Genesis 46:2

And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night,
and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, “Here am I.”

I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have borne my people’s pain.
I have wept for love of them.
They turn away.
I will break their hearts of stone,
Give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my words to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will send the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them.
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide,
‘Til their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them.
Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.

Heavenly Father,

Bless me with the leading and guidance of your Holy Spirit so that I know your will for me. Defeat my doubtrs, open my mind, heart, soul and spirit to the guidance of your Holy Spirit.

Let me hear your voice, Lord. Lead me decisively, so that I know I am indeed walking in tandem with Jesus down the path you have set for me.

Here I am, Lord. Use me.

I offer my prayer — both of praise and petition; I offer myself — all that I am, all that I ever hope to be — in the name of Jesus, crucified, risen and coming again.

Amen

partial excerpt from my prayer journal: 03/27/03 Words and Music to “Here I Am. Lord,” by Daniel L Schutte copyright 1981

Heartlight

Twisted and gnarled,
… bent, yet seeking heaven,
… the mighty Joshua tree
… stands tall
… arms raised
… offering praise to God
…… for scorching sun,
…… for chilling rain,
…… for ravaging flood;
Paul’s admonition personified:
… “Give thanks in all circumstances.”

CLA

photograph originally posted on Controlled Chaos
June 18th, 2006
Photographer: Rob Harrington

Experience taught me that denial brings comfort.
… Jesus demanded truth.
Experience taught me to reject pain.
… Jesus challenged me to embrace it.
Experience taught me not to trust.
… Jesus asked me to risk.
Experience taught me to expect rejection.
… Jesus said, “I love you.”
Experience taught me I had no value.
… Jesus paid his life for me.

CLA

A guiding lighthouse,
your word provides my daily
illumination.

CLA

The Lord will provide
for obedience to God,
Genesis explains.

CLA

Lost Crow ponders:

I can always tell when someone truely has faith and believes its in their eyes, but the question I have for you today is, god says to obey his commandments, but I do not believe simply following the commandments is good enough, if in your heart you feel the desire to do the opposite. In order to be saved you must grasp the understanding of the commandments and in finding this truth, you will be able to relay the commandments without ever reading the words of god and will be able to live them without any temptation.

I reply:

You are correct, simply following God’s commandments is not good enough: however, becoming a Christian does not suddenly make one perfect and without sin or temptation. God created mankind with free will. He gave us the ability to choose our own paths, then he asked us to lay down our free will and follow him.

Obedience to God is a choice we have to make many times daily, over and over again — and those ten commandments are just the beginning. Jesus commanded us to “Love our neighbors as ourselves.” He also made it clear in the parable of the Good Samaratin that everyone is our neighbor. That means we are to treat all people the way we ourselves would like to be treated in the same situation. Do we, as Christians, always do that? No. No, because we are not perfect nor infaliable. (We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23)

What sets Christians apart from other sinners is not our perfection, but Christ’s perfection. When one accepts and truly believes that Jesus sacrificed his divine life to buy their salvation, then one gains from God the gift of Christ’s Holy Spirit, which provides the aid he needs to live as God would have us live. Notice I said it provides us aid — the Holy Spirit does not take over and replace our free will.

Think of the Holy Spirit like your conscience — you can disregard it, but doing so is seldom comfortable. Unlike your conscience, the Holy Spirit cannot be “talked around” to your way of thinking. It cannot be pacified, nor will it accept your justification. The Holy Spirit excepts nothing less than repetance — a full admission of one’s mistake and the vow to never make it again. That is how Christians slowly become sanctified. That is how they learn to walk in obedience to God’s will.

On the flip side — the Holy Spirit can be rejected (free will). That is what I think is often the case in people who truly believe they are saved, but do not live in accordance to God’s will. They accepted Jesus, then rejected his Holy Spirit — in essence rejecting Jesus and allowing themselves the delusion of acceptance.

I can tell you with absolutely certainty that for many years of my life this is how I lived. Luckily, God is forgiving and he offers second chances (and more). If you have not yet read my testamony you may find doing so enlightening (check the side bar near the top).

Obedience is a living and a learning process. It is not a magical gift we are given upon acceptance of Christ. Reading the Bible, emmersing ourselves in God’s word, helps us better understand the will of God, but more than that, it provides us comfort when we stumble.

Your questions are always welcome. They make me think and help me affirm my beliefs. I hope my answers are helpful to you.

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Amen