Desperation

"And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelves years of age, and she was dying." -Luke 8:41 

Jesus goes on to bring Jairus's daughter back to life. I think we run the risk of missing the power of that if we just figure "there he goes again, doing miracles." Picture it though, or read on through verse 56. Jesus responds to Jairus's faith and desperation, comes to see his daughter, says "Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping." Then everyone laughs at him. Apparently they think they know better than he does about matters of life and death. Then in this climactic moment, I just picture Jesus nonchalantly saying, "Child arise," as she's filled with life again. Then he tells them to go get her something to eat (that's funny considering a minute ago they were laughing at his saying that she's not dead...I wonder if he chuckled as he said that).
Don't we have things in our lives that we think are dead? Maybe it's a dream, hope, direction, purpose, relationships, passion, fire for his word. Jesus does not ignore desperate calls for his power in our lives. Let's be willing to fall at his feet, Jairus did and Jesus did miraculous work!  

Triumphal Procession

"But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." -2 Corinthians 2:14

I like knowing that as a follower of Christ, I am always walking in a triumphal procession. Not everything in life is going to seem to go our way when we want it to, but when the goal is his glory, any circumstance we find ourselves in will be productive. It's pretty sweet to know that no venture in him is wasted. 

Complaining about Free Water Ice

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." -Ephesians 2:8 

Tuesday was free Rita's water ice day in celebration of the first day of spring. Being the cheap college student that I am, I stood with my roommate in a line of Philadelphia locals for over 35 minutes, waiting for my free, medium, cup of chilled sugar. Needless to say, I heard and observed some very interesting things while waiting.
The girl behind me in line complained the entire time about how "it's free water ice, it should be fast...I have things to do....I can't believe we have to wait so long." At first, I was slightly disgusted by how ridiculous she was being. It's free, I thought to myself, how can you complain about something you're getting for nothing. Who cares if you have to wait? At the end of the day, you're getting something that you don't deserve. Well....quickly my self-righteous attitude was turned on me, as the Holy Spirit reminded me of how frequently I have this same attitude, but applied to an far weightier discontent. Far too many times, I have grown frustrated with the Lord because of where he has me, what I'm doing, and yes indeed,  as to why in the world I have to wait for blessings I have hope he'll provide. I soon grew disgusted with myself. Every breath, moment, and blessing is more than I deserve. Who am I to complain? 

When Daddy Can't Stop Smiling

"He will take great delight in you;
 in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

-Zephaniah 3:17

Newly added to my list of top 25 most beautiful things this side of heaven....new daddies standing outside of the nursery gleaming at their hour old children on the other side of the glass. I watched as this beautiful first time father, stood outside of the nursery with the biggest smile you could imagine on his face, eyes following his son all around the nursery, waiting in anticipation for his return into his arms. This gave me an amazing picture of God....

#1.) He delights joyfully in our existence. I cannot possibly wrap my brain around this one, but I like to picture the Lord smiling down on us every day, amazingly, without regard to the reality that we ignore his presence daily.

#2.) He never takes his eyes off of us. I think of that dad watching carefully as we cleaned, assessed and medicated his son. Regardless of whether or not the little guy was crying, dad was right there, smiling away. He understood that the temporary trials of needle-sticks and a good scrub down were all a part of what his son needed to be cleanses and protected. Sound familiar to how our heavenly Father operates?

#3.) He anticipates time with us. That daddy hadn't been apart from his son for more than two minutes before he tracked down his whereabouts  and waited anxiously by his side to snatch him up in his arms again. Little did that little boy know how intimate the time with his father would be in those first couple days of life.

Brothers and sister, the Lord delights in you, he desires your affection, and covets your love. Be amazed by that!   

Eyes for Lies

"I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness." -Isaiah 42:6-7 

What are some lies that you believe deep down in your heart? Those notions that the enemy has planted that prevent you from experiencing the love of Jesus every second of every day....those perceptions of yourself and others that hinder you from the kingdom work you were made for. We've all got some.
    I'm not worthy
    I'll never be good enough
    He doesn't really love me
   I've messed up too many times
    The world would function just the same without me 
   I deserve to be hurt 
   If only I             then              . 

There's such power in these words in Isaiah 42 that reveal to us the beautiful fact that Jesus came to give us an eye to expose those lies, to pour out his grace on us that we may no longer be blind and see his love. What would life be like if we accepted that grace daily and embraced that vision? 

Like Spinach Stuck Between Your Teeth

" I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you." -Isaiah 44:22 

Repentance is a truly amazing thing because unless we realize that there's something we need to walk away from, we have no need to walk towards something else, something better. It serves as a mechanism of release from sin and God is incredibly faithful in rewarding that repentance with blessing. The sweet thing is....repentance is not simply a vehicle to receive blessing, but is in and of itself the reward because, with Jesus, purification results.

I think it might be a little bit like when you have a huge hunk of spinach stuck between your two front teeth. Let's be honest, no one's smile looks good when that's chillin in there. Often times we have no idea. We need someone to point it out to us, so that we can go find a mirror and take care of it. The return is a beautiful smile. Praise the Lord that he sent the Holy Spirit to be the one to tap us on the shoulder and convict us of our sin, and that he sent his son to remove our transgressions from us, that we may experience the fullness of life that the Lord has promised us.