Clean Hearts

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NRSV

Yesterday was a definite day of rest! Both my mind and body crashed after two days of driving, one of them in bumper to bumper traffic. As it was Sunday and I was not at home to worship with my own congregation, I attended worship at one of those large praise type services with my granddaughter and daughter-in-law. The sermon was pretty good. The music was a little loud for this old Lutheran. But, it did bring back memories of one of my mentors, Pr. Al Goodrich. The opening and closing praise song was something about giving your heart to Jesus. Pr. Al loved it when people would talk about giving their hearts to Jesus. His response would be, "Why would Jesus want that filthy thing! Jesus wants to give you a clean heart!"

Christmas and Christianity is not about what we can give to God; but, what God has already done and given for us. We celebrate because God is indeed willing and able to create in us clean hearts. We are not Christians because of what we have done; but, because of what God has done for us. Thanks be to God for His good and gracious gifts!

Merry Christmas!

God's Peace Pr. J

Song of Songs 3 - The LORD's Love Is The Answer To The Void

LOL! Maybe I shouldn't be writing anything publicly about the Song of Songs as my patience and tolerance for anyone who is chasing after a man day and night can be pretty low. It's not nonexistent. I just think that if we are going to be good stewards of the time on earth that God has given us that there are better ways, more fulfilling ways, to live life.

However, if we read this as an allegory pertaining to our relationship with God, then indeed I can relate to the heart sickness and the persistence that comes with searching for love, at least in concept. As Pastor Al Goodrich, one of my early mentors use to remind people, "We don't find Jesus. He finds us."

But, the reality is that many people, even multitudes, hope for a love that will fill the void that exists within their hearts and their lives. I adjure you, if you're looking for love, genuine love, first you must know the genuine love of God, given to us through Christ Jesus. He has found you. He knocks at the door to your heart. Open it up and let Him in. (see Songs of Songs 5:2; Rev 3:20 NIV) He is our beloved. He is the King whom we await. His glory and splendor are way beyond anything you can imagine. The love that Solomon had for his many wives and concubines and they for him cannot even begin to compare to the love that God has for us in Christ Jesus. Crowned with splendor, as He enters our lives, our beloved will end our heart break and fill us with His peace.

If you're going to be chasing after love, chase after the one and only true love that will fill that empty void within you for all eternity. Once you receive His love, then you, too, will be able to love others, even as you love Him. Without the love of God, your heart will remain empty and you will probably find yourselves, more often than even you like, spending your days and nights chasing after men.

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance." (2 Thess 3:5) Pr. J