rock or stumbling block

     "But what about you?  Who do you say I am?"

     Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

     Jesus replied, "Blessed are you Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church."

     From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

     Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "Never, Lord!" he said.  "This shall never happen to you!"

     Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!  You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

(Matthew 16:13-18, 21-23) 

How do I move from rock to stumbling block?  By making it about me.  By operating out of my strength and expertise rather than my weakness and dependence.  By having in mind the things of men rather than the things of God.  By losing touch with the big picture and getting all wrapped up in my own little story.  By being full of myself rather than denying myself.  By avoiding my cross rather than taking up my cross.  By trying to save my life rather than being willing to lose my life. 

O Lord, help me to be a rock, not a stumbling block.

vulnerable

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." ~John 1:14

when you step out and 

put your heart on your sleeve

you open yourself up in a 

beautiful and perilous way

to be the object of abuse 

and laughter and scorn

or the creator of space 

for others to feel seen 

and safe and known

it's risky to be sure

but a risk worth taking

if its reward is real life

the Word became flesh

and made his dwelling among us

Jesus emptied himself

and made himself nothing

God took on vulnerability

who could've imagined

the degree to which

God was willing to go

to connect with his beloved

vulnerability makes good space 

for love to enter in

unless there are strings attached

may we do likewise and 

enter into a vulnerability

without strings that makes 

space for love and says 

yes to the vulnerable

come sit at the table

"You prepare a table before me..." Psalm 23:5

with great thought, care, and intention

I have prepared a table just for you today

it is a table of abundance and delight

a table of deep intimacy and overflowing joy

a table where I have invited you to

enjoy my company and taste my kindness

all you have to do is pull up a chair and take a seat

will you?

the steady gaze of love

 "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his kingdom." ~Psalm 27:4

held in the steady 

gaze of love

me gazing at you

you gazing at me

that is the life

you desire

don't let me

settle for less

lie down

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."  He is everything I need; I can rest secure in his love and care.  I need not fear; I can be at peace.  He holds me close in his strong and tender arms and carries me close to his heart.  He will never let me go.

So, lie down, my soul, in his green pastures.  Sit beside his still and quiet waters.  Let him breathe his divine breath into you and restore you.  Let him give you the life and the rest you so desperately need.

And always remember, there is a big difference between reading about it or talking about it and actually doing it.  Do it!  Don't just read about it.  Take his word into the depths of your soul and let him bring it to life.  Let him make it a reality.  Let it enter into you as you enter into it and find your rest in him.  God beyond information to formation. 

divine union

my soul waits in silent trust

held in your loving embrace

a child with its mother

a lover with their beloved

the strong and tender arms

wrapping me up and drawing me

deep into the great affection

of your beating heart of love

hold still, my soul

do not move

do not utter a word

don't take a chance on

spoiling this sacred moment

on disrupting this peace

the bliss of this eternal now

peace

give it to me

whatever it may be

and all your fears

will have to flee

I might not

take it away

but with you in it

I will stay

and your worries

you may release

I will replace them

with my peace