You're Pregnant?!?!

Exciting times as we count down to our delivery date!  It truly feels as if Roger and I have been pregnant for the past 9 months, but with a different type of baby.  A baby church, born of God and filled with His Spirit.  There's joy and there's pain at times.  There's the unknown of what it will all look like, and yet there's the known that it is indeed a little life about to be brought into this world and visible; accessible for all.

When a baby is first born they aren't always the cutest things and yet as their parents care for them, feed and love them they develop and grow into healthy strong adults.  This is our desire. Our desire for this new baby church God is entrusting us with.  That we would listen and learn, lead and love a group of people that grow together and develop into a church without walls.  A church that is recognized by its people, not its steeple.  A church that loves God and loves people, even when it gets messy.  A church that is simple and so authentically real that it bothers the more "perfectly polished" ones that have spent their lives pretending.

Those of you that know Roger and I, know we have quite a story amongst the two of us.  And now God has brought us together to be the furthest from judgemental, but having been there and KNOWN the truest heartaches in life to be able to love, help and support those in such similar situations.  To lead, broken, hurting, lost, rejected, underdogs to a new platform; one of healing and second chances. One that allows a life to flourish with such fulfillment and joy. One that is set on a ROCK.  AND not stopping there, but to take those ones on the Rock to higher places on the mountain.  To reach the summit of life knowing and basking in a presence of God that you didn't know could ever be reached.  A presence that has YOU reflecting His glory... wow.  (Now that's what I'm talking about!!! )

Our arms are open, literally.  Our lives are intertwined now amongst the people we desire to support and love, hence why we moved to West Kelowna.  And now we extend the invite to you, come see us this Sunday Oct 20th at the Landmark Xtreme theatre at 10am (www.westmountchurch.com).  Come... even just reading this.  I literally... I want to meet you.

I've been enjoying helping motivate people physically in my fitness classes but.... a moment of truth.. my deepest love and passion is to motivate and inspire the spirit within each human being; the very life line to which we've all been given.  For it is your spirit that will last for eternity.  (James 2:26  "The body without the spirit is dead".)  due us well to start nourishing and getting that into shape??

I'm excited to see how the Lord will develop this little baby church.  I'm also thankful to know that I don't have to have all the answers as newborn parents don't.  But I am confident that the love that rests in a father and mother for their baby already exists in Roger and my heart for what will be brought into the world this Sunday.  Little "WestMOUNT" church isn't ours... it's God's.  Our desire is to steward and love this child as best we can.

John 3:6

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."

Come LORD JESUS, Come.

 

 

A Different Kind of Fitness Instructor

Our God is gracious and loving, beyond our understanding.  We will always have a tainted view of love, as the best we can compare with is only what we know humanly.  And all humans… are just that: human and therefore flawed at best BUT God is perfect and His love knows no end.  He’ll never push His love on anyone and hence our free choice.  It would be like a prearranged marriage otherwise and then you never really know if you really are loved.  God doesn’t desire that.  He doesn’t want a bunch of robots.  God grants us a choice, for He desires so intimately to do relationship with those that desire Him.  I desire such.  More than anything in my life do I want to KNOW Him, to know His thoughts, to feel the breath of His very being in me, His Holy Spirit.  This might be too deep for some, but I am convinced that there is so much more to God and our own relationships with Him so I’ve let him out of the box; off of the pages of scripture to fill my heart a fresh.  I want to tap into all of this, here and now before we step into eternity and my faith becomes sight… for then we all stand in awe.  I believe now.

I say all of that to lead to simple way God lovingly leads and causes me to step into something new.  He’s so funny actually.  As I write this I’m smiling because He just so knows me and the best way for me to lovingly step into something HE wants me to that I wouldn’t have on my own accord.

Many of you know I’m a trained fitness instructor/personal trainer.  I haven’t taught for years but still have my own personal love for it and hence my running, biking, etc.  I’ve felt the nudge since we’ve moved to West Kelowna and with starting a church to once again lead a fitness class for women.  BUT… I didn’t get to it.  Lol… but God had another idea.

There’s an instructor I’ve gotten to know close by where I live who was getting married and 4 days before her wedding she was running around a bit stressed and was supposed to teach a class the next morning.  She heard that I teach and asked in a desperate plea if I would please consider taking her class this once.  I felt so bad that I caved and agreed.

Well…. it was God’s way of reminding me how much I loved teaching women in this and their response, to be honest, overwhelmed me.  A few days later I was asked to teach again and so I did and now… for the fall I have agreed to do 5 classes per week. 

This time teaching is different though.  Before each class I really pray that the Lord will fill me with His spirit to inspire these ladies and fill me with joy, etc. and to be sensitive to the needs in the class and remember the ladies names. 

So one week I realized one of the ladies who didn’t seem to have too much including running shoes came to my class.  I went to my car in between songs and grabbed a pair from my trunk and I knew the Lord wanted me to give them to her.  So I did.  You can imagine the shock on the other ladies’ faces as I did this.  The next week she came and was wearing them.  I can’t even begin to tell you how much joy this brought me, making a point to not acknowledge the shoes as to not embarrass her.

Then the following week, I have another woman that forgot her shoes and is literally trying to run on a treadmill in sock feet.  This woman was with her husband.  The difference was this couple is very wealthy.  I realized in this moment that despite how wealthy she was in this moment I too could bless her with her “need”.  And so I told her I had an extra pair of shoes in my car she could use.  She was shocked, as was her husband that I was willing to try to help her out in this situation.  Her husband came over to me as well incredibly thankful.  They ended up watching for me a few weeks later to which her husband returned the shoes, incredibly thankful.  I realized in these, “back to back” instances that everyone, no matter how rich or poor, has needs.  And if I let go of myself to listen, observe and then reach in love, God can use me in a way that sets me apart.  A way that allows me to bring God glory, in that I am HIS girl; a daughter that He is teaching to love others .

I could feel the sweet delight of my Father upon me as He had opened this new Fitness Instructor door… called me into it and then opens my eyes to love in a new way.   With songs, sweat and shoes… I would’ve never guessed and yet I love it!!  The funniest part of all is when they all find out I’m a Pastor!!!????  God’s got an awesome sense of humor!!!!

I testify to these scriptures being active and living right now in my life!

Ezra 8:22

The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.

Psalm 86:15

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Matthew 7:8

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Pure or a Pig?

Firstly, I cannot thank you (my readers) enough for all your constant encouragement and meaningful notes that you respond to me with as you read my blog.  Honestly... you move my heart to want to come back more and more.  Often I'll get a note from one of you thousands of miles away that absolutely shocks me.  My desire is simply that you would be encouraged in every day life to dig deep for truth, to find it, embrace it and saturate your soul daily with it.

My dilemma these days lies in which topic to write about ... our new church -
WestMOUNT and God's many blessings, recent transitions for our kids/ new schools... again God stories galore, their own jobs and the influence they are having, our recent camping trip, current affairs, fitness classes, a thought that lingers in my quiet time this morning, etc., etc. ???

How about we talk about what everyone seems to be talking about... Miley Ray Cyrus at the VMA awards.  If you haven't seen it... brace yourself.  I know there is a lot of buzz about it as the press is having a field day with it, but I would like to shine a bit of truth out there especially for our young ladies.

I remember my dad warning me growing up to guard my name, (your reputation) as it is incredibly valuable.  I can still hear his words, “You don’t ever want your name written on the bathroom doors.” 

That stuck with me as does, God’s word that says, “A good name is more desirable that great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.”  Proverbs 22:1

A woman’s name/reputation has and will continue to go hand in hand with her purity.  There’s something about a woman that allows herself to be used that lowers her own bar drastically.  She shifts to more of an object then a “being”.  Taken and tossed aside when something better comes along, rather than valued, cherished and honored as women truly desire.  (Why do you think the movie Pretty Woman is so popular??) Don’t kid yourselves ladies… a woman that allows herself to be used, doesn’t respect herself.  Why then should a guy respect her?  It starts with us and the choices we make; to engage or not.

Miley made these choices long before as she slowly shifted off a path of innocent beauty to display what caused even the celebrity audience to be dumbfounded.  (Interesting)

She took a step that will forever leave a mark on the name “Miley Cyrus”.  Not to her lasting favor, despite what her agents may have coached her on.

Oh did she get the publicity and all time record hits, the shock effect she was looking for?  Absolutely and probably better…. But can I tell you as I think of this once so beautifully pure, now 20 year old young woman, my heart is deeply heavy for her.  For she can say and act thrilled as she may, but I guarantee you behind that front is a young, sad girl who has cried alone on her bed at night wondering what she’s done??  100 percent.  Remorse has filled her soul and yet you and I may never know and that’s OK.  But that is why my heart goes to her.. she could turn it around slowly, humbly and sincerely or she can toughen up and harden her heart to it all, carrying on under the new guise of “Miley Cyrus” she’s created for herself.  At times like this I wish I could take the place of her agent, without a hint of cash, and just help her out of this hole.

Now don’t get me wrong.. I LOVE dancing.  I even love that type of dancing and seducing… BUTTTTTT for my husband.  Is that wrong??? No freakin way… seriously.  God LOVES to see a husband and wife passionately and physically attracted to each other in its entirety.  He’s the one that created sex to be a gift to a husband and wife.  He delights in the perfection of His creation.  My husband believes in this too…. We’ll leave it at that.. HA!!

Roger remained pure for me, and I, him.  There is nothing I enjoy more than the fullness of this intimacy and the blessing I believe God has given us even in our physical relationship.  Was it easy to remain pure??? No… !!!!!

A verse of truth that I clung to in my own pursuit of purity, especially as a woman in the allure of a GQ corporate world was “ Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.”  Proverbs 11:22

Hmmm….I don’t think it’s by accident when I saw Miley in her outfit it had a PIGlike face on it.  And with her tongue, out more than in … I just couldn’t get the animal like picture that had taken over a once refined and respected Hannah Montana.

Be careful young ladies… for it’s in the little choice you make now, that determine the bigger steps that will have you on a path of “Used” or the path of “Pure”.  A guy will want to have what he can now…. But later when he wants to settle down with one lady that’s HIS… he’ll want one that’s like the locked garden that only he will have a key for. 

I am convinced more than ever and have COUNTLESS examples of modern day young men, yes “Princes”, that receive a key to such extravagant, untouched gardens of the choicest fruit have been given the key from God himself. (Song of Songs 4:12) 

Honor God and He will honor you. 

Miley, my arms shall always be open to you for my heart doth long to help you.

P.S. I was camping with many of these extravagant "Locked" gardens just a couple weekends ago.  They DO exist!!!

When a Look Says it All

I enjoy reading biographies of godly lives.  I’m currently reading Charles’ Spurgeon again.   I am inspired most by ones that are walking so close to the Lord that they could share new insights, lessons, etc… every day.  Jesus taught this way daily living life, sharing and teaching constantly.  I was encouraged to read that one thing Charles loved, as did his audience, was his fresh teaching that was learned in his own life and then shared that day with his audience.

Charles stated, “What I had gathered that day I handed to the villagers that evening.  I always found it good to say my lesson when I had learned it.  Children do; it is equally good for preachers, especially if they say their lesson from heart.”

My family would be the greatest testimony to my daily lessons as they are often discussed and shared amongst dinners.  If I had time I would write daily too.. but for now I’ll give you this one.

Brea just had all four of her wisdom teeth out.  I knew it would be intense but I had no idea how the Lord would teach me through it all.

I drove Brea up to Vernon (about 50 min away) for her surgery that morning.  She had laid awake a lot the night before, a bit stressed but was talking to the Lord about it.  We both prayed on the way up in the car. 

Many patients were coming in and out of the waiting room, sedated but not fully out, which left for quite interesting observations; all very different.  I witnessed, emotional ones, angry ones, calm ones, tougher ones… it was interesting.  Then it was Brea’s turn.  We were having fun with it of course and laughing as her own sedation started to kick in. 

Then it was time.  The doctor had gotten to know me a bit and we were having pleasant conversations, he said I could stay in the operating room if I wanted.  I agreed thinking I could handle it.  Brea had now fallen asleep.

He started to cut away, blood, drills, even crazy popping noises as he literally pulled the tooth out.  (That was grouse actually. )  The doctor was still totally engaged in dialogue with me so now I wanted to pick his brain.  (Yes.. you know me… lol) 

I began to talk about the previous patient and how he was so angered and had to be cooled off in a separate room.  I was so intrigued at how this sedation in essence, almost took down all their mental guard and left their soul pretty bare to what was really in it.  He looked at me shocked that I had perceived that but right away confirmed it.

“Yes.  You have no idea the stuff I see.  It’s so interesting.  When that filter is removed you see what is really in there.  It’s often the really quiet, shy ones that have a lot buried in there.  Sometimes I’ll hear about deep sadness and hurt, even abuse, sometimes anger and aggression.”

I commented on the young man previously to which he confirmed was the case.  He went on to say, “BUT that doesn’t come remotely close to one guy that literally bent the steel door frame and we had to call for Emergency. “  His assisting nurse shook her head with the same shocked look to confirm as he recalled that time.

(I wondered in my mind if that person didn’t have a demon??) 

Then he cut and drilled some more.  I could now see blood on the surrounding cloths.  I was ok still, knowing Brea was out of it… but THEN… as I sat near her feet I saw her lift her leg couple times so her foot would rise up.   I knew as it paralleled his pulling with a wrench, that she was feeling that.  My heart stopped for a brief moment and I wanted to tell them to stop…. But I couldn’t.  I wanted to take her pain… but I couldn’t.  I could feel it in her …. My eyes filled instantly with tears … her foot raised again….

“Sorry…. I need to leave I can see it’s hurting her and I just can’t bear it …. My baby…. I’ll be right outside the door if you need me.”

The doctor was somewhat taken by surprise.  For instantly his inquisitive scholar had now become putty with a flood of emotional tenderness as she empathized for a daughter he could tell, she adored. 

I came back in, as he was finishing up.  The nurse was wiping her mouth and cheeks stained of blood.  I sat myself next to Brea’s head as she was still so out of it.  I gently touched her hair, and said in a gentle tone, “It’s ok baby… it’s all done now.  You did so great.” 

Instantly despite being so out of it, the sound of my voice was what she knew and she turned toward me with her mouth all stuffed of clips and bandages.  Her eyes opened and she looked deep into mine.  So deep as nothing I’ve ever seen from her before.  Instantly I could feel her pain and her longing through her look… like she was telling me how much it hurt and I responded, “It’s ok baby… it’s ok. I know… I know… “ I confirmed what I could feel in her and she started to cry.  Expressionless in her face, but overflowing from her soul.  I choked back my own tears and comforted her, keeping her focused on the fact that she was done.

She feel back asleep and then we got her in the car to take her home.  My heart was so heavy for my baby… I felt so helpless for her.  I just wanted to take the pain and hurt away from my gentle, sweet Brea. 

As she lied back in her seat in the car it was finally just the two of us.  I held her hand as I drove and told her to just try to go to sleep.  I could tell she wanted to talk but just couldn’t.  I looked in her eyes again.  They were talking to me, again.

“I know baby… I know… “ I audibly spoke what she was saying with her eyes.

“It was really hard.  I know you could feel a lot of it.”  Then her eyes spilled tears… countless tears. 

“It’s ok baby… It’s ok.”  Then I started bawling.  Even now writing this I’m filling up again.  Then she squeezes my hands and sat up a bit, looked at me and with her mouth full of gauze awkwardly whimpered, “Thank you”…

I responded, “ Baby it’s ok… my goodness…”  I started crying again, shocked she was THANKING ME.  Then she sat up again….”I ….. love…….you.”  She whimpered with all she had and then we both just cried together….

“Sweetie” I choked in bewilderment and shock…”I love you too… so much”.  Then she fell back to sleep.

As I sat for the entire car ride in complete silence, my own heart so tender, I could hear the Lord teaching me.

My heart had never ached in this way, to see my adult child endure such pain and then to look so deeply in her eyes and see the depth of her soul.  Instantly I was brought to the tender sorrowful time through excruciating pain that Jesus’ own mother stood at the foot of the cross of her beloved son and the exchange of looks they would’ve had as he endured such horrific pain, his whole body bleeding and there was nothing she could do.  And then to see Him with hardly a breath left, look at her and lovingly say how he wanted her to be cared for by his best friend and his best friend to become me, “your son”. 

I KNOW Jesus looked at his mom… and I KNOW his mom looked in his eyes in that moment.  The eyes that had so readily exchanged glances but in this time his soul was so bare that what Mary saw in that moment as his flesh suffered, I KNOW she would never have forgotten.

I say this because I will never forget the look that Brea and I exchanged as she lied on the operating table.  Ever.  I can’t even fully give it the right words.  I wondered that night if it was something that I would simply, like Mary, ponder in my heart and Brea might never fully know it all. 

But then the next morning, right when Brea had woken up she came quietly and gently to me in the kitchen, just the two of us.  She put her arms so tender and lovingly around me and really held me.  (Deeper than she normally does.)  And then she whispered to me, “I really love you mom.  Thanks for sharing this with me.”  And she just held me.  There was indeed a tenderness in each of our souls of deep love that we both felt.  I’m not sure we will ever be able to fully describe it and yet it is so precious to both of us.  It’s one thing to recognize the eyes and yet it’s a whole other thing to really KNOW the look.  And we just stood there in the kitchen in each other’s arms. 

***

Lord, I am mesmerisphed by what I do not see and all the soul and spirit doth hath within a person.  Please continue to teach me more on this.  Thank you for teaching me today by allowing me to share in the fellowship of your suffering.  For no text book could’ve shown me such a tangible sense.  And Lord above all… as Brea held me.. I can’t wait to hold you and embrace you soul to soul for all you suffered on behalf of me.  May I carry around your death within me, oh that my soul would be motivated by unseen things of eternity and pleasing you above all.  For it is YOUR LOOK one day I shall behold.

c

Best Teacher of ALL Time

Some ask me how I study the bible, and how I spend time with God, etc.  so I thought I’d take just a fresh example for you from yesterday morning.  I've been reading and dissecting Colossians and these few verses really have grabbed hold of me. Colossians 1:9,10. “..we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you….” You see prayer is simply dialoguing with God.  When we do we indirectly prove our faith for we invest time in communicating with the one that we believe is greater than everything, that has insight greater than anyone else, the one who has power to lead, direct and even intervene.  Paul sure got this.  He prayed… he prayed a lot but with specific intention.  So I took this verse and began to pray it for myself. 

"God fill me with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.  And I pray this in order that we may live a life WORTHY of the Lord and may PLEASE him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God….." (it goes on…) Col 1:9-12

I continue to ask HIM for his revelation… his wisdom and understanding for then we will indeed know HIS will.  THEN… we enter into a life that pleases our Lord in its fullness and is deemed worthy.  Wow… and in those two ways… 1. bearing much fruit… but also in 2. our knowledge of God.  This is key and hence why we continue to study God's word that together we would REALLY KNOW Him.  This doesn’t stop!  Are you kidding???  He is unsearchable and yet He will share more and more as we press in to KNOW and understand. The more He reveals … the more humble we become.  

So my prayer after reading those 2 verses was "Lord, I so want to PLEASE you… I really do… and live a WORTHY life… help me in those two ways: to bear much fruit in every good work and to also grow in my knowledge of you… please fill me with your wisdom and understanding.  Teach me… 

SO… Here's how He teaches me in a practical way the same day.  See the pic below:

This is IN KELOWNA!  Who knew??

I randomly heard about it but LOVE to explore new treasures and so needed to investigate it for myself.  It was pretty cool!   And all for free.

As I drove away I was thinking, “It’s amazing that Kelowna has these hidden gems and often residents who live here might not even know they existed?” 

THEN….

I could sense HIS revelation from my verse… Half of Kelowna doesn’t know this exists… “half of my own children don’t KNOW all that I am… GROW in the knowledge of who I am and I will show you more hidden gems you can dream or imagine.” 

I smiled as I drove away… for even if the world never knows about gems that exist of God and who is HE… I take a personal delight and pursuit in KNOWING all HE is and so much more!  That He will reveal more of Himself to me?!!  Little me…. Craziness.

Second part of the verse was the bearing fruit in every good work. 

He taught me a new found revelation in this as well… same day.  You see I say, “I know what that means…. I get it.. love, joy, peace, gentleness… etc.”  And I even think to myself in that time we get so caught up in heading to 3^rd world countries, etc.. which are good… BUT every good work is all around us right here;  In front of my very nose… 24x7. 

So… Roger and I were on our way home driving by a busy intersection wondering if our daughter was sitting at the bus stop as she was headed to work?  Sure enough… she was.. but listening to her ipod didn’t see us.   We decided to stop and say “Hi”.

Roger of course wanted me to scare her from behind.  That’s not my style as I know my girls and it would freak them out too much.  SO I went up behind her and pushed myself really close to her as I tried to make room on the bench.  She looked over somewhat annoyed and shocked as to who was doing this but then a huge shocked and beaming smile spilling with laughter came out of both of us.  Roger drove around the block to give me a chance to chat with her without stopping traffic.  I rubbed her back a bit .. chatted and loved on her.  There was another teen girl standing beside us as well.  Roger pulled up and I jumped in and he yells “WE love you!!”  Well our daughter responses embarrassingly “Love you too” but with a smile… and It was then that the girl standing beside her broke out in such a tender but shocked smile that she couldn’t believe “Parents” were loving on their daughter like this.  I smiled so big back at her and she met my eyes with tenderness. 

As we drove home I could see so much more behind her eyes and wondered if I would see her again.  Then the revelation came… “In EVERY good work, bear fruit….”  IN something like just loving on our daughter God used this as a way to demonstrate HIS love through us to a bystander.  It was powerful.  Not just any bystander but one that God wanted to touch…

“You see Carrie, I will reveal my goodness and love through ways that you won’t even dream of… just be obedient to love and apply it as it prompts you to action.”  Hmmmm… wow…

You see evangelism isn’t some big mathematical equation or even a science… it is most powerful when it flows naturally out of the love that God has poured into each of us individually.  Just let it spill out even in the little things.  God will take care of influencing those that we don’t even know.  He often uses the ones we think aren’t watching or listening. 

I LOVE the way my TEACHER teaches me.  Can I encourage you that there is no teacher like Him.  Get into His word… not quantity based but rather quality.  Meditate on a couple verses.  How can you be taught if you’re not reading HIS words.  Then ASK Him.. yes TALK to Him… “Lord will you give me your wisdom in this.  Help me to understand.”

Then as you go throughout the day and you have quiet moments… listen to that voice.  The revelation that comes to your heart and mind as if you are seeing through NEW eyes.. wow… yes.. “I never saw that before”.  Hmmmmm…

My desire is to please Him… and yet I find myself getting more pleasure out of the things He shows me.  It’s CRAZY how He does that!!  He will always be one up on us.. or a billion!  :)

A Forgotten Father

I’m writing this out of a holy anger, to be honest.  I promise you it will end with a gentle adoration but this one was burning in me this morning and hence I must write. 

Sunday was Father’s Day.   What a glorious time I had on a mountain first thing thanking, praising, adoring our Great Father.  Seriously.  As we dialogued my heart became flooded with several different verses that are little gems strategically placed all through out God’s word that showcase His fatherly ways.  (In my own studies I keep little books that allow me to gather certain characteristics all together… yes… not done with google or technology but a deep meditation in heart and mind that becomes more powerful to parallel “thoughts” throughout scripture rather than just a “word” search.) 

As I’m marveling and reflecting on these thoughts I begin to find myself creating my “Father’s Day” sermon for a day TBD by the Lord.  :)   Anyways..I’m just baffled as I continue to think on these thoughts and then HE opens my mind to a whole new revelation as I think through both Old to New Testaments and the Father aspect… and to be honest I just want to shout it from my mountain top!! It’s so exciting I can’t wait to get back to my bible and unpack it with more scriptures.

We have a great time together and I remind Him so tenderly that I can’t wait to see Him one day and that I want the world to know how proud of my daddy that I want to sound like Him, to follow His ways and reflect Him as much as I can… even though daily I miss chances.. or falter … or just simply fall on my face… He always seems to be right there to pick me up. 

My mind begins to wander at how messed up our ideas of what a father has become in our human race… all based on our own perceptions and upbringings, etc.  And yet our race is sinful and fallen and hence doomed to have a jaded picture, but God the ultimate  Father desires to redeem it in each of us to what it is still so beautifully and perfectly intended to be.

As I think on this I realize…wow… we ALL… so desperately need to really come back to the ONE true Father of all time and let him personally and intimately love us…. Unconditionally…. extravagantly… overwhelmingly…. And yet still inspire us in HIS AWESOMENESS that it becomes our joy to fear this Authority which protects us and we have this privilege to call Him… Father??? No… better than that… in deep relationship … we are encouraged to call Him “Abba Father”  Dad???  Oh my… how great a mystery this all is….  I am smitten my heart rejoices at the thought of what wondrous messages could be delivered in so many churches that morning of the greatest Father of all time….

Sigh… here’s where my holy discontent comes in … I downloaded a few sermons this morning to listen to them, some with excitement knowing the speaker had been brought in especially for Father’s Day.  Don’t get me wrong; they were good communicators, funny and shared some good ideas to being a good father… BUT .. I found myself silencing the sermon to say, “Lord, I’m sorry.”  Really.  Very sincerely.  Not pointing fingers but genuinely accountable that we sure missed a great opportunity to show you off in a SPACE you OWN And LOVE … Fatherhood. 

This is why my heart is so burdened.  You see if we go back to the Source and truly begin to grasp and understand who God is as a Father, and allow Him to love us in this regard, it is here that the Holy Spirit in us begins to enable and teach us how to be good Fathers and/or appreciate/support more the ones we have. 

We can have a whole list of things that make a great father and try religiously even to follow them, but I want to suggest we be inspired by our own TRUE Heavenly Father, based on the promises we have before us and then let HIS own Spirit in and through us draw us to Him in love and adoration.

It is only through the power of His word and HIS Spirit that this change shall ever manifest itself. 

You know who really got this “Father” thing… Jesus.   Hmmm.. Yes Jesus.  Everytime he begins dialogue with God it’s “Father….”   Every time.. Take a look.  Even the teachings he gives on prayer are demonstrated with the picture of a father and a child.  (Mat 7:9-11)  His ultimate submission comes at desiring to do His Father’s will.  Again.. wow… what love.  I must stop… or I will be doing a sermon… print style.. :)

So….To you Oh Great Father…

YES.. to the One who carries us as a father carries his children (Deut 1:31), the Father who grabs our arms and teaches us how to walk, (Hosea 11:3) the Dad who takes such delight in us He sings about us(Zeph 3:20) the Father who whispers in our ears “this is the way, child.  Go ahead.. walk in it.”  (Is 30:21)  the same Father who assures us He’s got our back, by himself being our “Read Guard”  (Is 58:8)  Yes the Father that has everything and leaves it, including dignity of posture by RUNNING to us… wretched…poor… selfish children … why… because He LOVES us.  (Luke 15) 

Oh Father… the more I grasp the more overwhelmed I become.  (Eph  3:17-19)  You are THE FATHER…. OUR FATHER…. From ancient of Days you are…. Hallowed be your name… FATHER….

None other is worthy of boasting.

Daddy’s Little but Proud Girl,

C