A Journey with Jesus-Who I AM

Today I begin a journey, a walk with Jesus in the gospel written by His beloved disciple and friend John. Today I begin a personal, intimate journey, walk with Jesus. Today I will look and listen to Jesus. Today I will learn from and lean on Jesus. Today I will know Jesus and love Him with All my heart. Today I will live with Jesus and for Jesus. Today I join in the proclamation of William Booth (Founder of the Salvation Army), "Jesus Christ has All of me."
Today I will do All I do, with All my heart as unto Jesus.

Near the end of the Gospel of John, in John 20:31, he gives the reason, purpose for writing what he did, "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name." Life abundant...life everlasting...in Him...in His Name...that is why Jesus came. Today Jesus is saying, "I want you to know Me, I want you to know Who I AM". Today the journey with Jesus begins in the first chapter of John.

JESUS is...
The Word...Eternal...God...Creator...The True Light...Giver of the right, power, authority, privilege to (miraculously) become children of God, something only Jesus can do...The only begotten of the Father...The glory of God...Full of grace and Truth...Declarer of God...Unfolder of the things of God.

What did others say...who did they say He was...who did He say He was?
Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!-John the Baptist
This is the Son of God.-John the Baptist
The One Who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.-God's words, declaration to John the Baptist
Rabbi, Teacher-Disciples
The Messiah...The Christ-Andrew
The One of Whom Moses and the prophets wrote-Philip
Rabbi, Son of God, King of Israel!-Nathanael
The Son of Man-Jesus

Thank You, Jesus, for All you are to me!
Thank You for being my All-in-All!

First Leap

As a child I remember playing "Leap Frog". I recall a story of a young lady kissing a frog that turned into a prince. I had a classmate who did not celebrate her fifth birthday until two years after we graduated from high school. Today, somewhere out there, she celebrates her eleventh birthday. Today I went to school with Froggy, A Frog in the Bog, and a fuzzy frog with floppy legs who doesn't leap and doesn't hop on my lap. Today little children gathered at my feet and listened to and sometimes interacted with the Frog stories. On occassion, with some help, the fuzzy frog with the floppy legs who doesn't leap and doesn't hop would let out a croak but otherwise he sat silently in his own chair. The children, too fun, sometimes silly frog stories, and a fuzzy frog with floppy legs who doesn't leap and doesn't hop on this special day. This extra day, this gift, this day that still leaves the shortest month of the year the shortest month of the year, this once every four years day, this last day of February, this February 29, 2008, this "Leap Day" of this "Leap Year". On the three years in between, February 28 is the last day of this month, but not this year, not this first year. This first year? You see, the fuzzy frog with the floppy legs who doesn't leap and doesn't hop and only croaks with help belonged to my Dad. It was given to him by someone very special (Bea) who had floppy legs that didn't leap and didn't hop, just like mine, just like the fuzzy frog. My Dad whose birthday is February 28. My Dad who wasn't here to celebrate his birthday this first year. This first year he celebrated in a far better place. This first year there was a far greater celebration, a heavenly celebration, and maybe some "Angel Food Cake"? A far sweeter, sweeter than we can begin to imagine celebration! I can picture him smiling and his arms with hands lifted high and singing joyous praises to the One Whose amazing grace made this all possible. For it was twenty one years ago this February when my Dad knelt down at an altar of prayer and humbly received God's gracious gift of eternal life. It was there and then that this man who lived from age nine without an earthly father was adopted into the family of his Heavenly Father. It was there and then that my earthly father became my eternal brother along with Jesus our Lord and Savior. It was there and then that the celebration started and now...exceedingly, abundantly, above all we could ask or think is what he is experiencing! So, on this day, this first leap, with the children and the fuzzy frog with floppy legs who couldn't leap and couldn't hop was where I belonged. So, on this day, this first leap, I have reason to celebrate the gift of life...abundant life and eternal life! So, on this day, this first leap, I have reason to celebrate for one day these floppy legs that cannot leap and cannot hop will leap and hop on streets of gold with my Dad and with Bea who gave him the fuzzy frog and with my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. So, on this day, this first leap, I remember and give thanks for the love of my earthly father! So, on this day, this first leap, I remember and give thanks for the love of my Heavenly Father! So, on this day, this first leap, I remember that you are both somehow always with me, always a part of me both now and forever and I rejoice! "This is the day that the LORD has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!"

Truly Love

Valentine’s Day…flowers will be given, sweets…little candy hearts, heart shaped boxes full of chocolates…sweets from and for a sweetheart…cards carefully chosen…in expression of love on this day. In schools children will give cute cards to their classmates…seems not so long ago I was one of those children, life and love were so simple and so innocent then…I belonged to a family, I had parents, a Dad and a Mom, who loved, cared for me, provided for me, were always there for me…there was a place called home, not just a house to live in, but a home…a place of belonging, safety, security, and love…I look back now and realize how blessed I was (I am), I realize how much I had (have) to be thankful for, I knew then that I was and I know now that I am loved.

So let us say“I love you”, for it needs to be said, however the true measure of love expresses itself, shows forth, in our actions, in the things we do, otherwise the word “love” rings hollow, is empty, for love is a verb, it is a doing, showing, taking action word, it is a decision we make, and it is to be demonstrated. I am thankful that this is the kind of love I have and do experience. Thank You Father and thank You Jesus for continuously demonstrating Your love for me and to me! Today I want to live a life demonstrating love to You and for You, loving You with all of my heart and loving others as You love me. So, on this day of giving sweets, there is nothing sweeter in my life than being in love with You. So, on this day of giving hearts, I give my heart anew to You…loving, trusting, seeking You with all my heart! So, on this day of giving flowers that look so pretty and smell so fragrant but soon fade away, I am thankful that there is no beauty more glorious or fragrant so pleasant as Your ever abiding presence in my life, than Your Holy Word, never fading, never failing, everlasting…sweeter, more fragrant, more glorious, more beautiful as time goes on. So, on this day as cards and love letters are given, I am thankful You have given a card, a love letter, Your Word, that is forever, there is nothing I possess that is sweeter, more precious or treasured. Today I am loved beyond measure…so I would love as You love…I would share Your love with ALL!

His Passion for You

There is One though unseen is always present with you (and me), the One Who knows your hurt, suffering, pain, the One Who knows your stress and the heavy burden on your heart…the One Who bids us to cast all our cares upon Him…all who labor and are heavy laden…and find rest, rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28-30). The One Who is humble and lowly in Spirit and yet sits at the right hand of God (Ephesians 1:20) forever interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief…despised and rejected…oppressed, afflicted, stricken…the One Who bore our grief and carried our sorrows…wounded, bruised, crushed, punished…the One Who poured out His very soul…all for us (Isaiah 53). The Man troubled, deeply distressed, “Exceedingly sorrowful…” (Mark 14:33-34) as He prayed. Today I beheld The Man…The Son of God…willingly suffering and laying down His life, demonstrating His love and His Father’s love (Romans 5:8)…for me, for you, for whosoever…for God so loved the world (John 3:16)! Today I beheld my Savior, my Lord, my Jesus, suffering beyond comprehension, dying, and resurrected! Today I beheld Jesus purchasing (1 Peter 1:18-19) the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23)! Wednesday, February 6 (nine months since my Dad passed on to his eternal home), Ash Wednesday, marked the beginning of this season of Lent leading up to our glorious celebration of Jesus’ resurrection (just like He said) on Easter Sunday morning. I remember too His passion for me, I look to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), I focus on Him, I seek to follow Him and His example (Philippians 2:5), I desire to love Him and love like Him, to share His love and love as He loved (John 15:12). So loved, so blessed, so thankful…through it all! Not always easy, not always enjoyable, through hurt, pain, difficulties, and trials…I know all too well but even more so does my Jesus, in the midst of it all, He knows, He understands, He is ever present, He whispers, “Peace be still, I AM with you” and I know everything is going to be alright, and there is peace surpassing understanding, and there is hope, eternal hope, and there are promises, eternal promises, and there is life, eternal life, and there is an eternal home where there will be no more suffering or pain. Hallelujah! These are His words…these are His promises…this is where I place my trust…this is where I place my faith…in the One Who is Faithful and True…in Jesus. So, I share this with you because I love you. Comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

The LORD-A Fortress in Adversity

Excerpted mainly from Psalm 31, A Psalm of David. “The LORD-A Fortress in Adversity.” As well as other select verses.

Place your trust in The LORD
The LORD sees you
The LORD knows you
The LORD hears you
The LORD listens to you
The LORD answers you
HE is your rock of refuge
HE is your fortress of protection
HE will lead and guide you
The LORD is your redeemer
The LORD is your deliverer
The LORD is your strength
HE is The LORD GOD of TRUTH
Commit your spirit into His hand
Place your trust in The LORD
Be glad and rejoice in His mercy
The LORD has considered your trouble
The LORD knows your soul in adversity
The LORD is with you
In the midst of your trouble
In the midst of your grief
In the midst of your sorrow
In the midst of your brokenness
In the midst of it ALL
The LORD is with you
Though your strength fail
The strength of The LORD Never fails
In the midst of your weakness
The LORD is your strength
The grace of The LORD is sufficient
The grace of The LORD is immeasurable
Call upon The LORD
Place your trust in The LORD
How great is the goodness of The LORD!
Which HE has prepared for you
Which HE has laid up for you
Which HE is prepared to pour out on you
Place your trust in The LORD
How marvelous is the kindness of The LORD!
Blessed be The LORD!
The LORD knows you
The LORD sees you
The LORD hears you
The LORD loves you!
Be of good courage
The LORD will strengthen your heart
Look to The LORD
Lean on The LORD
Love The LORD
Call upon The LORD
Hope in The LORD
Place your trust in The LORD.


"The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Christmas Present, Immanuel

THE GOD WHO CAME...
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
Behold , the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel which means, God with us.
First proclaimed to the prophet Isaiah from the LORD Himself, then over seven hundred years later to a carpenter named Joseph from an angel of the Lord,
And so it was that when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman (Mary) , born to bring salvation from sin, a Savior, The Messiah...born...to redeem... that we might receive (to as many as would receive Him to them He would give the right to be called children of God) the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
STILL COMES...
I will not leave you Comfortless,
I will not leave you orphans,
I will come to you,
I will never leave you or forsake you,
I AM with you always,
I AM your ever present Helper,
I AM your Counselor,
I AM your Comforter,
I AM your Guide,
I AM your Constant Companion,
I AM Immanuel,
I AM The One True God,
I AM God with you,
Be still and know that I AM GOD.
I AM forever present,
I AM The Forever Present,
Receive The Present,
Embrace The Present,
Share The Present.

BEHOLD...

Behold a Child is born,
Behold a Son(The Son of God) is given,
Behold The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world,
Behold The Man!
Behold your King,
Behold The King of kings,
Behold The LORD of lords,
Behold The WORD become flesh and dwelling among us.
His NAME...Wonderful,
His NAME...Counselor,
His NAME...Mighty God,
His NAME...Everlasting Father,
His NAME...Prince of Peace,
His NAME THE NAME Above all names,
His NAME is JESUS CHRIST.
Shepherds and wise men humbly bowed,
One day Every knee will bow and Every tongue will confess(that)
JESUS CHRIST IS LORD to the glory of God The Father.
The kings of earth brought their perishable gifts,
THE KING OF GLORY brought the imperishable gift of eternal life,
Praise (thanks) be to God for His indescribable gift!
Unto you (us) is born...a Savior...CHRIST THE LORD.
Behold The Child is born!