FOOTPRINTS...A New Version

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.

But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.

For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently.

You and Jesus are walking as true friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.

Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.

Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.

This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.

You are amazed and shocked.

Your dream ends. Now you pray:

"Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."

"That is correct."

"And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely."

"Very good.. You have understood everything so far."

When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way."

"Precisely."

"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."

There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.

"You didn't know? It was then that we danced!"

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.

A serious mistake

Absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love.
Romans 8:39, The Message.

"The only serious mistake we can make when illness comes, when anxiety threatens, when conflicts disturb our relationships with others is to conclude that God has gotten bored looking after us and has shifted his attention to a more exciting Christian. Or that God has become disgusted with our meandering obedience and has become disgusted with our meandering obedience and decided to let us fend for ourselves for a while. Or that God has gotten too busy fulfilling prophecy in the Middle East to take time now to sort out the complicated mess we have gotten ourselves into. That is the only serious mistake we can make."

A Long Obedience

January 8, "God Doesn't Get Bored", God's Message for Each Day by Eugene H. Peterson (Thomas Nelson).

Indescribable

Chris Tomlin is one of my favorites. He has a song called "Indescribable" and a portion of the lyrics are here.


"Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God "

I think my favorite part is where it says: "You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same"

Yes, you are amazing God! Incomparable. Unchangeable. Uncontainable. Indescribable.

Obsession

Some related scripture and thoughts on obsession.
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Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Psalm 32:11 (NIV)

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"The chief aim of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever."
John Piper, Desiring God (Multnomah Press).

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"If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition whe infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased!"
C.S. Lewis, "The Weight of Glory" in The Weight of Glory and other Essays (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965), pp. 1-2, as quoted by John Piper in Desiring God (Multnomah Books).

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Steven Curtis Chapman, Magnificent Obsession

Lord, You know how much
I want to know so much
In the way of answers and explanations
I have cried and prayed
And still I seem to stay
In the middle of life’s complications
All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I’m chasing down the wind
But now it’s brought me back to You
And I can see again

This is everything I want
This is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession

So capture my heart again
Take me to depths I’ve never been
Into the riches of Your grace and Your mercy
Return me to the cross
And let me be completely lost
In the wonder of the love
That You’ve shown me
Cut through these chains that tie me down to so many lesser things
Let all my dreams fall to the ground
Until this one remains

You are everything I want
And You are everything I need
Lord, You are all my heart desires
You are everything to me

You are everything I want
You are everything I need
I want You to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You
I want it all to be for You

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I think the lyrics have it right .. "Be my magnificent obsession .. I want You to be my one consuming passion."

Growing Deeper

Here is an excerpt from “A Starting Point for Missional Churches: Growing Deeper and Wider” by Gary Holloway, September - December, 2005, New Wineskins.

"In the words of Elizabeth O’Connor:

"We are not called primarily to create new structures for the church in this age; we are not called primarily to a program of service, or to dream dreams or have visions. We are called first of all to belong to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and to keep our lives warmed at the hearth of His life. It is there the fire will be lit which will create new structures and programs of service that will draw others into the circle to dream dreams and have visions."

To understand this is to be thrown back upon those disciplines which are the only known gateways to the grace of God; for how do we fulfill the command to love, except that we learn it of God, and how do we learn it of God, except that we pray, and live under His word and perceive His world?

In other words, churches must first grow deep before they grow wide. Or better said, growing deeper is growing wider. That first Jerusalem church “devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42). Consequently, “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

To focus on spiritual practices first may sound like a selfish inward turn for our congregations, instead of an outward mission. Such is not the case. Instead, by disciplining ourselves spiritually, we become more aware of God at work in us. Genuine evangelism and growth in numbers never come through our own plans and efforts. It is God who calls, God who saves, God who adds. By growing deeper in the love of God, we receive that marvelous gift of participating in the mission of God, to reconcile the world to himself.

Spiritual deepening also removes many of the false polarities that arise when we begin to talk about the direction of our congregations. It unites personal spirituality and lived faith, inreach and outreach. It removes distinctions between staff-led and elder-led mission. It calls scholars and practitioners and all Christians to respond together with their unique gifts.

More than anything else, intentional spiritual practices make us aware of the presence of God. Too often, talk of congregational change emphasizes God’s absence. We talk as if a new model, program, or structure would force God’s hand, would make him bring growth. By contrast, spiritual deepening opens the eyes of our hearts to see God already at work in us, among us, and in his world. It allows us to hear his invitation to join him in that work."

Joe Beam on the Radio

Starting January 8, I will host a call-in program about relationships on radio with simultaneous broadcast on the Internet. Radio listeners can hear it on WLAC 1510 AM (50,000 watt station that reaches into 23 states). Internet users can hear it live, or later in archived segments, at http://www.giveandtakeradio.com/. We have our own music director, comedy sketch writer, and two co-hosts, Lynn Bogle and Alecia Davis. Alecia recently finished hosting a reality program on The Learning Channel. For nearly 30 years, Lynn has been the radio voice for Cumberland University athletics.

What will the program be like? Picture David Letterman where the guests are the callers. We will give serious answers to serious questions about love, sex, and marriage while entertaining the audience with humor—planned and spontaneous—and short musical interludes to make it a program that should be unique in every way. People can tune in live or go to our site anytime to listen to archived segments or download segments for iPod or audio CD. The program airs live each Sunday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Central time.

If you would be so kind as to tell your friends, put it in your church bulletin, or announce it to your church, prayer group, civic club, etc. I would be so grateful. Feel free to forward this email to your friends that you think may be interested. Listeners from anywhere in North America can call in on the toll free line given regularly on the program. Anyone in the world can email questions to joe@giveandtakeradio.com.

Allow me to thank you in advance for helping us build an audience. Pray that we do a great deal of good for marriages and families.

Prayer: An Invitation to Be Loved and Nurtured

23Investigate my life, O God,
find out everything about me;
Cross-examine and test me,
get a clear picture of what I'm about;
24See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong--
then guide me on the road to eternal life.

Psalm 139:23-24 (The Message)

"Much of our praying is asking because there is so much that we think we need. Some of our praying is frantic because we are in difficult circumstances. Sometimes our praying is manipulative becuase we assume that we know better than God what we need and what must take place.

But prayer is meant to be something quite different. It is an invitation to come home, to be loved, nurtured and refreshed. Nouwen puts it this way: "Praying ... demands a relationship in which you allow the other to speak there, allow him to touch the sensitive core of your being, and allow him to see so much that you would rather leave in darkness."

Prayer is thus the call to intimacy with the God of the universe, who is our Father in Christ Jesus. Prayer is listening to what He would whisper to us. Prayer is being renewed by His loving presence. Prayer is being exposed, embraced, and healed by Him who alone knows what is best for us."

Reflection 4, Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen, Charles Ringma.

Bravo God

There is a new (to me) song by Jami Smith called "Bravo God" (2005, Soul Thirst Music).
http://www.jamismith.com/jamismith/index.html


At one point the lyrics go:
Bravo, bravo God
Bravo, bravo God
Bravo, bravo God
To your name we give you praise.

What causes you to say "bravo God"?

God's Greatness

GOD is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness.
Psalm 145:3 (The Message)


"We believe that this human life is a great gift, that every part of it is designed by God and therefore means something, that every part is blessed by God and therefore to be enjoyed, that every part is accompanied by God and therefore workable.

We can't get away from God. He's there whether we like it or not, whether we know it or not. We can refuse to participate in God; we can act as if God weren't our designer, provider, and covenant presence. But when we refuse, we're less; our essential humanity is less. Our lives are diminished and impoverished."

Leap Over a Wall

source: January 10, God's Message for Each Day by Eugene H. Peterson, Countryman Press.

Twelve Biblical Virtues to Pray for Your Children

Another post from Jimmy Turner:

1. Salvation. "Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory" (Is. 45:8; 2 Ti. 2:10).

2. Growth in grace. "I pray that my children will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).

3. Love. "Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who

dwells in them" (Gal. 5:25; Eph. 5:2).

4. Honesty and integrity. "May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection" (Ps. 25:21).

5. Self-control. "Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do" (1 Thess. 5:6).

6. Love for God's Word. "May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold and sweeter than honey from the comb" (Ps. 19:10).

7. Justice. "God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do" (Ps. 11:7; Mic. 6:8).

8. Mercy. "May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful" (Lk. 6:36).

9. Respect (for self, others, authority). "Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as Your Word commands" (1 Pet. 2:17).

10. Biblical self-esteem. "Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:10).

11. Faithfulness. "Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts" (Prov. 3:3).

12. Courage. "May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions"

(Dt. 31:6).

Focus on the Family

Today continues a three part broadcast of a talk given by Francis Schaeffer in 1982. Part 1 was yesterday and it was very good. Tune in today if you can or listen to it on the web.

Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984) was a philosopher, theologian and Presbyterian minister who is known for his writing. Schaeffer also founded L'Abri, an evangelical outreach he and his wife, Edith, operated out of their home in Switzerland. He authored 22 books including A Christian Manifesto, an influential work that is credited for helping to inspire modern-day Christian involvement in political activism.


http://www.family.org/fmedia/broadcast/a0038021.cfm

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

I like this post by Jimmy Turner:

You might wonder, as I used to, why should we sing a song asking Jesus coming
into the world, when He did that 2000 years ago. And if we are talking about the

Second Coming, why limit the song to the Christmas season?

The theology is sound. The song asks Christ to cause "envy, strife and discord"

to cease. And indeed, when Christ returns for the seconnd time, He will bring

peace. As Isaiah 9 teaches us, the lion will lay down with the lamb. As Revelation

promises, there will be no more pain, no more tears.

But how does this song relate to our everyday lives? We should be asking Christ

to come into our lives every day. We should invite him via prayer, Bible study

and the fellowship of those who reflect Him in their behavior.

We should invite Christ to be a part of every decision, every relationship. We should

invite Him to mold our hearts and attitudes toward others. We should invite Christ

into the relationship with difficult people. Are there areas of our lives that we cordon

off from His influence? There shouldn't be.

Christ paid for our lives with HIs own; everything we have and are belong to Him.

I encourage you to think about the words of this song, and when you sing it, silently

pray to God to come into every part of your lives. It's a revolutionary prayer; it can

change each one of us if we let it.

Taking Time for Inner Renewal

Psalm 46:10
"Be silent, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world." (NLT)

"There is just so much that needs to be done. Extra demands at home and at work. More time with the family. Keeping up with our exercise program. Planning the next holiday. Time out for friends. Involvement in our children's school activities. Completing that new management course.

In these and many other ways, the busy round of life draws us into a myriad of activities, all important, but all demanding more of our time and energy. Even church activities jostle for our attention and commitment. And creative acts of service requiring long-term support and care often demand more than we are able to give.

So we try to do more and we become like uprooted trees with our roots wildly groping for the sky. Thus we anxiously throw our arms toward heaven, praying for extra grace and special enabling, when instead we should be planted again in nourishing soul. That soil is not meant to make us do less, but to change our priorities so that we take time to be still. And in the stillness, find new strength and hope.

Henri Nouwen reminds us that "time given to inner renewal is never wasted." In fact it is the fuel for the journey, and more importantly, it is the discipline that will shape the very fabric of our being."

source: Reflection 1, Dare to Journey with Henri Nouwen by Charles Ringma, Pinon Press.

Thursday, January 5

Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path.
Prov 23:19