Philippians 3:18-19 "For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things."

I have friends and family that fall into this group.  It is heart-wrenching.

Paul has written in other letters to turn these types of people over to Satan and it seems he has washed his hands of them completely.  When I read this passage it is clear that his heart still aches for all people to come to the cross as believers.

My daughter, 8 years old, point-blank asks people if they are Christian.  It has been interesting to observe these interactions on occasion and touching that she comes to me to report their spiritual status.  I am amazed at her ability to put them on the spot; most people respond to her question openly.  I remind her that the best thing we can do for those who are not Christians is pray for them.  We can live and show the love of God to them and maybe they will come to see the blessing of Christ; maybe they will leave their earthly ways and step into a journey of faith.

My tears fall while there is still hope.  I cry to the Lord for those who do not hear and do not see.

Lord,

Let me continue to be a beacon of your light and love for all those around me so none will be lost in the end.  Amen.

Romans 8:18-19 “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.  For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.”

We haven’t seen anything yet.

As I look around my world, both near and far, the sufferings of this present time are great.  I do not know them all and if I tried I would get so bogged down in the suffering I am afraid I might not climb back up from them.  We could easily make a very long list of the sufferings we know.  Can we make a list of the glory we see as well?

If we are watching, we catch glimpses of the glory about to be revealed.  There is love and compassion in the midst of hate and hardheartedness.  There is mercy and forgiveness in the midst of judgment and denial.  These are glimpses of the glory that is coming.

I hold these words to the Romans close to my heart today; “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed” – I join all of creation in eager longing.

Lord God,

We wait.  Our hearts long for the day when there are no more tears, no more sorrow and no more suffering.  Help us see beyond these worldly, temporary things to the glory that is here and now.  Guide us to manifest your glory by sharing your light and love, healing and mercy to those in this world who need it.  We do this as we wait, until you come in all your glory.  Amen.

Colossians 2:8-10 "See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ.  For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority."

The retreat I attended gave me new insight about myself and my spiritual journey.  The danger for me is this:  when I begin looking at myself too much I begin to lose focus on the one I need to be looking at.

There are so many tools and journey guides available today.  They all claim to bring us to a truer self and assist us on your spiritual journey.  Do they also draw us away from truth?  I am learning that when I study disciplines designed to enhance my journey I need to see God in the process.  I need to pray to the Spirit for protection against deceit and for clarity and discernment in my search.

Search for tools to enhance your spiritual journey but remember to seek through the heart and mind of Christ.  If we allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide he will protect us from captivity to deceitful practices and keep our focus on the one true God.

Lord,

My heart longs to be closer to you each day.  Please keep all of us close to you and focused on you, and your truth.  Protect us from deceit so that we do not fall prey to the enemy, but we stay strong in your love.  I pray this through Jesus, our Lord.  Amen.

Psalm 65:5 "By awesome deeds you answer us with deliverance, O God of our salvation; you are the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas."

I have just returned from a weekend retreat.  There were almost forty women gathered in the mountains for a weekend of learning more about our individual spirituality.  It was such a blessed time.

I came home relaxed and filled with new knowledge and insight.  My family was excited to see me and it was good to be home again.  It did not take long for the kids to get back into their routine of picking at each other and by the evening my four year old had already told me I was the “worst ever.” What did I expect?

There is a difference in me.  I received insight and blessing.  I gained perspective and knowledge.  I renewed old friendships and gained new ones.  These are the awesome deeds I see his deliverance in at this moment.  Through these things and many more, he gives me hope.

The world around me is much the same.  Troubles and struggles remain.  God is awesome and he delivers us; he is our salvation.  It is in him, we find hope... there is hope!

Lord,

My hope is in you.  Your steadfast love and redeeming grace stand waiting for me to receive them.  Pour them out over and into me.  Open my heart and the hearts of all people to receive your blessings in abundance.  Thank you for the gifts of love that touch our everyday lives.  Guide us to share that love in the lives of those around us.  Amen.

Psalm 119:5-7 “O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances.”

Is my heart upright or does it have a slight bend in it?

As I read this scripture I picture my heart. It looks tired and a little droopy, it might even need a cane to help it along. Why is this so? Have I kept my eyes fixed on God's commandments? Have my ways been steadfast in his statutes? Ah, my humanness... what to do with it?

We all are human and we all fall short, I am constantly reminded of this when I see that I have stumbled again. As I sit in the beautiful mountains of Colorado I know there is no escape that can cleanse me and renew me unless I seek the Lord in that time as well.

I come to his throne this morning seeking cleansing. I come seeking renewed spirit and strength to serve him.

As I prepare to lead people in his word, I pray this scripture over my soul. He is faithful; he cleanses and strengthens us. Step into this beautiful day and praise him. Allow him to lift the burdens that weigh down your heart; praise him with an upright heart. See him in all his glory and splendor as we keep our eyes fixed on his commandments.

If your heart is upright, rejoice in him. If you heart is burdened, seek his statutes, his commands and his steadfast love; rejoice and praise him today!

Lord,

O that I may be steadfast to you in all my ways! You know my heart. Thank you for allowing us to come to you whenever we want to and cleansing us, renewing us, healing us. Help us feel your statutes, your commands and your Spirit guiding us. We lift our hearts and voices in praise to you this day. Amen.

Psalm 39:7-8 “And now, O Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions...”

Kyrie Eleison: Lord have mercy.

Yesterday was a gorgeous spring day in Denver.  We went to the zoo for a field trip and enjoyed the day with sunshine, no wind (it has been very windy!) and just the right amount of warmth.

My kids were excited to see friends and experience the animals together with them.  The excitement seemed to erase any sense of normalcy my children hold in their hearts.

The infractions started off small and insignificant.  I allowed them in the spirit of the day.  The problem started when the normal boundaries we have continued to be stepped over by bigger and bigger leaps.  By the time we left to come home, I had lost my patience.  It took me hours to release the anger and frustration I held in me.  What were my kids thinking?  What had they done with their brains?

This morning I see myself in this story.  My infractions against the Lord start out small and seem insignificant but it is so easy to allow those to grow into boundary breakers without any thought.

I come to the Lord asking forgiveness and seeking renewed hope in my heart.  Kyrie Eleison: Lord have mercy.

Lord,

Please forgive my anger toward these children you placed in my charge.  Please forgive my sins that I so easily brush under the rug.  Fill me with hope.  Fill me with love and grace that I can share with all your children.  Amen.

Matthew 19:22 "When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions."

The word “possessions” hit me like a brick on the head when I read this scripture.
What do I possess? What possesses me?  I have just recently finished reading a couple of novels about angels and demons so possession in that sense is still fresh in my mind.  Maybe that is why this jumped out so much at me but whatever the reason, it is worth pondering.

Do I possess my things or do they possess me?  In this story, a rich man asks Jesus how he could have eternal life.  He is sad because Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give away the money and come follow him.  A hard thing to do, I understand.

It is a constant task for me to keep check of my priorities.  What comes first in my heart and my mind?  Do I put my children and spouse ahead of me?  Do I put other things ahead of my God?  Even if I do not worship them, do I cling to them, allowing them to keep me from following God with my whole heart?

This morning I pray that the blessings we hold in our homes, pantries, and bank accounts do not keep us from serving the Lord with all we are and all we have.

Lord,

Help us remember all we have belongs to you.  Guide us in the saving and use of everything you have entrusted to us so that we are good stewards of these blessings.  Keep us from clinging to them; help us cling only to you.  Amen.