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