Not Your Typical 24 Episode

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 4:00 A.M. AND 5:00 A.M.

I turned the corner and entered a patient's room. Stunned, my eyes laid witness to an elderly man, unbeknownst to his sleeping roommate, walking around without a single stitch of clothing. This was not the first time, nor do I believe it will be the last, for this particular crossroad. I have unknowingly developed a formula for how I respond to such interactions. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, let's get some clothes on you, sir (or ma'am)" seems to be my typical response. Disbelief --> some repeated interjection --> and a rush to politely clothe. 

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 9:00 A.M.

While drinking a delicious Aztec hot chocolate, I write my thoughts about my first oncology practicum shift of my last semester in nursing school. I am almost done with school...really. Weird. Exciting. Unknown.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 6:00 P.M.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 7:00 P.M. AND 9:00 P.M.

Homework.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 9:00 P.M. AND 10:00 P.M.

I receive a phone call from a friend with very sobering news. The dad of a very young friend is moving out. I don't know whether to be happy or sad...so I am both. The effects of this are unknown and weighty. I pray, "God, will you surround with your fatherly love, those children whose lives have been scarred, who have wounds that need healing, that they may learn that even if all others fail them, you really can be trusted? Transform pain into forgiveness, Jesus. You alone can bring healing and restoration. You alone are our hope."

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 1:00 A.M. AND 3:00 A.M.

As I read a book about marriage, instead of getting excited about the future, my spirit rejoices in the beauty of the gospel. Amen! I am excited for the future, but more so because I know that God has designed marriage to bring us closer to himself. This mystery is profound and I am thankful for eyes now that are allowed to glimpse into the riches and grace to be had, if God so wills.

THE FOLLOWING TAKES PLACE

BETWEEN 4:00 A.M. AND 5:00 A.M.

I type away at a keyboard and contemplate going to sleep. Yep, it's going to happen. Well, goodnight/good-morning.

I AM WHO I AM.

The book of Genesis begins by showing us how God formed the world for himself. Similarly, the book of Exodus begins by showing us how God formed Israel for himself. And he did this for a great reason. "...for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise." Isaiah 43:20, 21.
The forming of Israel into a people was a new creation. That they might declare my praise. 


Today I want to declare the praise of God. Lord, please make it so.

Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.”’ And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.’ But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”
(Exodus 3:10-22 ESV)

This passage falls just after God, in a burning bush, reveals himself to Moses. Here, we see God revealing his promises and purposes to Moses; purposes that Moses does not initially understand, or agree with, for that matter. Moses questions his own ability or worthiness, and in turn, poses a question to God. But God does not answer Moses' question in the way he asks, but instead says, "I will be with you" indicating that his presence with Moses is essential to what God is calling him to. God found this answer to be sufficient for Moses...and often for us. God's presence gives honor to the worthless, wisdom and strength for the weak and foolish, makes the greatest difficulties dwindle to nothing, and is enough to answer all objections.


Moses inquires of God's name. God readily answers with what he would now be known by.  I AM WHO I AM. Let it suffice, that he is who he is, who he ever was and ever will be. He is faithful and true to all his promises, unchangeable in his word and nature, and does not lie. God wants Israel to know that this is the God who has sent Moses to them...I AM has sent me to you.


My heart begins to beat faster and tears form in the corners of my eyes. My vocal cords tighten up. And a smile emerges on my face. I AM.


I AM the bread of life...                         John 6:35, 48, 51
I AM the light of the world...                 John 8:12, 9:5
I AM the door of the sheep...                John 10:7, 9
I AM the good shepherd...                    John 10:11, 14
I AM the ressurection and the life...      John 11:25
I AM the way, the truth and the life...    John 14:6
I AM the true vine...                              John 15:1


Jesus said "For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me." John 5:46


The same hand that now fetched a shepherd out of a desert, to be the planter of a Jewish church, afterwards fetched fisherman from their ships, to be the planters of the Christian church, that the excellency of the power might be of God. Praise be to God!


Thank you, Lord, for your Word and for Jesus, THE Word! May I declare your praise the rest of my days!

Jesus Will Build His Church.

While trapped in isolation gear consisting of a yellow plastic gown and blue gloves, I began to read and to sweat. Drinking coffee probably didn't help my temperature regulation, but I can say with certainty that I needed it to stay awake. Let's just assume I stayed awake for the duration of my shift. I did have several hours to read, and read I did. Some from Matthew, Isaiah, Acts, Genesis, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Timothy, Philippians, Romans, Revelation...

Jesus will build his church. This is clear. It has been God's aim from before the foundations of the Earth were set. In a stifling room, confined to a muggy apron, I read with keen eyes and an impassioned heart. Walls within my heart have come down that I didn't know I'd built. Praise God! Life is flowing through my veins and my heart is beating with excitement, my mind races with thoughts much to big to think. God drew near tonight. My heart rejoiced at truths in his Word that speak love loudly. These truths also speak love clearly and simply. Truth leaped from the pages and a renewed vision and purpose welled inside my heart and mind.

Jesus will build his church. My heart stirred in such a way tonight that words merely hint at the joy I am feeling. Caught up in excitement I told myself, "Self, get a tattoo tomorrow morning, lest you forget again what God has placed on your heart." Now, I'm still thinking over the tattoo idea, but the message God placed upon my heart, through his word, is clear and reorienting.

Go, Eric, disciple the nations. These are my people, whom I love. Teach all that I have taught you. Wield the sword of the Spirit mightily, for darkness is dying. My Son will build his church. He will not be stopped. And behold, he is with you ALWAYS, to the end of the age. Pray earnestly that more laborers be sent out into my harvest. Go, my son, go and disciple the nations. Live with eternity in focus, live with this purpose and passion. Eric, these are the things I am passionate about and already at work doing. Join me in this fight of faith. Love me and love my people by going and discipling. Make waves for my Kingdom.

Lord, I echo your saints, if you'll teach me your Word I'll proclaim it for the rest of my days.
This was a significant, sweaty, joyful night!

"A Thanksgiving" for a thankful and blustery Sunday

I Thank Thee, boundless Giver,
That the thoughts Thou givest flow
In sounds that like a river
All through the darkness go.
And though few should swell the pleasure,
By sharing this my wine,
My heart will clasp its treasure,
This secret gift of Thine.

My heart the joy inherits,
And will oft be sung to rest;
And some wandering hoping spirits
May listen and be blest.
For the sound may break the hours
In a dark and gloomy mood,
As the wind breaks up the bowers
Of the brooding sunless wood.

For every sound of gladness
Is a prophet-wind that tells
Of a summer without sadness,
And a love without farewells;
And a heart that hath no ailing,
And an eye that is not dim,
And a faith that without failing
Shall be complete in Him.

And when my heart is mourning,
The songs it lately gave,
Back to their fount returning,
Make sweet the bitter wave;
And forth a new stream floweth,
In sunshine winding fair;
And through the dark wood goeth
Glad laughter on the air.

For the heart of man that waketh,
Yet hath not ceased to dream,
Is the only fount that maketh
The sweet and bitter stream.
But the sweet will still be flowing
When the bitter stream is dry,
And glad music only going
On the breezes of the sky.

I thank Thee, boundless Giver,
That the thoughts Thou givest flow
In sounds that like a river
All through the darkness go.
And though few should swell the pleasure
By sharing this my wine,
My heart will clasp its treasure,
This secret gift of Thine.

--George MacDonald

Make the Tree Good

Transform me, Jesus. Transform the way I feel and think and love; renew my mind with your Word. Stir me to take steps in life that make known your true value. Make it so, Lord, I plead. Sanctify and free me by your truth, that I may discern what is good, acceptable and perfect. I give myself to this. May the fruit be good.

Words I Long to Hear

"You are still a sinner. But I see in your life the distinguishing fruit of my Son's mercy. Your mercy on others is the evidence of his mercy in you. And for his sake I now show you mercy again. Come, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Joplin, Missouri. May, 2011.