April 25, 2012

Homesickness. When death and tragedy come calling, they often leave us longing for our heart’s true home. 

GUIDANCE

The place where we really fit.  The table set for us.  Loving family refilling our cups, getting us a third helping, and swapping stories about all of us.  Joy.  Laughter.  Harmony.  Warmth.  A place grounded and rooted in Him.

PERSPECTIVE

Jesus replied:  "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (John 14:23 NIV).

When we feel homesick, let’s remember His promise.  Home is anywhere the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are truly welcomed. 

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

Right now I’m looking at a picture over my desk of two weary travelers joined by a stranger on the road toward Emmaus.  I can hear the longing in their anguished plea as they near the village:  "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over" (Luke 24:29 NIV).

And God Himself graced their table. 

-Tony

April 11, 2012

Total attention.  Focused completely and fully.  Like a child at play.  

GUIDANCE

We rarely give anyone our full and complete attention.  We have short attention spans.  Bound as we are by space and time constraints.  Others are lucky to get our commercial break time. 

PERSPECTIVE

"If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" 

(Luke 11:13 NIV). 

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

"Watch me, dad!"  "Look at what I can do."  "Did you see me jump?"  "Didn't I do well?"

Our Father is FULLY PRESENT to every child He has.  He is NOT bound by space and time, so He can literally focus on each of us all the time.  With His wholehearted, thoughtful Spirit.

And what a difference His Presence quietly re-creates.

Now, if I can just learn to be a little more present to Him...

-Tony

March 28, 2012

Love makes us vulnerable.

GUIDANCE

Our Father certainly shows us this.  He is Love (1 John 4:8).  So He created everything with heart-filled love.

Including Lucifer. 

PERSPECTIVE

Vulnerability is the price we sometimes pay for loving unconditionally.  Others can pierce us with the very gifts we have lovingly provided for them. 

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

But it can work the other way around also.  The small arms go around the neck and we hear that beloved little voice say for no particular reason: “I love you.”  Friends rally around unexpectedly when you need them the most.  The prodigal returns.

In that moment of joyful gratitude we realize something of why He makes Himself so vulnerable.  Sometime love comes home. 

And a waiting Father opens wide His vulnerable heart to embrace His precious child.

-Tony

March 14, 2012

A world of suffering.
Interesting how He responds, isn't it?  

GUIDANCE

He dignifies it!

When our Father fully engages in His children's activity, it's a complete "game-changer."  His presence changes the nature, focus, and outcome of everything!

His touch and energetic encouragement resurrect our perspective.  His dignity transforms us!

PERSPECTIVE

So, by entering into our suffering, He gives it dignity by making it His own. 

No longer meaningless misery.  Now, meaningful ministry.
No longer solitary suffering.  Now, shared sacrifice.
No longer the cruel chaos.  Now, creative change.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

When the Father/King weeps with us, we become different.  We see our worth in His suffering.  The dignity He brings to our pain transforms us.  We begin to see ourselves through His tear-filled eyes.  In the mirror of His loving gaze, we see who we are -- beloved children that have His love in spite of anything the enemy throws at us. 

We experience that His grace is sufficient.

-Tony

February 29, 2012

Earthquakes and other natural disasters. Famine and war.  Israel about to be wiped off the map.  

GUIDANCE

This was the condition of the world when Jesus gave the Great Commission to His first International Disciple Makers.  Sound familiar?

PERSPECTIVE

His solution to global chaos is that we become increasingly immersed into the will of the Father, life of the Son, and fellowship of their Holy Spirit.  When we do, we live in the safest place that exists:  The heart of God.  We do battle by hallowing of the family name.  A name honorable and spotless from all eternity to all eternity.

STRENGTH FOR THE JOURNEY

For soldiers like us, radical obedience is more than compliance.  It is our food.  A way to live in harmony with the deepest networking of the universe.

Obedience to all He commands reverses the abuse, dysfunction, neglect, and ignorance of our prideful rebellion. It's the only way to insure that His children are really loved, accepted, nurtured, and matured.

One day soon there will be a wedding feast in which the Son gives all back into the hands of the Father.  War over.  His suffering finished.  His Great Commission Initiative complete.

His children safely and securely home.  Forever.

-Tony