Lifter Of My Head

So I was walking in the Redwood Forest with a couple of friends and I found myself constantly looking up. The ancient trees were calling my attention upward, straining to see the top, hoping to see the sky.

After some time walking, I was struck with the cliché "Keep Looking Up" and chuckled. It was almost involuntary for me. Compelled to look heavenward. I had no choice.

I believe in God -- Creator of the universe, Savior of my soul, Bright Morning Star, Coming King. But I confess that I am often buffeted by the waves of depression and oppression that the world throws at me. I am often sluggishly pursuing holiness under the cloud of my own guilt and sinfulness. I am human (not an excuse) and I'm a mess. I feel the attack and slander of the enemy. I feel like I'm all alone.

PSALM 3 says this:

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”

Selah

But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.

Selah

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.
Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.
From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Selah

So I walk through these magnificent specimens of deciduous growth and sing to God -- "Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me: You're my glory, You're the lifter of my head."

I'm going to keep looking up -- willfully when I can, and trusting God to be the Lifter of my head when I can't.

Selah

Many Waters Cannot Quench Love

I remember a profound moment from a worship conference in Columbus, OH, where I stood at the back of the auditorium taking in the scene...

• Worship Band is singing "Father of Lights"
• 1100 thirsty worship leaders are shouting out "Every good and perfect gift comes from You."
• The presence of the Lord was palpable.
• My friend Sean is absorbing a truth that will someday trigger a deep return to God.

In the midst of this soaking, I looked to the heavens and asked - "Father of Lights, please give me a good and perfect gift right now." Before the words left my mouth, I began to weep as my Father opened up a revelation of His everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). It rushed over me like waves; it was both physical and spiritual. I was overwhelmed with "how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." - Eph. 3:18

Last night, I stood on the Pacific Coast (Trinidad Beach to be exact) and watched the sunset. Although I was with friends, I was really alone. Although the waves were crashing all around me, it was silent. Even though I had my camera clicking away to capture the moment, I had deeper vision. I saw the realms of glory. I saw the Father's heart for me. For my family. For my feeble attempts to serve Jesus. For my failures as well.

I just wanted to go home.

"Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned." Song of Solomon 8:7

Thank you, God. For love.

Selah

What Is Keeping You From Worshipping God?

Take a moment and clear the desk of your mind. (If you're like me, that could take a while.)

Turn off the music, the tube, the internet -- yes, do it (in just a moment) and in the quiet, ask yourself, "What is keeping you from worshipping God with your whole being?" Be brutally honest. Is it lust, or greed, or anger, or something else?

When you get an answer (or answers), then ask God to answer that question for you. What does He say?

Isaiah 33:14-17 --

The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless: “Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?”

He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil--this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him.

Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar.

May you see the King in His beauty -- and worship Him.

Selah