Originally posted on Facebook on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

We look for God to fall like rain when He is like deep waters that have always been there.

Were it not for the layers of rock deposited by sin, the ground of our hearts would be watered by a gentle mist springing from the deep.

We are given the Word to break our hearts so that the well, which is Christ, may be revealed, connecting us to those deep waters. When we drink from Him, rivers of living water spring forth, giving life to us and everything around us.

"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"
— John 7:37-38

God is not out there.

"Now when [Jesus] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.'"
— Luke 17:20-21

God is near, within you.

"so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us"
— Acts 17:27

So, we do not look out.

We dig in, guided by the Holy Spirit, identifying hard areas of our heart that are not submitted to God, confessing sin, plowing through rock.

The Word is the implement.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
— Hebrews 4:12

Tearing down obstructions, resisting lies, casting off the pride of life and its busyness, and seeking the Lord in sacred silence, laying our hearts bare, until Christ is revealed—the Well that was dug before the foundation of the world, is how we are watered from the inside.

First, His voice comes to us as dew—sweet, personally satisfying expressions of God that are characteristic of the Word. Then, it comes as a flood, flowing into rivers, producing action and carrying life into others wherever it flows.

This is how we hear God, like the sound of many waters.

My most earnest desire is that we not only know about God, but that we would know God personally, hear His voice, and share Him together.

Father, please let it be so according to the will and authority of Jesus, Your Son and my Savior, all for Your glory. Amen.

Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.

Paul: teaching the mechanics
James: "Lift something." 😂😂

IYKYK

Bible study and knowing scripture is cool, but at some point we have to move from inspiration to perspiration.

I allow this through obedience: by submitting to the Holy Spirit and presenting myself as a physical member of Christ.

I must show up, go, receive, and be present as His vessel.

"faith without works is dead…" — James 2:26

And the "lift" or "works", as they are referred to in James 2, is not doing activities, but LIVING TOGETHER in pursuit of the most perfect communion.

All that is required for this communion cannot be achieved legalistically through activities, it's too much weight.

But, the fulcrum is love. Love through submission to the Holy Spirit allows us to achieve this impossible lift, like enormous doors swinging easily on hinges.

"'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?'

Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'

On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.'"
— Matthew 22:36-40

So, I must go from inspiration to perspiration. I must present myself so that the hard and uncomfortable work of realizing God's love WITH others can be done through me (Philippians 2:13).

It's time to "lift something."

Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, June 21, 2024.

I've shared it's been a difficult season.

I asked myself a question similar to King David's in Psalm 42:5, "Why are you cast down, O my soul?"

As life bears down, producing feelings of discouragement, I asked, "Where is the Power? Where is the eternal life -the inextinguishable life I'm supposed to have right now (and in the life to come) [John 11:25-26]?"

Then I found 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 to be true,

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed–

always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
— 2 Corinthians 4:7-10

This season demonstrates "the excellence of the power", that despite circumstances that would normally crush me,

I am not crushed.
I am not in despair.
I am not forsaken.
I am not destroyed.

Because of power that is obviously not my own, so that God is glorified.

Life is hard right now, but I have it (inextinguishable life).

The proof is the joy of the hope I have in Him.

Thank you, Jesus.

Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Jesus said that yielding life in others requires our death.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."
— John 12:24

We love quoting scripture that inspires, justifies and encourages us. But, to what end? How does it make this world any better?

Where's the light? Where's the salt? Where's the love? Where's the fruit?

For that, I need to die. It always requires death. And, it's hard. But that's the calling. That's why He says take up your cross.

But you won't readily find a sticker or plaque for that.

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

They say,

"Family are the people you're born with, but friends are the family you choose."

But, those born of God are the family that chooses you!

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him."
— 1 John 5:1

Of the things Jesus achieved through the giving of His life, His obedience even to death and the absolute victory of His resurrection, my family in Christ is a special gift for which I am most grateful.

We came together to celebrate the 75th birthday of Pearson Liddell, who, with Pepper Liddell , brought us together as a Marriage Ministry.

The Resurrection was a perfect occasion because every couple in this picture attests that we're all still married because of the Liddell's sacrifice, which only exists because of God's sacrifice of His Son and only has power because of the same power by which Jesus was able to claim the ultimate victory that we celebrate today.

We are because of what He did so we can go and do likewise, just like the Liddell's have been doing. #duehonor

Happy Resurrection Day!

*Special shout out to Joey and Alethea Burton for opening up their beautiful home and being such wonderful hosts.