Awe

Awe

Pause today…read slowly…savor each thought…and worship!

God, You live forever—You have no beginning and no end.

fire punchBy Your word, the foundations of the world were laid.

Mountains tremble, and the heavens bow at Your command.

Your lightning reaches the ends of the earth. Your thunder roars wondrously.

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and their expanse declares the works of His hands.

From Your breath ice is made, and the great expanse of the waters is frozen.

With moisture You load the thick clouds and change their direction.

Beautiful cloudscape over the seaWho else can spread out the skies like a molten mirror when the sun goes down?

Who else could lay the foundation of the earth, setting its measurements in perfect balance?

You enclosed the sea with doors, placing boundaries on it, saying here your proud waters stop.

You have entered the springs of the sea and walked in the deep recesses of the earth.

Dollarphotoclub_701202421-1024x787You have seen the storehouses of the snow and hail, and know their time of release.

You bring rain showers on the desert and satisfy the desolate land.

You create dew, making the seeds of grass and grain to sprout.

photo 7You lead forth a constellation in its season, binding the chains of Pleiades and the cords of Orion.

You arranged the ordinances of the heavens and fixed their rule over the earth.

You satisfy the appetite of the young lion, and know the time the mountain goats give birth.

horseGod, You see the ostrich flap her wings joyously, and have given the horse his might.

By Your understanding, You made a hawk to soar and caused the eagle to nest on high.

Your voice shakes the wilderness but also makes the deer calve.

All this speaks of Your wonder and majesty, things too wonderful for me!Continue reading

Finessing Love

Finessing Love

Picture four people at a bridge table. The deck is dealt, the cards sorted.

After a moment, the first bid is spoken. “Two clubs.” It’s a fairly strong pitch.

The next player doesn’t hesitate. “Four hearts,” he says, stunning everyone.

After that, the third and fourth players pass. All three look at the original bidder. Going to five clubs would be over the top, but it could mean less of a loss. A decision is weighed. The outcome remains unknown.

The gist of that scene came from a dream. Because dreams are highly symbolic, think with me about possible interpretations.

Justice and truth are necessary forces in the world.

Justice and truth are necessary forces in the world.

What if Hearts, Diamonds, Clubs, and Spades stood for different forces at work in our world? Hearts would obviously embody love, mercy, and grace. Diamonds could signify wealth or greed. Perhaps Spades represent labor, as the word is synonymous with “shovel.” Spade, if seen as a spear, might symbolize war. And what if Clubs pointed to the power of government and the rule of law. All these forces profoundly affect the human story.

In addition, bidding in a bridge game determines the trump suit. In the same way, how do forces of love, mercy, grace, wealth, greed, labor, war, government and law shape our lives? Does one trump the other depending on circumstance?

This particular dream highlighted Hearts and Clubs and could portray the tension of love, mercy, and grace—versus—truth, justice and righteousness. The human condition requires that both “hands are played,” but this difficult balance has brought turmoil through the ages.

As believers, our challenge is to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Being “just” in our behavior toward others is not the same a bringing justice on others. If we don’t understand the difference, we may get branded as judgmental—a popular adjective, marring Christians today.

Pastor and teacher, Rick Joyner, gave keen insight on that distinction. Continue reading