It's a love story...

Recently I attended a wedding in Tennessee, of a dear friends daughter. It was a beautiful event. One of my favorite parts was, knowing the strong foundation in the Lord Jesus that the bride and groom had, when they had their parents and their mentors come forward to pray blessings upon the couple! I absolutely loved the wedding and was truly blessed to be in attendance. Here is a song they played during the blessing time.

I have to admit that it was difficult for me considering the current circumstances in my life, to hear those vows, see the love, and know that it doesn't always work out the way it should for everyone. I guess I have just been struggling with my faith when things seem to go repeatedly wrong. I admit that I am just a child spiritually and tend to act more childish than childlike in my dealings with the Lord most days, especially when things are painful. So I haven't really known what to do with the tragic events that have characterized my life as of the past four years. Like waves upon the sea shore, life's disappointments keep coming and coming.

The above video got me to thinking about the sinful woman and wondering if she ever wondered why her life was not the way she imagined it to be when she was a little girl. Did she ever resent her social standing and what she had to do to make it? And how did that change after her interaction with Jesus? She was instructed to go and not sin again. The sinful woman at Simon's dinner in Luke 7 was told that her faith had saved her and that her sins were forgiven.

When I picture some of the women in the bible, I imagine in my mind's eye that they had a heart that longed for something, and they were willing to risk it all in hopes that, that something would be found. So what was it?

I have been struck by a song as of late. When I hear this song all I can think about is the love between Jesus and his bride, in particular, me. I think about how we were created with that desire for that something, that intimacy with true love. There are a few thoughts that I want to share. This song is about the typical Romeo and Juliet story. I find a few things interesting.

First, we have two young people, a girl speaking about a boy who is pursuing her; however, there is a problem because apparently her father opposes the union. I'm not sure why until later in the song where she makes mention that she is a scarlet letter and that reminds me of how we as humans are tainted with sin, and therefore there could be no union between Jesus and the scarlet sin stained bride. The bible says that the bridegroom was to cleanse his bride with the washing of the word.

Second, Romeo has to leave for some reason which parallels the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. Jesus had to walk a seemingly hopeless dead end path in order to get where He really wanted to be, in relationship with his bride.

Thirdly, She makes reference to her doubt because she just doesn't see his return. She expresses her desire for him to save her and how lonely she feels waiting his return. I can relate to this fading faith that in my mind can turn in on itself and end up hearing/wondering, "did I just make this up?" The solution is found in knowing the Bridegroom, really KNOWING him, his character and integrity.

Fourthly and finally, the song ends with a proposal for the ultimate union to behold a union of oneness, a marriage. I love the part when the groom says, "You will never be alone," and, "I talked to your dad." I love that because I can see Jesus as the bridegroom impatiently asking God the Father, "Okay we did it, can I? Can I be with her now?" There is obviously a distance between the daughter and the Father which exemplifies the brokenness from Adam's sin in the garden that separated us from God; however, a third party was able to bridge the gap. That third party is Jesus, our bridegroom.

Here's the video:

I'll close this by saying that I think that I was born in the wrong time period. I see this video and it reminds me of a time when honor and integrity made the man. People seemed to hold to a different standard that what is prevalent today. I have to remember that honor and integrity are the character of Jesus, no matter what the world says and does. This song really speaks of the intimacy to be had with Jesus as our husband. This has really been an answer to prayer because I have really been going through some terrible things, I mean really bad! It was an answer because to be honest if I can't have this intimacy with Christ, life is quite unbearable! I look forward to the intimacy I will share with my Lord. I praise him for being my passionate pursuer even when I turned and blamed him for the pain, grief and agony that this world has imposed. I told you I was childish!

Oh yeah back to my something something point. Jesus is the something. A passionate love story. That is the life you and I are called to enter into. It's a love story, baby just say YES!

Merry Christmas!

"He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" 1Pt.5:8NLT

I have been quiet for a little while now and I would like to say I was being quiet before the Lord, and although it might appear that in one way, that was not my intention; however, He does work in spite of me! Well, the real reason is because I have been distracted.

One thing that I have been able to really see a little more clearly this past year is the attacks of the enemy. Not that I have in anyway shape or form been able to process that quick enough to keep my flesh in check or fight it, completely, but just the fact that I can identify him shows progress. We all have a purpose, and Satan's plan is to thwart God's, which brings up a really interesting concept that I won't spend to much time on but you can mull it over, and over, and over, the Sovereignty of God. Satan is prowling around to destroy us, because we are made in the image of God and God loves us and Satan hates that. Now I am aware that some of you may not really believe that Satan exists, and that is okay for you, but A) it is in the bible that we hold to as truth and B) he does not require you to believe he exists, in order to do so. I could very well believe that you don't exist, but that doesn't make it truth .... Moving on! So one thing I have always thought about is this relationship between good and evil or God and Satan. If you remember in Job, Satan had to ask God the Father's permission to mess with Job, so that brings great security to the believer because old smutty had to ask our Daddy's permission, ha! However, he does ask and he gets it sometimes, well a lot of times, uh-oh! I love Job because he is viewed by some to be so righteous and holy, and it is so funny to me, perhaps because it gives me hope. In the end even Job got a rebuke from dear old Dad. I mean we are not immune based on our good behavior. I think this is a misconception of mine. I seem to think that I should be rewarded for obedience and I will just not this side of heaven. If it is this side then it can only be grace. It is all about relationship. Whatever will bring us back to God, that is the ticket, even if it is in agony with a bloody lip and bruised elbows. He will take us anyway we come. God uses Satan's evil for our good, not comfort our character. I try to convince God that I am already quite a character and not really in need of anymore problems or trials that are character building experiences. He just throws His head back and laughs a good hearty gut laugh,

then I laugh, till the tears come!

I don't want to get distracted by the circumstances that befall me. This world is run by sin and Satan is the author of that. All the sicknesses and selfishness are from that day in the garden with him and until we go home we have to deal with this stuff. I have a difficult time though remembering that God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind as it says in Second Timothy. And although we are sojourners in a foreign land, in the midst of a battle that surrounds us, we can as the psalmist says in 56:4, " I trust in God so why should I be afraid. I guess I'm just not there yet, because when I feel a lion's breath upon my neck, my heart stops, I go pale, and in a small squeaky almost inaudible voice I say, "Daddy is that you?" He replies, "yes child, I'm here"

He causes all things to work together for the good of those who love him. Romans 8:28

God Bless!