Day 17 – Worship in the midst…

I apologize.  I haven’t posted in a few days.  Partly because I was busy traveling , partly because I’m lazy, and partly because I got really complacent.

In short, I got really complacent thinking that I had received all that Papa wanted me to get.  I literally cannot get over the fact, and still cannot quite fully comprehend His Omnipresent Presence – that God’s presence is always everywhere and he doesn’t come and go but I open and close myself to Him.  It has really rocked my world.

Because of that complacency, coupled with a hectic end of quarter life for a sales guy – I honestly have wasted the little time I have had – which is entirely opposite of this experiment that I set out on.

I received an encouraging note from a dear friend while I was on my trip and realized that there is at least one person walking with me on this journey.  That’s just enough accountability to get me back on track and a welcome surprise on a roadtrip.  Thank you Carl.  You’ll never know how much your note meant to me.

SO…. this morning I made time.  I realize now that I have just over four pages of stuff I’ve written today in my journal – don’t worry… I’m not going to type it all up!  🙂

Here are the salient points of today.

1.)  God never stops speaking!

This is such a salient point for me today.  Here I was – thinking that I had gotten all He was giving…   This became a predominant thought this morning – God is always speaking and always has something to say that brings life, encouragement, and revelation to me or for someone around me.

So why then do I stop listening?  Isn’t this the same fundamental question as “Why do I close myself off from his ever-present presence?”

2.) Worship in the midst…

Tonight on my run home, the same song that has so ministered to my soul “God I Look To You” by Bethel Live came on and I wanted to stop and just worship and focus on it.  But I specifically heard God tell me to keep running.  “But I just want to worship,” I said.  Then He said, ” I want you to learn to worship through it.  You have to be able to worship in the midst of it all – the good, the bad, the difficult, the trying – whatever comes.”

That is great key and revelation for me.

3.) Move toward the word…

This one has much more explaining than I can do here – but God brought to mind passages of where obedience was required BEFORE the hand of God or miracle happened.  For example when Jesus told the lepers to go to the river and do their thing and then go to the priest – their healing from leprosy happened during their obedience.  When God told Israel to cross the Jordan, the river didn’t part until they priests first stepped into the water.  The walls of Jericho only fell after complete obedience.  In the light of those examples (and I’m sure there are more – which would be an interesting study) – I am to move toward the words that God has given.

Day 13 – “meditate on these things”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

“meditate”….

I was just going over this verse again and thought I’d look into the action of this verse.  This is the command (so to speak) that Paul gives about all the things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.

Admittedly, my first thought on the word “mediate” brings out visions of sitting cross-legged, back straight, chest out, eyes closed, with my arms outstretched and my hands palms up, making “o’s” with my fingers (yes… with my pinky out!) while chanting  ‘Ohmmmmmmm‘….  I’m not sure that’s exactly what Paul meant when he chose that word.

According to Strong’s, the word translated as “meditate”  (logizomai) means: “1 to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over. 2 to reckon inward, count up or weigh the reasons, to deliberate. 3 by reckoning up all the reasons, to gather or infer.  Additional Information: This word deals with reality. If I “logizomai” or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions (emphasis added).”

The “added information” is very interesting when you couple it with the origin of the word. Logizomai is a form of “logos” which specifically deals with uttered (spoken) word by a living voice.

In several of the previous posts breaking down this passage, God showed me – and this now confirms it – that what I am to meditate on is what God says about me – not my shortcomings and past failures – as it relates to all things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. (NOTE: each word links to the previous post I did for that word)

What God says is 100% absolute truth and not supposition.  God says that all my past failures are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and forever forgotten “… as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12)” and no longer “meditate-able.’

All my past failures and shortcomings are 100% supposition, conjecture and theory

This is good news O my soul… very good news indeed….

… Running After Papa

Day 12 – His present Presence…

All day, I have continued to ponder Day 4’s revelation.

I’ve been in St. Louis the last two days on business.  We had a big custom demo to deliver today to a potentially large customer.  The room had about 12-15 people in it of many nationalities and I expect it was likely a big salad bowl of beliefs.  I didn’t ask, but I would guess there were Muslims, Buddhists, possibly a Hindu or two, and then I expect a big mix of “Protestant” faiths… probably had an atheist and an agnostic thrown in amongst the crowd.

As I began to dwell on the reality of the physical office building and conference room and that God’s presence fills up every inch of space there, I wondered why more people don’t see, know, and relate with God.

It was a similar experience on the flight home.  I’ve flown enough over the years that I get to board early, and I sat in row 10 and watched almost everyone board that plane – it is one of my favorite things to do on a flight is to watch every person board… weird, I know… I guarantee there were all kinds of faiths and non-faiths alike on that flight… even more than I listed above.  And yet, the TRUTH is this – God’s presence filled every cavity, overhead, cabin, seat-back, snack cart and square inch of that 757 including the luggage compartment and the air around the plane as we flew from St. Louis to Dallas.  Think about it… that plane flew through the presence of God from takeoff to touchdown – and yet, how many people had no idea.  Many of them don’t know, don’t acknowledge, or worse, don’t care that The God of the universe, The Creator of every living thing, is “in da house” and is right up in every one of our faces – all the time – every moment of every day – every day of our lifetime – close enough to feel the breath we breath and be tickled by our eyelashes when we blink… yet we sit there unaware…  How are we so ignorant of the truth?  How am I so ignorant of the truth of His presence?

I shudder to think of how many flights I’ve flown and been in one of those categories – didn’t know, didn’t acknowledge, didn’t care…  I cringe at how many days I’ve been on this planet and walked utterly oblivious to Him – either intentionally or in ignorance.  Thank you Lord for your mercy, your unfailing love, and your consistent, gentle presence always in my present – even when I wasn’t aware.

This contemplation has progressed to wonder why many I – and likely many in the Church – associate the presence of God with some sort of one-at-a-time experiences or “special and infrequent event”.  How many times have I said, “The presence of God was really powerful today”, or “God really showed up today in worship”…. really?

Today my question is:  When did God’s presence leave? I didn’t hear an announcement… “Attention, God has left the building…. repeat, God has left the building.” (Yes, that was an Elvis throwback for those old enough to remember…)

David wrote it best…

Psalms 139 5 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave,* you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

Paul said it similarly in Romans

Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV) 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I’ve been guilty of this.  I am currently more often than not guilty of this.  I think my theology might be askew to assume that God’s presence “comes and goes”.  I believe it was true in the Old Testament as there are numerous examples of God’s presence coming and going.  But the Scripture is fairly clear that after Jesus’ resurrection and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit – that He was here to stay.  I’ve not found where the Holy Spirit bugged out.

I’m sure I think this way because of  the Church culture and mindset in which I grew up and live in.

Take, for example, the lyrics of a LONG TIME FAVORITE worship song… One I have lead many times.

I`m here to meet with you
Come and meet with me
I`m here to find you,
reveal yourself to me

As I wait, you make me strong
As I long, draw me to your arms
As I stand and sing your praise
You come, you come and you fill this place
Won`t you come, Won`t you come and fill this place

"MEET WITH ME" BY TEN SHEKEL SHIRT

Did you catch the lyrics… “won’t you come, won’t you come and fill this place?”

Didn’t we already establish that God’s presence is everywhere, all the time, every day of our lives?

To where is He going to come… or go for that matter?  Is He or is He not Omnipresent?

Yes, I’ve had a major shift in my perspective and understanding and ultimately my Theology.  Instead of viewing God presence as “come and go,” as my current theology-view is, I think it to be more accurate to say ” I CHOOSE to recognize and live in His ever-present presence” or “I CHOOSE to ignore His ever-present presence”.

Psalms 46:1 (NIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Regardless of what I CHOOSE – the TRUTH is that His Presence is still present and is always everywhere…

I’m choosing to live in His present presence….  Lord, open the eyes of my heart to always recognize and see your Presence in my present.

… Running After Papa

 

God I Look To You

I was running the other night listening to a new worship CD from Bethel Live called “Be Lifted High (Live)” and was so overwhelmed with this song I had to stop running just to worship… needless to say, I repeated that song all they way home.

I’ve you’ve been keeping up with the last 11 days of my quest, you’ll understand just how hard this song hit me.

I encourage you to close your eyes, listen and sing along with it… it will change your life when you really start processing the words to the song.

YouTube: God I Look To You – Bethel Church

I highly recommend the entire CD, it’s fantastic.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of this one.

… Running After Papa

Day 11 – Here in Your Presence…

Today was a really busy day.  I was supposed to be at the airport by 7:30 to meet “The Airport Valet” who picks up my car.  I set my alarm for 5 am so I could get up and read and have some time alone with God while the house was quiet and before I had to go.  That would leave myself plenty of time to pack and get out the door by  6:30 or so…

Problem…

It appears I “snoozed” my alarm OFF and (thank the Lord) woke up at 6:20.  Yes – I had 10 minutes to get dressed, clothes packed, computer packed and out the door….

I left by 6:40… world record time.  I really hope I remembered to pack everything today!  Anyway from the time I landed in St. Louis, I hit the ground running with 3 different meetings in various “suburbs” of St. Louis.

The point is this – I didn’t get time to pursue Him today like I wanted to, but He did continue to bring up Day 4’s revelation… so I just meditated on it.  I verbally said many times today “I acknowledge that I am in Your Presence here (in this car, in this office, on this highway, etc.).  Help me to see, hear, understand and receive it.  Help me to live it.”

By my 3rd meeting, I really began to physically, emotionally, and spiritually feel His presence with me… even driving in the 5 o’clock traffic in my rental car on a highway outside of St. Louis, Missouri.

Tonight – in the hotel room – the TV is off.  The Bible is open and I plan to spend some quality time with my Daddy.

Day 9 – “… any virtue… anything praiseworthy…”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Virtuous and praiseworthy….

Paul is really getting down to brass tacks here.  If you remember, each of the “whatevers” have implied something – my words, others, my actions, how ‘in tune’ I am with Christ, my close relationships, received and given blessings – which brings us to here.  Today’s “whatever” words mean exactly what I think they do.  They deal with me – my inner man.  “Any virtue” is a direct shot at the character and morals of my life.  Character and morals are things that can be easily hidden and glossed over.  John Eldredge – in his book, Wild at Heart – calls it “posing.”

Who I really am is something only God really knows. (Jeremiah 17:8).

It would be really easy to begin meditating on my inner man and listen to the lies of the enemy trying to define me by what I have done in the past.  I think this is why Paul qualifies that we are to meditate on “anything praiseworthy.” Romans clearly says that I have “…fallen short of the glory of God…” and that’s not what defines me. The redemptive blood and resurrection of Jesus is what defines me as a son of God.  Through Jesus, I am a Son.  Through his resurrection, I am an heir.  See Gal 4:6-7 – the verse I based this entire blog on. It is also found in Romans 8:14-18.  That’s who I am.

Colossians 3 in The Message is a great chapter in defining that new life and who I am.

When it all comes down to it, that’s all that is really virtuous in me is Jesus.  All that is really praiseworthy is Christ.  Again, I go back to Galatians 2:20 (Like I’ve said before, I always end up here…)

Gal 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

My character – my morals – are all rooted in Christ living in me.

“… any virtue… anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

… Running After Papa

Day 8 – “whatever things are of good report”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Good Report.

Looking deeper into this word, I’m intrigued at what I think it means.  My best interpretation means blessings  – words of blessings.  The Greek word for it means “uttering words of good omen, speaking auspiciously.”  Auspiciously?  What the…. Huh?

I hate it when I have to get the dictionary out to define a word in a definition….  Auspiciously means “affording a favorable auspice : PROPITIOUS”

Ahhh… got it.  It’s all crystal clear now…

(For those of you like me who are scratching your head and wishing you’d have paid attention in High School English class – “auspice” means “a prophetic sign, especially a  good sign” and “propitious” means “favorably disposed; a good omen; tending to favor” – Hmmm… why couldn’t they just say that to begin with?)

Wow – I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally meditated on spoken blessings.  I”ve received words from people that have encouraged and blessed me and I’ve given words to others that I pray had the same effect.  But I’m not sure I’ve often been intentional about meditating on those words – either those given to me or those to give away.

I can see how that could change my perspective… dwelling on encouraging things… looking and praying for encouragement for others…. Yes, that would be a good thing.  That would be a VERY good thing.

I like it.  Today I will meditate on those things of good report.

…Running After Papa

 

Day 6 – “whatever things are lovely”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Lovely.

I am expecting that this could take a while to put this post together, given the word “lovely” and how it relates to “love” and the millions of references and inferences I could make on the topic.

However, as I look at the Greek word behind “lovely”, which is prosphiles [pros·fee·lace], I am intrigued that this is the only time in Scripture that this form of this word is used.  The only verse in the over 31,000 verses in the Bible, that uses this form of this word.  I find that interesting and difficult as there is nothing else to compare it to and infer deeper meaning or implications…  You know me, I like doing that…

Strong’s concordance presumes this is a compound word from two other words – “pros” and “phileo” (now that one is familiar…)

Pros translates into “unto” 340 times and “to” 203 times.  But it is another form of the word “pro” which basically means “before”.

Phileo means “to love’; to approve of; to treat affectionately or kindly; a kiss;”  and is a form of philos which means “friend; companion; one of the bridegroom’s friends who on his behalf asked the hand of the bride and rendered him various services in closing the marriage and celebrating the nuptials.”  Let’s just say this isn’t the same as being “friended” on Facebook!  Nor is this the same standard by which my kids explain their relationships.

I remember many years ago when we went on a family vacation to Destin, Florida.  One day we were hanging at the beach and one of my daughters (who was 4 or 5 at the time)  met some other little kid on the beach and they played for an hour or so.  When she finally came over to where were sitting for some water, I asked her who she was playing with and she replied confidently and without hesitation, “My friend.”  I asked her what her friend’s name was and she paused,  looked back over her shoulder at the child on the beach, stared for a couple of seconds, and looked back at me and said, “I don’t know,” got her water and ran back over to play with her nameless friend.

No, this word “philos” is much more than that.  It implies a close association, an intimacy on a deeper level.  A relationship that has been proven trustworthy over time.  I have to admit, I would have to really trust someone to have them propose on my behalf and “help me out” during the nuptials…. I mean come on! It’s the kind of friendship (although fictional) portrayed by Lucy and Ethyl in “I Love Lucy.”

So – for me – today’s meditation is specific to those close and intimate relationships I have – those different than any of my acquaintances, associates, and Facebook friends.

I think the meditation (at least in part) opens the eyes of my heart to the goodness of my God in giving me these relationships – with my wife, my children, my parents, my sister and family, those few really close men whom I consider as brothers.  When I think about and am (as The Message version puts it) “filling my mind and meditating on” those lovely things – my heart is filled with gratitude and thankfulness, as it’s not about quantity – but about quality.  When I meditate on those relationships my heart wants to nurture, nourish and not neglect them – as it is so easy for me to take them for granted.

My life filter continues to grow.  First it was “true” – which pertains to my words – which overflow from my heart.  Next it was “noble” – which pertains to my actions. The Paul added “just” – which pertains towards others and my overall outwardly actions.  Yesterday I was undone over “pure” which is in relation to myself and how “in tune” I am with Jesus (and quite honestly this might get another post!).  Today I’ve discovered that “lovely” is specific to those relationships closest to me.

“…whatever things are lovely… meditate on these things.”

…Running After Papa

Day 5 – “whatever things are pure”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Pure.

Merriam Webster’s a.(1)  definition of “pure” is: “unmixed with any other matter.”

Just contemplating the meaning of that is enough to end this post here.

Galatians 2:20 (my life verse) says that I’ve been crucified and it is no longer I who lives , but Christ lives in me.

Pure… Christ lives in me…  “unmixed with any other matter”  Hmmm…. need I say more?

Webster’s 2nd definition of “pure” is “being free from harshness and roughness and being in tune“ – there is a whole sermon in that statement…. so many thing are running through my mind on how that is so applicable to me.

  1. “… free from harshness or roughness…” – If I am the hands of Jesus, are my hands rough and calloused, or are they soft and tender?   Is my demeanor abrasive and or irritating (don’t answer that!) or am I gentle and accepting, forgiving and seeing the best in those around me, like Jesus did with the group of misfits he made into disciples.
  2. “… being in tune…” – Being a worshiper and musician I so understand and relate to this… how being just the slightest bit out of tune can absolutely ruin a melody.  How often am I ruining the song Jesus wants to sing through me by being out of tune?   Looking deeper into the sound waves – the basis of what we hear – it begs the question, “Do I resonate with the Master?”  The more I look at this, the more interesting it gets….

The Anatomy of a Sound Wave

 

The wavelength is the distance from one peak of a wave to the next.

Frequency – what most of us call “pitch” – is a measure of waves in a given space of time.  It’s measured in Hertz (Hz).  For example, a note with the frequency of 440 Hz (the note, A) means that 440 pulses occur in one second.

Amplitude is the measure of the amount of energy in a wave – basically, how loud it is — and is measured in decibels (Db).

Enough of the science/music lesson.  The point is that it is EASY to not be “in tune” with the Lord – I’ve got at least three ways to be out of sync: wavelength, frequency and amplitude.  The only way, my wavelength, frequency, and amplitude can match His is if I am ABSENT from the sound wave and it is ONLY HIS SOUND.  When I am involved, I just mess up His sound, get out of sync and make the note that much less pure.

Musically, it’s called dissonance… yet another interesting definition from Webster:

dis•so•nance \ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s\ noun
1      a : lack of agreement especially : inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one’s actions and one’s beliefs — compare COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
b : an instance of such inconsistency or disagreement
2      : a mingling of discordant sounds especially : a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord
Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Lack of agreement… inconsistency… clashing or unresolved musical intervals (frequency of wavelengths) or chords.  I go back to Galatians 2:20 (it seems that all roads lead to this verse for me) – “…this life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God…“

I challenge you to look up the word “pure” in the dictionary – skip the Greek, let’s just focus on the English definition today – and apply each and every definition under “pure” to your spiritual walk.

“… whatever things are pure… meditate on these things.”

Be careful to remember what Paul says here – “…meditate on these things…”

I’m not supposed to dwell on how impure I am – how out of tune I’ve become – how much I’ve mixed myself into this life that Jesus is supposed to be living in me.  No, I’m supposed to meditate on “… whatever things are pure…” – which in my simple mind, is only Jesus… nothing much else.

“… whatever things are pure… meditate on these things.”

…Running After Papa

Day 4b – Always in God’s Presence…

This is why I love running!  God has my complete attention.

During my run tonight, I was talking to Papa and just praying for His presence and more of Him when he reminded me of the passage in Romans 8:38-39 (yes, I had to look up the reference when I got home!)

Rom 8:38-39 (ESV) 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here are His words to me: “I am everywhere, all the time.  I am omni-present, all the time.  There is no mountain too high, no ocean too deep, no desert too wide, no star too far that I am not there.  You cannot escape My Presence.  You don’t need my Presence to come to you, you need the eyes of your heart opened to recognized that YOU ARE ALWAYS IN MY PRESENCE!”

WOW! I was immediately reminded of Ephesians 1 (yes, I knew this reference because I attempted to memorize this chapter once) when Paul prayed for the “... eyes of their hearts to be opened…” to know the hope of His calling.

That may be old news to some of you, but my soul awakened with those life-giving words from my Abba!

Run on, soul…. run on!

…Running After Papa

** Post Script **

It’s 11:15 and has been a couple of hours since my run and epiphany.  As I finished a book I’m reading, (The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning) the end of the book has 19 devotionals (which I’ll be doing of the next few weeks).

The first devotional’s reading is all of  Psalms 139.  I’ve included a few verses that literally made me giggle and God’s craftiness and timing – given the events and revelation during my run tonight (a few hours previous)…

Psalm 139:7-12 (NLT) 7 I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence! 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. 9 If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 10 even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. 11 I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— 12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

God cracks me up.  His timing is impeccable.  I guess this was my great revelation today… I can never escape the presence of God.  He is everywhere, regardless of whether or not I realize, acknowledge, or feel his presence – He is here!
*** Post Post Script *** – June 18, 2011

While running today what God spoke a couple of days ago is absolutely changing my worldview, my faith-view, and quite possibly some portion of my theology… more to come in a separate post…  Unbelievable!