'Aha' Moments.

Reading Luke 24 yesterday and John 21 today was a beautiful reminder that we serve a GOD who knows us intimately. In both chapters, JESUS reveals to HIS disciples who HE is after HIS resurrection. Although the disciples did not recognize initially, JESUS did and said things that sparked an "AHA" moment in their hearts. For two disciples in Luke as they were traveling to Emmaus, HE re-demonstrated scenes from the Last Supper (taking the bread, blessing, and breaking it). Instantly, the disciples were able to identify HIM as JESUS and then HE vanished.

In John, Simon Peter decided to go fishing (others accompanied him) but they were not able to catch any fish. JESUS came and yet once again, they did not recognize HIM initially. But so beautiful HE is, HE reenacted HIS first encounter with Peter. HE told Peter where to drop his net and thus Peter obeyed and miraculously caught an abundance. This was done before when Peter first followed Christ (Luke 5:1-11). Speaking to Peter in such a intimate way, reminding HIM that HE is Christ, HE is LORD. Only our LORD JESUS has that type of power and knowledge.

This reminded me that no matter how far we may feel from Christ, no matter how many sins we have committed (Peter denied Christ three times and was still given redemption), JESUS knows us SO unbelievably well that HE knows how to bring us back. HE is our shepherd and as HIS sheep, HE will not allow for us to go too far without HIM seeking us out and bringing us home. HE knows us individually and deeply; HE knows our trigger points and our soft spots. It is so amazing how we serve a GOD who will use them both to draw us closer to HIM, but we are to not be like mules and resist but like sheep and follow. Amazing HE is! How unbelievably loving HE is! You are not too far from GOD, your "Aha" moment is right around the corner and I pray you follow HIM.

Waiting to Exhale

Waiting to Exhale

Sweeter than the fragrance of a meadow the eve of spring,

More refreshing than the first raindrop after a season of drought,

The Holy Spirit Father GOD is the ultimate source of newness.

Your Spirit Father is the breath needed to enjoy the freshness of rain.

Your Spirit JESUS is the Spirit that allows your greatness to show through us such as the flowers after a season of death and water after a season of thirst.

Your Spirit JESUS is the monument in which our Faith will continue to bloom after each season of longsuffering.

JESUS it is you that brings an understatement to that of beauty seen in flowers and that of thirst for water.

Let us bask in your mercy JESUS.

Let us bathe in your grace and allow your forgiveness to marinate into our skin pouring out the fragrance that is love and joy.

Allow us to drink from your fountain and eat your words and swallow them so when we open our mouths it is the fragrance and taste of truth that sweeps across our lips and into the air that is so contaminated with the poison of superficiality.

JESUS let us hear your heartbeat and see your eyes of compassion that continued to bring sight to others even after yours has closed and opened again.

Let us see you JESUS and be filled with so much Light that even the sun is no match for how bright we are when we all join together in your name.

Let us be rid of fear by speaking your name into the darkness not with our mouths but with our acts of love and compassion.

JESUS let us love as YOU have loved, with no cost and no expense.

JESUS teach us to share the gospel as YOU have, not with what we see in the mirror and retreat but what we know in our heart as the truth.

JESUS let us Love.

Let us Love.

(breathe in...exhale)

It's a new season JESUS and I see, hear and can taste what’s in store...more of you JESUS.

More of YOUR Love.