Revelation

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  (Revelation 5:6 ESV) 
Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. (NLT)


In reading the description of John's vision in Revelation, we have to wonder what he must have seen.  What did the Lamb look like that let John know it had been slaughtered?  There must have been scars on the Lamb, horrendous scars from the fatal wounds.  Trying to picture the Lamb with seven eyes and seven horns and visible signs of its slaughtering -- what a fearsome sight for such a gentle animal.  


Two words that we would never expect to say in the same breath:  fearsome and lamb.  But that's the picture and reality of our Lord Jesus.  He's the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God.  He's the Gentle Shepherd and the rider on the white horse named Faithful and True who, in righteousness, judges and makes war (Rev. 19:11).  He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  Words that are opposites of each other but in describing and naming our Lord, synonymous.  

Jesus - Name above all names; beyond description, beyond knowing; yet he reveals himself to us that we may know him and in knowing him, know the Father.  This mighty God reveals himself in love and humility.  As a baby, born to bring life to the world; as a man, dying to bring life to the world; taking our sin and shame upon himself, bearing our scars throughout all eternity.

He is, indeed, worthy of our worship and praise:  

"Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

    Hosanna in the highest."  

(from The Book of Common Prayer)

The Gift

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 1:2


Such sweet words of comfort and assurance.  They're more than mere words of greeting at the beginning of Paul's letter to the Ephesian church.  They are reality.  I read these words today and sensed peace wrapping around me, settling on me, as I read and reflected on God's grace and peace.  It was almost instantaneous, as if the verse had my name at the beginning.  It does, you know. That's the beauty of God's holy word.  I opened my Bible to prepare for Bible study tonight but the Lord had a word for me.  Two words, actually:  grace and peace.  

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Grace   and   Peace

to me

from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

It makes me think of a Christmas gift all wrapped up with the little gift tag marked "to" and "from".  Very fitting considering the birth we celebrate at Christmas - the gift of grace and peace wrapped up in the form of a tiny baby.  

Emmanuel 

God with us 

The Prince of Peace

 God's gift of grace in human form

  Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God's gift of Life and Light to a sin-sick world  

Grace and peace  

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son 

that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  

The gift of love 

of grace 

of peace

Will we receive this gift?  Will we be as excited to receive this one as we are the ones under our tree?


God is looking through his eyes of love at each one of us, speaking to our hearts, offering the greatest gift the world has known or will ever know.  Will we receive his gift?  Will you receive him?

Grace to you, dear child, and peace.  

From God your Father and your Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace?

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]  John 14:27 Amplified Bible


Does it happen every year at this same time?  This feeling of something-not-quite-right?  Holidays are difficult in the best of circumstances -- trying to get the house decorated, gifts bought and wrapped.  Oh!  Don't forget, it's Advent - I'm supposed to be spending more time reflecting on this holy season.  Then there are just the normal list of things to do and places to go and people to see.  sigh.  Where is that peace?  


I chose the Amplified Bible's version of the John verse above because of those words in the brackets:  "stop allowing yourselves . . . do not permit yourselves . . . ."  On the one hand, those words feel like another thing to add to my already full list - another "to do" even though in this case it's a "not-to-do".  So, now I have to concentrate on not being agitated, disturbed, etc., etc.  Again I ask:  where is the peace?


Jesus says he is leaving us with HIS OWN peace, not something we have to muster up within ourselves.  It's not a peace that looks like anything we see in the world around us, it's deeper and it's true peace.  It's a peace that is in spite of what's going on around us.  


Lately, I've been hearing that still small voice of the Lord calling me to come away with him, by myself, to a quiet place and get some rest.  How important is that to me?  How important is it to obey that voice?  Do the appointments and responsibilities matter more than that request to come away with the Lord?  Jesus wants my time and my attention and is calling me away from all these distractions to sit with him quietly and listen, to be restored, to once again live out of and into that peace that he's already given to me.  Am I too frazzled to even able to be still?  


This is not the way to welcome and reflect on the Incarnate Lord and his presence in our world and in my life.  Or is it?  The message of Advent is that the the Word took on human flesh and existence, came and dwelt among us - lived with us, as one of us.  He knows what humanity feels like.  He knows what it feels like to be pulled in every direction, to have places to go and people to meet.  And in his humanity he taught us in words and action how to know his peace.  Pay attention in the Gospel accounts of how many times Jesus went off by himself to pray.  And, after sending the disciples out in pairs to do ministry, he greets their return and excitement by inviting them to come away with him and get rest.  He, better than anyone, knows our need to rest with him and in him.  He tells us that apart from him we can do nothing.  He tells us about abiding in him.  He showed us what that looked like as he abides in his Father, as he does nothing apart from his Father.  Who am I to think I can do anything in my own power?!  How arrogant!  How foolish!


I'm looking forward to the days I have blocked off on my calendar to go away by myself.  How wonderful to know that I'm not really going by myself and that I'm going at the invitation of the Lord Jesus - he's requesting my presence for some one-on-one, quality time.  Ah.....there's the peace!

Planting and Growing

Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the LORD have created it. (Isaiah 45:8)


As I read this passage, I was struck by how many times the Lord's work is described in terms of planting, growing, watering, seeding, sprouting, etc.  Not growing up on a farm and being unable to grow anything well in my yard (except maybe weeds), these metaphors probably don't speak as clearly to me as they might to someone who loves to get their hands dirty planting in their garden.  (SO not me!)  I guess It just means I have to ponder the verses a little longer than my gardening friends.  So, I wrote this verse down in my notebook and read through it several times, read another translation and waited.  What is God trying to tell me with this?  I can't seem to leave it alone.


Another verse in Isaiah has particular meaning to me - Isaiah 61:3:  "that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified."  There's a long story that goes with my receiving that verse, but suffice it to say its meaning and impact has grown and blossomed (yes, I'm using farm-speak).  As I sat with the Isaiah 45 verse, "my" oak tree passage came to mind.  That tree is a planting of the Lord, not a planting of man.  Over the years, that's the part that has emerged and spoken to me.  We are God's creation, "planted" by him and therefore, cared for and nurtured by God so our "roots" grow strong, our "branches and leaves" are healthy and we grow into maturity.  


As Christians, we sometimes experience times of spiritual dryness - that feeling of being disconnected, going through the motions, sometimes feeling like our prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and not getting through.  Just as plants cannot grow in dry, crusty soil and need water to thrive, we, too, need the refreshing Living Water to cleanse, nurture and refresh our spirits.  In Ephesians 3, Paul prays that we may be "rooted and grounded in love".  God is love.  As we are rooted and grounded in Him - abiding in him - we are nurtured with the spiritual food we need to thrive and grow.  


Imagine yourself, without Jesus, as a plant trying to grow out of dry, rocky, dusty soil.  It's a pitiful picture.  Now read the verse above.  God is raining down righteousness on your thirsty soul.  The soil around your roots is opening up to allow the rain to soak in and even changing its consistency as the rain revitalizes and transforms the dust into rich, life-giving soil.  Your sickly, pitiful plant has been saved!  You will not die of thirst and starvation.  Your roots are stretching out to receive the nourishing rainwater and you are getting stronger and stronger.  You get strong enough to grow into a mature plant, to begin bearing fruit.  You are becoming a beautiful creation - an "oak of righteousness".  You are a  source of shelter and comfort for those who come near.  You are able to stand firm against storms and wind because your roots are deep and strong.  And the Lord created it.  YOU are a planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Song

(Originally posted on May 17; re-posted to correct video problems)

There's a song by Rich Mullins that I just love and it's been rolling through my mind all day. I won't copy the whole thing here, but the title is "Sometimes by Step" (sometimes you see it as "Step by Step" or "Oh God You are My God"). It could be the theme song for my walk with Jesus.

I've experienced God calling me away from one thing without knowing where (at the time) I'm being sent. Hebrews 11:8 (NLT): "It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going." It's a hard path to take - trusting God to lead you without all the information you'd really like to have ahead of time. But, like the song says, we follow "step by step" and "learn to walk in your ways". Thank God it's a learning process!

Too often, though, I focused on the first part of that verse and somehow overlooked the part about the inheritance God promised Abraham. When I took the time to focus on the inheritance God had blessed me with, as a result of following him on a difficult path, it took my breath away! What an awesome God we serve. I had become so busy with doing what I felt I was called to do - like an assignment to complete - that I almost missed the blessing and almost missed a huge reason to just stop and praise God for his goodness.

In my much-loved song, there is this verse:

Sometimes I think of Abraham

How one star he saw had been lit for me

He was a stranger in this land

And I am that, no less than he

And on this road to righteousness

Sometimes the climb can be so steep

I may falter in my steps

But never beyond Your reach.

Discipleship - following Jesus - is a joy, a blessing, a transformational experience, a steep climb, a rocky road . . . . but OH the blessings! Even though we clearly have a choice to say 'yes' or 'no' to the Lord, in my heart of hearts I have no choice. All I want to do is answer the Lord's call to follow him - up that steep road if need be - because when I see his faithfulness, his care, the "inheritance" he is providing and has provided, it just leaves me stunned. The only response is to praise him and watch in awe as he works out his plans and purposes in my life.

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

Oh God, You are my God

And I will ever praise You

I will seek You in the morning

And I will learn to walk in Your ways

And step by step You'll lead me

And I will follow You all of my days

Rambling Thoughts

I have been so struck lately by the sweetness and kindness of Jesus, his concern for every detail of our life – every concern. Nothing surprises him and nothing is too small or insignificant for his loving attention. I have also been reminded of how BIG he is; his plans and ways are surely more than we can imagine or see. He does give us glimpses into the plans at times but we wait patiently for him to unveil the bigger picture. That used to drive me crazy, being by nature, pretty impatient. However, that is something the Lord has freed me from to a large extent – at least when it comes to waiting on him. That’s not to say that I don’t still feel that sense of anticipation and excitement – the “can’t wait” feeling to see where God’s leading. Even when I move from anticipation and excitement and fall into the trap of worry and stress, I can still know that peace that can only come from the Lord and from trusting that his will for my life is always good and perfect. How freeing that is!


A passage from Zephaniah 3 has been on my mind, in large part due to a song by my favorite contemporary Christian singer. Bebo Norman has a song called “Sing Over Me”. A line from the chorus grabs me every time I hear it: “sing over me, sing above the noise that I’ve been making”. How often I feel that my thoughts are so busy and so noisy that I can’t even hear God’s still small voice. Which is why I love the words in that song; they remind me that God is bigger than the noise in my head. He’s not handicapped by my failure to have the “right” kind of quiet time, the proper heart-attitude. The Zephaniah verse is this: “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17) Just think of all that verse tells us about God: he’s present – in our midst, he’s mighty, and he’s so very delighted in us! He rejoices over us and exults over us with loud singing --- not just whistling a happy tune, but singing loudly because of us! Incredible!! And those times when we’re so out of sorts, so dis-quieted, worried, stressed-out - his love will quiet us, settle us and bring us peace, calm the noises that distract us so.


While these two paragraphs may seem totally unrelated (and maybe they are) the sweetness and kindness of Jesus, his nearness, his joy over us, his peace that calms the storms in our lives or calms US in those storms, his guidance even when we’re not sure where he’s leading us ---- all of that is what keeps me awed and amazed. The scriptures tell us that God’s mercies are new every morning. Beyond that, our relationship with him – a living, growing relationship – is new every morning as well. I love being surprised by God – surprised by how much he loves us and the lengths he will go to remind us of his loving attention and presence in our life. I love the gentle nudges and reminders – even if they come from songs on my iPod – that our God is singing over us with a loud voice, rejoicing over us with gladness! How amazing!

Meditations on Isaiah 40

What was it like for the prophet to speak the words we read in the 40th chapter of Isaiah? What must he have been experiencing as he had yet another glimpse into the awesomeness of God? The chapter begins with words of comfort and ends with words of encouragement, renewal, endurance. We see pictures of our tender Shepherd and images of our great and powerful Creator God. The same hands that cradle the lambs are the hands that measured the earth's waters. Some of the most beautiful and memorable verses in the Bible are found in this chapter. They are so often quoted and sung that I wonder if we miss the power and majesty they describe?

It's impossible for me to put myself in the place of Isaiah, but how he must have been reeling as he uttered those prophetic words! He must have been weak in the knees as he tried to grasp the true impact of God's message. Maybe we need a bit of that sense of total awe and wonder in the presence of God's holiness! That the God who holds the earth in the palm of his hands is the same God who gently carries his children like little lambs, who lifts us when we're too weak to take another step, who renews our strength so that we can soar like the eagles.

Wait for the Lord. Watch him. Be willing to be awed by the presence of God. Be willing to open yourself to the presence of God in your life. Don't underestimate God's power and desire to reach into your situation - to renew your strength, to be your comfort, to make crooked paths straight, to give power to the faint.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 40:28)

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Note: After I wrote this in my notebook, I read a post on Facebook from my favorite author, Francine Rivers. I have to share this God-inicidence:

Francine Rivers: "Francine Rivers
Sometimes the pain of removing what holds us captive is frightening. Yet if we lay aside all those things that encumber our walk with God, we will walk and not grow weary, and fly on wings like eagles (Isaiah 40:31)."

'via Blog this'