God | God Thoughts 4/5

The Fatherhood Mission

God told his prophet Hosea to get married and have children.... So this was three pregnancies and a weaning... During this time frame-- crying babies, sleepless nights ("Mommy? Mommy? Mommy? Mommy?"), it is only recorded that God spoke to his prophet on three occasions-- the birth of each child. Why? Because it was not yet his mission to be a prophet to the nations. His mission from God was TO LOVE THAT WOMAN AND BE A FATHER to their children. That was his mission... No matte

Jun 18, 20232 min read

When God Has Us Restrained

As I thought about this post, God showed me a man in a straight-jacket. It was the extra-strong arrangement where hands were not only secured with straps, but they were also secured with chains behind his back. I'm sure this man didn't like it much, but he was restrained until released. He may have had big plans for the day, but this was his reality, and it was totally out of his control. Also, it was for his protection!

Jun 13, 20232 min read

Resting

This morning God showed me something I didn't like. Sigh. A scene of tranquility. Of Resting. He showed me a view from my recliner in front of a window. Outside the window was a winter scene, of a snow covered landscape, deep in drifts. There was also a tree, beautifully iced with big clumps of snow. Bright sunlight, very Currier and Ives. There may have been a lake in the distance. My feet were up, and they were wrapped in a blanket. I was resting...

Jun 11, 20232 min read

Hold Me for Eternity?

I instantly sunk in the mud... As I tried to lift one leg, the other sank deeper. I was in real trouble! Finally, I managed to crawl out of the muck on my hands and knees and make my way to the safety of shore. But getting out of the marsh, up the ladder, and up the hill to the house took absolutely all my reserves...

Jun 10, 20233 min read

The Good Monday

Monday, was memorable. So many blessings. Then came today. Tuesday. I told my customer on Sunday that I expected to be able to work a full day on Monday, but probably only had the physical capacity to work a half day Tuesday. And today, precisely at noon-- at the half day mark-- I crashed. I was eating fast food with my son, and suddenly lost all energy and burst into tears. The whole process, from Good to TOAST, took about 15 seconds. He had to drive me after that...

Jun 6, 20235 min read

The Sacrifice

Last week, I blogged about The Committed Irishman, a man who had chosen to make the ultimate sacrifice-- his OWN ritualistic human sacrifice-- in 5th century Ireland. Some of you were appalled by my choice of topic, and wondered where I was going with this. Allow me to explain...

Jun 5, 20236 min read

A Quiver Full of Children

Sometimes, children are a symbol of God's grace and mercy... David and Bathsheba's first child together, conceived in adultery, died-- in spite of much fasting, praying and repentance. But then God did an incredibly beautiful thing as a gift for this couple. 2 Samuel 12:24-25 (MSG) tells us: "...they conceived a son. When he was born they named him Solomon. God had a special love for him, and sent word by Nathan the prophet that God wanted him named Jedidiah (God's Beloved.)"

Jun 4, 20233 min read

Rain. Ugh.

As I woke up this morning, I listened to the rain, checked the radar, and groaned to myself. I had so very much to do today and I could already tell that it's not going to happen. As I contemplated the cascading financial repercussions, God reminded me of a vision he gave me two nights ago. He had showed me a bunch of cooking pots, vases, and mason jars. It was a random collection of containers, as though someone had raided a flea market... They were all full.

May 27, 20232 min read

How to Sleep Soundly

For Peter, his future was set. The important future-- his eternal one. Oh, the present future? That was just details. He was fulfilling his mission to tell everyone he met about Jesus, and tomorrow he would tell the king and his advisors too. Right before they killed him. Cool. Later that night, an angel came, opened the prison doors, and walked Peter out to his freedom... And yet, I think the bigger story is that Peter was sleeping soundly under guard on the eve of his exe

May 22, 20234 min read