I asked God what I could write
that would be encouraging.
Say: "God loves you".
I said, that sounds kinda corny
and some might think I'm crazy....
Crazy, not because it's not true,
but because I asked God something like that,
and He answered
and I heard Him
and I obeyed and wrote it down.
Some might think it's too simple,
God would give a deeper message.
But, the Bible mentions love 348 times.
so it must be important to God.
What if all the rules
were just to protect you from hurting yourself
and others?
What if He only said not to do something,
because it leads to bondage and pain
and He loves you and wants you to live in freedom.
He did say the most important rule
was to love God and love people.
That could be because He wanted us to love him back.
and stop hurting others
(because he loves them).
God loves you!
Seems simple,
but it pretty much sums up the Bible.
And Christianity.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
For some, the worst thing about Christianity is Christians
I've been meaning to write this for a while, so here goes:
The most offensive thing about Christianity (for those who do not believe in God) is Christians. May I just say "I'm sorry". For everyone of us who (by our own failings) have turned you away from God, I'm sorry. Some times we do stupid things, spontaneously or foolishly and if it's harmful to others, selfish, arrogant or not loving, it's sin (plane and simple).
Sometimes Christians feel everything they do and say, mus...t be right and must be from God, because they follow God or they follow someone who follows God. But the truth is, all we humans, make mistakes. If you read the Bible, and see how Jesus behaved and if you study His behavior, and model your life after it (Christ follower) you will behave in a humble, loving manner. Yes, there are a few times Jesus behaved angry or called someone out who was in sin, but He was most always addressing Church-goers.
The most offensive thing about Christianity (for those who do not believe in God) is Christians. May I just say "I'm sorry". For everyone of us who (by our own failings) have turned you away from God, I'm sorry. Some times we do stupid things, spontaneously or foolishly and if it's harmful to others, selfish, arrogant or not loving, it's sin (plane and simple).
Sometimes Christians feel everything they do and say, mus...t be right and must be from God, because they follow God or they follow someone who follows God. But the truth is, all we humans, make mistakes. If you read the Bible, and see how Jesus behaved and if you study His behavior, and model your life after it (Christ follower) you will behave in a humble, loving manner. Yes, there are a few times Jesus behaved angry or called someone out who was in sin, but He was most always addressing Church-goers.
I'm not writing this because I'm angry at anyone, I have no ax to grind. And I love the Church (sinners and saints alike). I'm writing because God has given me such peace and joy, I wish to share it with those who have walked away from God, because of the behavior of His followers.
We don't get any points (in heaven) for telling folks about God. We (at our best) tell about God's goodness for the same reason the angels told the shepherds about Christ's birth. The angels came to the shepherds because it was cold outside and very dark and the shepherds were considered low class (in society) because of their dirty job, so the angels wanted to tell them "good news", that unto them a child was born, who is Christ the Lord. They told how He had come to bring them peace and great joy! Those lowly shepherds were invited to come and behold the Child who was born King! The invitation was not brought to the wealthy town folk, it was brought to those who sit outside at night and look at the sky, and ponder "what's it all about and why am I here?"
God bless your celebration of Christ's birth. And may you find great peace and joy!
We don't get any points (in heaven) for telling folks about God. We (at our best) tell about God's goodness for the same reason the angels told the shepherds about Christ's birth. The angels came to the shepherds because it was cold outside and very dark and the shepherds were considered low class (in society) because of their dirty job, so the angels wanted to tell them "good news", that unto them a child was born, who is Christ the Lord. They told how He had come to bring them peace and great joy! Those lowly shepherds were invited to come and behold the Child who was born King! The invitation was not brought to the wealthy town folk, it was brought to those who sit outside at night and look at the sky, and ponder "what's it all about and why am I here?"
God bless your celebration of Christ's birth. And may you find great peace and joy!
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Light of the World
Light
of the World
Darkness
covered the Earth,
Darkness
that can be felt,
Deep
darkness
God
said”
“Let
there be light”
And
a baby took His first breath
In
Bethlehem
The
brilliant
Luminescence
Was
breath-taking
The
people walking in darkness
Saw
a great light;
On
those living in the land
Of
the shadow of death
A
light had dawned.
And
God said:
“It
is good.”
Epic
news
Brought
to humble shepherds
In
the night
A
great company of heavenly host
Announced:
Glory
to God in the highest
And
on earth, Peace
To
men on whom his favor rests
The
unfathomable delight that somehow
God
favored men
who
sit on the ground
In
the darkness
And
smell of animals,
Low
birth,
Low
cast,
Low
income,
Yet
this is how Christ came.
Born
then resting in the hay,
The
smell of animals in the air.
Equality
with God
He
did not grasp,
But
born to the lowly,
In
their neighborhood,
Visited
first by the homeless.
The
first Christmas trappings…
A
birth by lantern light
A
bright star in the night
The
radiance from a Baby’s face
Angels
singing
Animals
in awe
Humans
in awe
God
is with us
c. Kim Damon 2009
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
The Last Hour
At the last hour,
at the darkest moment,
at the point of giving up all hope,
God does many of His miracles
(at least in my life).
It's as if I have learned
(by this)
"No...it's not dark enough yet."
"No...it's not hopeless enough yet."
God's timing is perfect.
Although,
we'd like Him to be early.
If God were early,
we could worry less.
If God was early,
we would need less faith.
So if God is all about growing our faith,
and God IS all about growing our faith,
I guess the last hour is the perfect time,
and I need to trust Him.
He has never let me down.
He is never late.
Think about it!
Even in scripture when Martha accused Jesus of being late:
"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
and he encouraged her but then Mary accused Him of being late:
"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
Jesus was deeply troubled at their pain and moved in His Spirit
and He wept!
Even the crowd accused Him of being late:
"Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man,
have kept this man also from dying?"
Jesus said to Mary,
"Did I not say to you that if you believe,
you will see the glory of God?"
And at the perfect time,
He raised Lazarus from the dead!
So in my accusing moments,
I need to look for the resurrection moment!
The God being glorified moment.
I need to look for it with hope and expectation,
and trust the miracle will come.
And God will move in power
and work miracles of goodness
in all my trials,
to His glory
and for my good.
Because He is loving
and good
and all powerful
and on time.
at the darkest moment,
at the point of giving up all hope,
God does many of His miracles
(at least in my life).
It's as if I have learned
(by this)
"No...it's not dark enough yet."
"No...it's not hopeless enough yet."
God's timing is perfect.
Although,
we'd like Him to be early.
If God were early,
we could worry less.
If God was early,
we would need less faith.
So if God is all about growing our faith,
and God IS all about growing our faith,
I guess the last hour is the perfect time,
and I need to trust Him.
He has never let me down.
He is never late.
Think about it!
Even in scripture when Martha accused Jesus of being late:
"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died."
and he encouraged her but then Mary accused Him of being late:
"Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.
Jesus was deeply troubled at their pain and moved in His Spirit
and He wept!
Even the crowd accused Him of being late:
"Could not this man, who opened the eyes of the blind man,
have kept this man also from dying?"
Jesus said to Mary,
"Did I not say to you that if you believe,
you will see the glory of God?"
And at the perfect time,
He raised Lazarus from the dead!
So in my accusing moments,
I need to look for the resurrection moment!
The God being glorified moment.
I need to look for it with hope and expectation,
and trust the miracle will come.
And God will move in power
and work miracles of goodness
in all my trials,
to His glory
and for my good.
Because He is loving
and good
and all powerful
and on time.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Peace and Hope Romans 5:1-11
Therefore, yep, the scripture starts with a "therefore"(it's there because previously in the book of Romans it speaks of our being saved by grace and not by obedience to the law).
Therefore,
since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Having "peace with God" is a precious thing. It's more secure than it ever feels. It's deeper then we ever expect, it's not based on our performance or our effort, it's based on the work of Christ and the faithful love of the Father (which is also more secure than we can comprehend, but we benefit when we try!). So we have this "peace with God" because of our faith in the sanctifying work of Christ.
In any relationship (on earth) we relate to people according to the "peace" we have with them. So if in your marriage all is well and good, when they walk in the room, you may turn to them and make eye contact and smile, perhaps you express a pleasant greeting, or you just give them your attention, because love compels you to do so. If (however) things are not so good when the person walks in the room, you may keep your back turned (even if spoken to). You may pretend you didn't realize they were there, or the dishes may be so interesting and so urgent that you must keep your attention focused on them.
I think most of us are on the surface "fine" in our relationship with God when we start out. Like we believe God is on our side when we get saved, the conflict arises later (after the honeymoon is over and we see how sinful we still are). We feel God is not for us, that He disapproves of us. I was raised by my dad (a Scottish sailor) who was very harsh. He was loving, but his temper was horrible and his words were brutal. Sometimes he'd pin me against the wall with a fist held back and yell in my face how he wished I was a man (so he could punch me). As a 12-14 year old girl, I was learning somethings about what a father was. Things not helpful in my future relationship with God. My parents were divorced and my mom married a big strong loving man one winter while I was away and when I went to live with her the summer of my 14th year, my Mom, and my brother and I all learned how abusive he was. As he broke a solid wood door down to get to my brother and put him through a wall, my brother cried for little girl me to come help him. As he pinned my mother on the floor yelling and hitting her, she cried for the little girl me to help her. I was 14 and very small. My 110lb frame was no match for the 6'2, 250lb man, I learned things about what a father figure was.
So when I was saved, I felt connected with Jesus (my Savior) I felt close to the Holy Spirit (who wrapped around me and comforted me). But the Father...I did not feel peace (even at the beginning) with the Father. I think at first it was easiest to ignore the distance I felt, but God pursued me. He wanted to bring healing. He wanted me to experience the freedom Christ had died for me to walk in. He wanted me to have "peace with God" and as long as the lies I had learned as a child, about masculine power, about male dominance, about fathers using their position to control, manipulate, beat down and hold there, I would not be free. It was for freedom that Christ has set me free, and God wants me to live in that freedom. So he redefined what a Father is for me. He's actually still teaching me, still resetting my mind when I loose peace and don't feel connected to Him. God is so kind, so committed to my good that He would do this.
So that's our peace with God, it's bigger and more real than the earthly peace we have with others. And we are given this peace and kept in peace because of our faith in Christ but then our text goes on to say:
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Now Tim and I over the summer go to music festivals to provide drums and sometimes lights to the musicians. In order to do what we do, we are given "Full Access Passes". We have a collection of 20 or more at the shop of these necklaces, with the venue written on it. Some of these give us more benefits than others, depending on how generous the hosts are, but the bottom line is, we can go anywhere. No place is blocked to us. One of our favorite festivals is the Chenango Blues Fest. They spoil us rotten and treat us as royalty. Beautifully catered meals, a camper to rest in during the day or just to get out of the sun and a port-a-potty that's air condition that smells nice and has running water with peaceful music playing. With our passes we get all the wine and beer we'd like free and the ability to even stand on stage with the artists to take pictures or fix their equipment or what ever we'd like. We are trusted and approved and nothing is withheld from us. We are given the same honor given to the rock stars, we are honored, because of these passes. If I'd like a table, or a chair or a table cloth, I just ask and one of the hundred volunteers runs and get's it for me. This is full access!
Now what a beautiful thought it is to carry this picture in my mind when I read "we have gained access by faith into this grace". So just as at the festival, I gain access (to the good stuff) with the lanyard, faith gives me access to the goodness of God's grace. There are thousands of people who come to the roped off areas at the festivals we attend and they are greeted by the security guards who stop them and will not allow their entrance, where we have just walked. And in the world there are billions upon billions who do not have the peace with God or the grace which we have been given the honor to now stand. We get behind the gate, we get to approach the throne of grace with full confidence, and boldness, because of what Christ has done, because we trust Him, He has covered us, and we enter into His peace and receive His grace and by Christ, we stand. We are actually given all the honor and benefits of a son or daughter of God.
Now my Bible titles this section "Peace and Hope". So if you're going to long for something and go to the drug store of God's Word looking for the medicine you need, if stress and hopelessness are what ales you, I'd say go down the isle marked "peace and Hope" and in the book of Romans in chapter 5 verses 1-11 you will find the truth you need to be healed. So we walk boldly into grace and stand there with the benefit "full access" brings (by faith in Christ), but what of this thing called hope? What is it and what will it do for us?
First let me say in some of our travels, Tim and I have had not so generous or thoughtful of stage management. And our "all access passes" got us cold pizza and blocked off when the "stars" arrived. Our drums were actually put outside and we were only allowed to collect them after the "stars" had left! So when the Lord asks us to trust Him, He is well aware of those who have enlisted our labor, our attention and loyalty, in the past. Listen to the heart of God at Christ's invitation: Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am humble and gentle and you will find rest for your souls. This is the heart of the One whom we have peace with. This is the heart of the One in who's grace we now stand. This is the heart of the One in whom we hope. I love the way the New American Standard words the next part: Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. This is the "hope" part (we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory). This is all good news (especially if you're having a hard day). Remember the drug store analogy? If you're looking for truth to heal and undo a lie that causing you stress or giving you hopelessness, listen to this: We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. So that's it. We feel the love of God in our heart (by His Holy Spirit) and we know it's all good! We are safe. The worst wont overtake us. We are not abandoned, we are not overpowered, we are not used and then held at arms length, we stand in God's grace, experience His favor and know His peace and have the confident hope of all the good He's working out of our hard stuff. And we will not be embarrassed by the hope of all the good we see in our imagination, because in our heart, we feel God's love with us. That is reason for hope. This is a reason for peace.
Therefore,
since we have been justified through faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Having "peace with God" is a precious thing. It's more secure than it ever feels. It's deeper then we ever expect, it's not based on our performance or our effort, it's based on the work of Christ and the faithful love of the Father (which is also more secure than we can comprehend, but we benefit when we try!). So we have this "peace with God" because of our faith in the sanctifying work of Christ.
In any relationship (on earth) we relate to people according to the "peace" we have with them. So if in your marriage all is well and good, when they walk in the room, you may turn to them and make eye contact and smile, perhaps you express a pleasant greeting, or you just give them your attention, because love compels you to do so. If (however) things are not so good when the person walks in the room, you may keep your back turned (even if spoken to). You may pretend you didn't realize they were there, or the dishes may be so interesting and so urgent that you must keep your attention focused on them.
I think most of us are on the surface "fine" in our relationship with God when we start out. Like we believe God is on our side when we get saved, the conflict arises later (after the honeymoon is over and we see how sinful we still are). We feel God is not for us, that He disapproves of us. I was raised by my dad (a Scottish sailor) who was very harsh. He was loving, but his temper was horrible and his words were brutal. Sometimes he'd pin me against the wall with a fist held back and yell in my face how he wished I was a man (so he could punch me). As a 12-14 year old girl, I was learning somethings about what a father was. Things not helpful in my future relationship with God. My parents were divorced and my mom married a big strong loving man one winter while I was away and when I went to live with her the summer of my 14th year, my Mom, and my brother and I all learned how abusive he was. As he broke a solid wood door down to get to my brother and put him through a wall, my brother cried for little girl me to come help him. As he pinned my mother on the floor yelling and hitting her, she cried for the little girl me to help her. I was 14 and very small. My 110lb frame was no match for the 6'2, 250lb man, I learned things about what a father figure was.
So when I was saved, I felt connected with Jesus (my Savior) I felt close to the Holy Spirit (who wrapped around me and comforted me). But the Father...I did not feel peace (even at the beginning) with the Father. I think at first it was easiest to ignore the distance I felt, but God pursued me. He wanted to bring healing. He wanted me to experience the freedom Christ had died for me to walk in. He wanted me to have "peace with God" and as long as the lies I had learned as a child, about masculine power, about male dominance, about fathers using their position to control, manipulate, beat down and hold there, I would not be free. It was for freedom that Christ has set me free, and God wants me to live in that freedom. So he redefined what a Father is for me. He's actually still teaching me, still resetting my mind when I loose peace and don't feel connected to Him. God is so kind, so committed to my good that He would do this.
So that's our peace with God, it's bigger and more real than the earthly peace we have with others. And we are given this peace and kept in peace because of our faith in Christ but then our text goes on to say:
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
Now Tim and I over the summer go to music festivals to provide drums and sometimes lights to the musicians. In order to do what we do, we are given "Full Access Passes". We have a collection of 20 or more at the shop of these necklaces, with the venue written on it. Some of these give us more benefits than others, depending on how generous the hosts are, but the bottom line is, we can go anywhere. No place is blocked to us. One of our favorite festivals is the Chenango Blues Fest. They spoil us rotten and treat us as royalty. Beautifully catered meals, a camper to rest in during the day or just to get out of the sun and a port-a-potty that's air condition that smells nice and has running water with peaceful music playing. With our passes we get all the wine and beer we'd like free and the ability to even stand on stage with the artists to take pictures or fix their equipment or what ever we'd like. We are trusted and approved and nothing is withheld from us. We are given the same honor given to the rock stars, we are honored, because of these passes. If I'd like a table, or a chair or a table cloth, I just ask and one of the hundred volunteers runs and get's it for me. This is full access!
Now what a beautiful thought it is to carry this picture in my mind when I read "we have gained access by faith into this grace". So just as at the festival, I gain access (to the good stuff) with the lanyard, faith gives me access to the goodness of God's grace. There are thousands of people who come to the roped off areas at the festivals we attend and they are greeted by the security guards who stop them and will not allow their entrance, where we have just walked. And in the world there are billions upon billions who do not have the peace with God or the grace which we have been given the honor to now stand. We get behind the gate, we get to approach the throne of grace with full confidence, and boldness, because of what Christ has done, because we trust Him, He has covered us, and we enter into His peace and receive His grace and by Christ, we stand. We are actually given all the honor and benefits of a son or daughter of God.
Now my Bible titles this section "Peace and Hope". So if you're going to long for something and go to the drug store of God's Word looking for the medicine you need, if stress and hopelessness are what ales you, I'd say go down the isle marked "peace and Hope" and in the book of Romans in chapter 5 verses 1-11 you will find the truth you need to be healed. So we walk boldly into grace and stand there with the benefit "full access" brings (by faith in Christ), but what of this thing called hope? What is it and what will it do for us?
First let me say in some of our travels, Tim and I have had not so generous or thoughtful of stage management. And our "all access passes" got us cold pizza and blocked off when the "stars" arrived. Our drums were actually put outside and we were only allowed to collect them after the "stars" had left! So when the Lord asks us to trust Him, He is well aware of those who have enlisted our labor, our attention and loyalty, in the past. Listen to the heart of God at Christ's invitation: Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest, take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am humble and gentle and you will find rest for your souls. This is the heart of the One whom we have peace with. This is the heart of the One in who's grace we now stand. This is the heart of the One in whom we hope. I love the way the New American Standard words the next part: Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. This is the "hope" part (we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory). This is all good news (especially if you're having a hard day). Remember the drug store analogy? If you're looking for truth to heal and undo a lie that causing you stress or giving you hopelessness, listen to this: We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. So that's it. We feel the love of God in our heart (by His Holy Spirit) and we know it's all good! We are safe. The worst wont overtake us. We are not abandoned, we are not overpowered, we are not used and then held at arms length, we stand in God's grace, experience His favor and know His peace and have the confident hope of all the good He's working out of our hard stuff. And we will not be embarrassed by the hope of all the good we see in our imagination, because in our heart, we feel God's love with us. That is reason for hope. This is a reason for peace.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Because it's true
He knit me together in my mothers womb
He will not abandon me.
He told the Father He would not loose any
who had been given to Him.
He will not let the enemy steel me away.
He said He would never leave me or forsake me.
He will not abandon me or turn His back on me.
He said I have a hope and a future.
The days to come are not without joy or without purpose.
He said nothing could separate me from His love.
He dose not despise me.
He said He will finish what He started in me.
I will not be abandoned to decay,
I will be made holy.
He said the Father loved me so much He sent Christ to die for me.
He invested His most loved thing to bring me good.
So I have worth.
He thinks about me and says my name.
I am not wandering aimlessly
separated from His affection and attention.
He said if I come to Him He will not turn me away.
I do not need to fear His rejection.
He said if I come to Him He will come to me.
I do not pray in vain.
He said His Word would not return to Him in vain.
His Word invested in me, will change me.
He said He was standing at the door of my heart,
waiting for me to open it.
He comes to me.
He said He works all things out for my good.
I do not need to embrace "the worst case scenario"
in order to not be disappointed.
He said I have a hope and a future.
I can hope.
He died to set me free.
His truth sets me free
He set me free so I would live free.
There is not no condemnation for those whom Christ has set free.
I can walk free.
c. Kim Damon 11/14
He will not abandon me.
He told the Father He would not loose any
who had been given to Him.
He will not let the enemy steel me away.
He said He would never leave me or forsake me.
He will not abandon me or turn His back on me.
He said I have a hope and a future.
The days to come are not without joy or without purpose.
He said nothing could separate me from His love.
He dose not despise me.
He said He will finish what He started in me.
I will not be abandoned to decay,
I will be made holy.
He said the Father loved me so much He sent Christ to die for me.
He invested His most loved thing to bring me good.
So I have worth.
He thinks about me and says my name.
I am not wandering aimlessly
separated from His affection and attention.
He said if I come to Him He will not turn me away.
I do not need to fear His rejection.
He said if I come to Him He will come to me.
I do not pray in vain.
He said His Word would not return to Him in vain.
His Word invested in me, will change me.
He said He was standing at the door of my heart,
waiting for me to open it.
He comes to me.
He said He works all things out for my good.
I do not need to embrace "the worst case scenario"
in order to not be disappointed.
He said I have a hope and a future.
I can hope.
He died to set me free.
His truth sets me free
He set me free so I would live free.
There is not no condemnation for those whom Christ has set free.
I can walk free.
c. Kim Damon 11/14
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
I Choose Hope
Is hope harder than worry?
Is it easier to imagine the worst
and let it torment you?
Or is the fear of being disappointed
keeping me from hope;
from imagining God
bringing about my good?
God rescue me from the despair of fears.
Birth hope.
I believe you desire me to hope.
Forgive me for preferring
to make peace with poverty
rather than to hope for prosperity.
It's not the abundance of money I long for.
It's the lavish
abundant joy in your presence.
That is wealth
and that is what I long for.
Hope
God I choose hope.
All my hope is in you.
Right now, I surrender
my imagination to your will.
I purpose to hope.
To pray and believe
you are a rewarder
of those who diligently seek you.
c. Kim Damon 2014
Photo credit: Created by Kris Rozelle
FREE 2.14.15 Photomontage digital collage
What it would look like to be free from all
Is it easier to imagine the worst
Or is the fear of being disappointed
keeping me from hope;
from imagining God
bringing about my good?
God rescue me from the despair of fears.
Birth hope.
I believe you desire me to hope.
Forgive me for preferring
to make peace with poverty
rather than to hope for prosperity.
It's not the abundance of money I long for.
It's the lavish
abundant joy in your presence.
That is wealth
and that is what I long for.
Hope
God I choose hope.
All my hope is in you.
Right now, I surrender
my imagination to your will.
I purpose to hope.
To pray and believe
you are a rewarder
of those who diligently seek you.
c. Kim Damon 2014
Photo credit: Created by Kris Rozelle
FREE 2.14.15 Photomontage digital collage
What it would look like to be free from all
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