On occasion lately I’ve had a crosswind. Naval aviators will say with a full confidence that taking off a carrier is one of life’s hardest experiences. When the catapult slams you it is best to take off directly into the wind.
That really makes me think. Could a headwind really be necessary? Do we really need the wind in our hair and bugs in our teeth?
Many of us have certain hard issues. We can be confused easily enough and intimidated by what the Father wants from us. But He intends to lead and guide us off the deck. The Holy Spirit is our “top gun” school and He is the ultimate teacher.
I love this idea of Him as my closest Counselor and Helper. He whispers wisdom and love into my jagged heart. He orchestrates my daily events, to make them align to His will. “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
In Ephesians we are clearly told, “and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.” Eph. 3:19, NASB
Ybic, Bryan
P.S. Just one of my paintings. Hoping you don’t mind.
You know how unsuitable I am. Were it not for your guidance I would have brought everything to destruction. I wish to give my heart and mouth to your service. I desire to teach your people, and long to be taught your work.
Use me as your workman, dear Lord. Do not forsake me; for if I am alone I shall bring all to nought. Amen.
***
A written prayer by Martin Luther, (b. November 10, 1483 – d. February 18, 1546) Catholic Monk, Reformer, Theologian, Writer.
________________
Some General Quotes by Luther:
“Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in the grace of God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake.”
“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: “I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”
“Either sin is with you, lying on your shoulders, or it is lying on Christ, the Lamb of God. Now if it is lying on your back, you are lost; but if it is resting on Christ, you are free, and you will be saved. Now choose what you want.”
“In our sad condition our only consolation is the expectancy of another life.”
It intrigues me as I think of how much we need each other. For most of my life, it seems the opposite was true. I thought I needed my independence, to be entirely self-reliant and to be bolder and more assertive.
But much of my struggle, through health and mental crisis’, through the death of a child, really has broken a strong back of this resolve. The question I hear now from the Lord; isn’t how strong are you– but rather, how weak are you?
“The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. 5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.”
Isaiah 50:4-5, NLT
“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples” is the NASB translation of verse 4. It is a serious mistake if we see ‘discipleship’ as a solitary endeavor. Instead, it is like the connective tissue that surrounds our muscles. The body needs to unite efforts, activities, ideas, and purposes through our combined discipleship.
Isaiah 50 advances this idea. The simple picture is of a person sleeping who is suddenly awake. Lying in bed, they start to listen. It’s not the birds singing. It is God speaking. And not only is there a gentle voice, but accompanying it is wisdom and grace to unleash what has been said. And that is an art that we must learn.
“The weary” are everywhere, but typically you share with just two or three. But the right words, at the right time, with a perfect wisdom can really rock. Lives can be turned with just a word.
I like inventing new words, especially for words that have far too much mileage on them. A car runs great, but even the best autos start to have issues after the odometer goes over 200,000 miles.
So I’m purposing a new word even though I’m not quite ready to completely toss the old one yet. The new word is “Velcrocity”. I will define velcrocity as a mix of love, faithfulness and endurance. (Possible forms of this word– Walk in velcrocity, be velcroized more and more. Wasn’t that velcroful worship? And on and on.)
Just in case you’re wondering, Velcro is a fastener mostly used for clothing. It consists of two strips, one is covered in tiny loops and the other in tiny flexible hooks. The two strips ‘adhere’ when they are pressed together and separate when pulled apart.
“Velcro is strong enough that a two inch square piece is enough to support a 175-pound (79 kg) person. The strength of the bond depends on how well the hooks are embedded in the loops, how much surface area is in contact with the hooks, and the nature of the force pulling it apart.” –Wiki
Why velcrocity? Thinking about the Father God’s love for me (and others) made me start thinking about Velcro– and being “laid up” with my health sucking so poorly has helped me pray and think. And being way too curious I did a frontal assault on the internet of the sticky subject of Velcro.
The best info came from Wikipedia, of course. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velcro
The more contact between the strips of Velcro will strengthen the bond. The tighter the hook part pushes into mesh part more effort required to pull them apart. The negatives of this wonder are they have to stay clean. Lint, dirt of hair get between and can keep the strips from bonding.
As I write this, the imagery parallels what I’ve already learned from my Bible, prayer, fellowship and worship. Spiritual lessons quite often will come from what I see physically. But I need to be teachable and a whole lot more perceptive.
Focus on Jesus, and stick to the things of God. There is an adhesion needed in the Church today, and it truly starts with your heart. The covenant heart of God is that you would more and more cling to Him. He is truly tenacious, in the best use of the word.
“I will never leave you, or forsake you.”
“The Love of God endures forever.”
&
Kyrie eleison.
ybic, Bryan
(How about Velcrophobic? Velcroful? Velcrology? Velcrophobic? —and then maybe not,)
Broken Believers 