Reveals and Conceals

I read this from E. Stanley Jones this morning and it so wonderfully explained my excitement for today.

“Jesus… He reveals and conceals. You know, and you don’t know; you see, and you don’t see. What you don’t know and don’t see stirs you to perpetual discovery. This perpetual discovery becomes the most exciting thing in life. It keeps you on your toes, for you feel there is something big just ahead. This unfolding revelation of Christ puts a surprise around every corner, makes life pop with novelty and discovery and perpetual development.”

It Warms My Heart

My wife’s brother has been visiting for the last several days and we’ve really had a great time together. Last night we had to say our farewells and many tears were shed. What particularly touched my heart was how profoundly we are all going to miss him and the depth of feelings our children have for their uncle. It’s pretty incredible to see your children love so deeply and with such passion just as you’ve prayed for them. We love you Rob, come back soon.

Worth the Wait

What God has for us is so much better than what we try to force ourselves. I heard a couple fantastic stories today that really demonstrated this. Folks who knew that change was coming and who were faithfully patient not to rush into the first thing that came along. They avoided multiple maybes along the way so that when the for sure came along, they were totally prepared. And in each case what God had for them far exceeded even their grandest dream. He has that for you too, hang in there.

Endure the Burn

“What is to give light must endure the burn.” – Viktor Frankl

I came across this quote in a new book I’m reading, which I’ll tell you much more about after finishing. The quote really spoke to me as I was praying for so many of you that are going through some really rough times. I am heartened by your courage and the trust you demonstrate knowing that one day God will use this current challenge to shine on the lives of others. Be encouraged today.

Brotherhood

I’ve been thinking a lot about my brother today. Also about my brothers in law, who I declare after 20 years, are full on brothers and about my brothers that God’s put in my life. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate each one of you. Every moment of life is intended to be done together and I am so glad I get to do it with you. Thank you.

Stuff

Does it own us?

Waterfall

I think we found the perfect way to spend Black Friday. (By the way what an appropriate name, you know the day after we gather with friends and family, thanking God for all He’s blessed us with, let’s go out and fight with others to make sure I get mine.) We spent part of the day in the Pisgah National Forest witnessing some of God’s amazing handiwork. The waterfalls were so beautiful and were a reminder of how the Lord wants to pour Himself out for us. Let it rain Father.

God’s Family

If you were as fortunate as we were to spend yesterday with family, I hope you laughed as much as we did. However if you spent the day alone or in a less than loving environment, I pray the Lord was your comfort and that you were still able to see much to be thankful for. The future is brighter than today. This present challenge will be understood and even appreciated as you look back one day.

Thank you!

Wow, we’ve never traveled on Thanksgiving before. Evidently millions and millions of folks do, we saw most of them on Interstate 40 yesterday. Getting to spend the holiday with loved ones is worth every hour in traffic though. I hope you are surrounded by those that love you well today and that every good and perfect gift is acknowledged as coming from the Lord. I wish you peace in your gatherings and that those you are with will see Jesus through you.

Seen the Father

I’ve been thinking a lot about the scripture where Christ says “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father.” He doesn’t seem to be saying, that in Him we can see some of the Father or a glimpse of the Father. It sounds like He’s telling us that if you want to see God, look here, if you want to know God look to me. Why do we so often think of Jesus as only a partial representation of God, or the nice part? I think Christ is the complete realization of God.