Correction is Good

Correction is good. It is proof that God is still working on us. He is still making us into the image of His Son. Indifference would be a very bad thing. So thank You, God, for correction. As we looked at Zechariah last week, one of our group, was lead to share how when it comes to raising his children, God made it clear that a disconnect occurs in children if they hear us say one thing and see us act in a way contrary to what we say. Also when we make a child obey without loving them, it is just for our convenience, and as soon as they are old enough, we will see the fruit of that and it will not be good. Most studies now see a massive leaving of the faith occuring in late high school, early college, but the children have left long before that in their hearts. The late high school time of life is just their first opportunity to reveal what has happened in their heart. As a parent I have had to apologize to my two oldest kids especially, because I demanded behavior of them without ever doing the hard work of hearing their heart and loving them through the many struggles of growing up. Thank God they are forgiving and healing is happening.

Simple Powerful Truth

Wouldn't it be great if we could all see this as our purpose in life....................... we are all just walking each other home

Sowing in Tears, Messiah Still

Psalm 126:5 "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! 6 He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." If our heart is broken by the condition of whoever we are praying for and we carry the true heart of God for them, tears will flow, HIS TEARS, and His tears, raise the dead! Singing a song in the gathering today that used the phrase, "Messiah still" and I felt strongly the double meaning that could be attached to those words. Still because he was in the tomb, but STILL because no matter how it looks from our perspective He is Messiah STILL. Even when He is not responding and we feel He is silent and not helping, He is Messiah STILL!

Deeper Still a psalm of Chuck

Written years ago over about a 9 month period of time as I adjusted to overwhelming changes in my life. Deeper Still Deeper Still The feelings are gone Deeper Still The vision, the purpose is gone Deeper Still Those who understand are gone Deeper Still You are gone Deeper Still But I cling to You in the night I cling to You without feeling purpose friends You The mocking voice arises "Where is your God?" I don't know where He is But I do know who He is I must remember Your faithfulness I must believe Your truth Lest I die I wanted just a thread to have Not to hang on to - honest - just to have But even a thread is evil even a thread would be used to destroy So Your love removed the thread And I mourned my loss I didn't really know You till I knew You as a consuming fire All of me belongs to You Oh to be used by You That others would know Your love Faithful Redeemer, Precious Friend Go Deeper Still

Burdens and Provision

I tend to exaggerate my burdens I tend to minimize the provision of God Self-pity what a joke A follower of the Messiah has all resources of the Life of Almighty God at their disposal Lift up your eyes, see that you are in the presence of God See that you are chosen, holy and beloved Be deaf and blind to the distractions Hear only Him, See only Him "Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one, or blind as the servant of the LORD?" Isaiah42:19

No More Business as Usual

"When that day comes, there will no longer be merchants in the house of Adonai-Tzva’ot." Zechariah 14:12 The principle of Babylon is a business, a utilitarian model, when you do for me and then I do for you. "What's in it for me?" is the driving question. The principle of Jerusalem is sacrificial lovingkindness from a pure heart. Oh Lord, remove from us all of Babylon and do your divine exchange give us Zion in our hearts.

My Brother's Suicide

Changed everything. Everything What was the cause of the hopelessness? (The autopsy was a stupid, cruel joke focusing only on the immediate cause of death, not investigating any other health issues or problems) What drove the thoughts of despair that led to such a planned event? (He had all his papers organized and in sealed plastic bags) Love was still alive in your heart (He did not do it in the family home, he drove his truck somewhere only strangers would travel and find his body) The act made me more compassionate (I am acutely aware of hopelessness and I desire to fight despair and lying thoughts when I notice them) Grace and mercy (Oh to be aware of the amount of grace and mercy that has been shown to me by the sacrificial love of God and then to be a freely flowing vessel of His grace and mercy, period)