The Source

I found the following text written in a journal entry from several years ago. Enjoy.

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So far today, gratitude is the key word. I want to develop a mindset that contains this belief or set of actions or whatever this thing is if I can attain it or institutionalize it, perhaps establish the forms of foundational integration, life will become more joyful, "more".

To incorporate such a set of "doctrine" is nearly impossible by oneself. Many forms of interactions on different levels of social and educational, perhaps even spiritual terms will transform the being, "morph" if you will, who we are, who you and I are. No matter how difficult this process seems, it is really just a matter of perception. The key is to not let perception cloud your thinking, and therefore ruin a perfectly good motive, an intention to pursue and achieve.

Such yawning concepts will not make life too vast to comprehend, but will abridge into simple segments that will easily be remembered. These will not become a habitual occurrences, these practices, but will become a dependency for the good, for the enjoyment of life and liberty that has been given us by the Source of everything good, so affably, so cordially.

Bless the Lord
Oh my soul
With all that's within me
Bless His Holy Name

Come & Listen

Come and listen
Come to the waters edge
All you who know and fear the Lord

Come and listen
Come to the waters edge
All you who are thirsty
Come

Let me tell you what He has done for Me
Let me tell you what he has done for Me
He has done for You
He has done for Us

Come and listen
Come and listen to what He's done

Great is our God
For He is Good
Great is our God
For He is Good
Great is our God
For He is Good
Great is our God
For He is Good

For what He has done for Me
He has done for You
He has done for Us

Anchors Away

Basically,

I feel compelled to approach this encouragemental note in a still, solid, meditative fashion.

We must learn to be still. ANCHOR.

Psalm 119:61

ANCHOR.
1: a reliable or principal support : 

2: the member of a team (as a relay team) that competes last

3: to secure firmly : fix 

4: to become fixed

What is it exactly, that dictates us? Is it our ability to stand our ground? Or move like the wind?

I tend to get incredibly caught up in the when and where by who and how because of why. Yep, all five possible questions in our language. It is my belief that I have an ANCHOR, or ANCHORS, that I fail to recognize as part of my inventory, an essential, a foundational and absolutely necessary asset. I can view these as weights, or I can view them as what will keep me steady in times of rest, distress, or the unknown. In any capacity, I think that they should keep me from veering off course in any one of these circumstances.

Hebrews 6:19

I have often contemplated the idea that Christ is ourANCHOR. He has fixed His place in eternity, as the High Priest of Priests, King of Kings, The Lord of Lords.

Paul, in his note to the Hebrews, mentions the promise of God, and describes the relationships of those involved in a covenant. He mentions how God has not, does not, and will not break His promises to His heirs. Paul said that this hope, the desire to see the promise fulfilled, is to be our ANCHOR.

This to me is interesting, and perhaps worthy of a dissection for good reason. My hope, which generally means a trust or desire to see something that isn't for sure, or set in stone, is something that is solid or to be expected, and for sure, to be my ANCHOR. My hope is what will guarantee or guarantees, if you will, my entrance to the Presence of God, eternal salvation, infinitesimal communion with the Lover of my soul, which is my inheritance, my reward.

Lord Jesus Christ, you are my ANCHOR. Your Presence is my reward, and my hope is rooted in anticipation of your fulfilled promises that are never changing, always consistent, alwaysANCHORED. How I love your promises, and how I love your perfection. How I love your steadfast and persistent nature to pursue covenant with my drifting soul. How I love your desire to make me one with You, rooted, grounded absolutely in The Truth, connected to The One, to the Father who is waiting to honor me with His inheritance - Eternal Life.

Psalm 97:2

Landmark.

Usefulness in Service.

Relationship.

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What can equal time spent in fellowship with HIM?LANDMARK. Worship should be aimed, not directed. My praise is to be purposeful not random. My methods should be premeditated in that words uttered and actions executed should accomplish a certain task. This is where the leading of the Spirit and the Heart of the Father is sought most efficiently.

When I can realize that I should know my audience, (which in any scenario should be Heaven), my focus closes in on what is necessary, not necessarily what is logical. Lord, put my bearing straight. Point me toward the light. May my aim be the light at the end of the tunnel - and not where the wind blows. LANDMARK.

Not my will . . . Ever.

I am still laying in bed. Yes, it is early, but I have been in and out of the 'awake' state since 6:00am. It is part of a new resolution that I have decided to participate in, to allow myself time in the mornings where my mind isn't running a million miles an hour, and listen to His voice.

This morning I continue to lay here, with the lights off. I have some old school David Crowder from one of the original University Baptist Church recordings playing. The window is open about half way as there are low clouds, fog and constant rain pouring down just a few feet from my bed. The lightning cannot be seen, but the thunder makes itself known by rolling across Green Country in a non-inhibited - "YES. I AM HERE, AND I WILL BE HEARD."

I am breaking. Everything in my life is being broken, my need to fulfill certain economic obligations, my need to plan and administrate a movement has been chipped and chopped, reducing my vision to something that can be held and placed in that little pocket, likened to the coin pouch in the front of your jeans.

My life is being boiled down to a mere willing heart and passionate soul. I know what I believe, and believe what I know. There is one Rock. I am dedicated to that truth. Other than that, there are plenty of things up for debate, and scrutiny, and discussion. For sure.

Back to lightning. I have an important meeting today, perhaps the most important meeting of my physical life. Perhaps this will catapult me to my dreams, to bigger things, to great reaches and deeper depths. No. Its simpler than that.

The Lord has placed me in this time and this position to do one thing. I am to be a voice, just as thunder is. I am to repeat the words that God spoke this morning through the sound of thunder - "I AM HERE. I WILL BE HEARD." I am so humbled. I am nothing. I have been broken, and taken from, and my vast visionary dreams for the end of poverty and development of underprivileged people groups have been laid down, as they are too big for me. Those are His things. He put them there. However, he put a bigger task in my hands, to speak truth and life, and a call to lay down our agendas to seek Him in the quiet place. To seek Him in the morning and night, at all times.

For those of you that have had dreams and visions and are working hard in ministry, remember that He is the One that gives and takes away. There is one voice that created Heaven and Earth. HE IS ALWAYS HEARD. Do not abandon the original purpose of your life - to speak of good news and great joy, which is for all flesh. We must proclaim Glory to God in the highest, and this will be a sign to all who believe, that there will be peace among those who sing to God, and the Lord will show His favor and pleasure in the praise of His people.

Strength and Honor to our God. Jesus be exalted as the savior of the world, teaching us how to please the Father in faith, in worship, and communion.

If I can learn the simple truth, whittled and boiled down to a concentrated shape and flavor, even if it means abandoning the idea that endowments and not for profit organizations and community endeavors, and business plans to increase 'productivity' of the gospel, then so be it. Not my will, but His be done. There is only so much we can do.

Jesus is the King sent from Heaven to show us love, show us servant hood, show us worship, and how to speak in authority The Truth - to show us the Father and His love for us. He is here, and we will until He returns still say as the Spirit leads, "COME! SHOW UP IN POWER! SHOW UP LORD! WE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT YOU AND YOUR PRESENCE! WE MUST SEE YOU! WE MUST KNOW YOU! JUST DON'T HIDE YOUR FACE! YOU ARE EVERYTHING THAT MAKES US STILL ALIVE!"

His Glory - My Glorious

Dear Holy One of Israel -

I adore You, and honor You, for You are the One that has come, is here, and will return again just as surely as the sun rises in the east. We will herald Your coming and arrival and coming with praises and songs of joy and everlasting peace!

You are Glory! Send Your Glory! Glory in the highest! There is nothing but the sound of creation screaming Your praise! You will carry Your Presence with you forever, and it is perfect. It is glorious. You are immaculate in all Your ways. You have done nothing that is blemished. All you do is good, and worth of all agreement and meditation for YOU ARE. There is nothing outside of You. All else is darkness, for You are light, and in You there is nothing that has been fashioned that was not good, and is not good.

I'M ALL YOURS! I AM ALL YOURS! EVERY PART OF ME IN THE HEART OF ME IS ALL YOURS!

REMOVE EVERY PART THAT DOES NOT GLORIFY YOU

I have laid it all on the line. I have given everything that I had. I will not pick up another rock without your direction. Nor will I choose just any path, but the one that has your lamp guiding it. I must not have a choice any longer, as all I see is Your light. I cannot seem to grasp the breadth and width and heighth of your love - But I have found every step and every yes and no to be according to your will, for my steps are ordered - even if they are one by one - even if they are massive - even if they don't make sense. Your Steps are My ONLY Steps.

You alone can make the lame to walk and the blind to see. You alone. You alone. You alone. I will worship You for You alone could offer me the choice to walk such a beautiful line, one that is worthy of Mercy in Christ.

Jesus, SHOW ME YOU! SHOW ME YOU! I WILL GO CRAZY IF I LAY ONE MORE THOUGHT ON MY OWN PITY AND CIRCUMSTANCE! YOUR GLORY IS ALL I NEED! THERE IS NONE BUT AS MY KING! MY JUST RULER FOREVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND EVER AND FOR ETERNITY BEYOND ALL TIME!

THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND GLORY! YOURS! YOURS! YOURS! YOURS! YOURS! YOU ARE! WHERE YOU ARE THERE IS - WHERE CAN I GO WHERE YOU ARE NOT! YOUR GRACE IS BEYOND MY NEED AND IS PERFECT AND SUFFICIENT.

You've Been With Me

You've been with me;

You've been with me;
You've been with me my whole life, my whole life.

Never baffled. Never troubled. Never puzzled my whole life, my whole life.

Never surprised. Never scared. Always kind. Always wise my whole life, my whole life.

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Absolute purity is perfectly intricately uniquely delicate in its simplicity. There is not one who can fathom the depth of the Father's love and jealousy for me. There is not one who has seen the face of the Father and lived to tell about it because His presence is consuming as a fire. Fire is not a substance to be held or controlled. If we are in Him, we are consumed, and therefore we no longer have life, but are alive in Him.

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He is insanely jealous for my attention, and for my heart.

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Lord, I will be attentive to your words. I will obey your commands, so that I might draw nearer to where you are, seated above all reproach, in place that is good. 

Holding On.

Jesus. You are the only thing that I have to hope for any more. There is none other than You can take me and fulfill your promise in me. Your Life is the only Life.

I become so broken and frustrated and angry because my flesh cannot fit through the narrow passages your love begs to take me through. Your hidden places are only hidden because I have refused to shed the weight it takes to endure the long journey. I have to squeeze through this narrow pass, but my pockets are too stuffed with bread. I can't even squeeze sideways because my wallet is too full, and I ate too much at the last stop - afraid I would not know when I would eat again.

Finally I think I am beginning to understand the meaning of 'give it all away', and now I think I can genuinely ask, 'Lord, take it all away'.

You are good, and your mercy is good, and your promise is pure that your Word will be fulfilled - even to the last stroke.

'Glory in the highest, peace on earth and good will toward all men. This is the will of God on the earth through THE Christ, Jesus, for all of His sons and daughters.'

There is none like Him. There is none like You, oh God, Maker of heaven and earth and beyond. There is no man who has created a moment of divinity, nor schemed a plan so perfect that his creation screamed his praise for a second.

OH GOD OF HEAVEN. YOUR NAME ALONE IS HOLY. YOUR NAME ALONE IS HIGHER THAN THE REST. THERE IS NO OTHER EXPLANATION FOR THIS CREATION IN WHICH WE EXIST - YOU ARE. YOU WERE. AGAIN YOU WILL BE FOREVER AND EVER.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, yet wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid ROCK I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. ALL other ground is sinking sand.

In. Or. Out.

Well well well.

Here I am, stuck in a time warp, somewhere between 11:00 and midnight, where we actually do away with an hour of time. Twilight zone if you ask me.

I have been presented with so many ideas and facets to ministry and work and marketplace and Kingdom principles that I think my head is spinning. I, for one, just want to love Jesus, and sit with Him, and pray with Him. Talk with Him. BE with and in Him.

Isn't this what we are after? Time with Jesus? Even in His short time as a man here on Earth, He asked several men to drop what they were doing, and follow Him. The mechanics of these actions weren't described or written in detail, whether or not they kept their jobs, or whether they proceeded to go without balking. The bottom line is, and Jesus made sure it was recorded this way, they left what they were doing, and spent time with Jesus, blindly, and with great trust, regardless of their skepticism.

So then, why do we have such a hard time with church, and why is it uncomfortable, and why does it often times seem not enough? And why do we fight the system or buy into the system so hard? Missions programs and evangelistic programs, and etc. Chill environments that abandon all thoughts of modern Christianity, which we call "emergent"?

Jesus wants us. He doesn't want our works, just as the Lord told the Israelits in Deuteronomy that he wasn't interested in their sacrifice if they still felt guilty for their sin. The Lord wants a circumcision of the heart, not a torn body or sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled the purpose of the sacrifice, by becoming it. Therefore, our faith should come first, out of our trust in Him, and everything we do thereafter will be recorded as our works of love. EVERY action. Not in addition to my life as I know it, or an extra effort to expand the Kingdom. It is already built. We must enter it, as children, living life as sons and daughters of the King.

God sent a counselor - The Holy Spirit. This Spirit would be sent to lead people, men, women, children and others to Jesus through visions, dreams, tugs on our heart, groceries on our doorstep, and signs, wonders, miracles and tongues of fire. If we are not allowing The Spirit to move in our lives personally, how can I expect to tell someone about the God who is moving?

I was talking with a dear friend tonight, and we posed the thought, "Everyone I talk to about Jesus should immediately be called to repentance, because of their desire to be loved by Jesus in such a way that they can't resist." I feel as though there is so much flamboyancy in the church today, so much hype, so much agenda to conquer the world, that I feel as though we are denying the Spirit the room and the opportunity to show us His full gift, which is the love and acceptance of the Father, the God of lights, and the one who forms entire universes in moments.

In that, if we are not walking in the Spirit, or less, filled with the Spirit, how can we go and have the words of God almighty on our lips? They do Him a great disservice, if we do not go in the Spirit, and are not led by the Spirit. John 14, 15. Read it.

This is what I feel like the bottom line is: If we do not allow the Spirit to lead us to Jesus, we cannot expect others to see Christ in us. They will not know us in our love. Body, Soul, and SPIRIT. We are to love Him by keeping His commands. We must be led to Jesus through the Spirit, who has interceded on our behalf and will seat us with the right hand of the Father - Who is anything but fantasiacal - mind you.

If I am struggling with my job, and serving in that capacity, and not with the fullness of Joy, it is not fair that I should call this suffering for the Kingdom's sake. This is a path that I chose, whether offered to me, or I pursued. I must run this race with confidence, make sure my calling, and following that. My calling is to live life with Jesus.

If what we are doing does NOT look like Jesus, smell like Jesus, taste like Jesus, feel like Jesus, and sound like Jesus, then we had better evaluate our relationship with the Lord. Because if it doesn't seem that way to us, then it certainly won't do these things to others who don't know Jesus. The spirit will confirm. Check Paul's entire letter to the Galatians.

Anyway, I hope you find some truth in your heart today, Spirit things that lead you to Jesus things. Please don't take my word for it, as my salvation is my own in Christ, and I can't nor would I ever expect you to receive revelation of salvation on my behalf or in any vicarious manner.

Also, check 2 Peter 1. He gives some incredible advice about what finding Jesus looks like, and how to guage it.

Nothing but Jesus. I'll be faceless.

So there is a point in every day where you have to decide that there is hope, and that there is Jesus. Things suck, you let people down, there is no vision, the purpose is money to live, and that makes no sense at all.

This is a rant, that man, can the world be saved? Is there really any hope for mankind to live in a place of contentment with the Lord? Do we have to get bigger? do we have to broadcast our sermons in 12 locations? Do we have to put 9000 seats in our sanctuary? What makes our words so worthy for 2 or ten thousand - or for any other soul?

Only Jesus can heal the blind and the sick. Only Jesus can reach the lost and dying. Only Jesus will accept the broken and the destitute. This is life - That we may know Him, the one true God through Christ whom He has sent.

Kings and kingdoms and leaders and businesses will pass away, but there is one thing that remains - the hope of heaven, and a just and perfectly righteous ruler, Christ.

My job nor my jeep will go with me where I go when I pass on from this flesh. What then is it that keeps me tied to them? What is it that makes me think that I have to pay some sort of respect and thanks to God that they are mine? Does he not just want my heart? Is it my say whether I travel to the ends of the earth and see people healed or saved? Or whether I stay in my room and weep?

What is this life about? I want to be done with the non-game playing. I don't want to play the game. I don't want anything anyone has to offer. I don't want your network or business card. I don't want "in". I want You, Jesus.

All these other things cause worry, and all these other things cause duty. Mostly things we like to label as duty as unto the Lord, but he doesn't care about my job. He'll be with me in what I do, but I am certain He would be cruel to say that this is part of the grand scheme of His Kingdom.

I don't want your yellow car, I don't want the gourmet meal. I want Jesus. It is my desperation. I won't defend myself, but I will guard my faith with His armour.

There is none but Jesus. There is none but the Christ, and I will not proclaim anything else in the earth as long as I live. Jesus alone is worthy of our praise. He came, He is here, and He will come again for those that have set themselves apart, from all but the idea that they are His.

Just found it. . . .again.

I was just talking with a buddy, and well, I found it again. Scripture is so confirming that we are to seek Jesus, who pursues the will of the Father for/in/through us. He has interceded for us, and speaks to us through the Spirit. Jesus, the spoken word of God, breathed into man in the beginning. My saving Grace, my Salvation, my source of Light, and hope of a new dawn (Luke 2:76-79)

We are to seek Jesus. The King of all kings, Lord of lords. Perfect and righteous one! To think that scripture won't return void! (Isaiah 55) The promises of God will not return to Himself empty, the author and finisher (perfecter) of our faith. The prayers of a righteous man availeth much - Jesus was a man yes? Was his prayer that all men might know Him (Jesus), the One God hath sent? Peter then tells us God is not slack on His Promise (which is salvation for all who call on his name), that Jesus came, that we might know Him, the One true God!

ANYWAY - Rabbit trail - The Earth is the Lord's and everything in it. We are amazed in cathedrals and museums that depict works of incredible accomplishment in their beauty. They suck our attention into focus; causing us to remember the Good Lord; beautiful works of art in these massive structures which give us incredible glimpses to heaven - high ceilings drawing our attention upward. This is the mind-blowing concept, for all of you that have stayed tuned in long enough to hear - The Earth was created. God was pleased with it, including the man he placed in it. The earth is to be His cathedral. The works of our hands shall proclaim the beauty and righteous splendor of God. Our praise of Him is His Glory. Therefore, when we align ourselves, in that we are beings of worship to the Most High God, we join creation in singing Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty! Who was! Who is! He'll come again!

Divine purpose is that we would be sanctified by the Father's truth, as His word is Truth. (John 17:17)

So most of this is probably random, as my mind cannot even begin to capture the goodness that is in the air right now, nor write half as fast as I am thinking. Therefore, you get pieces, and you can read pieces, and I pray that you find some sort of a deeper revelation of intimacy, glory, salvation, LOVE most of all, and acceptance of you into the Kingdom that God has called you toward through Christ, THE KING over all the earth. Serve Jesus, and you will know the will of the Father, Creator. Which is to know Him (Christ) whom God has sent.

Let us sing your praise oh God of the Heavens! Let our music and service to your Son, King Jesus be the drawstrings that loose the glory of heaven on the earth! May we recognize you as the Maker of all things good, including the Word, which You spoke in the beginning before time!

PRAISE BE TO JESUS OUR REVELATION OF LOVE! YOUR UNCONDITIONAL MERCY SHALL PREVAIL ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE! OH AGELESS ONE! YOUR DAYS CANNOT BE COUNTED AS YOU EXIST BEYOND TIME! THEREFORE SHALL MY PRAISE OF YOUR GLORIOUS SPLENDOR BEGIN NEW THIS DAY!

I WILL NOT BE KEPT SILENT! I WILL NOT BE KEPT SILENT! I WILL NOT BE KEPT SILENT! HOLY HOLY HOLY! LORD YOU ARE ALMIGHTY! YOU HAVE COME! YOU ARE HERE! YOU ARE COMING AGAIN!