter 1:16–17 (ESV) ~ 16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,”
To see this mountain is to see “majestic glory”.
But that is almost sacrilegious to say,
For this is only part of the story.
For if this mountain is majestic,
You are more so,
For You are the Creator of the heavens and the earth,
Thus it is glory to You I want to bestow.
You are my Father –
My Lord and King,
You are my Savior and Shepherd.
New Life You certainly bring.
You are holy and awesome.
You declared Jesus to be Your Son,
He died and rose again,
And he will never be outdone.
From You is borne New Life
Thus You are the Majestic Glory.
I sing aloud and praise Your name,
For You are my complete story.
Just in case you need another reason to praise and worship God, I thought I would offer this. God painted this scene this morning behind our church building and I just had to share this. To God be the glory!
It is right, oh God and it is our joy to give You thanks and praise at all times and in all places – to limit our praise and thanks to a single moment in time is impossible. Therefore, we offer our worship in every moment and with our very lives. For You give us peace through holding all our tomorrows. You give us Life through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son. You give us love for You are love. And so, it is our great pleasure to join with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven in singing Your unending praise…
Sing people, sing…
While driving to my office yesterday morning, I saw these power poles, but these are not new. I’ve driven this road for 3 1/2 years and they have always been there, but something different happened yesterday. As pole after pole went by, I no longer saw a power pole, but rather, I noticed a cross.
~ I saw Jesus
~ I was humbled as a sinner.
~ I contemplated his death for me.
~ I experienced God’s grace.
~ I heard God’s forgiveness announced.
All of this through a series of power poles that I have seen hundreds and hundreds of times. God is amazing like that – taking everyday things and people to remind you of His grace. And so, as I continued contemplating this picture and morning experience, the following poem got written.
To God be the glory!
The cross of Christ is all around me,
reminding me of Your grace.
Suffered, died and now lives forever,
that I may not be disgraced.
Thank you, Father, for these simple signs,
reminding me of Your love.
For through Jesus Christ my Lord and King,
I will live with You above.
My family and I went to Cape Disappointment recently – a beautiful Washington State Park situated where the Columbia River empties into the Pacific Ocean. While at North Head Lighthouse in the park, I stood at the fence and stared at the vastness of the ocean. What a humbling sight. I wish my kiddos weren’t so antsy to leave so I could have gazed at this scene longer. How they weren’t amazing by this is beyond me. And so I started taking pictures (not that any picture(s) could do the ocean justice). While gazing for the short time I had, the following poem started to take shape. I just love how God works in awe-filled moments like this.
I stared at the ocean and stood there in awe,
With my gaze fixed upon what I was seeing.
The scene was vast and very overwhelming,
But then a great thing happened that was freeing.
My thoughts started to drift and wander towards You,
And in the blink of an eye Your grace appeared.
I pondered the scene that was set before me,
And now it’s Your love that’s in my brain so seared.
For I am a sinner undeserving of You.
A lost soul that ought to be left with the dead.
But that’s not my ending for You came to save.
Jesus my Savior took Your wrath in my stead.
And now I have hope that there is more to this life.
A full Life with You at Your Great Banquet feast.
So much in this life has left me in despair.
Now since I’m in Your love my fear has now ceased.
And so I thank You my God for this vast scene,
For showing me that Your grace is more vast yet.
Your faithfulness is great and so amazing.
This moment is something that I won’t forget.
There is no barrier.
There is no force.
There is nothing that can stop Your light from shining forth.
Darkness can not boast.
Evil will not win.
Satan has been defeated.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
The world tries to get in the way,
but You will not be denied.
The world tries to restrain,
but You will not be held down.
The world tries to redefine,
but You are who You are.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
People try to silence You.
Governments try to legislate You.
Preachers misrepresent You.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
You shine in the darkest dark.
You radiate in the gloomiest gloom.
You glow with the purest love.
Oh Lord, Your light prevails.
You are the Light of the world.
You are the Light of my life.
You are THE Light.
Oh Lord, You have prevailed.
In the morning You treat me to You glory.
In the morning You shine Your love on me.
In the morning Your mercies blaze anew.
In the morning Your radiance lights up my life.
May the light of Your love fill me and direct me; leading me in the ways of righteousness that brings You glory.
May I see people with Your eyes and treat them thus; as beloved children in Your care.
May I show grace and mercy; for the grace and mercy You have shown me is beyond comprehension.
May I shine bright this day; leading people to see Your radiance.
Oh God, this day You created for me is for You and thus I worship You.
You are awesome!
To You be all glory.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen.
If you look carefully at this picture of rocks, you will notice some unnatural formations. They are pillars of rocks that people have artistically created. I saw these recently and wanted to capture the moment so I could admire these man/woman made structures. Why, because the next time I come through, I doubt they will be there.
Mark 13:1–2 (ESV) ~ And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
The fact of the matter is this — those small stone pillars will not last. Someone or something WILL knock them down. They may last for a while, but eventually they will come down. The same with any man-made kingdom of this world. No matter how beautiful, strong, respected, adorned or solid, it will not last. Only that which is built by God will last, and last forever it will.
Church buildings are only that, buildings — they are not the Church. The Church is built by God through faith in Jesus Christ and held together, not by mortar, but by the Holy Spirit. When we begin to worship and admire and build buildings, over and above God, then we are doomed to be thrown down with the rest of the stones.
So…
Whose kingdom is getting your attention: your kingdom or His Kingdom?
What kingdom are you fixated on building: your kingdom or His Kingdom?
In what kingdom do you want to reside: your kingdom or His Kingdom?
To God be the glory through Christ Jesus our Lord!
God is oh so…
amazing
awesome
creative
majestic
artistic
awesome (did I say that already?)
Awe-inspiring
And a host of other adjectives.
To look at this scene; this artwork, and say this is just a random event is to live a life with blinders on. A sad life, really; going through life in black and white without the wonder and majesty of our Creator God. This is not random but purposefully crafted for our enjoyment but more importantly to the glory of God. People have complimented me on this photo, but really, how I can (or anyone for that matter) take credit for a beautiful photo like this. I mean, this scene was and is there. I just happened to be there to capture it on some digital media. This is God’s masterpiece, painted on His canvas and with His mighty hand.
And this is just the tip of the iceberg. God’s masterpieces are all around you. Stop and smell the roses (or look at the mountains) and give God the glory.
Holy and awesome God, Your mighty hand is powerful and gentle. It can shake and rend the heavens and the earth and it can cradle a new-born life. Your hand can also craft a scene that can take our breath away; drawing our attention to You. Oh God, what can be known about You is indeed evident in creation. May we never be so busy as to miss Your majesty all around. Thank you for taking my breath away with such beauty. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
The Heart of a Pastor 