Watching the Invisible

In the last several weeks, God has been doing some amazing things in our church sanctuary. Sometimes on Sunday morning, Saturday night and even Wednesday nights. It's as if He shows up and is asking "May I?" If we respond with, "yes!", He works in incredible ways. It's awesome to see - and yet I wonder about what is NOT being seen. Since faith "is the evidence of things not seen," God is doing so much more than what is visible. Makes me wonder if part of the joy of heaven will be in the ability to see all that God is doing. Just some ramblings.

Ground Zero

It's 5:10 pm and in less than one hour, over 75 kids (grades 5 on up) will descend upon us. It's been a hectic day and yet that's normal for Wednesdays. I'm not surprized by this.

What surprizes me are the "moments of prayer" that seem to come when I can least afford to do anything. I'm busy with three things at once and then suddenly, there's a burden to pray and lift up a situation that may not even be connected to any of my three current projects.

God is so amazing that He can multi-task my heart and keep me attached to the most important things - even when I'm busy with good things (that usually are not most important).

Back in the saddle

Back from a great time with Connie in Florida. Awesome to hold a handful of sand and remember that "more than the grains of sand" are God's thoughts toward me. Unbelievable. His creation is amazing and hidden unless time is taken to look at it. A simple seashell shows creative love. It reminded me of His intentional attention toward me.

"We have become believers rather than experiencers. To know God in the Scriptures always went beyond information to intimacy. We may find ourselves uncomfortable with this reality, but the faith of the Scriptures is an invisible reality. We become connected to the God of eternity. Who you are at the core is spirit. God is spirit. To walk with god is to journey in the spiritual realm." (Erwin McManus)

Watching and praying for friends

My work with youth, at my advanced years, reminds me of the balancing act of serving. Either extreme is useless. Too much service and they depend on you for their spiritual health and protection (rather than on Jesus). Too little service and all they see is me - which can be a false portrayal of Jesus.

The need for balance drives me to my knees - daily. Even now, after a significant event with several youth, I find myself agonizing over their daily choices. Although I have known this for years, I'm reminded that my only recourse is prayer. Hard and steady. My favorite prayer becomes, "God, just show them the truth."