group silence

Today we sat in silence.
The question floated between us.
Nothing said.
Much thought.
Much felt.

To speak was to break...
something that we could not name.
A voice spoke
hesitant
but hopeful.

A group in silence.
Some could not stand.
Side conversation.
Words whispered.
The moment lost.

What did the Lord wish?
In silence as a group we waited.
The Spirit moved.
Subtle.
Simple.

We are left with more questions.
Nothing answered.
Only the memory.
Silence.
Community.

Is a community forming?
Out of silence.
Out of prayer.
So we wait.
Patience.

Now we go as one.
United in our quest.
To seek the Kingdom.
Much stirred.
Much hoped for.

my father. my shepherd.

My Father. My Shepherd.
   You've been all around me.
You offer me all I need, if only I
   would receive it
   and be satisfied.
You will order my life well,
   if I will seek you.
You are always seeking to
   help me in hardship
   and temptation.
You are delivering me from
   the pit of my sin.
May you get all the credit
   for my life. I am sorry
   for when I try to claim
   the credit for myself.

Amen.

creation speaks

Let me sit and listen
   to creation.
Its expanse. Its beauty.
   Its majesty.

The heavens declare
   the presence of God.
The plants speak of
   His goodness.

The seas cry out
   for God's power.
The animals bleat
   for His care.

Rise my soul and
   join in the song.
Sing His praises,
   sing of Him.

proverbs 31 husband

Yesterday I was asked if I knew about the Proverbs 31 Husband. One usually here's all about the Proverbs 31 Wife/Woman, since that's what most of the chapter is about. Here's the description of the husband:

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. - Proverbs 31:11 (ESV)

A lot of my mistakes in the last 7 years would have been avoided had I heeded/knew this scripture before yesterday.

Then I read the post below this morning. Take heed men.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(Author: David Mathis from Desiring God Blog)

The apostle Peter writes,

Husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

This is strange at first glance. How does caring for your wife connect to having unhindered prayers?

Here's Wayne Grudem's challenging commentary:

So concerned is God that Christian husbands live in an understanding and loving way with their wives, that he "interrupts" his relationship with them when they are not doing so. No Christian husband should presume to think that any spiritual good will be accomplished by his life without an effective ministry of prayer. And no husband may expect an effective prayer life unless he lives with his wife "in an understanding way, bestowing honour" on her. To take the time to develop and maintain a good marriage is God's will; it is serving God; it is a spiritual activity pleasing in his sight." (1 Peter, 146)

Christian husbands shouldn't feel that time given to their wives is "time away from the real ministry." Time invested with our wives is time well spent. It's God's will—"a spiritual activity pleasing in his sight."

solo

I have really enjoyed THE MESSAGE//REMIX: SOLO An Uncommon Devotional. I'm not usually a fan of daily devotionals, and I definitely don't have the discipline to sit with a 365 day devotional over time. However, this has a different aspect I love as a person struggling to pray and as a pastor wanting to lead others deeper into prayer.

The whole thing is based on a short reading from The Message paraphrase and then leads you through a form of Lectio Divina. It uses the basic structure of READ the Scripture, THINK and meditate on the main idea, PRAY through what God is saying to you, and the LIVE in a different way. Each devotional has specific questions, instructions, or leadings to help you engage the passage. For those wanting to learn how to read the Bible, those wanting to pray through the Bible, those wanting to learn how to hear God's voice, and those wanting a more holistic experience of their relationship with God this is a great buy!

Did I mention if you are a pastor, teacher, small group leader, etc. that its a great way to lead others into those things as well? We have been using the devotionals on "Prayer Cards" each week at Crossroads to help develop our church into a "house of prayer." I have been able to look up the subject of the teaching each week, or the passage that was taught on, and find a devotional that will help our congregation during the week. Even when I wasn't able to find something that fit right, it was a great guide to writing our own!

Bottom line: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The applications are endless. Students, pastors, adults, teachers, small group leaders... I was even thinking for parents wanting to start their own family devotionals this would be a great tool or model since it often has activities to do as you READ, THINK, PRAY, & LIVE. Check it out.

scattered seed

Scattered seed…
truth flies

Hardened path
seeds bounce far and wide
barren and dry
the path begs for birds
Relief from the “burden,”
truth lifted.

Rocky soil
truth a gift
welcomed, sprouts
trials as hot as the sun
Parched for living water,
hope withers.

Among the thorns
truth pushes through
fighting for life
weeds twisted and deep
Choked by cares,
life fades.

Sown on good soil
truth takes root
growing rich
living water flows
Bearing fruit, multiplied
one hundred fold.

Truth flies…
scattered seed

gotta love it

Be sure to pic up your Forget Bitter apparel, hats, clocks, mugs, buttons, and stickers!!!

For those of you who don't recognize the handsome chap in this picture he is one of my good buddies. He also sells pipes.