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