kissing jesus

“You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet.” (Luke 7:47) 

This verse stopped me in my tracks this morning.  Years ago a very wise man told me that one of the best ways to practice loving your family was to give everyone a kiss whenever you leave and get home from work.  “It will help keep your hearts tender and connected to each other,” he said.  And although I haven’t been perfect, it was something I tried to incorporate into our lives as a family.  There was a lot of kissing in our house.

But today I was reminded that I also need to do the same with Jesus.  Giving and receiving kisses with him daily, does something really beautiful deep in our hearts and souls.

Lord Jesus, never let it be said that I failed to give you a kiss, today and every day.

grace

while he was still

a long way off

his father saw him

heart filled with love

and ran to him.

he wrapped his

arms around him

and kissed him

much

why are we so

uncomfortable with

the notion of

receiving kisses that

have not been earned?

his kiss

“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine.  Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out.  No wonder maidens love you!  Take me away with you—let us hurry!  Let the king bring me into his chambers.”  (Song of Songs 1:2-4)

Forgive me, O Lord, when I settle for a life of duty, chore, and obligation, rather than experiencing the passion and the desire and the affection that you have for me.  Help me to never settle for less than your kiss, your caress, your Divine embrace.  Help me to never just give you “a peck on the cheek for want of making love.”  Sometimes it’s just easier, but it’s not what I really want.  I want more.  I want you!  Kiss me with the kisses of your mouth—for your love is more delightful than anything.  Amen.

uncovering

     psalm 32:3-5

living falsely comes

at such a high cost

ever since the garden

we have invested

so much time and energy

trying to stay covered up

hiding our shame behind

whatever fig leaves

we find at our disposal

and it is exhausting

for hiding requires a lot

secrets choke and stifle

leaving us drained

and sapped and dry

only when we

come out of hiding

acknowledge the truth

and uncover what

really lies within us

can there be any real hope

of living authentically

of life and breath

returning to our souls

may God give us

the courage and

the strength and

the grace to do so

humble YOURSELF

“Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:14)  It is one thing to be humbled by life’s situations and circumstances, but it is quite another to pursue a lifestyle of actively humbling yourself.  That takes a significant amount of courage and fortitude.  It is one thing to feel small and forgotten and invisible, but it is another thing altogether to choose to make yourself those things.  Yet that is what Jesus calls us to do. 

In the kingdom of God last is first, low is high, and the least is the greatest.  In the kingdom of God less is more, small is big, and poor is rich.  In the kingdom of God the one who is honored is the one who serves, you save your life by losing it, and you become full by emptying yourself.  All of which involves a conscious decision to move in the opposite direction of the culture around us.  But when we do, it produces some of the very best fruit possible, both within and among us.

Humbling yourself is definitely not for the faint of heart, but for those who truly want to follow Jesus, wherever it may lead.  Knowing that when they do, they become more and more like him.  Which is what this life is about in the first place, right?

Lord Jesus, if we ever hope to become like you, we must consistently choose to humble ourselves.  Give us the grace and the strength and the courage to do so.  Amen.

 

trust and rest

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I said of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whim I trust.” (Psalm 91:1-2)

Are you able to rest?  Why or why not?  How is that ability, or inability, connected to your trust (or lack thereof) in God’s love and care?

The connection between rest and trust cannot be overstated.  In fact, without trust there can never be any real rest.  Rest requires security and safety of soul.  It requires peace of mind and heart.  It is an inner reality that allows us to not be dominated and ruled by our circumstances and surroundings.  It requires and unyielding belief in God’s infinite goodness and care.  Which comes about as a result of constantly dwelling in the shelter of the Most High. 

O Lord, help me to trust in you.  For until I do, my soul will never be able to find rest.  Amen.

humus

Forgive me, O Lord,

when I think I know.

When I hold 

more answers

than I do questions.

For when I even begin 

to think I have arrived,

it’s a sure sign of how far 

I really have to go.

yoke

Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

     yoke

stop trying so hard

to be everything

and do everything

that is a yoke

you were never

meant to bear

instead

come unto me

take my yoke upon you

i made it just for you

and it fits you perfectly

it is who you really are

you won’t have

to try so hard to be

someone you are not

thus you will find

rest for your soul

 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30, MSG)

find rest

psalm 62:5-8

our ability or inability to rest

ultimately comes down to trust

which all depends on what we

really believe to be true about God

if we and unable or unwilling to rest

we don’t have a scheduling problem

we have a belief problem

motives

not demand

nor applause

but only the voice

of the One

shrinking

you were never meant

to be the hero in this story

so stop trying to be

that role has already been taken

stop taking up all the room

don’t make yourself so big

that you keep getting in the way

of what i’m trying to do

don’t think so highly of yourself

that you think it can’t be done

whatever it may be

without you

i can take care of things

just fine without you

you are not the essential one

i am

but then again

maybe that is

your greatest fear

maybe you can’t stop

you can’t become still and quiet

because of your immense need

to be the man

it's time to start shrinking

make me a non-anxious presence

Well, I did it again (See this post).  I became so concerned about what I was going to say, and how I was going to look, that I missed what was unfolding in front of me.  Someone was right in the middle of their story, and I was already thinking about the perfect response, rather than simply listening and being present to them.  And, unfortunately, this is not an isolated occasion.  I do this all the time.  I get so consumed with need, rather than with love, that it keeps me from being able to really listen, both to the person and the Spirit.  Lord, have mercy!

O Lord, free me from the prison of self, and make me a non-anxious presence in the world.  A presence that is not driven by need, but by love.

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