Overcame

So i spent some time writing and thought i would share it. If it in someway speaks to you please comment. I would love to hear feed back. My prayer is always that my writing would impact not only my life but those whom I share it with. It has been a while since I have shared or written anything. So praise God for working through me to remind me of the reality of the cross and His constant pursuit. Enjoy. For all you first timers, read it like its yours!

Titled: Overcame July 8 2012

Here I am sitting, pacing,
Wondering which steps I should be taking
I can feel the beat of my heart through my shirt
I stop and think, it could only get worse
Hands shaking, sweat pours from my head
Decisions to be made, nothing being said.
I freeze for a moment, not knowing whats next
To pour out my heart, let nothing be left.
Do all I can, stand tall, be brave,
Never ending songs, forever to be praised
No matter the moments, the struggles or tears
Life keeps going, throughout the rest of your years
Mountains and valleys, disasters and wrong turns.
Its not in vain, think about what you have learned.
We run, we run, day in and day out
The routine then changes and in comes doubt
Fear creeps in, shuts the door of belief
Momentary victory, for the already beaten thief
The one who comes in to steal those truths
Reality kicks in, hearts skip a beat
Thoughts overwhelm, the truth we faith to keep
Step by step we fall and we fade
Like a burned up house, charred and grayed.
Empty within, security stolen quickly
Now comes the moment, reminder of the victory.
He stepped into the scene and forgives the wrongs
We must keep him close, and sing His songs
Lord of Glory, Lord of Light
Giving us peace, and showing us light
Wanting not just those moments, a much higher call
Lord not just of the small, but the Lord of all.
Ever present always interceding
Peace swoops in, and my heart keeps beating
At times defeated by Father of lies,
Yet confident of this, God’s by my side
Called and gifted, and pursued in love,
Patient in storms, then rise above
Take step one, then step two, step 10000 more,
Each step of the way, give thanks to the Lord.
He called you, He called me, He gave us His son
A man name Jesus, remember what He has done.
Hold on to the truth, the identity given,
Sealed with a promise, and forever forgiven.

Focus

OUT OF FOCUS?

Do you wear glasses? When is the last time you had your eyes checked? Are you near/far sighted? Vision is one of the most important things we have. God has given us the ability to see. Some are blessed with 20/20 others are left with glasses or contacts. Without our eyes being in some shape, we are not capable of seeing straight.

Many things blur our vision. Age, substances, lack of sleep, allergies, light, distance and darkness all cause our vision to be altered in some way. By squinting or by stepping back we adjust our eyes to see better. Every day we fight to see things better than those around us. It has become more apparent that some people just have bad vision. Do you have bad vision? Do you know someone that does?

The bible tells us that the things we set our eyes on become what is reflected from us to others. If i stare  at money long enough, i will be selfish and greedy. If I lust over something, i will eventually fail in that area. So what keeps us IN FOCUS? Besides turning our heads to look at something different, how can people go through life, maintaining focus on the things in front of them.

Have you ever been driving and you pass something that catches your eye. You slow down, or turn your head to catch another glimpse of whatever it was that was more important than the road in front of you. This happens to me a lot, and I'm sure it happens to you as well. The irony in those short moments of catching a sight of something attractive can be more than just an out of focus problem. We all do it and think nothing of it. The many times we take our eyes of the road, and put others and our own life on the line for a brief second of joy.

What has gotten you off the road? Has something taken your eyes off of moving forward. I think it is fair to say, we all struggle with this. We are human and sometimes what we want to see and focus in on, takes back stage for what looks attractive and catchy. The problem with that is we put our lives at risk. We blink for a moment and risk everything. Now i know its an extreme example but i have come to see that the more we take our eyes out of focus, the easier it becomes to repeat. So what can we do?

May it is time to fix our eyes on Jesus, and allow Him to bring our vision and sight back into focus.

Foundations

Isn't it amazing to see construction in motion? The work that goes into not only planning a task of building, but the unity and the communication of each individual group or company working together is astonishing. Often times we see time lapse videos of how things are built over time and how long it takes. We marvel at the sped up motions of hundreds of workers putting up walls, concrete, steel beams, and roofs. Details are added last to accent the structure and make it stand out to those who will see it. Sometimes engraving, paint, landscaping, parking lots, lights and anything else the designer or project manager has put in the finished product design is added.

Stadiums, sky scrapers, apartments, homes and businesses all go up in time but before anything is ever done to the, “building up,” often times the existing land has to be cleared. Some things must be taken down, destroyed, scrapped away, and pulled off. In my experience, things have been demolished to allow for space, or new things. It is a fascinating site to see buildings implode for new things to come about. Today, in your state of mind, I ask that you think of the foundations laid out before you, your own structure.

Jesus gives us a story similar to the idea of foundations. Where are “you” grounded? I’m sure we have all heard the parable, “house built on firm foundations stand, and house built on weak foundation crumbles.” The implications to this passage in Mathew chapter 7 are very important when we think about how we are to live our lives. The symbolism of the rock, a safe place, firm and not shaky, gives us confidence to know that when things happen, the rock is strong enough to not crumble. However, sand is not as strong. If you have been to the beach, let me tell you something, sand is not very easy to build on. Water normally washes whatever attempt to build away because grains of sand are easily broken apart.

Another thing that comes to mind when thinking of foundations is Jesus. All buildings have a “cornerstone” that sets it all in place. It is the most important piece. Christ is the place and foundation of which everything else comes from. Paul gives us a look into the supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1. That, “in him, all things hold together, and everything was created through him and for him.” As foundations around us are torn down and raised up, we can see that in order for things to be built, most things also have to be excavated. This example holds true, in just about every case. In order to build up, you must tear down and clear out the rubble. Construction does not and cannot happen, if the place where the contractors want to build is already occupied by other buildings or debris. They must dig down deep, and remove any possibilities of a faulty foundation to ensure the safety of the structure.

Jesus too, was a foundation on Earth and remains the stronghold of those who believe in him. The destroyed connection of God and Man needed a foundation overhaul. It is important to remember, Jesus was not a second construction. He was always part of the original design. Jesus was not only the paver of the road to God; he was beaten, slashed, mocked, and for all purposes, dug into by the sins of this world. He hung on a cross to clear the foundation for us. So that IN HIM, we find new life. Without a tilled, excavated piece of land, no one can build on it. Jesus is the foundation for us.

So what are your foundations? Do you trust God with the foundation he has excavated for you? Jesus death was not in vain. It had a purpose. God had a plan. That in the demolition of one man, all would be free. This solid ground we now stand on for those who are in the Lambs book of Life, it’s as if God himself took his finger, in the perfectly laid concrete, and wrote your name down.

Where is your foundation today? Is it shaking because some things are eroding? Are you given God the glory he is due, because of Christ work on the cross. The foundation is simple, the concept is hard. It’s a faith walk to trust in a foundation that is merely laid out in a book. Today I tell you, the Bible, a book of plan, design, and story, had the best contractor, who laid the perfect foundation for all who believe in it, to live in security of His name, not a faulty foundation.

Holy pause.

As the day ends and students all over start their Spring Break I simply reflect on God and His glory. We as humans live day to day sometimes missing the awesome work the our father is doing or has done. Make it a point to sit his his presence and see what His work has done. Do you need to repent? Do you need to get back on track? Are you where God wants you to be? Pause and ask God what He wants of you and listen to His voice.