Monday, September 29, 2008

Ridiculous!

Life happens. Unplanned...by us! And just as absurd...ridiculous...boring or exciting as that life may be, there are several things that are very planned and very dependable.
One of those wonderful things is


Peace that is ridiculous,
peace that is absurd...
so is the peace provided those
who stand upon His Word!
Peace amidst the 'everyday,'
peace amidst the 'rare,'
that sweet provision knows one 'base--'
God's abundant care!

Challenges abounding--
will the same 'excite?'
setbacks and surprises--
will I take 'delight?'
That 'peace that is ridiculous'
will last the path entire
to steer me and to stable me
as I transport the Fire!

Peace that is ridiculous
and more than even verse!
All along the Narrow Way
are places to immerse!
He plans the route of everyday
with restoration rife!
Oh, so blessed, the fortunate,
to live in Second-Life!*




Are you living that second-life? In John 3:3, Jesus reminds us that we cannot see it or enter into it without knowing Him as our Savior. He then goes on explaining to Nicodemus even more wonders of that life--only one aspect being that incredible Peace!

Invite Him into your heart, won't you?

*John 3:3

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Friday, September 26, 2008

While the fog moves...

In the early hours He arrives?
At which point, however, did He leave?
With Him, man does more than "just survive;"
with victory, though, does that man "achieve!"
His subtle and spectacular arrival...
but when He left, I never can recall!
Yet again, to stump the groping poet
with the greatest poetry of all!

"Since You are with me always and forever,
why, then, do I so oft invite You "Come"?
The simplest You cause to hold such wonder,
therefore, with pride. do I proclaim "I'm dumb!!"?
The most complex do You reveal unto me,
Who am I that You would gift me so?
I am only what You Are within me--
Your everyness, therefore, within me, show!"

In the early hours,
and all throughout the day,
the Persons of His Presence
are in my life to stay!

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Saturday, September 20, 2008

Inside

Good morning.
"GOOD morning!"
I pray that YOU can echo that this morning.
I pray, as well, that you have time to ponder such points as below, and are not so stressed or busy that you must miss the moment...

In the early hours He arrives?
At which point, however, did He leave?
With Him, man does more than "just survive;"
with victory, though, does that man "achieve!"
His subtle and spectacular arrival...
but when He left, I never can recall!
Yet again, to stump the groping poet
with the greatest poetry of all!

"Since You are with me always and forever,
why, then, do I so oft invite You "Come"?
The simplest You cause to hold such wonder,
therefore, with pride. do I proclaim "I'm dumb!!"?
The most complex do You reveal unto me,
Who am I that You would gift me so?
I am only what You Are within me--
Your everyness, therefore, within me, show!"

In the early hours,
and all throughout the day,
the Persons of His Presence
are in my life to stay!

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Thursday, September 18, 2008

Ability?

Oh my Father, YOU ARE!
Father, being a man of words, I am compelled to record you in ways that others can hear or read. I must refer to a book of words because You are far greater and more than the words I possess!! And even when something is composed, You become far greater than words can say!
If I were an artist like my wife, I could take a single strand of crocheted artwork and realize construction...ha, only to become a tangled mess because You have no beginning!!
If I were a doctor like my daughter, I could look into a microscope, into the ultimate combining basis of dust and behold Your composition...only to see my workings into obsolescence as You become newer every morning!
If I were a teacher like my son, I could have the ability to see and know what people can learn and when they are ready to learn it...then to have You instruct me in things that are known, not learned!
If I were a machinist like my dad, I could seek you and describe you to an exacting degree, but even then You would smile and break out of whatever I devise!
If I were a mechanic like my brother, I could know the very basis and simplicity of You and explain to others how to trace You...only to have You grin and redesign Yourself!
If I were a broker like my mother, I could recognize the signs of You and know Your next move and its affects...only to have You confound MY formulas!
O, but God, I am none of these! I am a man of words. I am a very limited man, because too often I find that there are no words to capture who, what or why You are!
And even if THAT be, I might as well surrender, because You cannot be captured or contained! The dictionary of the Holy Spirit is revised DAILY! I am undone! "Handicapped?" Yes!! In the most wonderful and incredible kind of way!!
I love You, My Father. Have an awesome day? But what is 'time' to You?

I'll write You later,
Jim

Monday, September 15, 2008

Ministry

Who ministers to you?
Is there anyone in your life--a pastor, minister, priest, teacher--that you always look forward to hearing or being with because you know the Holy Spirit will be there?
Have you told them so?
I meet too many folk, church folk, with the attitude "The pastor knows I appreciate him because I put money in the offering." Have we not learned that there are far more important things than money?
Your tithes AND offerings are very important, but I am positive that your pastor would like to hear that you appreciate him, that you are praying for him, that you are grateful for him. Tell him!
You are putting in your tithe in obedience to God's command, you are putting in your offering as an act of worship. Neither of these should be based on your approval or appreciation of the Leader, not as compensation for his services, and surely not as compensation for a 'job well done.' Most of the pastors I know, and ALL of the pastors who have signed up for this ministry, appreciate an honest "Thank you for ministering to us." Of a truth, your wallet should say something about that, but the heart has even more to say!
When my first book was published, people from all over the world contacted Barnes & Noble with a comment or 'review' of it. I don't remember the amounts of the royalty checks, but i still have no trouble recalling the heart sounds of those who appreciated the book!
On occasion, someone from around the world will send a gift to this ministry. Again, I cannot recall the amount they sent, but I can recall the emotion of the card!
The Bible says "The laborer is worthy of his wages," but if all you get out of your labors is a paycheck, how rewarding is that? I am positive that each of us likes to hear "job well done" once in a while.
Who ministers to you?
Tell them.


Friday, September 12, 2008

"Grow up, dad!"

My memory stirs of Wednesday's trip.
(Wait here as I go get that hankie again!)
As we approached Conway, I wept all the way through the city, and my heart said

The pain, it is so real;
I smile as I feel...
with gratitude, I cry,
with pride, I wipe my eye.
"Not mine but Thine be done,"
has happened with my son
upon the Narrow Way--
but very far away!

When does the pain diminish?
Do such emotions finish?
As parents, we have won,
but I sure miss my son!
Too selfish would I be
not to set him free
and witness his success--
everyone to bless!

What are the answers to those questions?

Does anyone have them?
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Understood...

...if that is how you have God, keep Him!
As for me,

I do not understand once more!
What then is understanding for?
For if I cannot get a grip,
I shall stumble, I shall slip!

I look up into outer space
He holds my hands against His face...
I cry out "Father, lend an ear!"
He whispers "Son, I AM right here!"

I find a cleft, from Him to hide
He laughs, His palm am I inside!
I take my list to Him and pray
He pours out blessings all the day!

I do not want to understand!
I want be held by His command!
Constantly for to astound,
constantly to higher ground!
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Thursday, September 11, 2008

GRIP?

Again, to try to get a grip
upon reality,
with a prayer that such remains
a thing one cannot see?
Every name repeated--just
a word upon a page?
Yes, but that page be the heart
somewhere upon life's stage!
One more reality: "that heart
somewhere" is only one!
Each of us a brother, sister,
daughter or a son,
a mother or a father, such
includes the lives of all--
each and every one of us
affected by this fall.

Fallen by the hearts of few,
however, we yet rise!
Rising over hate and pain
that seeks to jeopardize;
rising with the knowledge that
the heart will conquer all,
extinguishes the smoldering,
defying hatred's call.

Reality far greater than
this world can ever know--
remaining yet within reach, though
there be a ways to go.

9/11. Always remember.
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UNKNOWN TRUTHS

It's not for me to understand
or know, in full, what God has planned.
It is for me to fully trust--
and that is settled, not discussed!
I know the love He has for me
includes a future I can't see;
also, does that plan consist
of truths forever to exist:
TRUTH that He will sure provide...
TRUTH I will not be denied...
TRUTH HE WILL RETAIN COMMAND...
TRUTHS on which I firmly stand!
And, oh, the truths of His great love!
The sum of such remain above,
unreachable in present state;
eternity to then relate.

Truths. Settled.
Secure no matter what seems insecure around us.
Secure no matter what is thought or felt.
Secure no matter what is heard.
Secure no matter what is actually seen.
Truth more secure than a 'border' or a 'policy.'
How secure is The Truth within you?

"Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus."
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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Never lost!

Though part of me feels lost out in the world,
I KNOW His arms around me are unfurled!
Though I feel confused here in this place,
I’m absolutely certain of His grace!
Though not too many things here are secure,
ALL THINGS ABOUT MY JESUS WILL ENDURE!
And since He looks at me and says “My son…”
I can cry “Not mine but Thine be done!”
"Lord, You are my security alone!
In nothing else, stability is known!
Regardless of emotion that might rage,
You settle me and help me turn the page!
Beyond all feeling, sight and even sound,
I cling to You alone and I abound!
'O make me more like You!' cries out my heart;
Lord, from Your ways I never shall depart!"

Amen

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Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Crying Out

"Awesome God,
Thank You for this soft bed I lay in right now. I know that there are too many people who only dream of such a nice place to sleep.
Father, as I lay my head down, my stomach is not growling, and I am not thinking of food. But I know, by name, some that are wondering if there will be anything to eat when they wake up in the morning.
O my God, I throw away so much. And much that I discard are things that people are praying for You to provide!
HEAL ME, LORD! MAKE ME MORE LIKE YOU!
O my God, am I crying out to You in guilt, or am I genuinely concerned?
Am I crying out in guilt, or am I desiring You to multiply the loaves and fishes that I have?
You told me the poor would always be with me. Does that excuse me from doing all I can to help them?
Father, forgive me. Please make me more like You.
In JESUS’ Name,
Amen"

Thursday, September 4, 2008

THE WALK

Walking slow behind two men
on a crowded street;
noticing how they react
to things that they both meet.
Two very different attitudes
reacting different ways;
two very real examples of
the people of these days.

They walk across the street and then
they pass the local bar.
One shakes his head, disgusted, as
he cares not who they are.
He walks a little faster now,
so as to not be seen;
he counts his blessings that he made it
safely through "that scene."
The other slows His pace a bit
as He goes by that place,
concern so very clearly etched
in muscles in His face.
Compassion wells inside Him as,
unto them, He does call;
and, as they ignore His plea,
a tear begins to fall.

Safely now inside his car,
the first man heads for home.
Through that "other part of town"
he briefly has to roam.
He looks at "those girls" in disgust
as he sits in his car,
grateful in his human heart
he knows not who they are!
The other Man, still shaken by
what happened at the bar,
can barely go a block or more
before He stops His car.
As He looks at those very girls
His heart, again, is wrenched.
The tears of His compassion, they
no longer may be quenched.
The first man offered them a hand,
one finger at a time!
The second gives them His whole life
so they can, upward, climb.

And now, the first man is at home,
so safe, he looks the door!
He looks upon his wife and says
"I wish it were no more!"
"Soon, we will retire and,
this world, we will not touch!"
"We will move far from this old world
that bothers us so much!"
The second goes unto His house,
He never shuts the door.
He goes unto His Father's throne
and pleads
"Just one day more!"
There are so many others down there
I would like to touch.
So many of them dying lost,
they need Us oh so much!"

Will you see with your eyes or with His heart?
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