Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Better than a fortune cookie

"The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. His work is honorable and glorious, and His righteousness endures forever. He has made His wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and full of compassion." Ps. 111:2-5

There's plenty of stuff you and I have to complain about today. If you think about yourself long enough, you'll get utterly depressed. We live messed up lives in a messed up world.

But catch this..

God is at work! He's working in YOUR life right this very minute. This Psalm describes the works of the Lord as great, honorable, glorious, and WONDERFUL. Take heart, Friend. Your God is full of compassion and totally into dishing out grace. He's not frustrated or ticked off at you today. The Father is going to do wonderful things in and through you. Just hang in there! Lets study the works of the Lord and take pleasure in them. Stop sniffling and complaining. Nobody likes a crybaby. Choose with me today to be thankful for what God has done and excited for what He's getting ready to do. Listen, I promise you that you won't be disappointed if you'll just be patient and let God do his thing in his timing.

Hey, speaking of "wonderful" ….

"And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isa. 9:6

Jesus is Mr. Wonderful for cryin out loud!! Perfect love casts out fear. He perfectly loves you so don't freak out. Do a little dance or something. Wonderful things are coming your way. Just stick close to the source of wonderful-ness.

Friday, April 4, 2008

God is a surfer

I went for a jog on the beach this morning. While my lungs filled with fresh ocean air, God filled my spirit with fresh mercy and joy.

Joy is an interesting thing. It's very different from happiness. Happiness comes and goes depending on external circumstances in life. Sure, I'm dealing with some heavy stuff. Really heavy stuff. It's all good though because I know the source of joy that satisfies my soul regardless of emotion.


"He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea." –Job 38:11
"You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, You still them." –Psalm 89:9
"But I am the Lord your God, who divided the sea whose waves roared – the Lord of hosts is His name." -Isaiah 51:15

Ohhh, how this warms my heart. The same God that shapes and controls the waves of the oceans holds my life in his hands. I've got nothing to worry about. He loves me so deeply. The same God that spreads out the heavens opens his arms in a welcoming embrace for me. I don't deserve it. I can't earn it. I can't even explain it. I just accept it with a smile on my face. The only thing I can do is respond by loving him with everything I've got. I'm all in. Why don't you tell your savior the same thing. Love him today with reckless abandon. Let his waves of mercy wash over whatever is bugging you at the moment. Just love him. Push all of your poker chips to the center of the table. Lets be ALL IN today.