Once is terrible. But repeatedly for years is beyond description. Mary’s father raped her repeatedly for years. When she tried to resist he would beat her. Trapped in a living hell, with the man she thought was Satan himself.
Finally she moved away; as far away as the earth would allow. Finally on his death bed, her father repented and asked for forgiveness; from her and God. She said, “NO!” What if God said, “Yes”?
What if when you get to heaven you see someone you don’t think should be there? Then what?
Would Mary feel trapped again? For eternity? With Satan? Wouldn’t that make heaven, hell?
Would she have to live on the far side of heaven and try to forget she saw him on the other side?
Would she feel cheated? Knowing that one day the man who put her through hell would one day be sentenced to it was her only consolation; but instead he was pardoned; given life in heaven…How can this be? How can she enjoy the joy of heaven, with him?
I asked. I saw…
Mary strolling white gowned on golden street, her eyes and his meet. Simultaneously they speak.
“Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty Who Was And Is And Is To Come. Holy Is The Lord! Worthy Is The Lamb That Takes Away The Sins Of The World.”
They turn toward the throne of God. Hands raised, heads bowed. Thankful for the blood that flowed from Emmanuel’s veins washing their sins as white as snow.
Each encounter, each revelation reminds the Saints of the redemptive work on Calvary’s Hill. It’s all about Him and never about them.
Forgiveness given and received: the prerequisite to walk these streets.
And with each revelation throughout eternity the Saints and Angels sing, “Holy Holy Holy Lord God Almighty Who Was And Is And Is To Come. Holy Is The Lord! Worthy Is The Lamb That Takes Away The Sins Of The World.”
Those willing to give it are also able to receive it…All is forgiven.
He lived, died and rose again for a reason. You.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Patience: a driving force.
This is part of the "One word at time" blog carnival hosted by Bridget Chumbley.
First I’ll give you theirs’ then I’ll give you mine.
Encarta Dictionary definition of Patience: tolerance, lack of complaint, persistence, fortitude, serenity, staying power, endurance. Capacity for waiting: the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties.
The definition calls patience a noun. How does that go? a noun is a person, place or thing, right? So, I guess it’s a thing.
I must have skipped that day in school because in my mind patience is a verb; a word used to show that an action is taking place or to indicate the existence of a state or condition. (BTW a verb is a noun. How weird is that?)
Anyway, Doug’s definition of Patience: Using Wisdom making the most of every opportunity toward an anticipated end; Patience is active preparation. Waiting is inactive perspiration.
Times of waiting are times offered by God to prepare and preprayer.
In a parable paralleling our job description for this earth, Jesus used the words, “Occupy till I come.” In explanation of end time events He said. “With patience possess your soul.” We weren’t created to just hang out and wait. Too often it seems we think of patience as waiting. We are not cut out to wait. Just wait that is.
We are created in the image of The Creator. He is not idle and He doesn’t expect us to be. We aren’t wired to be sitting in neutral doing nothing. That's why we chant, "come on, come on, come on" to slow computers, red lights and elevator doors. That’s why kids (and adults) often say “I’m bored.” It’s not that they have nothing to do. It’s that they haven’t mastered patience. And also why one with wisdom of patience can sit on the front porch in a rocking chair doing “nothing” and have a productive day.
I think a great example of patience is a pregnancy. A great word for pregnancy is expecting. We recently found out our daughter is expecting. Again. (They weren’t expecting that – but that’s another story)
Does it mean she just waits and then in nine months a baby pops out? No way. A lot is going on inside and out. She is busy making room and creating life inside her body and inside her house. And that is what proper patience is like. Proper Patience is preparation to receive.
At the beginning God used words like “Have dominion; subdue; be fruitful, multiply.” Waiting doesn’t seem to fit into that job description. Patience doesn’t mean doing nothing.
Patience is the womb where dream seeds; faith and hope are fertilized, nurtured, fed and grown. Then, Patience gives strength to push through labor pains and out the birth canal to delivery. And the Promise, the Provision, the Answer is born.
For me personally, prayer is the key. One occupied with prayer is never bored. Prayer fills the voids where impatience used to live.
Hebrews 12:1-3
“ 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
First I’ll give you theirs’ then I’ll give you mine.
Encarta Dictionary definition of Patience: tolerance, lack of complaint, persistence, fortitude, serenity, staying power, endurance. Capacity for waiting: the ability to endure waiting, delay, or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset, or to persevere calmly when faced with difficulties.
The definition calls patience a noun. How does that go? a noun is a person, place or thing, right? So, I guess it’s a thing.
I must have skipped that day in school because in my mind patience is a verb; a word used to show that an action is taking place or to indicate the existence of a state or condition. (BTW a verb is a noun. How weird is that?)
Anyway, Doug’s definition of Patience: Using Wisdom making the most of every opportunity toward an anticipated end; Patience is active preparation. Waiting is inactive perspiration.
Times of waiting are times offered by God to prepare and preprayer.
In a parable paralleling our job description for this earth, Jesus used the words, “Occupy till I come.” In explanation of end time events He said. “With patience possess your soul.” We weren’t created to just hang out and wait. Too often it seems we think of patience as waiting. We are not cut out to wait. Just wait that is.
We are created in the image of The Creator. He is not idle and He doesn’t expect us to be. We aren’t wired to be sitting in neutral doing nothing. That's why we chant, "come on, come on, come on" to slow computers, red lights and elevator doors. That’s why kids (and adults) often say “I’m bored.” It’s not that they have nothing to do. It’s that they haven’t mastered patience. And also why one with wisdom of patience can sit on the front porch in a rocking chair doing “nothing” and have a productive day.
I think a great example of patience is a pregnancy. A great word for pregnancy is expecting. We recently found out our daughter is expecting. Again. (They weren’t expecting that – but that’s another story)
Does it mean she just waits and then in nine months a baby pops out? No way. A lot is going on inside and out. She is busy making room and creating life inside her body and inside her house. And that is what proper patience is like. Proper Patience is preparation to receive.
At the beginning God used words like “Have dominion; subdue; be fruitful, multiply.” Waiting doesn’t seem to fit into that job description. Patience doesn’t mean doing nothing.
Patience is the womb where dream seeds; faith and hope are fertilized, nurtured, fed and grown. Then, Patience gives strength to push through labor pains and out the birth canal to delivery. And the Promise, the Provision, the Answer is born.
For me personally, prayer is the key. One occupied with prayer is never bored. Prayer fills the voids where impatience used to live.
Hebrews 12:1-3
“ 1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”
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