Oils on this Canvas

God had us in mind from the beginning.
He created the oils, the canvas, and painted a beautiful picture.
We are that picture.

Spread the Good News.

The Barbarian Way

"The cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out - until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels." Exodus 40:34-38

The civilized build shelters and invite God to stay with them; barbarians move with God wherever He chooses to go. The civilized Christian has a routine; the barbarian disciple has a mission. The civilized believer knows the letter of the law; the barbarian disciple lives the spirit of the law. The religiously civilized love tradition; the barbarians spirit loves challenges. The civilized are satisfied with ritual; barbarians live and thrive in the mystical. For the civilized disciple, religion provides stability and certainty; for the barbarian, a life in God is one of risk and mystery.
And maybe even a little insanity. There's no way to escape that barbarians can appear out of their minds. No reasonable person would ever fully follow God everywhere He calls. God is simply unreasonable. (from the book: The Barbarian Way by Erwin Raphael McManus * Published by Nelson Books)

May we all choose "The barbarian way!"

My son, do not forget

"My son, do not forget my teachings, but let you heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, so you will find favor and understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:1-6

After fourteen years of giving every word of advice to my son, I still feel that I haven't done or said enough to help him face the world on his own. So many things run through my brain and I wonder if I was able to communicate it to him....just in case he came across a situation where he would have to make a decision that could possibly change his life. How do you let go?

I was reading today and ran across the scripture above. Did I teach my son the commandments? I know I lived it...but was he watching? Did he recognize the ways of the Lord...or was I just a little too human and wasn't the example that he needed to see?

I remember when I was young and left home. I'm sure my parents wondered about me! I'm sure they were afraid that I never listened or cared about their faith. But I did. It was bound around my neck and written on the tablets of my heart - though I may have not felt or seen them, I know I certainly tried to ignore them, but there it was. And one day tragedy happened and God came. His Word came and melted my heart and His Love came and covered me in such mercy and grace that I was overwhelmed by His compassion. Then I knew. This was Truth. This is what my life was created for. To love and serve God. I wait patiently for that day to see the same for our sons. That day will come. God promised.

Hot or cold?

"To the messenger of the church in Laodicea, write: The amen, the witness who is faithful and true the source of God's creation, says: I know what you have done, you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I'm rich. I'm wealthy. I don't need anything. 'Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

I advise you: Buy gold purified in fire from me so that you may be rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them so that you may keep your shameful, naked body from showing. Buy ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act. Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together. I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 13: 14-22

I think as we read what the Spirit says to the church of Laodicea, we recognize that many of us have become a part of that church. We have given into the teachings of man, rather than listening to the heart of God. We compromise our call by being neither hot or cold in our walk with Jesus. We perform religion rather than living our lives being led by the Spirit.

The day is coming, and even here, as followers of Christ are being silenced by the religions of the world. Will we continue to be silent? Will we dare to die to self and live for Christ? Let us all join in the battle and love as Jesus loved...without compromising our faith and the Truth. Choose to be hot or cold...being lukewarm is not an option.