Alexis, my 3 year old daughter, is at a precious age! In her eyes it feels like I can do no wrong...my 9 year old and 7 year old sons know that is not the case since I admit to them when Daddy makes a mistake and I will ask for their forgiveness. Alexis is still at that wonderful place where she will frequently say "MY DADDY, MY DADDY" and give me a huge hug and press her little head against my neck. At this point I am her hero, she trusts me...when there is a lightening strike and a thunder clap nearby she runs to me, when there is a strange noise outside she runs to me for comfort, support and reassurance. I don't know about the rest of you Daddies, but few things can make my heart soar like my children running to me because they trust me and believe that I am stro
ng enough to protect and provide!
About 6 years ago I found myself very frustrated with my ministry at Bellevue and was crying out to God to please use me more...it was a simple cry to be able to do more for our Lord! After a period of time God came to me in a still small voice...I know a man in Christ who 6 years ago—whether in the body I do not know, in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven...SORRY FOR THAT...there was no third heaven experience, it was just a really loud still small voice!
The short of it was this...Mark, what do you want from your boys? (Alexis was not born yet.) The question kept coming...what do you want from your boys? The first thoughts were, obey, not embarrass Diane and me in public, grow up to be healthy productive Christ followers, citizens etc. The question kept coming...what do you want from your boys? What do YOU (Mark) want from your boys? After I quieted down on the inside and began to pray about it I responded..."Lord, what I love more than anything is when they come to me not wanting anything but me! They just need a big hug...they need and want Dad and Dad time. Father, that is what I want most."
The very loud still small voice replied..."that is what I want from you!" "Don't you get Mark, you connect with ME, long for ME, long for Abba time, time with your heavenly Father and then your ministry will flow out of the relationship you have with ME...and you will be able to find JOY UNSPEAKABLE in doing the most mundane tasks!
Heb 2:13-18 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.” 14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
So should we labor and strain to obey, serve, work in our own power OR do we pursue HIM with a white-hot passion, do we embrace HIM, long for HIM, delight in HIM, TRUST IN HIM? Oh how I long to live, breath, and drink every moment of every day Jeremiah 29:13, You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Heb 2:13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
2 Sam 22:3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent men you save me.
Isa 12:2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.”
Isa 8:17 I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.
Isa 8:18 Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.
Matt 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Children come and enter into the rest, come to Jesus, HE has set you free and recreated you, redeemed you...you are free to fulfill HIS original design for you! To experience an intimate relationship with HIMSELF AND WITH OTHER PEOPLE! COME!