My ears are open, Holy

Charles sat on the edge of the small shriveled cot and looked up.
No words flowed from his lips, but his face soon showed a smile in the low light of the silent, candle-lit room.
There was not a sound but the chirping of crickets in the evening air.
Charles' breaths came slowly in and steadily out.
Angels watched in wonder as the sea-tossed old man simply closed his eyes and stared into Heaven.
His eyes were open to see them, but even in all of their glory, his glance never shifted from the Man before him.
As heavenly bodies of light bowed down on their faces, the risen Man Christ Jesus sat down in front of Charles with a peaceful smile on his face.
They spoke softly, though no noise was made.
They looked into each others' heart, though no eye could see a thing.
The fragrant smell of worship filled the room, though no nose of man could touch it.
Six hours passed, Charles never growing weary, never choosing something else over this time with the Lover.

Every day they met. Some days they laughed. Others, they wept and mourned for the lost and the broken. Sometimes Charles could not see or touch the presence of the Lord, and his heart grew tired and felt lonely, longing for the day when all barriers between heaven and earth would be stripped away. But through all the problems and assaults of life they met, and every time was different, though the Lover stayed the same.

Charles opened his eyes and laid back upon the old tattered cot. "I love you, my God."
And Deep within his heart, he felt the stirring of the Holy Spirit respond back.
"I love you too, my son."

Wonder of Delight

What a miracle and wonder it is to watch humans in everyday life, and know they are are the prize of Heaven. That these funny little beings would be the desired resting place of God Almighty. And the truth that He loves us more than literally everything. It makes me happy to just watch the local neighborhood boys playing basketball in the driveway barefoot and shirtless, and just connect with the heart of the Father as He delights in His children.

And to think that you and I are the best that God could give Jesus.

What a mystery!

Intimately designed

In the beginning God spoke the world and the universe into existence. Each day he commanded, and there was. He threw large brushstrokes across creation and existence happened in response. And God said it was good. But when God made mankind, he stepped down into the dirt, and sculpted a figure in his own likeness. This figure, much like the earth before God spoke, was just void of life. A blob of something with no use.

But then God did something different.

Instead of simply commanding, "let there be man", he breathed life into DIRT. He put his lips to man's nostrils and let his own precious breath become ours. He placed his own life inside us, giving us soul, passion, dreams, foresight, intelligence, beauty, creativity and love.

I guess I never really thought about it till now, but Adam, though he had all of the genes, had one personality. He was created specifically to be a personal friend of God, and he was made only once.

So are you.

You are made to receive love better in some ways than others, because God placed those desires inside your   p e r s o n a l i t y. He gave you those dreams so that he could satisfy and fulfill them all.

God Almighty is not too high and mighty that he won't let you lean on his chest at the supper table. He is not above picking up his sons and daughters, but let's all the little children come to him! He is not arrogant, he is the most humble, and he is proud of you!! He has the greatest joy and happiness! He gives the greatest peace, because he is unshakable!

He is not too big to be intimate. To know everything about you, and to make himself known to you is the reason you exist, and will exist for eternity.

You are made for love.

Intimately
Specifically
Uniquely
Creatively
Lovingly
          made.

Because He is love.

Intimate
Specific
Holy
Creative
Love
           always.

                              A L W A Y S.

Jesus my Friend

I talk a lot about trials, don't I?

Well I have something greater than trials. I have something more prevalent than any storm that can possibly come into your life. I know someone who, despite all odds and all obstacles, always comes running after me. He is madly, head-over-heals in love with each one of his children.

Jesus!!! Haha! He is so amazing! Like, seriously, He is soooo much better than any good thing, and soo much greater than any pain!!

His love is best!!!

Sweetly Broken

I sit in front of my computer, my phone resting silently on the desk. Let me process to you. In preparation for leading worship, I have been going over the list of necessary tasks before 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. With the shadow of my upcoming graduation party looming over me, I feel... like a storm is about to hit, or I'm about to cross over onto an unseen plateau where sweet waters fall and pool around giant mossy rocks, and the sun strikes with a tender warmth, as if it is smiling.

Yet the past few months have been the craziest and most difficult season of my life.

Coming from a place where everything was secure, taken for granted, even boring at times, to a place where literally everything I love is being taken or shaken. Yet this one thing remains;

His love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me. It says steadfast and faithful to the end. He comes when I least expect him, and allows things to happen that I never knew were possible. He gives, and He takes away. And in the confusion and the trials and the AAAARRRRGGGGG times of life, I choose to love Him, because He loves me first, always, FOREVER.

The winds and waves of life feel terrible, no doubt. They shake us. They test us. They change who we are, and bring out the gold that is and always has been inside of us. They are necessary to the growth of a Christian, and should be embraced as part of Daddy's beautiful process of refining our hearts. It's one thing to say that as I used to; when I thought a storm was having a tough week. It's a totally different thing to say that when everything you know is going away, and only Jesus Christ is staying with you through it all. And as the waves get taller, His still voice draws me nearer. He pulls me to a friendship deeper than I thought was possible. And He delights in me.

He is my love!
He is my passion!
He is what I live for!
He is what I long for!
He is the fire that burns inside!

He is my EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Father!!!

To:
My Daddy, Almighty God

Where should I start? You know I've failed, but you don't see me as a failure. I know I stumble, but you look at me and see me. You don't see me for what I've done, or even for what I try to do.
Yet you see all of me, and know my every move, every thought, every motive, ache, pain, joy and desire.
But as I think about who you are, and who you've made me to be, I catch a glimpse of your eyes. And I stop. Like the break in a telegram, my life comes to a pause. And then I see your smile. So pure, so real, more than happy to see me.
The sound of your voice shakes the mountains, and gently stirs my heart. I hear the sound, is it an echo? Or are you really calling me closer... closer to your extravagant love?

What can I say when I feel your embrace close me in safe and sound? When the cold waves come seeping between your arms, and you squeeze me tight, when the harsh north wind awakens a pain and a groaning in my heart, and tears won't stop, my heart cry is and forever will be:



I LOVE YOU ABBA!!!!!!!!!!

My hunger is for You

Oh Father, my hunger is for You.

My heart is broken for the lost. My heart is healed by your love for me. My heart is transformed by your word. My heart is lost in your endless love. My heart has found it's home in You.

My life is changed by your calling. My life is undone by your free gift. My life is seasoned with seasons. My life is made complete in You.

My love is for You. My love is from You. My love is pure because of You. My love is You.

You make me come alive!