Tag: new life

“Stay Safe.”

“Stay safe!” Multiple urgent warnings, minute upon minute reporting, and hour upon hour projections come our way when satellite images prove a storm is near.

Plans are made to prepare.

Well, there’s a storm on the horizon. Haven’t you heard?

Are you in search of proof? A visual image?

The Bible recorded a “test” for Jesus when the religious leaders asked Him for a “sign from heaven.”

Jesus answered,
“When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Jesus, not so “mild and meek,” continued,

 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” 

Jesus then left them and went away (Matthew 16:2-4).

The sign of Jonah? (Does this indicate the Bible account is actual and not a fairy tale. This is the only sign we get, according to Jesus.)

I see five pictures in this “sign of Jonah,”

Five Pictures:

  1. Jonah disobeys God and runs in the opposite direction. (We all have disobeyed God and run in the opposite direction, Romans 3:23).
  2. Jonah’s rescue: A great storm and realization. “Throw me overboard,” cried Jonah. (When we “see” our waywardness brought a storm.)
  3. God’s grace and salvation is given through a very large fish who swallows Jonah. (“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is . . . )
  4. Three days of revelation for Jonah to bring about repentance. God gave life to Jonah, undeserved, unearned favor. (“. . . the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:23.)
  5. Regurgitated resurrection life in Jonah and a call to obey God for hope and peace!

We see 1. A storm. 2. A gracious whale. 3. Hot revelations and repentance. 4. A resurrected life.

This is all we get, minus the gracious whale. Instead, when we believe, we’re received and accepted by a gracious Lord Jesus.

He’s the only safe place for you and me and all the people of the world, today. Jesus, He’s the Rock we can stand on. He never changes.

To be saved, or un-saved, this is the “safe” question:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash” Matthew 7:24-27, NIV.

There’s a storm coming. Make wise plans. God’s report is 100% accurate!

His Eye Is on the Sparrow, I Must Know

Today I share an old pizza note as comfort and hope to any who chooses to “bite into” its goodness:

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And, resting on His goodness, I lose my doubt and fears, (His Eye Is on the Sparrow, (Songwriters: Gene Bartlett / Charles Gabriel / C.D. Martin).

God sees. God knows.

We. Need. To know. The “One Who” can do all things, especially—to love me. Unconditionally. Right now!

Immediately.

When I think of the trials humans across the world face today, especially the children, . . . we need to remember “Love.”

Oh, how we forget and wander off from this love of God. We forget, “God doesn’t see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God looks at my heart. But, my heart “ain’t pretty” on the inside, if I’m honest. God knows the thoughts I have and the words I think before I speak them! Psalm 139 tells me about this.

But God. Yes, He sees. He knows I need Him.

He knows we all need Him.

I’ve received His love for salvation. Many years ago, I received Jesus in my life, but I still live in this body of flesh. In this world, life is broken and the sharp edges of “flesh” HURT!

Jesus Himself told us we would face “tribulation,” but to be of “good cheer” because He has “overcome the world.” (John 16:33.)

God’s Word is a “present help in times of trouble” to those who believe, initially for salvation, and step by step through the thorns of life.

God’s Word, is breathed and inspired by “Love” Himself, (because God is love, 1 John 4:8). He never changes. He loves through the ages!

Do I trust in Christ?

My path may be cluttered with lots of directions, opinions, ideas, hurts, and rough edges. Everybody’s path is.

We must know Him more:

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me

Why should I feel discouraged,
Why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely,
And long for heaven, heaven, and home,


When, when Jesus is my portion,
My constant Friend is He;
Oh, oh-oh, his eye is on the sparrow.

And I know, I know He watches over me.

This is how I can have inner joy. When I see His face and grace over me in each present moment:

“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” Psalm 16:11.

God brings my song back! He’s with me, loves me, and won’t give up on me, no matter what:
I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free (free free free)

For His eye, his eye is on the sparrow,
And I know, I know He watches over me.

When Jesus is my portion. My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. (Songwriters: Gene Bartlett / Charles Gabriel / C.D. Martin.)

Do I believe this? Am I His?

Has He sealed me with His Holy Spirit?

Yes, I believe!

Talk to God and let Him in, too.

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; . . .

Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
    I will bring your children from the east
    and gather you from the west Isaiah 43:1-5.

Yes, I believe. His eye is on this sparrow.


I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
    “and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
    and understand that I am he.
Before me, no god was formed,
    nor will there be one after me.
I, even I, am the Lord,
    and apart from me, there is no savior.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.”

This is how I “know” Love. By drawing near to Him and believing His eye is on me. On you. On all the children who cry out to Him.

Let the children who believe in Jesus sing:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!

A New Day to Trust and Obey, Again

The past is the seasoned instruction manual.

Today is here. We often start well, and then, well . . . the night often takes away our song.

But the Word is good news to the weary soul. God’s love is higher than man’s. His love is steadfast with mercies that never end: 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness”Lamentations 3:22,23.

When our desire is to believe God greater, and know Him with more depth of understanding, seek Him with thirst and hunger, and experience His blessing,

are we surprised when we find ourselves, “poor in spirit,” or in a place of mourning? What did Jesus tell the multitudes on the hill that day? What is Jesus telling me, this day . . . Matthew 5, in a New Living Translation: 

“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, and he began to teach them.”
 
(This day, I join an ancient crowd that gathered. Today, I ask God to help me hear what the Spirit says to me. Join me?)
 
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
 
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
 
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
 
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
 
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
 
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
 
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
 
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs”  Matthew 5: 1-10.

 

We pray for His kingdom to come. We ask for mercy, comfort, vision.

But what of our hearts? The old hymn reminds us to sing:

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But it’s not all sunshine and roses. The thorns line the stem of the flower’s glorious face. Jeremiah was a prophet of God. He did the good will of God and . . . wrote of his experience:

I am the man who has seen affliction
    by the rod of the Lord’s wrath.
He has driven me away and made me walk
    in darkness rather than light;
 indeed, he has turned his hand against me
    again and again, all day long.

 He has made my skin and my flesh grow old
    and has broken my bones.
 He has besieged me and surrounded me
    with bitterness and hardship.
 He has made me dwell in darkness
    like those long dead Jeremiah 3:1-6.

The desperate story continues, but something happens in the reading. All of a sudden, I can see more than Jeremiah and my own loss and toils, I see Jesus. Yes, He is the One I see . . .

 

He drew his bow
    and made me the target for his arrows.

 He pierced my heart
    with arrows from his quiver.

 I became the laughingstock of all my people;
    they mock me in song all day long.


 He has filled me with bitter herbs
    and given me gall to drink. Jeremiah 3:12-15.

If Jeremiah can remember the faithfulness of God through the hardship, and I see Jesus through the Word, how He suffered for me, and died for my shame, yet rose that I might have victory,

then the song, Trust and Obey now makes full sense. Yes, I can sing of His steadfast love because Jesus satisfied all that’s required of me.

“It is finished,” He said. I believe this today. Today, I’m complete, and my heart sings with greater understanding: 

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Today, I lay it all on the altar. And ask that He give me grace to trust and obey. And let us grow in our faith, as we sing along the way: 

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

He is our hope, today, yesterday, forever.

In Jesus, we can be made new, even right now: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 1 Corinthians 5:17.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 

 

Pizza Note #5 Jesus says, “Call Me”

“What? An automated response?”

“There will be a cost for this service,” notifies a computerized voice.

“Who can I call to help me clean the messy house . . . of my heart? Who will listen to me?”

Pizza Note #5, reminds us, “Don’t Panic!”

Jesus knows the condition of the house of our heart. Psalm 139 helps us understand that.

God is full aware of the tangles in our minds. He’s the de-tangler.

He understands the losses of our soul. He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up our wounds Psalm 147:3.

God doesn’t want us to run away in shame and regret, but instead, He desires we turn, be still, and call on Him.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble Psalm 46:1.

Pick up the phone of prayer and call Jesus. His number is Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name Jeremiah 33:2.


There was a man with leprosy who called on Jesus, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

He knew the Lord was able to make him clean, but was He willing?

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him Luke 5:12,13.

Jesus is able, and He’s willing to clean our mess as well.

We must accept our need for a Savior,

believe on Him,

and call Him to help us in time of need.

No more excuses.

Do we want a heart-house where Christ is center?

Call Jesus. He answers. He transforms us by renewing our minds through the power of His Spirit to those who believe.

The best part about calling Jesus is, He cleans our mess and forgets, forever!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, Romans 8:1.

Give me five slices of this excellent pie:

How to talk about God in flower seeds

In helping parents and friends talk about God to children as they walk along the way, today we take a Zinnia seed and explore the wonders of God. Let’s talk to the kids and bring God in ordinary things:

Do you see the seeds on the dirt in the picture?

These are Zinnia seeds. In that one flower there are more than 100 seeds. That means 100 Zinnia plants.

But, not until those seeds are put in the soil to grow. Otherwise, they will simple sit, alone.

Do you see the little baby Zinnia’s in the next picture?

Yes, they’re young and growing. All because someone, (well, in this case, it was me), took a shovel and softened the soil and took out the rocks, and then planted the seed. And then, buried it in dirt.

The seed was buried. Then the seed basically died.

Well, you see, the seed loses itself as a seed. It allows itself to become something entirely different. A living sprout.

Yes, after being watered, it starts to grow.

Life bursts forth with water, and sun, from the soil and the seed where it all began.

What a promise in each seed. A possibility of  a hundred plants from only 1 flower!

That’s what the word “glorious” means. Well, maybe not, but at least to me.

This is actually a picture of the Gospel. The Good News of God.

Yes, God speaks to us everyday through everyday things. He is the Creator of all the natural beauty around.  I suppose He’s waiting to see who’s looking for His messages from His many glorious wonders that occur throughout each day.

Well, back to the seed that died in the ground. There’s a verse in the Bible about all this in John 12:24, NLT, Jesus  speaks to those who have listening ears:

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels, a plentiful harvest of new lives.

How is the gospel message hid in this seed? Well, It died. It gave up it’s own identity.

Jesus was God, in heaven from the beginning. God sent His Son, as the Christmas baby, with angels announcing to shepherds to be the Savior of the world.

He came that He might die.

Yes, on the cross. Have you heard the story? He died on the cross. His blood was shed for forgiveness of our sin.

But He rose from the dead! Much like this sprout that came from the seed that was buried.

Yes, Jesus rose again. This is call the resurrection. And for those who believe, He forgives and makes new everything that was old. I know it’s hard to believe, but look at the seed.

There’s a whole new look, and a whole new life, and then with time and water and sun, there’s fruit in the end. This is God’s love and life all shown through nature.

Yes, and when we believe in Him, He makes us new. God’s Word expresses this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Daily, we need to die to our own stubborn way, and instead of putting ourselves first, we need to seek God, and obey His way. for example, when a guardian asks, “Can you clean up your space.”

Do we whine, and moan and put it off for a time? Or do we simply obey? And, cheerfully?

God is watching. He knows everything!

Hey, the seed picture should help move us to action. The seed died to itself, in a way, that a plant could grow. But more than that, there’s a reward in it for us.

Can you see in the picture, the reward of putting God first and doing things His way?

Yes, fruit. Well, in this case a flower. Beautiful and bright.

Have you prayed to God, receiving Jesus, and His promise of new life? Pray today with no delay, ask Him in your life. He uses a simple seed of faith, and creates beauty and life.

And maybe, you have the Lord, but need to be planted anew. Pray to God. He hears. He waits for us to talk with Him.
“Dear Lord, help us this day make the choice to put You first.

To give You some time, and forget about ourselves.

I bow my head and ask, “Will You forgive me Lord? For the times I’ve been stubborn and not cared about what’s right.

Help me to “die” to my own selfishness, and sometimes, meanness too, and lead me to care and desire about what You say.

Thank You that You gave up Your life that I might have mine. That You, Jesus, went to the cross for my wrongs. That You were willing to pay for my debt of sin. You loved me . . . then.

And You love me now.

Thanks for speaking in a simple seed that was buried in the ground, but didn’t remain like that. No, it changed and grew to something beautiful in time.

Thank You God.

Help me choose You, today. That I might have a flower’s joy.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Proverbs 4:8,9, (about gaining wisdom when we hear God’s Word),

Cherish her, (wisdom), and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown.”

Aren’t the “heads” of these flowers arrayed with glorious crowns?”

Amen, and when we obey God and seek to obey, we will have His light shining from us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After great storm, a house on a rock stands firm.

Thanksgiving comes, with gatherings and planning. But for many, it’s a time where memories bring pain. Loss has occurred and the year has brought rain. Rains that came down hard, loss that has brought bleeding-heart pain.

An old story comes to mind about a house built on the rock. Who told the story? Why is it coming to mind?  Because the Holy Spirit lives in me, and He cares, and He’s kind. His job is to point me to Jesus, and . . .
remind.

So I looked it up in Google, for a quick concordance: “the story of the man who built his house on the rock.”

And it gave me the passage in Matthew Chapter 7.
The story is told by Jesus, Himself. From the Book that is worthy to pulled daily from the shelf:

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall,

because it had its foundation on the rock. 

 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice

is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 

 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27. 

Now that the rains have hit heavily on “this house,” this old story has richness and  great hope in it’s meaning. But then I think, “what are these words of mine, that Jesus taught? So, hunger is there to read the entire Chapter Seven.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  

How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  

You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Jesus’ words spoken so long ago. How they have meaning and instruction for me, today, as I go. Matthew Chapter 7, is building material for us, that we might make the choice. Will it be sand, or the Rock?

All I know, building on the Rock is a daily choice. Not some little decision I made way back when with my strong, confident voice.

So, I read on, carefully, slow and steady, with a new understanding that the choice to build on the Rock is hard and heavy:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

I’m reminded today, of the Golden Rule. I didn’t know that building my house on the Rock includes this!

“Oh God, bless me, that I might hear and not make for myself excuses!”
Jesus speaks on instructing in Chapter Seven, that we might have good understanding of what is a Rock Foundation:

 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

There is more. A rock foundation is important,  Jesus warns:

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 

 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 

Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit,

but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 

 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,

and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 

 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

We can inspect fruit. Yes, this is not judging, per-se. We may recognize fruit and the lack of it. This is important today.

 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven,

 but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 

 Many will say to me on that day,‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’

  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Whoever builds their house on these words will go through rains, and storms and all. But God is a Foundation, steadfast and sure, and He will deliver us through it all. His Word is true. I will pray, and you?

“I need You Jesus. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. We trust in your Word. Lord make us ready. Today, tomorrow, every waking day, to not make the choice to build our house on the sand, but to do “hard things,” and hear You, and build our house on the Rock that will stand.”
Amen, and amen.

A Salvation Story. Do I come out of the rain?

God holds the Umbrella that I come out of the rain.
Why the struggle? Why the delay?
God holds the Umbrella. He cares about me.
Did I forget? Or did I simply leave?
Do I find contentment in lies that bring strife? Am I choosing to destroy my very own life?
Can I make the choice to step out of the comforts of despair?
Or do I keep my head down on the puddles, believing lies of being victim. Staying, pitifully there.
He bids me with thunder and lightning to fear and to look. In the Light, through the flash,
I see the hand of His Son.
It’s reached out towards me.
Then I see His face.
His eyes, . . .
are grace.
He calls my name. I hear the words,”Come.” 
Directly in my heart, I feel Him look.
Burning.
Revelation comes, Truth is alive.
He waits.
Immediately, there’s strength that wasn’t there.  Hope to lay down the shame. To cast off the pain.
God is offering me to come out of the rain.
Again, He calls my name.
Do I receive Him and take hold of His hand?
Why is it so hard? Why would I choose to stay out in the cold? To reject the dance. To stay wet in distress?
In an instant I choose.
I lift my eyes to meet His.
In an instant my garments are made new. Gloriously cleansed. I take hold of His hands. With all of my being, I know at last, I have found Love. He loved me first.
He desires me.
The rain is still falling, but I don’t even care. Because Love has captured all of my being. Love has called me. He has lifted me up.
I turn to kiss His cheek. He smiles.
He is pleased.
Everything new, everything possible, we dance, and we dance under the grand Umbrella. The canopy of protection, with a symphony of grace.  As it rains,  Love and I look face to face.
With a long-lost song that returns in my heart, I will sing as I dance, and make day of the night.

It's gotta be more than 'Sunday-school answers'…

The Sunday school-teacher prays in the back before the colorful, playful children come in, “Oh Lord, help me make it real, the truth about You, so it’s more than fancy dress and what we do on this day, and later a family meal.”
“Yes, Jesus Loves me, the Bible tells me so…”
“I know all the stories!” the 6 year old proclaimed as she skipped in the room with ‘cute as a bug’ delight! “Yes, we know all the answers, we’ve got this one down. Jesus died on the cross and today He couldn’t be found. The tomb was empty, we know the whole thing- so what are we doing today during Sunday School – sing?”
“Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…”
“I think I have a story or two, you might not know,” the teacher shared to the class, praying that the Lord would send His Holy Spirit,  and FAST!” “Without Me you can do nothing,” was the teacher’s very next thought, “Lord, that’s so true, so don’t leave me hanging, empower me now with a supernatural kind,  “Hosanna, Hosanna! Save NOW, my dear Lord, I pray these kids SEE and HEAR, that they see and hear from their hearts – not just their minds!
“Jesus was in agony on that tree, on that cross. Did you know that others scoffed at Him then, even then in His pain?” “Oh yes, we know that,” but their faces looked lost. “Did you know it was yelled,’Save Yourself now,You saved others in the past, Can’t You do it again? Aren’t You the Son of God, at last?'”
“Why didn’t Jesus save Himself from the cross? Why didn’t He call down the angels from heaven, the whole heavenly host? Why didn’t He stop this whole dreadful thing? Why did He suffer such pain and such loss?”Why did Jesus stay nailed and pierced that horrible day?” Children, can you tell me, “What held Jesus there, can any of you say?”
“It was our sin!” “It was our sin,” they answered again. “It was our sin,” they all thought in their minds, that’s the answer. It’s a ‘Sunday School answer’, it’s quick and it’s right, but it was lacking 17 inches, 17 inches of insight…
“Children why did Jesus stay hanging on that cross on that day?” “It was our sin.” “Yes, our sin,” ALL the children said.
“Jesus could have called down a whole heavenly host to save Him, but He didn’t, He didn’t! Children,” (the teacher stopped to catch a breath and some Help), “Jesus stayed on that horrible cross on that day because…of His love. His love, that is all. He stayed nailed to that cross on that day for only one reason, because Jesus loves you and He loves me too, not just today, but throughout every season.
There was silence for a mere moment. The children didn’t know. It’s as if they’d never heard it, never heard it before. 17 inches from their mind, straight to their hearts…”It was His love that held Him there. It was for me, He didn’t part.
“Jesus loves me this I know…“,but can we really ‘know?’ We just just can’t understand it.  Our sin didn’t keep Him on the cross on that day … Time went slowly, the agony and pain, were endured because Jesus was thinking our names.
He didn’t save Himself, even though He could. He chose to suffer, so we would never be alone.“Jesus loves me, He who died. Heaven’s gate to open wide. He will wash away  my sin, let His little child come in…”
It’s gotta be more than the dress and the show. It’s gotta be more than ‘Sunday School answers’ you know. If they could just hear His heart… “If they could only understand it all, Father.” “My Son, My Son, We witness them growing. They SEE, they HEAR, and they will one day KNOW, and they will be like a seed, planted by flowing waters, We will watch them, as the years come, as the years go… yes, they will  grow.”
“Father, they are so beautiful, so beautiful to Me. I love each one, each and every child. Right now they have all the right answers, but oh, how I long, how I long for their hearts. Do You think they can see Me in that seed that they planted, in that little pot of soil? Bless all teacher’s toil!  They didn’t know that the seed had to die, but that’s what I did, so that they could have life!
“Jesus take this heart of mine, Make it pure and wholly Thine; Thou has bled and died for me, I will hense-forth live for Thee.”
“Yes, Father, as I’m the seed placed in the good soil. I came to die, but that’s not the end of the story! The seed then explodes with life and great beauty. I in them, and they in Me – the planting, the death yes, has to occur, but the promise of beauty and life is secure – forever, forever, forever-more!”
Jesus loves me! He will stay, close beside me all the way… It’s true, even if it takes years to ‘get it!’  ‘Jesus will stay’ and never give up, never, never a day! Because He showed us His love by staying on that cross. He died, but He shook up the earth in the process, and life everlasting is now the believer’s promise!
It’s gotta be more than a ‘Sunday-school answer’, it’s gotta be a Seed of love pressed in the soft soil! But oh when that happens, there is Joy evermore in the Father, the Son, and the Spirit and more – the angels rejoice and the earth quakes and the flower springs up with beauty and grace!
“Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so!”

"IF a flower could talk to a package of seeds…"

“What do you mean, I must die before my expiration date?” asked the seed tucked carefully in it’s package.
“Well, that’s only if you don’t want to remain alone and undisturbed forever.” answered the flower. “But, you are actually a ‘promise’ a promise of beauty. If you want to live, you must die, and it all has to happen before that expiration date as I said. After that, it is too late.”
“That’s ‘poppy-cock!’ answered the poppy seed. “I just don’t believe it. Please, be quiet. You are really disturbing me!”
“Well, since you mentioned it, ‘poppies’ I mean, clearly you can see that we are both ‘poppies.’ You are a poppy and I am a poppy. But, can you see any difference in me and you? Any at all?” asked the flower to the seed.
“Hey, I’ll get there, there are many ways to flower you know. I have a plan!” answered the seed.
“O.K. I hear you. But ‘when’, … I mean, ‘if’ your plan is unsuccessful, will you just listen once, to this idea?” asked the flower.
“If it means you will leave me alone, I will listen this once. Go on and talk all about that morbid stuff and ‘dying’ and all.” The seed responded, dully.
“It’s quite simple. If you ‘deny yourself’ your own way and simply ‘fall into the ground’, you will die. Yes, but that’s not the end! That’s just the beginning, the beginning of all the Promise. But if you simply remain in that package that seams to make so much sense to you, you will always be wondering, “What is my purpose?” “Why am I even here?” But in your ‘tiny bit of nothing’ is so, so, so much more- more than meets the eye right now. But you must first, fall into the ground and die.” explained the flower.
“Ho,hum.” yawned the seed.
“But then, something amazing begins to happen,” continued the flower,”after the death of you, that is- but before that expiration date scheduled on the package – you become alive. Yes, in the darkness AND the dirt – you become alive! I’m telling you, it’s true! It’s not ‘poppy-cock’ its life for the poppy! Don’t ask me a lot of scientific questions, because I’m not a scientist, I’m a Testimony! I’m telling you, that if you die, you will rise again. Everything in that ‘deadness’ springs to Life and reaches forth into the Light and absorbs the Living Water and becomes Beauty.”
“I will consider what you said. I’m not really in a hurry now. I think I have some time…” answered the seed. Only to fall asleep and miss that planting season. Only to be forever…alone.
Jesus is speaking: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me…As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love…If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it shall be done for you.” John 15:4,9, 7.
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” John 12:24.
“I’m not a scientist, I’m just a Testimony!”

perhaps I play a 1 stringed guitar

A little poem, and a hymn, and one message – again:
“Speak to yourselves, children young and old. Speak to yourselves in the hymns that are told. Over ages and ages, time after time, God’s word implores us to speak and hear truth, so through the trials of life, God Himself clears our minds. Through clouds and rain, His presence restores strength.  The dark clouds will come, but the Holy Spirit comforts and directs our fearful steps. In the name of Jesus, a forward march we make. His name is power and precious and salvation the same.”
Call unto Him. Call on Jesus by name. Discover yourself His Nature, His frame. He is gracious, and compassionate. He suffers long.
He waits for each of us, to again, sing His Song. He loves. Not like man. He loves unconditionally, in any state that we’re in.
Tired and grumpy, even messed up in sin.  He loves us completely. He waits for us to turn our face towards Him.
Remedy in a hymnal read out loud. Even though the melody may not be present, the words speak truth’s sound:
“I heard the voice of Jesus Say,

  1. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    “Come unto Me and rest;
    Lay down, thou weary one, lay down
    Thy head upon My breast.”
    I came to Jesus as I was,
    Weary and worn and sad;
    I found in Him a resting place,
    And He has made me glad.
  2. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    “Behold, I freely give
    The living water; thirsty one,
    Stoop down, and drink, and live.”
    I came to Jesus, and I drank
    Of that life-giving stream;
    My thirst was quenched, my soul revived,
    And now I live in Him.
  3. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    “I am this dark world’s Light;
    Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise,
    And all thy day be bright.”
    I looked to Jesus, and I found
    In Him my Star, my Sun;
    And in that light of life I’ll walk,
    Till trav’ling days are done.
  4. I heard the voice of Jesus say,
    “My Father’s house above
    Has many mansions; I’ve a place
    Prepared for you in love.”
    I trust in Jesus—in that house,
    According to His word,
    Redeemed by grace, my soul shall live
    Forever with the Lord.

His work is complete. He waits to offer His forgiveness, His grace. He’s paid our debt on the cross.  The Story is the same, yesterday, today, forever. Year after year, we have opportunity to come to Him. Jesus is calling, even our very name, to draw near.