God's silence

“Papa I can’t do it.” I wait, watching, silent. I know she can, if she’ll try.

She thinks herself too small, she’s only three. I know she can, she thinks she can’t. And so I wait silently. She stares at the bucket. She wants to help me wash the camper. But until she extends her hand into the soapy water and plunges it into the deep; she won’t be equipped with the provision I’ve provided for her to aid in her quest for cleaning.

She inches closer. She says it a bit quieter this time. “I can’t do it Papa, help.” I continue to clean from atop the ladder; she stares into bucket; reaches out little hand; touches water and pulls back. “I can’t do it.” She looks toward me. I continue to work as if I hadn’t noticed.

Fingers then hand, wrist then arm disappear into soapy mix. Whispering words, “I-can’t-do-did-it. I did it!” Holding wash rag like a trophy above her head, she doesn’t notice soapy water running down her arm, dripping on pony tailed hair and splashing across her smiling face.

“I DID IT!”

My silence wasn’t to ignore but prompt her to explore, to venture into her adventure. I was watching, waiting and had prepared the way; she just had to dive in. If it were dangerous, if I didn’t want her to proceed – I would intercede.

I applauded her success – and almost fell off the ladder laughing.

At that moment I felt a warm familiarity. Like a loving unseen hug...Was it God keeping me on the ladder; or something more?

I realized… that’s the way of My Papa. Our Papa. God.

At times it seems; He’s drawn back. I can’t hear Him, see Him or feel Him. I wonder if He’s there; if He’s even listening.

I move away when teaching a child to walk. And I let go when teaching one to ride bike. To harm? No. To watch them fall? Of course not.

Balance is gotten by standing on your own.



From “can’t to can” requires untying the “not.”



To help me grow; balance; pedal forward, He steps away.

All the while He’s watching as I move forward, toward what I think I can’t do; cheering as I overcome fear; smiling as I plunge deep and applauding when I succeed.

And whether I find the trophy or just get wet, the success is in the trying. He provides all I need.

Sometimes hearing God is in not hearing Him.

All I need to do is set my heart to want to. My job is to delight myself in Him.

I move forward calling out, “Papa help, I can’t do it on my own. I’m planning to plunge in, because I want to help.” If He allows me to continue and I don’t hear His voice – that is His voice.

That desire planted inside me is His voice leading me.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matt 6:33

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5,6

PHOTOS: Granddaughter Nevaeh - (the handmaiden of the Lord:-), SUPER NEVAEH - I CAN DO IT !

Haiti's Deliverance

2am 1.19.10 one year from 1.19.11




I’ve been praying. For Haiti. More than ever. Haiti needs help. Haiti is getting help today; more than ever. She needed prayer. She is getting prayer today; more than ever.


Some have said it was an act of God’s judgment. More have thought it. Many have jumped in to help; and many to exploit.


If God was involved – Love was involved. God is love. If God was involved He was The First Responder to offer aid. He was on the scene to bring relief; to show acts of mercy; to offer hope.


And He will be the last one there. When the media and everyone else have turned away; He will stay. God is love.


The earth groans and travails until the return of Christ and the real global warming takes place – purging with fire.

 2 Peter 3:9-12  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The Day of the Lord

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

Could it be that the rocks cry out; could the earth quake in travail, crying out for deliverance?

Luke 19:37-40  Then, as He was now drawing near the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying:

“‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!’

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

39 And some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”

40 But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”

Romans 8:21-23  because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Personally, I don’t think God sent an earthquake to judge this people. Judgment Day is coming for us all. Soon.

Jesus told us ahead of time these things would happen.

Mark 13:8  Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

They’re related to birth pains. Birth pains are bittersweet; bitter arrival – sweet delivery. We are in the last trimester, the day of delivery is here…

Romans 13:11-14 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Luke 21:28

Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.

I listened

“I really blew it last night” She said. Closing the lid I looked into eyes as red as the burgers I had just placed on the grill. “How do you want your burger?” I asked and made a chair out of the deck steps. She joined me.

I didn’t really want to know how she wanted her burger, I already knew. I just didn’t know what else to say… I was listening.

“I screwed up so bad last night. I’m so stupid.” This time she was close enough for stale beer breath to tell the rest of the story.

I listened.

The only voice I heard was hers. It was too soon for the burgers to be hot enough to sizzle. But suddenly something sizzled. And I heard myself laugh right out loud.

I listened… to myself laugh, and wondered what I was doing.

Swimming red eyes questioned. “I said I totally blew it!”

“This is great” I listened to myself say. And wondered what I was saying.

“You don’t seem to understand Doug, I got drunk last night. I went to a party and got wasted. I messed up.”

“Hallelujah!” I proclaimed.

I listened and heard, not my voice, but, The Voice leading. I followed.

She stared in disbelief. “What in the world are you saying? Didn’t you hear me? I GOT DRUNK LAST NIGHT.”

The burgers were now sizzling and so was I. The aroma from meat on the grill or manna from heaven overpowered the odor of last nights’ debauchery.

I listened as words of wisdom flowed from my lips – not my words. I wouldn’t have thought of it. His words of comfort; of love; of victory poured.

I listened.

“This is wonderful. You sit here today hurting in your heart, grieved by what you’ve done. Last week you did the same thing. But, you sought relief for pain in your head, not your heart. You wanted a pain pill, but not the Gos-pill (Gospel). This is proof that the prayer you prayed a few days ago; took. This shows that you really are a new person. You really are changed. You really meant it in your heart when you asked God to forgive you and He honored your request and gave you a new heart, now you feel bad about what you’ve done because you-are-new. The old-you is dead. God has changed you. You are a Christian. So of course you’re going to feel bad when you do something against who you are.”

Wiping tears from her smiling face she giggled, “Wow, I never knew feeling bad could feel so good.”

I listened… “Well done.”

I whispered, “Thank-you” to my Lord.

She said, “Huh? Well done. I want my burger well-done.”

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

L-U-S-T

Today’s topic is part of the “one word at a time” blog carnival hosted by Bridget Chumbley and Peter Pollock.


The topic is :

LUST

L – longings

U – unbridled

S – selfishly

T – take

Lust : selfish counterfeit to expression of desire.



LOVE

L – longings

O – offered

V – virtuously

E – elate

Love: unselfish genuine expression of desire.

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

I’m So Glad I’m A Part Of The Family Of God

Last night 1,550 miles from home, we held hands with about 50 people from all parts of the world and sang. As we did, I realized, we’re never far from home when we’re with family…I could almost hear The Father say, "Welcome home."

The song we sang…

I’m So Glad I’m A Part Of The Family Of God

I’m a part of the family

The family of God

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God

I’ve been washed in the fountain

And cleansed by His blood

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod

For I’m a part of the family

The family of God

You will notice we say “brother and sister” around here

It’s because we’re a family and these folks are so near

When one has a heartache we all share the tears

We rejoice in each victory in this family so dear

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God

I’ve been washed in the fountain

And cleansed by His blood

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod

For I’m part of the family

The family of God

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King

No longer an outcast, a new song I can sing

From rags to riches, from the weak to the strong

I’m not worthy to be here but thank God I belong

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God

I’ve been washed in the fountain

And cleansed by His blood

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod

For I’m a part of the family

The family of God

Yes I’m a part of His family

The family of God

Nothin' like him

Nothin' Like him

Spinning tires make me cry

Gravel dust clouds my eye

Front of church he speeds away

Momma bows her head to pray

I’m here Momma

And I’m nothin’ like him

No, I ain’t nothing like him

Daddy will come to church one day

you’ll see; Momma would pray.

Five year old ears hear preachers preachin'…

He carried the cross up hill

With the world on His shoulders.

He loved us still

Even though our hearts were colder

And He loves us still

Teacher's trying to teach us

Do you want to know Jesus?

 

Well, you had me 'til, you called him Father

Now no thanks, don’t think I’ll bother

 

Cuz mines nothing like Him

No, Dad’s nothing like Him.

You say,

 

He carried the cross up hill

With the world on His shoulders.

He loved us still

Even though our hearts were colder

And He loves us still?

That day I ran away,

Against mama’s prayers and preachers preachin’

I carried my cross up hill

With the world on my shoulders

I’ve run until

My hearts gotten colder

He couldn’t’ love me still?

No, He wouldn’t love me still.

I knew some day

I’d come back and say

I’m nothing like him

No I ain’t nothing like him

I pulled up in church drive,

watched that old man of mine.

He carried Mama’s cross up hill

With the world on his shoulders

He loves her still

But he just never ever told her

And she loved him still

Both our hearts bleeding

both our hearts needing

 

I noticed then

I'm just like him.

Yeah, I’m just like him

Spinning tires make me cry

Gravel dust clouds my eyes

As we slide into church

Two men kneeling and praying

To the One who…

Carried the cross up hill

With the world on His shoulders.

He loved us still

Even though our hearts were colder

And He loves us still

Yeah, He loves us still…

Now no longer alone

With a boy of my own

Can you tell me about Jesus?

Daddy can God really see us?

I think about Jesus, and how He’s freed us

God loves you like no other, think of your Grandfather

He’s something like him.

Yeah, He’s something like him.

.

Erase that

12.31.09, 11:51 p.m. Four hundred miles from this morning.




Sitting in the dark of this hotel room I watch hotel clock roll off the last nine minutes of 09 and whisper happy New Year to my sleeping wife, exhausted from the first leg of our journey.




Strange place to start the New Year now only minutes old. But, here I sit in the bathtub, dry- bathtub; with lap-top. Here I’ll bath my mind of words needing to be written, words keeping me from sleep. Here I won’t wake my wife.



Forgive me for bringing in the New Year with an eraser – it’s not what I had planned. Folks are dancing, confetti’s flying and I’m sitting in the bathtub, erasing, cleaning up last year’s blog.


“Doug, forget it. That was last year. Last year was so…”


Yesterday?




Last year, yesterday I wrote: “This day, I pray for you dear reader to listen to that still small voice from your Creator. He has built into you a navigational system to lead you to the biggest and best life you could ever imagine.”


The words biggest and best life have given me insomnia.


I do pray for you and believe God desires to speak with you, navigate you and bless you. However, It has been brought to my attention that a simple one- liner; biggest and best life you could ever imagine may portray the wrong meaning.


I used the phrase to connect with an earlier statement about being in the Super-bowl and playing the biggest and best. I did not mean, God is a big genie and if you listen to Him all your problems will vanish into thin air.


In the not- so- distant- past my loved ones and I have suffered the pain of death, illness, rape, and heart-break to name a few.


Personally, I can imagine a better life without these woes. But, I cannot imagine living through them without the help of my Savior Jesus Christ.


So, as we enter the New Year, I can pretty much guarantee we’re going to have problems and lots of questions about which way to go and what to do. In every situation the answer is the same. He has a name.

JESUS.

The Word of God says it much better than I.


These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus ~John 16:33



Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16


Love


      Doug
.