Excerpts from "A Christmas Chronicle"

"If anyone does not believe...they place their hope in hoping for what is unknown and nonexistent. They are without hope and without love. They reject the gift. It's a free gift, you know. It's a free gift from God. It's a free gift from God through Jesus Christ...our Lord."

-A Christmas Chronicle; Andy Ogle (yea, I read some of it, today)

Lord, prepare our hearts..and lives...for the 'silent night', the birth of the Christ child.

Blessings,

-ao

Third Sunday of Advent

"Shall we enter into life?  If we do, we may sin. If we don't, we will either and die....." -The River Within; Jeff Imbach

Today's scripture:

Luke 1:5-25 NIV84

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

Once when Zechariah's division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous–to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

"The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

May we soak in the Lord's preparation for our hearts this day.

Christmas tidings upon us.....

Blessings,

-ao

A Simple Advent reminder

Matthew 5:13-16 NIV84

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Thinking of today. Of being the "God-flavor of the Earth" (The Advent Party by Buddy Odom). Of preserving that which belongs to the Father. Of remembering that He became a baby...to reveal His love and give me His eternal invite. Thinking of being the "taste of godliness" (the Message bible) and flesh out to others the love of God made known...in Jesus.

Lord, you became a baby for me.

Help me shine. The light of God. Shine like a star that leads the way...to the Christ child...to Gift of God...to the gift of life forever with Him..to peace.

Glad tidings and may we resemble the light of God..as do our Christmas lights and "stars" on our trees.

Blessings,

-ao

On the way...by the way

Matthew 27 this a.m.

The Journey of Christ...on His way, toward becoming my sin. Toward rejection. Toward the will of the Father.Toward the embracing of difficulty most high....of the woundedness of a couple followers and a governor. Wounded on the inside, conflicted and confused. Which way is "right" and what move is next.

Judas Iscariot.

Simon Peter.

Pilate.

...others? Perhaps you and me. Maybe we have an understanding of what it looks like to doubt God..to question the clarity of a big decision...to walk in the footsteps of a betrayer, and to turn away from what we know is good and true. I can relate, for sure. It hurts and as I read this account of the journey of Jesus, His brute love and trust in the Father and His word....I can't help but wonder:  When have I been like Judas? When have I renounced Jesus as did Peter? When have I gone against my gut...my wife..and made a move/decision with such poor influences...like Pilate?

Jesus was on His way, by the way...on His way to becoming Death - so I would not have to look upon it! He was exchanging guilt, messes, death itself..and truthfully so much more (maybe in next few days there will be more on this..) in order that Life would be given.

Life. Life to the fullest. Full of the righteousness of God. I pray that the Lord speaks to my heart as I re-live this journey to the cross in the next few days in my times in scripture. For now, I am hung up on betrayal...on washing hands clean..guilt, and the joining in of the crowd!

The crowd always seems to join in, don't they? Where are you..in this?

Are you in the crowd? What's your role?

Jesus, teach me your ways...I hope I lean toward Peter's experience....with guilt came restoration...soon, it can't come soon enough.

Lord restore me. I am grateful. I need you, Jesus.

On my way, too, by the way.

My Journey in Christ.

Blessings,

-ao

My thoughts from this a.m. - a tweet

 Tweet from TweetCaster 

-Matthew 26:45-75

He is getting at something: a ‘listening.

 

He is getting at something, Jesus is. He is getting at my life…my inner life. My decisions. The choices I make on a daily basis. He is getting at my lifestyle – they way I choose to walk around this Earth and interact and show myself or what  I truly believe in….what, really, is the Lord of my life. I heard recently if you turn a man upside down, what he really puts his confidence and trust and lifestyle rhythms in – that will be what falls out of the man’s pockets. So, the quote said, put your confidence in the hope of Jesus so that His hope is what comes out when your life turns upside down.

Hope. In Jesus. Life upside down. Something about that seems a bit….accurate theology, no? I think so. Life upside down – forcing me to really see what I trust in – the Lord gaining my attention – He is fond of you and me so He will do whatever it takes, perhaps, to help us to recognize love. I am reading in the book and gospel of Matthew in my time alone w/Jesus. I am in chapter 24. Here is some of where I have been:

 

25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

“As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” 4And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. 5For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. 6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. 9“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. 10And then many will fall away[K]and betray one another and hate one another. 11And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. 12And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. 13But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. No One Knows That Day and Hour 36“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son but the Father only. 37For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? 46Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 47Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 48But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49and begins to beat his fellow servants[N]and eats and drinks with drunkards, 50the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know 51and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

-Matthew 23:25-28; 24:3-14;32-51 ESV

 

One theme seems to prevail, here. At first glance it probably feels a bit harsh to read this section of scripture, especially to one who may or may not be a skeptic or doubter of God’s reality and truth and live. But, if in a rhythm with the Lord in regular readings and gaining the story in the midst of the words – that these are sayings that really did happen, accounts that really are historically true and the words were spoken from (so many of them) the Son of God….it begins to take a different shape. Not such a nasty and griping and “tisk-tisk” sort of God in the sky, but one whom went through much to communicate is love, divinity and care for you and me.

Jesus is getting at something: obedience. I believe there is a root word in Latin (sounds really smart, huh?) for ‘obedience’ and it is the word “audire’” also written as ob – oedire. Both words carry this meaning: to listen. What is Jesus Christ telling us in these words of ‘let no one lead (us) astray’ and to ‘watch for the Lord…’ as we are careful for how we are living in the in-between of now and the Great Rescue??? I believe He is telling me to “listen” – to obey his commands and follow His Word – be obedient to the Lord. When I hear “be obedient” or “obey and follow commands” – it does NOT appeal to me. However, when I understand that our word comes after knowing the definition of obedience….that it is ‘a listening (Thomas a’ Kempis said, “my life is a’ listening and His is a’ speaking”) to the Lord’s guidance, then I am more apt to actually being obedience because I feel like the Bible can come alive and is not a list of rules but a guide to connectedness to God and a glimpse into the Kingdom of Heaven.

A glimpse into Heaven? Listening to God? Connected to the Son of Man?

Sounds wild…doesn’t it?? Sounds like a life I want to live and one I want my family to be a part of, too. It’s a life that God desires you and me to dig into.

Worth consideration.

Blessings,

-ao

Which are you...

Matthew 21:28-32 ESV

"What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' And he answered, 'I will not,' but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, 'I go, sir,' but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?" They said, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him."

Where do I stand, here? Do I believe the scriptures? Do I believe that God has given me the opportunity to be in communion with Him? That He has shown me His way...and which route has been the road I have taken.

The Lord is up to something....which have you seen? Which son are you? The worker who delayed, only to keep his word and honor the father? Or the son who said he would uphold the father's request and didn't?

One put his faith into practice. The other pretended only to cover up his own desires..ultimately that were not life giving.

Is my life 'a choosing of the path of God, as wretched as I am....is my life living in a lie....this is worth yours and my consideration.

May we consider these words of Christ, today. I'm in.

Blessings,

-ao

A faith secured...

Matthew 21:18-22 ESV

"In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?" And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

What does it mean to pray with expectation? Is it something you practice? What if, in prayer, I asked God, in faith....not doubting, that being in communion with Him and fully trusting in His nature...that God will do great things. He "will move" and my faith and prayer answered. What if I really believed that God would show up and do great things...answering prayer, of all things.

Is this a confessional mixed with a lottery ticket booth....not hardly. So, why should we treat our Lord as such?! What was the message in these verses for the disciples? What did Jesus have in mind for them? Was it to ask whatever they wanted? Was it to display the authority of God..that Jesus was one with God? Was it a message within a moment of authentic fleshly struggle per say...hunger. Jesus was hungry and this fig tree had bore no fruit...none. Jesus ended its future potential for any further fruit. He had previously come from the temple in anger at how man had robbed the purposes of God's temple for his own monetary gain,disgracing the name of Yahweh.

So, what is the message? Perhaps the same message is for you and me. Perhaps an offer of connection and intimacy with the Father.

Connection. Intimacy. Trust. Faith. True-hope in God. Prayer. Results from the Lord. A deeper trust.

Sounds like something I desire.

I'm in.

What about you? Take a second look and lets consider the infinite love of God, chasing our hearts, to further communicate love and trust. Divine security.

'Tis true. 'Tis true, indeed.

Blessings,

-ao

He chose them….touched them and revealed Himself

 

“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son,[V] with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.”

-Mattew 17:1-13 ESV

Follow me. That’s what He told them. He said to do so, he/we must give up all right to ourselves and take up our cross – our right to punishment, to exile, persecution – the act of being pursued for sake of ridicule at God the Father. He said to do these things and follow Him – His footsteps, His word – the life He calls us to. So, I am to follow Jesus. I am to take up the (my) cross, daily. Perhaps I could spend some time on what this means for me. Maybe you, too?

Then, a week later, Jesus chooses a few. He chose Peter, James and his brother, John. If I got invited to a hillside to be alone with Christ and my brother and my best friend….it would be one for the record books! I would be prep’d and ready to jot down my thoughts and live tweet my emotions, the view and the conversation topics. I would feel special. I would feel like I was IN. I think these disciples felt this way. Nontheless, Jesus chose them and revealed a portion of His Glory – the Glory of God the Father. These guys freaked out, ready to camp out and soak it in. The voice of the Father came booming and they dropped to the ground. They were scared and unsure of their response….Jesus then touched them. They saw the presence of the Lord, were in His presence, and viewed the presence of God’s Kingdom among them…and felt the touch of the Lord in all the midst of this divine presence of men who’d died many many years prior and of the Holy Father’s presence, Glory, voice and command…..for, God said to “listen to….” Jesus. I like this. God is there. Moses. Elijah. Disciples. A little hilltop secret pow wow to reveal truth. Jesus does his thing and displaces the fear. The men understand they are with the true God. They are with the Messiah. They are with Jesus and are to listen to Him.

Me, too. I am in the presence of the Lord. I am His. I am commanded to ‘listen to Him..” and for this I am grateful. Jesus, help me to listen to your words and your call on my life. I am called to be w/you….to walk with you and all things “other” will come out of this connection.

May I take up my cross and follow you, losing my life to gain what you paid for. LIfe eternal in your presence. All spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms: –Ephesians 1:3

Blessings,

-ao

Toast and Bacon with full-ness

Today, I got up up and made breakfast for the boys. I do this about every a.m. to ensure Wyatt has a good start to his day, a hearty breakfast! I think alot about the mornings for me growing up. I think about the oatmeal and toast, sausage biscuits, pop tarts, and conversations with my mom. I think about what it felt like to wake up early and have to get up...and how, when I smelled the food, things seemed to get better. My mom had food ready....and I would expect it....and appreciate it.

I am hoping my sons are appreciating their early meals and getting their fill to send them out for the day. I get mine.

There's something else. Do they see God in the mornings? Do they see the miracles of Jesus? Are they reminded of God's faithfulness?

This is my greater hope for them. My greater hope for myself.

Matthew 15:29-39 ESV

"Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee. And he went up on the mountain and sat down there. And great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at his feet, and he healed them, so that the crowd wondered, when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled healthy, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way." And the disciples said to him, "Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?" And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven, and a few small fish." And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan."

The disciples were soaking in the moment..not taking notes  not necessarily paying detailed attention to what had happened previously or with whom was their company....they seemed to skip the part where they were with the Son of God! They had only recently seen Jesus feed five thousand and now they were into the hum-drum of their routine...not really looking for God to show up like that again, instead they doubted..again. That seems just like my habits...easily forgetting what God has done and looking to the flesh to try and do (or not) what only God can truly do.

I wonder what their reaction was! I wonder what it felt like to eat to the full from God's provision. Can we make it on the provision of God alone? Can we put our hearts and trust in Jesus with a faith like this?

What if we were watching for Jesus? Watching for God? His faithfulness and provision? His fulfilling our needs?

Would your toast and bacon be different? Would you drink you're coffee the same way?

"Where are we to get enough bread....in such a desolate place..such a crowd!?"

Well, let us give thanks to God! Trusting in Him with an internal connection that simply is pure.

Jesus feeds me daily. I can look to Him for my daily food....or I can not believe and go hungry.

My fill is in the breath of God; His word is my source and in His presence I will walk and live and trust.

I see the Lord in early morning breakfast.


Blessings,

-ao

(a mobile blog update)

A word from today....

Psalm 115:12-18 NIV84

The Lord remembers us and will bless us:

He will bless the house of Israel,

he will bless the house of Aaron,

he will bless those who fear the Lord—

small and great alike.

May the Lord make you increase,

both you and your children.

May you be blessed by the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the Lord,

but the earth he has given to man.

It is not the dead who praise the Lord,

those who go down to silence;

it is we who extol the Lord,

both now and forevermore.

Praise the Lord."

Lord, speak to our hearts....

Blessings,

-ao

God's Love...

A good word from this a.m.  "When you get to Heaven, Little Friend, which is where I live,Abba will not ask you how many prayers you said or how many souls your saved. No, he'll ask 'Did your enjoy the fajita?' He wants you to live with passion, in the beauty of the moment, accepting and enjoying his gifts." -Willie Juan; "Patched Together", Brennan Manning

What if you got blessed?

I was thinking about how God has shown up in my life lately. He has. He has shown up and I can’t figure why it’s going on. There have been so many things provided for me when there is no reason it should have happened.
Time spent with the Lord.
Time at home with my family.
New Young Life leaders to invest in young people here in our towns.
Groceries provided when we had no money.
Money to provide for this mission of YL and for my family’s well being – when there was nothing in sight to offer relief, which meant major changes and a reduced salary.
Food from our garden.
Josie Wade Ogle.
Time spent with Wyatt and Boone.
Wyatt knocking it out of the park in his school. Me meeting and seeing friends and other folks from around town when I take him to school.
Blessings.
DVR on our TV is back. Blessing.
I am trying to get in shape. Blessing.

In my time w/Jesus this a.m. I was stopped again…..isn’t that great – getting stopped while reading scripture? I felt like there was something for me in these words….

“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20And they all ate and were satisfied.”
-Matthew 14:14-20 ESV (emphasis mine)

Blessing.
What if you heard from God? I watched a part of this new TV show the other night about a  combat medical facility and it’s doctors and nurses. One of the characters is a chaplain who is a woman . She seemed dry and empty as she spoke to the wounded soldiers going into and out of surgery there. Then, she met with her superior officer and told him she would be resigning. She said she no longer believed in God. That the Jesus of the Bible was not real to her and she found no strength in HIs words nor her encouragement to these soldiers – just empty abandoned words with no….blessing..not reality.
Is that you? Has that been a part of your story? No blessing. No reality in God? No truth in those words spoken by Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Can’t find faith to live in or live by. All UNTRUE??? Maybe that has been you. I can relate and I know underneath that mess of lies, which I believe that stuff is, there is a heart and a hope for truth. A hope for connection to God. A hope for being real and feeling alive….to be blessed.
The disciples are always being taught by Jesus – not only by words but by his actions. It seems this is good philosophy in like and teaching and parenting and mentoring, etc. – “More is caught than is taught!” , says a good friend of mine. I agree. I think Jesus modeled this in a great way. They were with Jesus, listening to Him speak of God and His kingdom and ways we are to live and gain true life….and while doing this people continued to bring people to Jesus and His compassion was simply overwhelming. It is something to see someone who is overcome with compassion – it becomes contagious! It is an affectious love that penetrates hearts and lives such that the outcome is CHANGE. That would be nice, change….from God, for God, about Him. Let that simmer….it gets real deep and really real in our hearts after a little bit….stare into the mirror and consider change from God. Yeah. So, the disciples are tired and hungry. They are wanting to connect with and care for Jesus. They do love Him and do appreciate His role in their lives. So, they discuss sending away the crowd to get rest…and get food. They are probably cranky, almost upset and just feeling spent from engaging with people all day.
Have you worked with people before? It can be quite taxing, for sure. Have you reached the point of what AA groups refer to as H.A.L.T. ?? Hungry. Angry. Lonely. Tired. and tried to interact with other people – it gets difficult. Emotions can easily rise. I wonder if this is part of that undertone of the disciples’ attitudes when they approached Jesus. I think it would have been mine. Then he does this great thing since it’s almost “supper time”. He asks them to bring the limited amount of food. He asks them to bring what would never be enough for most of them much less all of the people. Jesus looked at what food was there, He “looked up to Heaven and said a blessing”. This is where I got stuck.
Look up to Heaven. Is it there? Do you sense God? Do you feel His embrace?
It’s hard sometimes. Seeing what can’t be seen. Hearing what can’t be heard. However, God’s spirit exists to be our comfort and to reveal in our hearts and minds what this world cannot see! Jesus connects with God, offers a blessing over this food. God, provides food for all these people. More than enough.
A few weeks ago, when we were out of money and most groceries, I received a text message followed by a knock on the door. When we opened the door, there were bags of groceries. We had no money. We had no foreseen shot of getting any money for two more weeks and would be eating out of our pantry as best we could, as dry as it was. Our salary was threatened to be reduced in significant ways. We were looking to remain connected to God and lean upon Him. It was hard. I opened the front door and brought in these bags of groceries. As I carried them in, I began looking in and it became clear to me…..blessing. BLESSING!! BLESSING! I ran and got Olivia and before I could begin speaking, I couldn’t. I held a paper bag full of food and cried. Earlier in the day Olivia had asked me what we would do and my response was “God will provide….He has to! He said he would.” I never expected that result – maybe I should have…..and when He showed me food more than I could imagine, our family broke down. We then prayed to God and thanked Him. I think the people who were listening to Jesus and the disciples whom were watching and learning from this Man of God…..this fully-man and fully-God of a personality, they were blessed!
What is about this moment? Jesus Christ, looking to Heaven…and saying a blessing. How many times in your life have you heard that, “Blessing”? We ‘say the blessing’ at meals, we speak of how friends and others bless one another over different things in life. Blessing this and blessing that! It is a word that gets tossed around at times but let’s dig in it a minute! Really. Consider what a blessing is. What if the next time you through out a 2-cents blessing at a meal it felt like a real connection to God? What if you had a chance to connect with God and deliver His gift, His blessing to somebody else?? Would that make them feel blessed? Feel connected to God? Feel as though they were not alone? What about you? To not feel alone…to not feel left out or cast away – but to be included in something so much bigger!
What if you got blessed!
I believe all of this begins with taking a look at the man called Jesus Christ.
It begins with Him.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life,and the life was the light of men.”
-John 1:1-4 ESV

I experience blessing from my connection to Jesus. Period. I think you will, too.
Worth a look in the mirror….you think?

Blessings,
-ao

Words Unspoken

 

Some people like to talk.

They almost, it seems, enjoy to hear themselves speak out loud. To cast upon those around them their opinion or life experiences with their own spin to ensure IT connects with them. Essentially when this happens the person being talked to..was the person being heard from but now......they haven't even really been heard. They haven't been heard. The story teller simply casts their life circumstances upon the scene and interjects their version which, in turn, gives off the imagery of an open window. Open windows allow air to pass through them and what was in can go out as the same with what was outside has access inside. It is an open portal where information and words and stories are like the wind, passing through with perhaps no true direction….just winds blowing.

When I tell a story or have a need and am proclaiming this need, what I am longing for is not an open window. I am longing for a friend. Someone to listen. Someone to be connected to God. What I really desire in the midst of my sharing: a mirror image. An image of what is being seen. In other words, if the person in front of me is listening to…me, they could sit before me and reflect what it is they see and hear as well as communicate what they sense the Lord is saying in their hearts and in mine! But, for them to vomit their own experiences on my life to simply say they “know what it feels like” is to turn the conversation from what I was sharing and for me to have not been heard. Again, to talk about themselves means I have not been truly heard. You, too…here’s to hoping you would be heard as well.

What’s in the mirror?

A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality prior to its contact with the mirror.

Original quality….to me, this is “what is present” in the person who is sharing their heart.

Original. Quality. To preserve in a positive light. I tell my kids that “positive attitude gains positive results” and “negative attitude will acquire negative results”. I do well to remember my own words in my daily living.

This morning in my time w/Jesus, I came across:

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

-Mathew 13:35

What in the world was it about Jesus that when He spoke to people…he told stories. Stories that are true. Stories that drew attention to God. The kingdom of God. Heaven. Interaction with God and man. A reflection of the people listening…..feeling like they were staring into the pupils of God and seeing their true selves. Experiencing what God and His love and His desire really is. Hearing and seeing “how to be” – straight from the “horse’s mouth”.

God speaking about God. Seems quite different than a friend speaking about themselves. Quite different. Quite inviting.

For the Lord to speak of what has been hidden….hidden since the Earth’s foundation. Hidden…apart from sight. Not in view – the things of God’s nature and desire for you and me. If I sit and think about what Jesus Christ was communicating and fulfilling scripture and how He would peer into the souls of man, it gets bigger and bigger. It causes my heart to leap and be drawn closer and closer to this Man…to this Person who came to rescue His creation.

Jesus came not just for the sake of fulfilling scripture. Jesus came because of God and His love. Jesus came to fulfill what God spoke – to BE the truth and to BE God’s love and to BE the Living God-in-the-flesh and to BE a reflection of what-is-God-like and to BE my sin and your sin (all the mess that exists in this world before and after you and me) so that we would not have to face it – ever. To take a look at Jesus is to take a look at God and His faithfulness and His love and His power, holiness, justice, peace, eternal dominion and calling to all that belongs to Him. It is to cause shutter and fear in our boots as we consider the awe of who God is and how God is. Jesus Christ is He. Jesus spoke in a way that we could connect with all we never knew. He speaks to me on a regular basis. He walks with me….He talks with me…and He calls me His own.

He fulfills what is missing in my heart. He paints a picture with strokes of truth and power…unlike any other storyteller ever. His parables reflect the longing of understanding in my heart and brings forth clarity.

Clarity.

A clearer picture of God – that feels nice. I will continue my journey with Him…

Perhaps you wish to experience some of this, too? Look into the mirror – what do you see?

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways….no message could have been any clearer – if you want to make the world a better place..than make (change)..”

-Michael Jackson; “Man in the Mirror”

Jesus changed me.

 

Blessings,

-ao

Tanning Bed Contractors....

Here's a fun video from when my friend, Lee Younger and I did work week at Sharp Top Cove. We had the camera rolling....

Just for kicks...

There may be more of these lurking from within....


I was about to write about ( and still will soon ) sitting at the beach and what happens when the son of God sits by the beach....it's a fun thought. Then I started thinking about laughter and saw this video.
Enjoy.

Blessings,
-ao

Grasping hands...my daughter

I took pictures of Josie's first bath yesterday. She turned one week old. Olivia has those photos on her blog coming soon, I'm sure.

It was sweet to watch Olivia and her interact and Josie not fussing or fidgeting or be bothered...just soaking, literally, the cleansing. Clean. Sweet. Little. Innocent. Brand new little girl who belongs to God.

Here is the scripture from the Lord that is Josie's life verse:

Psalm 116:5-7 NIV84

The Lord is gracious and righteous;

our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

I sat on the couch, watching this baby sleep. She was asleep on me...wiggling little lips, crinkled little cheeks, fingers laid on my shoulder and chest. Resting in what looked like by-design snuggling. Made to lean in close..made to be at peace..at home..clinging to me...with trust that is instinctual. Her little hands laid up toward my neckline...they were essentially communicating something bigger ...a picture of love. A picture of sweet beauty. Of a relationship that can be of such significance. Love. Cuteness. Hope in God. Little fingers that cling to daddy...who clings to Jesus...who clings to the Father in Heaven.

Will these little hands rest in her Heavenly Father's embrace all her days? This is our hope. Will this sweet and soft breathing creation of a child whisper crinkling hopes to the heart of God...and walk together with Him..and me..and our family..all her days?

To watch and listen and embrace these grasping little sweet hands..and to kiss her forehead..and to feel her babysoft skin and to hope for her future and long for her salvation...I am her father. I am her Daddy. She is mine. She belongs to Olivia and me. She belongs to the Lord. She is His gift to us..we embrace this divine dance that God offers as we learn to do what Josie is doing:

Resting against the  bosom of God. Embracing the warmth that Jesus offers. Grasping with hands...the life that is offered by clinging to God.

Keep clinging, little one. I will always love you. Always. Forever and ever and ever.

Josie Wade Ogle. A few thoughts about you this a.m.

Blessings,

-ao

Sunday a.m. - backyard takes on sabbath

Jesus.  Sunday mornings. This is the day the Lord has made....aren't they all? Yet God chose that I should set apart this Day. His Day.

So, here I sit. Back porch...cool breeze and birds chirping. Coffee on hand and fresh from encountering the Lord His Word. He meets me, you know? He will meet you, too. He will not leave me..I am not alone. Today, I am to acknowledge the Lord...to set aside and be present to the Spirit of the Living God, alive in me and available to all.

My son, Wyatt, sits with me...asking about the birds...about our quiet times..about going to church. He recognizes this is the day we set aside to be Sabbath...the day we goto a place and gather to celebrate who God is in our lives..to worship with friends and others, at church.

Here was today:

Matthew 12:9-21 ESV

He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"—so that they might accuse him. He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all and ordered them not to make him known. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:

"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,

my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.

I will put my Spirit upon him,

and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.

He will not quarrel or cry aloud,

nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;

a bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not quench,

until he brings justice to victory;

and in his name the Gentiles will hope."

I sat here thinking about Jesus healing me. About my withered hand (s).  About my old life. About those I know. About the man who talked about his life, his tattoos and lifestyle...and spoke up about going to church..to encounter God. His friend told him the church would burn if he walked in the doors. He was too far from any God-opportunity, according to the friend. They paused, and dismissed this potential whole-life trajectory moment as dismal, and went on. 

Jesus says to us, too..we would go and rescue our sheep. We, too, would extend our hands of care and love. We, too, would ridicule others for laying out., for speeding on their way church, smoking in the car, cussing as they leave the house, skipping, not believing, not having desire to connect with God.

Fill in the blank.

Jesus offers something so different. Refreshing. Hopeful. Needed.

Healing. Wholeness. Respect. Care. Love. Connection to God.

Jesus healed the man with the withered hand..for all there to see....and then he was swamped..by the naysayers....and those looking to be made well...and then there are great affirmations of this Sunday a.m. The Lord withdraws and we see He had done these things...

Because He is the Son. Chosen. Beloved of God. Spirit-given God-man. Humble.  That He brings justice...to victory.   Victory...the Gentiles  you and me...we will place our hope in Him.

I place my hope in the Lord. I am thankful for what He offers me. Maybe you can see this same hope offered to you..no matter the day or circumstance or emotions..but He offers us more than we can fathom.

There is so much more!

Happy Sunday. From my back porch and a little mobile blogging on the Sabbath....

Blessings,

-ao

Josie...

 august 8, 2011 

Click this link for the sweet story about lil Josie from Olivia's blog...

Blessings,

-ao

A Father's Love

Today, I came across some words spoken by a man that I haven't caught before.

"wisdom is justified by her deeds." -Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ

He was speaking of John the Baptist being a great man...and of John's actions being ridiculed by others but that he was truly a man living in obedience to God. His life reflected the knowledge and trust in the Father.

Wisdom made known by its actions.

What is it about old men that young men long to sit on riverbanks and rocking chairs to gain and grasp what they have....what is it about a little boy listening to his grandfather and bring in awe of his wrinkles and his stories. My dad used to tell me that "this ain't my first rodeo" and "I'm no spring chicken". He had lived and seen things that I had not. His idea of the present reality was due to being an eye witness of those scenarios before. He'd seen it. He'd done it. He'd thought it.

Another thing he taught me: "there's no substitute for experience..."

Wisdom. Gives away to action. Preceded by only experience.

I am about to have a daughter. I have two sons. When I think of what I know about being a dad...the father of my children, there are only a few things that approach in my mind.

-Jesus...the love of God, our Heavenly Father.

-My Dad, his love for me...his care and coaching and stories and rebirth in the Lord.

-My experiences and desire to love and lead my children.

-My wife. Her love. Our marriage. God's provision.

I am a father. I am a father of three...

I love being a daddy. The love of my children is ridiculous. It wells from within. What I know..what I have been taught..what I teach, they are only justified..made known..trusted...by my own deeds as a father.

Proof: It's in the pudding! (my dad told me that too)

So..

Live my life unto the Lord.

Walk in His ways.

Love my children like it's my job. Because it is.

Play hard. Carry them much. Coach them daily. Be positive.

Offer truth. Communicate all I am and desire to be.

Admit my weaknesses. Apologize when needed.

Hug much.

Stare into their eyes.

Wink.

Shake hands.

Play daily.

Read together.

Pray together.

Explore. Take risks. Be adventurous. Lead by example.

There is so much more...


My love is only stretching and gaining depth. I am so thankful.

Happy Sunday.

Blessings,

-ao

Where do you see God?

 

 

Have you ever wondered if someone knew the Lord? Have you ever wondered if God was real and if some person knew of this God and of His teachings? What if this man named Jesus was really God’s son in Heaven and really changed peoples lives and really gave true peace and offered comfort and healing unlike anything…ever? If He were real..where could He be found? Where would He be seen? How could it be known that He is and we are the ones who need Him? What if I wanted His rewards and His righteousness….and anything that might come with it?

Where would you go?

Look at what Jesus says….

"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. ⁴¹ The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴²And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."     -Mathew 10:40-42 ESV

He is referring to those who believe in Him; His disciples. He told these words to His first disciples…and these words still ring true for us today. Maybe you have seen someone or encountered someone that you thought was a “Mother Teresa” of sorts and you could not believe how sweet they were or how kind they were to your family, etc. Perhaps you wondered….I feel so good and so happy when I am around this person – they seem to glow but what is that thing about them that points me to this desire like I have always wanted? What is it about the sunrise and the top of a snow-covered mountain and the sweet and innocent eyes of a newborn baby and the power of a thunderstorm….that points us to something greater?

I believe it is God. I believe I can see God in others. I believe I can see God in things around me – creation. Trees. Mountains. Rivers. People. Weather. My garden…and even the blooms of the okra.

In the mornings, I sit on my back patio and stare at my yard. I see trees and bushes. I see flowers and birds. I see a tree house. Hammock. Birdhouse. Benches. Tables. A 4 ft. picket fence. Sandbox. firewood. I hear the birds chirping and singing…every morning. The wind seems to filter in…every morning for just a slight breeze. All of these things point me to God. The hammock is a place of rest – Jesus said if I come to Him, He will give me rest for my soul. The benches are creativity and me working with my hands to make something that offers beauty and rest. The sandbox and tree house are for fun and life to the fullest – Jesus said he came that you and I might have life to the fullest – to live more abundantly than ever! The flowers and the birds and trees….and the garden. They are purely an arrow to Heaven. To watch the birds create their nest, care for their young, to see dirt split and seedlings sprout and sprouts budding and buds growing fruit. It is deeper than we can see. It is simply a gift from Heaven. God’s gift. God’s reward to you and me. I see the Lord in my garden. I see His creation. I see His goodness. I see His patience in me as all of this takes much time and no room for anything but…patience. I would do well to see this and learn it in my daily life. My garden, God’s gift, helps me in this matter.

I see God in my wife. I see God in the ways she cares for our family – me, our children. I see God in her creativity. I see God in her patience with me when there ought to be zero room for that kind of stuff. I see God when she parents like an angel. I see God in our marriage and our home. The coolest thing about all of that is that it isn’t only for me. Our boys, see the Lord, too. Our friends can see God through our home. Our garden. Our yard. Our trust in His gifts.

Do you know someone you see God in? Have you ever started into their pupils and….told them, “I can see God in you!” What if you did? What if you don’t even know that God is real or that love is pure and you begin to wonder about certain people around you – what if you looked into their eyes and told them….what you see…and how you don’t see those things in your own eyes….that what you see in the mirror is ??? What if there was a risk at the glares of your heart and all your true desires….to risk at seeing God!

Do you see God? Where, oh where, is He?

“….And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory…”     - John 1:14 ESV

I believe taking a deeper look at the man named Jesus is worth all and more of what we were designed for. Perhaps you will discover the same.

 

Blessings,

-ao

[The Wild Wild West] 9 years ago today…..

Look what my bride wrote!  See below......

I married the GREATEST MAN!

I can't really put into words how grateful I am to be married to Andy…that God chose us to be husband and wife. That he chose me. And I chose him. I'm so thankful that we haven't "figured" each other out. That there are still things we are learning about one another. Our dreams. Our fears. Our likes. Our dislikes. As each year goes by it continues to get better and better. No, we are not perfect. Yes, we have our ups and downs. No, marriage is not easy. Yes, we are still growing in our relationship. Praise the Lord we are still learning how to encourage and support one another. How to hold each other up when we fall and how to point one another to Christ.

I'm so thankful and proud of the man he is, the husband he is, the father he is…through Andy I get to see reflections of my Heavenly Father…loving me well and our family well.

Thank you Andy for saying YES at 7:00pm on a hot, August night…down by the lake.

I love you.

From olivia's blog

 when i think of this summer…. 

when i think of this summer….

The Lord’s harvest…is all this in disarray?

 

36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Mathew 9:36-38 ESV

Jesus was in deep and constant connection with the Father. Jesus offered compassion, it seemed, in every direction. People were astonished. People were in disbelief. God came to reveal Himself…..and people were in disarray. They discarded one another and God’s statutes for their own gains. Sounds familiar? Then, Jesus, after a “healing rampage”, sees more folks in need of His touch and looks to His disciples….He tells them about fruits of ministry. He tells them what they can see in front of them and how what they see will continue. There is more, he says, there is a greater need always and this need is for laborers. Workers. People, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Jesus tells his followers to pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest….that God would send people out INTO HIS HARVEST!

This is my prayer, today, Lord. Send workers. Send people to labor in your name….

We are in need. The harvest is here. It is much. Send us laborers.

Trust in God. He is faithful. He is just.

Recently, our family ran out of money for our monthly budget. We were out of cash and had eaten our pantry dry, essentially. We were trying to be as creative as possible but the food and money was basically gone! I told Olivia that “God will have to provide…He said He would!”

Later that day, we received a message and a phone call from some of God’s people who were bringing “perishable goods” to our front porch. They knocked and drove away…leaving behind bags of groceries. It was in response to our family’s health as one of our boys had been sick…they had no way of knowing our money situation. No way. They felt the promptings of God’s Spirit to bless the Ogles. I have a friend who says, “God showed up and He showed out!” Yes, He sure did. We looked in the bags as our boys were going to bed….and wept. He had provided – He said he would! The following day, I received another phone call from one of my heroes in life. My dad wanted to meet me – He,too, had felt the prompting of God. The Lord gave money for us to get to the end of the month. The next day – the Lord provided for Young Life in our area to sustain itself through the end of the month (something that was predicted to be a deficit-prone scenario where we would be headed toward reduced salary).

Is God real? Do bad things happen to good people? Does God have a plan…is there redemption of those “bad” things?  Do God’s people remain in connection with His Spirit? Is the body of Christ essentially God…with skin on, in today’s world – representing the Lord Jesus? Does God show up? Does He really care?

What about me? What about them?

Jesus. Is. Love.

I pray that the Lord will continue to provide workers for His harvest. There is much need. There is much hope.

I belong to the Lord. He is good.

Blessings,

-ao

Healing...a rampage of things unseen (a mobile update)

Healing: become sound, healthy, cured....made right (again).

I remember sitting in the hospital room next to my mom when her heart began racing due to complications from Diabetes. She told me, in a panic, "I'm not breathing good!" Then as we yelled for help and teams of people rushed in her room...I was swept away in the action. Left to sound the alarms with family and pray to God for healing. I did just that - prayed. My mom died within the next hour.

When Jesus walked the Earth, there were constantly people following him. There was controversy, drama, teaching, and healing....there was more really. A lot more. I have camped out in the book of Mathew lately in my time alone with the Lord. It has been rich for me to take a renewed look at the life of Christ.

here is today:

Matthew 9:18-34 ESV

While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district. And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David." When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord." Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you." And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, "See that no one knows about it." But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, "Never was anything like this seen in Israel." But the Pharisees said, "He casts out demons by the prince of demons."

Matthew 9:35-36 ESV

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Watching Jesus interact with man has been something else. It feels like He didn't turn anyone down. It feels like He restored all those who were asking...their hearts were aimed at Him and they believed in whom they were asking. They trusted in the provisions of God via the Son of God. I would do well to live in this same manner. Jesus touched. Jesus looked. Stared into pupils. Grasped ahold of hands and faces...He embraced people and spoke of the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus called people to live in a new way and be different; perfect like the Father in Heaven...by devoting to the Son one's life and living in the statutes of God.

Still, more controversy and more wounded individuals would flock around this God-man. Jesus continued His compassion. It blows me away...it was as if He was on a rampage! He healed illnesses and disease and cast out evil like it was His job!! You think? He lived and breathed out of the overflow of His intimacy and relationship and will of God the Father in Heaven. They are one...the Trinity, Father. Son. Holy Spirit. Together they created this uproar of attention that would forever change the scope of a relationship and interaction with God.

When I was praying for my mom to be healed, I had this vision in my mind: Jesus was in the room with my mom, she was standing next to Him...looking back on her body...they were smiling. Healed. Not my way..His. Within minutes of this vision..the team of doctors came out to pronounce my mom dead. Yet, she was now more alive than ever before!

Life to the fullest...that is the promise of Jesus.

He delivers ...to the full.

May we take another look and hand over our hearts to the author of Life.Amen.

Blessings,

-ao

Pursuit of kids…

 

This was a video done by our church to show Young Life’s heart for kids and capture the picture of pursuing kids via friendship evangelism. The art of friendship and commitment in the lives of our high school friends.

…enjoy!

 

Sharing not only the gospel, but our lives as well.

 

www.younglife.org

Blessings,

-ao

What’s so Astonishing? People were shaking in their boots…

 

So, today, I keep having this thought in my mind – that notion of what, exactly, is it…what was it about Jesus Christ that was just so amazing? What was it that was so scary and so “astonishing” – I don’t know that this word always implies that those around him were eternally impressed as much as they were shaking in their boots – speechless. To watch this man, fully God, and fully man – interact on Earth and communicate the love of God….and push people internally to their limits where they are standing face to face with God and looking into the mirrors of their souls….and handing over their hearts to Jesus. This must have been a sight. It must have been awe inspiring. I would have freaked out. Maybe I still do.

Dead made alive. Freakshows made anew and normal. Prostitutes made whole. Hellions changed-trajectoried lives. Wounded healed. Lying, cussing sailors committing their lives to this man and “his teachings”. Something about him seems so odd – so peculiar, so mysterious yet so amazingly attractive.

I may pick up on this thought again later….I have been sitting with it this a.m. since coming from (in Mathew 8) Jesus crossing the lake to escape crowds and teach His disciples and having told them about who He is and healing illnesses and speaking of true faith and being a good man (Centurion) and what does Jesus truly desire? He spoke of ‘mercy, not sacrifice’. Then, he told Mathew, “Follow Me”.  This was after the demon-possessed man was cured from Legion. This was just before a group of friends were brave enough to trail Jesus and His disciples one more time to hear what He had to say….and bring their paralyzed friend to the feet of the Lord. Except there was so much more – obstacles, people, challenges…and another message from the Lord.

Again – astonished. People were amazed. Probably freaked out and yet so abundantly desiring to take a gander into their own lives they didn’t know what to do with themselves. Messiah? Yup. Their idea…nope. He just seems like something else.

What if you took a fresh look at Jesus? What if you read the “gospels” and renewed whatever outlook you have on this man they called Jesus? Would you be astonished?

I’m shaking in my boots…..and when I sit in His word, time stands still and the Lord begins to shape and mold the insides of me like I were his all along. No wonder He is who He is. I am His.

…more later…

Blessings,

-ao

The Future of R & D Departments

This guy is Mr. Creativity.

What if you knew the many, the wretched in me…

 

Sometimes, when I sit with my high school friends, I talk about the old me. The guy before I encountered Jesus Christ. The one who still lives within, lurking around and potentially threatening to break into all I am now and have done all I can do to cast away. The old guy – the one who was cast away – he would be a wretched man. Truth is, Jesus, alive in me – cast out that other person. I am made new; 2 Corinthians 5:17.

But, what was I like? What would I BE like today? What if this old me were living and walking and hadn’t encountered the living God? What if I was held down and tied to chains and wounded myself all the time – crying out for help and for other things in the name of rage and hopelessness? I would be kind of like this guy I read about this a.m. He was a man who had been wounded for many years, demon possessed and living among the dead – lifelessness and darkness all around him. He was a total outcast. He couldn’t be kept within reason, he hurt himself and probably others. He was a man controlled by evil and rages that come from all places dark. He came across the man named Jesus after He had been teaching the disciples about faith and following him, the cost of being a follower of Christ and dedicating their lives to the Holy God. He had spoken scripture to further communicate His coming to bore our diseases; He came to bear our Sin – this God-separating filth that keeps me from connection to God and His Kingdom apart from intimacy with Jesus. Saying ‘yes’ to the Son of God. Access to Him.

The demon-possessed man saw Jesus and His disciples approaching from their boats at the shore. The man couldn’t be messed with – no one would get near him and he cried out to Jesus with the voice of many….asking “What is it that you would do with us?” His name was “Legion”, meaning “many”.

Here it goes:

“Jesus Heals a Man with a Demon 5 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.[N] 2And when Jesus[O] had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea. 14The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15And they came to Jesus and saw the demon–possessed[P] man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon–possessed man and to the pigs. 17And they began to beg Jesus[Q] to depart from their region. 18As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”

-Mark 5:1-20 (ESV) {Just1word}

 

"And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon–possessed men. 34And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.”

-Mathew 8:32-34 (ESV) (emphasis, mine)

I was thinking about the old me and my ways of old. Wretched. Dirty. Ungodly. One who would not be worth much, on the inside. I tell my friends how I would not be pursuing things of God’s nature – but I would be so much different than I am, now. Not much different, really – just covered by the infinite love of God and my whole trajectory has been renewed and changed because of God’s pursuit of me. I am made knew. I walked around in a cemetery and begged and was wounded and wanted to cry out. I saw the face of the Lord and asked “what will you do with me?” – He sent the old me into a herd of pigs….he sent the old me to be cast out and tormented apart from me – forever. That is to say He took my Sin away…from me that I might never see it again – separated as far as the East is from the West. Never will they, my Sin and myself, meet again.

Those who saw Jesus heal this man and tell these demons where they could go and command with God-given authority, they ran into town to tell all what they saw. They were astonished. They pleaded with Jesus to leave. Why? Why would they want God’s Son to leave? Why, if after something so good and powerful would they want him gone?

Was it the change? Was it their reputation? Was it the thousands of pigs rotting in the waters of the sea nearby? I wonder if they were so ruffled by the power of God they didn’t know which way to look or go? I know how that feels? I have watched people encounter Jesus and call out to Him out of amazement of who He is and who they want Him to be in their lives…yet upon returning to their home-lives they can’t fathom a life with Christ because what they saw didn’t connect in their hearts….they still want to run – yet they still desire this life change and eternal peace offered by Jesus. Maybe you can relate…..a desire to connect with God and a desire to run from God in the same.

The man who had been cured from the evil in him approached Jesus and asked to go with Him. Jesus asked him to go and tell. Go, tell….about the mercy of God. Go and tell others about how God didn’t give what was deserved…..MERCY. Others marveled at this mercy of God.

What do you deserve? What is your life like? I deserve much worse. I remember the man lurking in the darkness looking to wound myself and others beyond what I could really control. Possessed by the darkness and roaming aimlessly to what?  A life that did not point anywhere to God. Emptiness. DEATH.

Jesus set me free. I would do well to remember this man who fled into pigs to run to their death. To remember that Jesus calls me to life. He permits these others to be around me but those are not me – He is my life. He calls me to Himself. That is peace. That is Hope. That is my life. Thanks be to God for being in my life and allowing me to marvel at His goodness.

My friend, Ryan, sings a song called, “Change Me”. I am different forever and ever because of those words. Jesus. Changed. Me.

Blessings,

-ao

The faith of a man…a leader no doubt

 

I have a friend in my life who loves alcohol. He loves to drink. He hates it, too. He wishes he had never began doing the dreaded thing of filling his body with what poisons his insides and his intentions. He smokes cigarettes every day. His wife died a few years back and she was his “everything”. He owns his business and has remained in the same industry for 35 years. Success has knocked on his door multitudes of times. Money has come and gone….been there and been squandered. Leadership skills have abounded from this man. He has been a legend within his arena of life. He has seen joy that oozes through the pores of life. Somehow, he has never felt as though he found life as it was intended – only tasted the crumbs of what is so really good.

A couple months back, he had open heart surgery. We talked in the hospital and discussed his condition, his life, and his future. I told him about the time he told me about God and how “He doesn’t want anything to do with me…” as were were standing on the street shortly after the graveside service of his granddaughter. He said everything in life was messed up and that life really had no answers…only questions that do not get answered. He said it in a bit more colorful language than that. We decided to get together from time to time and pick up where we left off that day at the cemetery. Here and there we have met. Here and there we have talked, but my friend is only more wounded now than before. A man. A friend. A leader. A father. Abandoned in this life. Denying the inside emotions for the outside and physical appearance of control and economic gain. He works emphatically. Work is his life.

Recently, he stopped getting emails from his daughter-in-law. They weren’t necessarily regular or not even had they stopped – the thing about these semi regular emails was their content. They were notes of encouragement, scripture quotes with little pieces of hope. Notes of light. References to the Light of the World. Offering life in the midst of this….offering a true answer…he talked about life with its questions but there is no response to those questions – there is one Man. His name is Jesus. My friend is confused. He is lost. He would deny this truth. He asked his son recently, “Why did the emails with bible verses stop?  Does she not love me anymore….what’s going on?” His son was blown away. His son was also holding on to the promises of God and how, when a man who doesn’t believe in God or His Son, stops receiving God’s word in his inbox – he asks “what happened!” and wonders about being cared for. This is worth pondering what is going on in his heart and probably yours and my heart, too. In my time alone with the Lord today this is what happened:

Today, in my time w/the Lord.

“When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2And behold, a leper[B] came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3And Jesus[C] stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” The Faith of a Centurion 5When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6“Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant,[D] ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel[E] have I found such faith. 11I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment. Jesus Heals Many 14And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother–in–law lying sick with a fever. 15He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Mathew 8:1-17

“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:4-5 ESV

Leprosy. Shriveled hands. Hindrances abounding. Doubt in life. Illnesses. Headaches. Distractions. It all sinks in as we go about in our lives. Yet, Jesus enters the life of the Leper and willingly stretches out his hand to tell him He is willing to heal and that he is in fact healed. Then he commands his life to reflect a life of a Godly man. The centurion. A leader. A soldier. A man who has warned his scars and taken orders to gain the right to command orders. “Leadership is recognized, not appointed”, I was once told. No doubt this man, the centurion, had earned his position to be able to command others in the ranks. He was the unlikely believer. The man whom others would have said he will not trust in and believe in God. He will not follow the Way of Jesus Christ. He is ungodly. He represents Rome and destruction of the innocent. He is about the “justice” of the government. He is a strong man with no hope in God. Yet, here we get to watch this leader of a wounded man approach the God of the universe and request his healing power. The man had great faith! Faith in the Son of God to communicate that Jesus has the authority to heal and provide and command God’s statutes and offer infinite grace by His presence alone. His words would do.

Jesus used this man’s faith as an example of how my faith ought to be – strong, true-believing and with the confidence of God my Father in Heaven. Then Jesus healed the man’s servant and went to see Peter. He walked in Peter’s home and immediately went to Peter’s wife’s mother. She had been sick. Jesus healed her and she began serving them. A powerful picture of being compelled by the love of God to…..go. In His name.

Sickness borne. He bore all of them. What was the life of Christ? Love. A becoming of all we are at our core in order for us to be all God is in His core!!  Righteous. Forever. And ever. Amen.

I wonder about the “faith” of my friend. I wonder about his “potential” as the centurion man. I wonder about his leadership. I wish he knew Jesus. I bet, somewhere deep within, he feels like there is an answer in this life. Yup, there really is an answer. He is the Lord of my life and apart from my faith in Christ – I would be viewed just like my friend. We are a lot alike, really. We are miles apart, too. The difference is I belong to God because of Jesus Christ. I am His, forever. Maybe the faith of this centurion can impact my friend….and you, and me – over and over. His peace.

 

Blessings,

-ao

Posted link to the book - Learning to Fly

I added the link to the book over on the left side of this blog. If you would rather order it through a site you might be more familiar with it is also available on www.amazon.com go here.

Thanks, happy reading.

Blessings,

-ao

Response to Jesus

Matthew 7:15-29 NIV84

“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.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

“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.”

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law."

From today, in His word.

Help me, Jesus...

-to be healthy, bearing good (not diseased) fruit.

-for my fruit to be glorifying you-in everything.

-to know you deeply.truly.infinitely.intimately.full-of-trust. always. now.

-call out to you on this day, looking for you, believing in you.

-live out my hope in you & your words.

-paint scripture upon my heart & my home...my family, too!

-Being a DOER of your teachings. Everyday, Lord.

I am yours,

-Amen

Blessings,

-ao


Ps-here is a verse from Thessalonians...has been good for me this summer.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV84

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

A few glimpses at my summer…

 

Here is a look on a here-and-there basis of some adventures, experiences and quick shots of my summer, thus far. I have spent some time trying to rest and reload, a bit. I have been flying under the radar and attempting to live in a rhythm of being with Jesus and being with family…and anything else comes after those. It’s out of the feelings of realizing, after ten years of full-time ministry in our community I felt as though I longed for some rest – a breath of air, a sabbatical-like opportunity. Here are some sites:

After many promises of playing in the rain – we finally got our boots on and ran out one morning to play in the rain and splash in the puddles.

A tired little Boone loving on Mommy.

 

We went fishing one day at a friend’s pond. Wyatt caught six fish, Boone caught three or four! We had a blast, they were cashed and sweat bee sting-ridden. We looked back, remembering the fish, the horses, and the bond we have – a deep rooted father-son friendship that is forever. Love these dudes…love our good times.

A smelly bathroom is no fun. Replaced the wax seal…..wah lah! No more smell. Felt like I was a handy-man. Maybe I am.

Kyds Workshop at The Home Depot. They helped me to be a better dad on this day – I loved working with the boys at the HD. We made a coaster set, got their own aprons, pins, and walked around the store like they owned the place! Loved it.

 

I took Wyatt exploring on a day hike. We found this baby bird. We got to pet it, too. Then we came across the praying mantis…. or as Wyatt says, the “Praying Man” bug.

Working on another project with Daddy! Boone pulls another plant out of the ground….he has a habit of doing this. He then screams loudly, “Look, Daddy….a raddish!!!” We now do time-outs for pulling plants! He’s a hoot.

Here’s my family!! Wyatt, Boone, Olivia, and Baby O!!! See her, she’s in the “O”! j/k. Well, she is in there…..

 

We have enjoyed our summer. I have enjoyed my time with Jesus. I have sat on my back porch and soaked in the goodness of the Lord. I have sat in our rocking chairs with Olivia and had glasses of tea and moments of laughter, flirting, and looking forward, glancing back in our lives. It has been sweet and tender all together. We look ahead to the wonder and chaos of another baby, another busy season with ministry, kids, and the details in the middle. I feel so grateful, so honored, so blessed and yet have felt so blurry on some days. I am thankful for clarity from the Lord – to seek His Kingdom and HIs righteousness….and then these things will be given (food, drink, clothing)! –Mathew 6:33

 

Today’s scripture: Mathew 6:9-34…..

 

6"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.[C]’ 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Fasting 16“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Treasures in Heaven 19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Do Not Worry 25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[D]? 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 

Blessings,

-ao