religion...

i don't want to go through the motions again!

put the fire in my heart again!

i don't want to miss you in the midst of religion!

open my eyes so i can see, open my ears so i can hear, open my heart so i can feel, open my mind so I can comprehend.

one of the plagues of being in vocational ministry is that holiday's that fall on sunday's are difficult to celebrate as most of our day is spent at church. tomorrow being father's day we knew we wouldn't have a lot of time to spend together so my wife, being the thoughtful person she is, decided to set aside today as an early father's day for me. my kids woke me up this morning with breakfast in bed. my wife was going to make me a nice healthy breakfast but isaac decided i needed a donut (so much for all that work i have been doing at the gym - but it was very thoughtful). the kids got me a nice book called "my daddy and me" (which was a complete surprise to me if you don't count the 5 times i heard isabelle whispering about it to isaac in a not so quiet voice). we then went to the YMCA as a family to work off that incredibly healthy breakfast we had. after an afternoon in the sun at a family graduation party we went to the in-laws to sit in the sun some more and swim in the 87 degree pool (it's a rough life but somebody has to live it). what a great early father's day! beautiful weather, surrounded by my amazing family - what more could a guy ask for? as we were driving home tonight we gazed at the beautiful colors in the sky as the sun was setting and i couldn't help but thank God for the life he's blessed me with! sure the days aren't always as perfect as today but he certainly has been a faithful Father - happy father's day, God!

"Go as you are to Christ, and ask him to give that tenderness of heart which shall be to you the indication that pardon has come; for pardon cannot and will not come unattended by a melting of soul and a hatred of sin. Wrestle with the Lord! Say, I will not let you go except you bless me. Get a fast hold upon the savior by a vigorous faith in his great atonement. Oh! May his spirit enable you to do this! Say in your soul, here I will abide, at the horns of the altar; if I perish I will perish at the foot of the cross. From my hope in Jesus I will not depart; but I will look up and still say, savior, your heart was broken for me, break my heart! You were wounded, wound me! Your blood was freely poured forth, for me, Lord let me pour forth my tears that I should have nailed you to the tree. Oh Lord, dissolve my soul; melt it in tenderness, and you will be forever praised for making your enemy your friend."
(Charles Spurgeon)

“Love may indeed, love the beloved when her beauty is lost: but not because it is lost. Love may forgive all infirmities and love still in spite of them: but Love cannot cease to will their removal. Love is more sensitive than hatred itself to every blemish in the beloved… Of all powers He forgives most, but condones least: He is pleased with little, but demands all.” (C.S. Lewis)

"Almighty God, the Great I Am.
Immovable rock, omnipotent, powerful, awesome Lord.
Victorious warrior, commanding King of Kings.
Mighty conqueror, and the only time,
The only time I ever saw Him run,

Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms,
Held my head to His chest
Said, "My son's come home again."
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes,
With forgiveness in His voice
He said, "Son, do you know I still love you?"
He caught me by surprise, when God ran.

The day I left home, I knew I'd broken His heart
And I wondered then if things could ever be the same.
Then one night I remembered His love for me
And down that dusty road ahead I could see
It was the only time
It was the only time I ever saw Him run.

And He ran to me, He took me in His arms,
Held my head to His chest
Said, "My son's come home again."
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes,
With forgiveness in His voice
He said, "Son, do you know I still love you?"
He caught me by surprise, when God ran.
He caught me by surprise and He brought me to my knees
When God ran, I saw Him run to me.

I was so ashamed, all alone and so far away.
But now I know He's been waiting for this day.

I saw Him run to me, He took me in His arms,
Held my head to His chest
Said, "My son's come home again."
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes,
With forgiveness in His voice I felt His love for me again.
He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest
Said, "My son's come home again."
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes,
With forgiveness in His voice
He said, "Son"
He called me "Son"
He said, "Son, do you know I still love you?"

He ran to me
And then I ran to Him
When God ran."