Union in Christ

There is nothing in comparison to the sheer unutterable joy a soul finds in communion with Christ. It is a bond of completion that sanctions a souls freedom. A freedom abounding in love and  unending grace. It is a union of consummation making manifest the magnitude of His glory. To Him be all the glory due His name forever and ever. Amen.

His Kingdom Beckons

         Abandoned, neglected, and forsaken a child lies faint in their own excretion. Crying is no more a call than the incessant rain infiltrating through the near by window. This filthy perturbing scene has become accustomed as home. Fortunately, this child is in the process of adoption. As the adopted father carries his new found child out those depressing doors to feel the sun's warmth glisten on their face for the first time, the child reaches back to the orphanage with languish. Sadly, this child knows not what fruitful and abundant life lies in front of them.
         Is it not the same for us as we cling to the filthy pleasures of this world when there is abundant life to be lived? The Bible asserts that we are the adopted children of God, "He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will." (Ephesians 1:5 NASB) God's Kingdom is at our feet, yet we reach back to familiarity and comfort. May we run together as His children, to the kindred hands that predestined us for adoption and there find fullness in His all-sufficient love.

Reflection of Russell Moore's Adopted For Life.

True Identity

Humanity is caught in a perpetual state of self-discovery. Who am I? What is my purpose? From the Bible, theologians extract the doctrine "Original Sin". This is the notion that we are all born into sin. Impure at conception.  Given this understanding, at birth we inherit a "false self". An illusion of our created purpose. A hedonistic egotistical self blinds us from our true identity. This considered, what then is our "true identity"? The bible is very specific to this question. Paul writes, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) Christ is the immaculate propitiation to the sinful and impure self we inhabit. It is He that enables us to step into our true identity, as heirs,  sons and daughters to the Almighty Creator.We must lose our inherent false selves and cling to the this truth! It is then we begin to discover the authentic self our Designer intended. As for purpose? Walk humbly. Do Justice. Love Mercy. (Micah 6:8) Be JESUS. In Him is where we discover our conclusive satisfaction. This brings Him great glory! As John Piper states, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him". This is our identity and purpose, His glory. I revel in awe of this candid truth. I pray this be encouragement as it has been to myself. Let us go forth embracing our true Identity, Christ.

"But whatever is in God is really identical with Him, for His infinite simplicity admits no division and no distinction. Therefore I cannot hope to find myself anywhere except in Him." (Merton 35)

A reflection of Thomas Merton's New Seeds of Contemplation

Reign

Be Thou my passion Lord my one Desire
Kindle afresh in me Your holy fire
Consume to ashes all plans save Thine own
King of Creation come reign here alone

This verse so beautifully articulates the ardent prayer of my heart. If only we allowed the God of the universe reign in our lives... Nonetheless we settle, finding our solace in mere worldly things. A superfluous life of monotony repressing the extraordinary. We cling to it for its accessibility and familiarity. It is there we are comfortable. God is our COMFORT. That is one of His incessant promises throughout His word (Jeremiah 8:18, Psalm 23, Isaiah 51, 2 Corinthians 1:3, etc.). Therefore, let Him reign that our lives be transformed; that we may be used to our full potential of the intentions of our Designer. We have the contingency to take part in the commission He is accomplishing here on earth! We are much to easily satisfied.

Thine be the glory forever amen.

Inspired

My mind, heart and soul have been inspired and challenged. This spiritual awakening has been rendered in the life story of Kisses From Katie. I encourage anyone to read this 21 year old girls amazing story which is only made possible through the grace of God and a willing heart. It is a visible reminder of the incredible sustenance God has for his children. All it takes is a simple answer, yes.

Thanks Katie. Blessings.

Seeking Rest

A downward spiral of worries infects my sanity
Lifting my feet of the ground yet restrained by gravity
I stroll along...

One step after the other traction dissipates
Ambition carries me further surrendered in fate
Where to go...
Where to turn...
I'm lost.

Weary and burdened I come.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 28:11

Jealousy & Selfish Ambition

There is nothing quit enjoyable as living amidst the Lord's benediction. Though in this place, we inherently neglect to acknowledge the myriad of blessings God has so graciously surrounded us with. Contemptuously, lost in jealousy and selfish ambition. This leads only to a life filled with destruction and chaos. (James 3:15-16) Why is it contentment is so difficult to maintain? God has appointed each of us for a specific innate purpose in accomplishing His dominion. This is easy to lose sight of. It is pertinent that we establish a perpetual reminder; we all carry our individual role, ordained by God, as contributory to His dominion. May we find our complete contentment in God and His benediction... that He may be glorified to the fullest.