I Want to Hug Jesus

I want to hug Jesus. It sounds kind of lame doesn't it? Almost feminine sounding! "I want to embrace Jesus" doesn't sound much better. Anyway, I woke up in the middle of the night wanting to hug Jesus. What was I thinking?

I think it started yesterday with a few hugs from friends. I'm leaving the country for eight days and a few people hugged me goodbye. A hug means a lot of neat things: wish you well, you matter, I love you, you're important to me, etc. A hug gives comfort, understanding, and even confidence.

Then in the middle of the night I just snuggled up with my wife. A snuggle is as good as a hug. It's funny because she travels more than I and it's not that unusual to sleep alone. Heck, sometimes I even enjoy it - spreading out all over the bed with a bunch of pillows. But this time it was me doing the leaving not the one being left behind. So, I just wanted to hug her in the middle of the night - and I did. A hug gives you comfort, understanding, and even confidence.

Next I got to thinking about hugging Jesus. I want to hug Jesus. How lucky Mary and Joseph were to hug Him on a regular basis. How lucky for the disciples to hug God in the flesh. I want to hug Jesus!

My friend Pastor Rick says, "Sometimes we need a person to show us who God is". Maybe that's what I'm feeling. I can't hug Jesus but Jesus can hug me through people.

When I get to heaven I don't know if I will be allowed to hug Jesus. I'm sure I'll be content to just fall on my knees and worship Him from a distance - but, oh how I would love to hug Jesus.

Yet, there is one better thing. What if Jesus to come up and hug me?

The Blessings of our Human Nature

I get so frustrated with my human nature - battling sin, pride, selfishness, fear, and anxiety, etc. This transformation stuff seems so hard and takes too long. "God, why did you make us with this fallen capacity? Yet our desire to be transformed and worship You better is so strong. Put us out of our misery and change us immediately or take us home!" Have you ever felt that way?

Early this morning God woke me up to pray. I was having a great time praising Him. Then it dawned on me. This is the blessing of our human nature (not sinful nature) - the capacity to praise the Lord so powerfully. I know all nature praises God in its own way but surely the crown of His creation, man made in His own image, can far exceed in worship above any other created thing.

The birds of the air and lilies of the field do not fret and worry but my human nature sure has the capacity to be anxious! Yet, isn't that an amazing capacity? I can worry! Oh, but I can also cast my cares on Him and worship Him like no other creature.

Okay, maybe the angels have us beat in this worship thing (not that it is a competition). But join me today in celebrating our humanness for we are indeed fearfully and wonderfully made. And, being transformed even if it is so slow!

Giving Jesus Our Best at Christmas

I have never really cared for the Christmas song, "The Little Drummer Boy". For my tastes it is too slow, monotonous, and all those "pa rum pum pum pums" drive me crazy. But sometimes God speaks to you out of nowhere and grabs your attention.

One day last week I left the house in my wife's vehicle and was starting down the alley. "The Little Drummer Boy" was playing on her favorite radio station. I was minding my own business; not really in a prayerful state but God spoke. I heard the phrase, "I played my drum for him... I played my best for him..."

Playing/working/giving my best to the Lord is a hard thing. It first requires private reflection, secret grieving, and soul-moving of the Holy Spirit. Playing our best is tremendously humbling, sin purging, and yet sweetly experienced.

We are often asked at Easter to hear the death cries of Jesus to bring us to full devotion. Why not at Christmas listen to a different kind of cry from Jesus in the manger - a soft, cooing noise of love at giving our best to Him. Would you humbly join me in the manger giving our best to the Christmas King?

"Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum..."

Filling bowls with prayers

I want to encourage you to pray each day by seeking first God’s kingdom and praying for an open door for your involvement in the Kingdom.

Follow me for a moment: Revelation 5:8 speaks of bowls that represent the prayers of the saints. These bowls are full. Why are they full? It’s because God’s people are praying daily, fervently, and consistently. When the bowl is full, it is brought before God. I wonder if God does not them tip the overflowing bowl over and pour our prayers back out in the form of abundant blessings?

Do we really pray for daily bread and financial needs. I wonder if we are filling this bowl up in consistent prayers. I wonder if some of us do not pray daily about our finances because it if we did – we would be convicted about tithing the full 10%.

What prayer has God yet to answer? I wonder if the reason is because we are not fervent about it. Is that bowl of a particular need being filled with the prayers of the saints? For some reason I doubt it.

Is God using you to bring people into the Kingdom. Are you first seeking the Kingdom or is it an occasional prayer? If it is not daily, it might take a while to fill up that bowl.

May we learn to start our day seeking the Kingdom, walk in consistent prayer, and fill bowls worthy to be taken before God's throne.

Citizenship and Our Identity in Christ

Yesterday I had the moving experience of watching my friend take the oath to become an U.S. citizen. It was an awesome moment for her and an emotional one for me! I found myself fighting back the tears as 98 people raised their hand and started their dream as Americans. I could only imagine their backgrounds and the journey they made to reach this point.

I watched as they said goodbye to the past, renounced former allegiances, and pledged faith to a new country - to protect and fight for the U.S. and all the good we stand for. I thought about all the former citizens/soldiers who fought the freedoms these new Americans would now be enjoying. Can they really appreciate what has just happened to them? Do they really understand all the privileges and responsibilities they just received?

After the ceremony we discussed the similarities between this process of citizenship and becoming a new Christian. One day I said yes to Christ. I disavowed the former authorities I had served and I swore allegiance to Him. And just like that my identity was changed! I can't say that I really understood all that happened. I had to grow in my understanding of all the privileges and responsibilities I received that day. There's been no turning back.

Join me today in remembering the day of your salvation - your oath in becoming a citizen in God's kingdom. Think through all the blessings you have received. Smile as you gladly join in the responsibilities of of God's church.

Noticing Others...

I recently commented on what I thought were new hair cuts of one lady and also a young girl. Then I found out that both had cut their hair a few weeks earlier. I really need to work on my observation powers.

Yesterday I was at a friend's house and did not noticed the walls that were half painted until she pointed it out as part of a renovation project. I really need to work on my observation of things.

A few weeks ago I saw an older man in my neighborhood. He usually walks his dog but I noticed he was walking alone. I was proud I'd noticed but was fearful that maybe the dog had died. Yesterday I saw him again as I was doing a cool down from a jog. His arm was in a sling and I made quick chit-chat as we passed. He said it was a rotor cuff injury and I teased him about playing baseball at his age. I said nothing about the dog but silently prayed for him as I walked away.

This morning we passed again and I stopped a bit longer. I asked about his dog. He told me the dog had died - two years ago! So much for great observation!

Failure to observe things - more importantly people - most importantly the needs of people - is nothing more than another indication of self-centeredness. I/we tend to love the things we see and noticed. In a crowded room I can notice a beautiful woman. On a eight lane highway I can noticed a really cool car. Well - more work for me in loving God and others and crucifying self.

I'm so glad God notices all of us. He doesn't just see the pretty sanctified people. He sees those of us who can only see themselves. Then He picks up our head and gives us vision to a whole new world outside of our world.

Who/what have you noticed today?

A Surprise from Loving God

One of my major thoughts lately has focused on loving God more. It's been a good ride as it has kept me centered and helped capture worldly thoughts. I'm still not sure I understand how to love God more - I'm just trying to be more aware of Him, live in His presence, and talk to Him more. Isn't that what love is all about - conversation and communion with another person?

The real surprise that I sense is the growing love I have for others. I feel like my love for others is growing deeper and broader. Real love makes you a servant. Real love removes lust and allows you to enjoy others for all the right reasons. There's a unique freedom in this love that I can't put into words yet. Do you know what I'm talking about? Perhaps you can help me define it and communicate it.

Anyway, this morning I read in my Spurgeon devotional from Ezekiel 36:26 - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

A heart of flesh is not carnal but tender, grieves at personal sin, and desires to love God more. "The hard heart does not love the Redeemer, but the renewed heart burns with affection toward Him... This renewed heart is prepared to receive every spiritual blessing and every blessing comes to it. It will yield every heavenly fruit to the honor and praise of God..."

Pray that we may love God more and see a surprising love for others broaden.