SafetySuit: life left to go

There's something so familiar about this song. Maybe it's the depth of sadness and longing that permeates this song. From the melody to the lyrics there is an all too familiar melancholy that pulses. When I listen to it, the lyrics resonate with the deeply broken areas of my soul because I know what it feels like to be in a crowd of people and still feel alone and forgotten. No one deserves to be alone. "Sometimes the edge serves as more than a friend than you thought it would be. And the pages you write in your journal each night are your only release." Loneliness is so horrible because it goes against the very reason God created us: He created us for relationship, both with Him and with one another. We were created in love and for love. A love which can only be fully expressed and experience through relationships.

Lately, I have been inspired by Jason Ma who has been on this mission of 365 days of love. From my understanding he is being intentional about loving people everyday for 365 days. When I read about his exploits of love there's something within me that wants to be both the recipient of this love and the giver of this love. There is something so powerfully good and right about hearing a kind and compassionate word from a stranger or experiencing personally love in action. I feel like in these moments, Heaven literally kisses earth. Scripture says that we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). So, the more I experience God's love for me, the more I will be inspired to love others more richly, deeply and fully. "But there's no pain you feel that I know love can't heal, here at all." I believe this because I have experienced healing love first hand.

Every person has value because we have all been uniquely created by God in His image. So even though you may or may not know me, what I do know is that this world would dim a little without you in it. God has given all of us a voice and I hope and pray that you find yours. "I'm begging you no, there's more life left to go. I'm begging you please, cause I don't want you to leave." When you're feeling all alone in this world, this is my prayer for you: That God would bring people into your life to tell you, "I know you'll smile again." That God would bring someone special into your life who loves spending time with you because they love you for you. Even more, I pray that you would literally feel in the very depths of your being God's unconditional love for you. And that you would hear Him say to you: "I see you and I love you! And the failures you see don't seem failures to me here at all."

A Seeker's Return (chapters 27-29 of 29)

27. In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                  The sweet scent of Your love
                          will still make my pulse race.


      In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                  The tender flavor of Your Goodness
                          will still send me yearning for Righteousness.


      In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                  The gentleness of Your Kind Voice
                          will still ease the burdens of my day.


      In the twilight of my years
          I will still long for Your Presence.
                   The everlasting vision of Your Holiness
                          will still my pounding, excited heart.


      In the twilight of my years
          Your Presence will still fully satisfy,
                  ceaselessly quenching the thirst of my soul.


28. I love Your passion
      I love Your courage
      I love Your loving Holy Spirit
            and the way He loves me.


      I love Your patience
      I love Your kindness
      I love Your gentle Holy Spirit
            and the way He cares for me.


      I love Your compassion
      I love Your graciousness
      I love Your faithful Holy Spirit
            and the way He reassures me.


      I love Your humility
      I love Your justice
      I love Your peaceful Holy Spirit
            and the way He purifies me.


      I love Your goodness
      I love Your self-control
      I love Your joyful Holy Spirit
            and the way He understands me.


            I love You today
            as You loved me yesterday
            as we will love each other tomorrow.


29. Epilogue: In a luminous night sky with shooting stars racing across the heavenly realms, angels dance radiantly amongst the clouds in preparation for the triumphant return of the Son.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 24-26 of 29)

24. Big fat heavy droplets of rain fall from the heavens, threatening to wash away the guilt and sorrow that lines my earthen vessel. In a loving caress, intense electrical charges explode with grace, shocking my flesh into submission while an Angel of the Lord soars brightly along side of me rebuking tormenting evil, for Christ’s name sake. Softly staring at me with loving-kindness, unmoving yet full of life, vibrantly Eternal, You have fulfilled my deepest desire which is to be with You.

25. Kneeling in prayer, I uplift others who are lost in this evil, depraved world, hoping that all reach the peaceful sanctuary of the golden streets of Heaven, “Where God will live with man. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty the Lord will give drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and the Lord will be his God and he will be the Lord’s son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderous, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all the liars – their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever (Rev. 21:3b, 4, 6, 7, 8; 22:3-5).

26. Your Word soothes my worrisome spirit as we approach the finish line of this race, reaffirming the convictions within my heart. Quietly, without reproach, a thunderous hum of vibrating angel wings fills the heavens, crescendo with the roaring cheers from the multitudes of Heavenly hosts as we cross over as one.

A transcending peace that knows no bounds overwhelms me. Without the sinful trappings of my fallen flesh You welcome me into Your rest. In my inheritance I am now to live as the sweet fragrance of Your goodness envelops me completely, refreshing and rejuvenating my soul for its final flight Heavenward. To completion You have carried me through, my Companion, my Counselor, my Friend. I am within Peace, as a powerful Arm lifts us home.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 20-23 of 29)

20. In repose, walking upon the shores of an evening sea, thoughts of You pressing on my heart relax me. Nightly I walk along this sandy stretch of beach towards a peaceful private alcove. I cherish the quiet personal moments that I spend with You there. I’ve come to anticipate with baited breath this time. You help me to release the frustrations of the day. The long walk ends with the sweet vision of You, waiting.

Welcoming me with open arms, I fall deeply into Your embrace. Your deep caresses soothe the burdens that weigh heavily upon my soul. Soft reassuring whispers warm my heart. From deep within my soul, a radiant glow wells up and begins to shine; with diligence it grows. Our bond of love is strengthening and growing with each encounter.

21. Awakened by Your gentle touch, I sit up with the warm rays of the sun beaming on me. With You by my side I am at peace. Together we walk along the paths of life openly talking of my struggles. Anxiously I share with You my moments of awakenings. Eagerly I admit my moments of doubt, knowing that I grow with each faltering step. Gently You speak to me in warm reassuring tones, easing my mind, setting my soul to rest in peaceful bliss where poetic hymns flow from musical lips making all who have ears to hear rejoice with a bold love, filling the air with childlike laughter and bringing tears to the ones with hearts like lions.

22. Kneeling before the Light of Righteousness, I am strengthened by Your radiant love; it fills me with hope. You beckon me to rise, but I dare not move a muscle for I am unworthy to be in Your Presence. Weighed down by self-inflicted guilt, Your love penetrates the fallacy, evaporating the fabricated mask of condemnation.

23. Together with the breaking of the dawn we contemplate the day’s trials. Standing in the morning sun, You steady my hand as we tend to all events, helping me along when I am weakened by my own futile efforts. The chiming of the bells echoes high noon to my worn spirit; Your gentle Hand holds my elbow, steadying me as I stumble. Wiping the beads of sweat that have formed on my brow, Your reassuring Presence eases the toils of the morning. Gently, You speak to me in warm tones, filling me with confidence. Refreshed and undaunted we stride to the next challenge, Your brilliance shining as opposing dark clouds roll on in. In renewal we stand as one before it all. Our blessed union heralds a masterpiece in the making. Together we are invincible, for You have already won.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 16-19 of 29)

16. Shining in the morning’s light, Your Spirit encircles me. Slowly caressing my delicate face brushing away the tears that stream down, Your kind love cradles my heart. My spirit quickens at Your touch, stoking the fire that now burns eagerly for You. Joy takes me by surprise. My heart smiles as dark clouds part opening the heavens, basking us in warm rays of devotion. Comfort fills my soul; peace and calm endure when You are near. Laughter escapes unexpectedly from my lips, sending tremors that rattle and shake the foundation of my pain.

17. Seizures quake through my flesh, shattering and setting it afire. Like thunderous waves on a winter ocean, Your passion crashes down upon me. I shiver in anticipation awaiting the next cataclysmic surge. The sureness of Your touch quenches me, slaying me as Your radiant Spirit flows all around me. Desperately, I call out Your Name. Faithfully, Your love guards my heart; sheltering me in a shimmering prism of devotion with rainbow hued emotions interweaving their luster, highlighting this moment of rapture. In this flaring emotional release, the chill that binds my bones melts, soothing my conflicted flesh while a blinding light engulfs me as the Holy Spirit fills me.

18. At rest in Your loving arms, You quietly sit with me, soothing my weary soul. Your gentle fingertips lovingly caress my hardened spirit, softening it. Your blazing eyes ignite through me, melting the coldness that envelops my heart, vivifying the flame that burns deep within, easing the deep ache inside my chest as they watch with a panoramic gaze. Your radiating love liquefies me making me pliable and ready to be poured. Cool breezes of love fan this metamorphosis into faithfulness billowing me towards the shelter that I seek as my soul relaxes in the cool comforts of peace. “Open my heart so I hear Your Word; speak to me plainly so there’s no misunderstanding.” Filled with compassion, the loving Holy Spirit comforts my heart-felt sighs. With unending patience You pursue me, easing my longing and refueling my zest for life as Your Eternal Spirit communes with mine.

19. Joined together, the union of our spirits spins past, serenely they are interlocked through Everlasting love. This Love radiates like an inferno, melting the chains of bondage. The hot air blasts through the long forgotten cobwebs of regret. Dancing to the highest mountaintops, skipping from peak to peak with blind abandon, we soar through the clouds, hot jet wash in our wake. At the crescendo of this maiden voyage, we stall in mid air to enjoy the vast horizon that is Your footstool. In that elated moment, all that I once held so precious dissipates to the four winds forever lost to oblivion. I am finally filled with a purer sense of freedom.

Together at last, Your Presence takes my breath away. Joined in this Eternal blessed union of love, my heart whispers in humble devotion. In this moment of Divine intervention warmth swells in my chest as my heart and mind unite. In that moment I lose myself to Your Grace – Breathless.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 12-15 of 29)

12. Guided by Your sweet melody I drift through this endless maze turning left and then turning right, searching for the source of this charismatic song. Obstacles that once hindered are no more; hurdles that once obstructed are of no challenge. I walk a rhythmic shuffle as to not miss a beat, the magnetic chorus gravitating to all on this seeker’s quest. My mind fills with new thoughts while fresh, yet familiar longings pour from my heart. “Surround me with Your peacefulness, whirl through me with Your kindness, twirl through me with Your gentleness, swirl through me with Your joyfulness, envelop my heart with Your faithful love.”

13. Your sweet Voice floats effortlessly through the deep folds of my mind, catching and caressing the troubled thoughts, making them disappear. Reaching out to me with love and affection, an image of You burns into my mind’s eye, permanently engraving Your face onto my soul. “Whisper to me the story of Your life, teaching me Your ways. Talk to me with the gentleness of a Lamb; hold me in Your loving arms, warming me in Your heavenly embrace. Shelter me in Your protective sanctuary, radiate Your goodness straight and true, press Your heart against mine and pour Your love into my soul.”

14. “Call Me into the deeper folds of your heart, let Me fill the puncture wounds that riddle throughout. The pumping sensation you feel is the healing process of My love that will slowly fill all that you are.”

15. Your Voice sound like home as it resonates through the cavernous tombs of my heart where my sins cower in shame. Calling out, Your kindness draws them out. Compelled by Your love and by Your grace, I confess for the Kingdom of God has come near to me. Day one.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 8-11 of 29)

8. My being yearns to be touched, which brings me to tears when You are near. My love reaches out to You like a babe to a mother’s breast. In impatient impulse I seek out whatever will satisfy, which sends my spirit gravitating towards another. Shackled to the post of this other’s bed, I sit longingly waiting to be fulfilled. Hunger pains pinch and pierce my spirit, the deep ache never appeased. The longing to be satisfied is released into the cosmos, only to return to me still in need. “Where are you, Lover?”

9. A pristine picture is coming together within the jigsaw puzzle that is my mind. A multitude of colors blending and swirling fills my thoughts with this new vision. Your robe is flowing lightly in a gentle breeze and with kind eyes You gaze lovingly into mine, sending my heart fluttering towards Yours. The warmth of love surrounds me as I drift closer to You. Pulled together with purpose, the magnetism of Your Spirit creates an ionic bond between us. This new awakening, frightening yet fascinating, makes my heart sing.

Time speeds on, laying in its wake the faithless and the heartless that clash like rams vying for position on the mountain, brutally pummeling each other into submission. Strategically and methodically their maneuvering presses onward this conflict to becoming one. The sweet scent of freedom fills the air, mixing with my own poisonous musky essence.

10. My heart lays exposed, naked, the tragedy of my life plays as an old 8mm reel flickers and pops into action revealing the travesty of a scorned life in perpetual motion. The frames slow as the drama unfolds, revealing a mass of celestial beings jostling for position with sublime elbows, each taking its position, each playing its part while curious travelers pass on by in wonderment. One by one passing travelers pause in concern as the tragedy unfolds. Long lingering moments flit on by in silence. In distorted reality the remake mimics the truth; each memory is gnarled and twisted with shame. In unison, in an endless parade of regrets, offense after offense gets played on the rewind.

11. Painfully I press on, lost in the swirling winds of my mind. Foraging through the drawers of my thoughts, my existence is ever present, casting long dark shadows over hopes and dreams, shattering the remains of a hopeful spirit. “Comfort me, Lover. Separate me from my ugliness; erase it from existence while holding me close to Your breast.” Thump, thump, thump, my heart beating, never stopping. Light flickering passions dart back and forth as warmth radiates from within; from the depths, a spark of light flares threatening to extinguish the alluring darkness. “When will I be free? Free from these blinding images of false gods? Free from these broken promises of peace?” “Come to Me, My Beloved.”

A Seeker's Return (chapters 4-7 of 29)

4. Soul tied to you, I am pulled like an abused rag doll, stifling me from the growth that I need. Your suffering haunts my own life. With egotistical control, I tower over you, trying to blanket you in peace when my own being is racked with turmoil. I am running your race, clothing myself in your flesh, ignoring my own aspirations, losing my own race. In addiction I medicate myself, consuming you; feeding on you like prey. Shuttering in the winds of your frigid heart, I train myself to endure the stinging chill. Numbness has overcome me, dulling the pain, so the once bitter winds that scraped my delicate soul now go unnoticed. If they should ever dissipate, my longing for you would turn into a longing for this pain.

5. Confusion sets in, bringing me to do battle once again with a ghost. Fear makes me run towards my strongholds, but the Truth slows my pace. Nefarious forces pressing inward, trudging relentlessly forward, raging forever onward, prickling the skin in fear, clamping ferociously upon my soul, the Evil One twists the very fabric of my reality. Dark winged muscular beasts take flight towards a murky horizon, higher and higher through the atmospheric haze they climb, in a putrid stench I am carried up and into the unknown. Chilling frost covers the hardness of my heart, freezing it. Time creeps as I roll upon these lawless winds of change to the frayed ends of this cerebral scarf of life, wondering – “Can I be saved?”

6. Broken and busted in half, split down the bipolar fissure of a warring heart and mind, the clashing of these opposing sides rage through me, mercilessly. I gasp for air as another assault from my ever paranoid mind thunders and pounds against the reinforced door to my armored heart. Always searching in this mission of the lost, I am left to wander aimlessly in confusion with an ache in my chest whose origins are unknown.

My heart gasps. My chest trembles. My breath becomes ragged with each passing second. My heart yearns. My thoughts run rabid as time seems to slow. My mind crawls. My vision blurs. The deeper You delve into my soul, the harder Your love pulls at my tattered heart.

7. Traveling ever forward I draw in deep breaths; the distance between us shortens painfully slow. The years of lonely regret have lengthened this journey. In rebellion the ties of my soul scream under the strain, taut like stretched canvas ready for paint, yearning to be loosened by a tender Hand in love. Exhaustion soon overcomes me while the blazing ball of frustration looms high in the afternoon sky. Under an unrelenting heat wave I crash into the arms of a waiting land, spent and useless. Drawing myself to the corner of my soul, I shiver.

A Seeker's Return (chapters 1-3 of 29)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:11-14a NIV

A Seeker’s Return by Gerald T. Ching

Lingering in the wings of a forgotten fortress,

     patiently I wait for you to come calling.

Peering out the window of the tallest tower with a hopeful heart,

     patiently I wait for you to come calling.

Watching the lone road that leads to my doorstep,

     patiently I wait for you to come calling.

Standing in the doorway with soulful eyes,

     patiently I wait for you to come calling.

1. In the swirling depths of my heart, I sit and wait, patiently expecting a visit from the one I long to be loved by. The endless hallways here are ever changing; the pathways are ever tedious; only one has the key to my locked heart. Wandering aimlessly through these burdensome corridors, visceral malicious feelings parade their ethereal forms, hoping to leave the imprint of their essence within my broken down spirit. Relentlessly their evil desires dirty the air, the stench of their decay disrupting the natural order of life. Mercifully, the fragrance of love floats in, disbanding the malignancies back into the shadows. Floating through the still night, musical melodies shower me in a waterfall of this love.

2. Miles upon miles of wire crisscross across the globe, connecting all. Whispering in heated conversations to one another of love and of pain, the endless barrage of words bounce and ricochet off the walls of this hollow existence with the longing for more reverberating throughout, and then deteriorating to nothing more than the echoing ramblings of conspiracy. The exchange rate of love inflates as each soul settles for a more physical love, a lesser love. Off in the distance a bazaar buzzes with seekers searching for bargains while workers restock their shelves hoping to catch the eyes of all who pass. People mill about laboring to take care of their daily tasks. Like puppets they purchase the empty promises that line these shelves. Sitting on the highest of shelves, love rests with the other rare and exotic treasures. I see you wandering past the many stands; hurriedly I make my way towards you.

3. Gold and silver rings decorate your nimble fingers, platinum and pearls ride the curve of your neck; fanciful clothes adorn your supple soft skin, encumbering your spirit, hoping to fill the emptiness that is within your soul. A piercing whistle assaults the waiting crowds as a train pulls into the market. Weaving through the masses, we make our way on board. Hiccupping and hollering on the crowded train, your twisted ways of expressing affection batter my brow; your words shatter my already fragile spirit. Hours tick on through the endless maze of tracks, with passengers forever boarding, but rarely leaving. Hope and longing ride this train hand in hand, one never releasing its grasp of the other. My longing has consumed me to the point of obsession. Blindly I now walk, led by the gleam of golden idols.

Sky Lantern Festival 2010

In watching this video I am again reminded of just how fast paced of a world that we live in. Do you have days where it seems like you are just going and going and going? I know I do. It is so difficult sometimes to just slow down and be: to unplug myself from my iPhone, the Internet and all the many avenues of communication (thanks to social networking) that are at our fingertips and go offline for a moment in order to connect with God. That's what I love about the Sky Lantern Festival, it gives people a moment to pause from the busyness and write prayers containing their wishes, hopes and dreams on sky lanterns that then float up to heaven. If only more people would pause nightly to offer up their own sky lanterns of prayer to the one and only living God who loves it when we speak with Him about our wishes, hopes and dreams. How wonderfully beautiful life could be...

Flyleaf: All Around Me

I love this song because it is all about worshipping God as a new creation. That's what resounds in me when I hear the lyrics "I'm alive, I'm alive!" This song really captures the passion that should fill a person when they are caught up in full on worship to the one and only living God. But sadly, the way "religion" is structured today conveys the message that worship should be contained, even passive. It's funny I really don't see that in the Bible. When I read about Jesus' life, He was/is a man of passionate worship and He made disciples who were so passionate about following Him that they died for the Faith. Where is that kind of passion today?

When I read in the book of Revelation about worship around the throne of God in Heaven. Again, I don't get the sense that people will be sitting around passively singing songs and reciting Scripture passages. No, I think it'll resemble something a lot like this video. People will be jumping and dancing and screaming and singing on the top of their lungs about how holy, worthy and awesome God is and much they love Him. I don't see it as being passive or contained. I believe what has happened is that instead of redirecting people's passion from themselves and the world to God and His Kingdom, the institutional church in fear has squashed and stifled people's passion. So, instead of giving life, the institutional church has diminished life.

Now, hear me on this - I love the Church, after all it is the very Bride of Christ of which I am a part. The reason I say these things is that I believe Jesus is the most passionate Lover to have ever walked this earth and He desires His Bride to be just as passionate. He died so that we could live amazingly vibrant and passionate lives that celebrate the reality that we are His chosen Beloved. There came a point in my life when this truth finally sunk deep into my heart and I have been undone since with a wild, passionate, even furious love for Jesus. The passion that I was told to deny, Jesus has breathed new life into and has redeemed for His Kingdom. What I've come to realize is that: it's not about denying or letting go of my passion, but about letting the love of God and my love for Him fuel and redirect my passion. "This fire rising through my being, burning..."

Snow Patrol: Chasing Cars

This song pulls on one of my deepest heart strings: the one that desires to be passionately in love. That's what these lyrics are describing. "If I lay here, If I just lay here. Would you lie with me and just forget the world?" Oh to be able to just lay with someone where you get so lost in the moment that the whole world just fades away. Maybe I'm just a hopeless romantic, but I believe that moments like this can really happen. "I don't quite know how to say, how I feel. Those three words are said too much, they're not enough." I believe that there can also be moments where the words I love you would fail miserably in capturing the intensity of a moment.

Maybe this is a stretch, but when I read in the book of Revelation where John the Apostle is trying to describe the beauty and majesty of what the new Jerusalem will look like (Revelation 21:9-21) it's like he is stumbling for words. I don't think it's because he doesn't have the vocabulary to do so, but because there are simply no words that are able to capture the shear brilliance of what he is seeing. For me, I believe when I finally get to see Jesus face to face, this will be a moment beyond words. In this moment the world will fade and time will literally freeze and I will be able to live in this blissful moment for all eternity. "All that I am, all that I ever was is here in Your perfect eyes, they're all I can see."

Imogen Heap: Wait It Out

This song draws me in because it speaks about the "wretched hollowness" of living a meaningless life. Pesonally, I know what that's all about becuase I've spent most of my life chasing after the things of this world at a thousand miles per hour trying to get some sort of lasting fulfillment. Trust me I've tried to shoved all sorts of things into this hole in my soul (drugs, women, drinking, money, clothes, tattoos, piercings, etc.) but nothing been able to quenched this hunger and thirst: save God. There were so many nights that I would ask myself: "Where do we go from here? How do we carry on? I can't get beyond these questions..."

Most of my life I've spent searching not only for satisfaction, but also meaning. Today, what I've discovered is that God not only gives my life meaning, but also satisfaction. Meaning and satisfaction are intricately intertwined: when I find one I will find the other. The sadness of my life lay in the fact that I regret "just sitting there waiting and sweating it out." Rather than really seeking after truth and life. What is it that gives your life meaning? Are you actively going after living a life of meaning or are you just coasting on by living in the melancholy of lackluster?

God wants to illuminate your life where you shine like the stars in the night sky. God has this wonderful plan for your life, which includes making a mark in this world not only for yourself, but for Him as well. He wants to give meaning to your life and to bring healing to your pain. So, don't "just sit there, just waiting it out." Don't "sit there in the cold, just sweating it out as you wait it out." Go after living a life of meaning that's filled with deep satisfaction because there really is only "the one life that we've got." Ask God right now to enter your life and begin showing you the amazing plans He has for you.

instrumental video nine

What can I say, I just love hard hitting breakbeats! View fullscreen for the full effect. Enjoy!

My Father's Garden

I am always marvelled by the beauty and complexities of creation. I mean, how can a person not be absolutely amazed while watching this video? Now personally, insects kind of give me the creeps, but when I see extreme close ups of them it's like I am mysteriously intrigued and almost hypnotized by their strange armored beauty. Oftentimes, this makes me wonder how the Fall of Mankind has effected creation. When I see thorns, bristles and the needles of cacti I have to wonder if these are the result of sin. Going back to the insects, was it only after Adam and Eve sinned that bees grew stingers and female praying mantises began eating their mates? If I believe the Word of God that says through the sin of one man, death entered the world (Romans 5:12) and that all creation has been groaning to be released from its own bondage and decay (Romans 8:21, 22), then I must believe that even creation has been effected by sin - cursed to some degree.

When I sit back and really ponder this, it makes me think, wow, so the magnitude and true beauty of creation is yet to be seen. When creation is fully redeemed, when as Isaiah described that, "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them" (Isaiah 11:6) and that "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent's food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain" (Isaiah 65:25). This means that we have yet to see the full beauty of creation. Can you even imagine that? Absolute peace among all creation where lions and oxes will both be vegetarians and where children will play among wolves and leopards.

I love meditating on redemption. It makes my heart happy and so much more thankful and grateful for Jesus and the fact that it is only because of Him that people are saved and transformed into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). But, even more than that through Jesus all of creation will also be fully redeemed. Amazing!

Paul Freeman: That's How It Is

What does it mean to live with eternity in view? That's what this song makes me ponder. When I hear this song, I am filled with a longing to forgive and forget the wrong that I've done, but to also forgive and forget the wrong that others have done to me. When I live with eternity in view, the pains of this life diminish because this life doesn't have the last say any longer. I love the line, "love reveals everything you’ll ever have." What I love does reveal what I treasure in my heart. When Jesus becomes my greatest treasure, His love inspires me to love with greater compassion and with deeper understanding.

Jesus died not only to get me to heaven, but to get heaven into me. "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:5). This means that eternity lives within me and that I carry around the Kingdom of God wherever I go. How cool is that! Paul Freeman is right in that we cannot out run time. "Time will always come for you." But, I think the question to ask is: Can we ever be ready for time? I believe that if we have Jesus in our hearts, we can. That way "A farewell kiss will never mean goodbye, cause it holds on to the promises I made with these eyes. I‘ll leave you everything that’s mine, if you say that you’ll meet me in the next life." Will you meet me in the next life?

Angels & Airwaves: Letters to God, Part II

This song is a good reminder to me that we are all searching. We all desire meaning and purpose. We all want to know and be known. Aren't these the cries of every one's heart? I know they are mine. But, living in this postmodern world where everything is relative, life can quickly deteriorate to meaninglessness. It truly is a sad day when people become the makers of truth, because, between you and me, I don't know that many people really qualify. Right? I think that's what these lyrics mean: "And dear God, I found out the same things we learn when we die. I found out the truth is it's all a big lie. I find that the words are hard to describe. I tell you I'm lost here, awaiting reply."

There needs to be some sort of Truth that is greater than me, that is outside of me, that has always existed. That's why I find comfort that God is eternal and His Truth spans all time and space. So, when life becomes just another merry-go-round ride that gets old and meaningless fast. We can always turn to God, who's Truth will hold us up and give us meaning, purpose and hope. When there is nowhere left to turn, God will always be there. "All the phones have rung and rung. They're off the hook, all but one. And all the mail stacked up inside, up from the floor, a mile high. And like one would, like a child, I'm asking, like I could knock on your door. Will you let me in?"

When we come to God, He will always be there to welcome us. That's what I love about God, when we come to Him, He doesn't gives us the old "I told you so" line. No, He just welcomes us with open arms and with great delight. No questions asked, just love because God is love and He's completely overjoyed that we've come Him. When we come near to God, He will come near to us (James 4:8a). Don't ever believe that God doesn't want you. He gave His one and only Son, Jesus, to show us just how much He wants us. Choose Jesus and choose Truth and Life.