kennethbaucum

This is part of my life, I like to call it -- searching.

So, Alexander Bell was quoted as saying, "When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."  Thanks, Al.  I have this door, which shall remain nameless in this public forum, which has been closed.  At least, it seems closed, I could check the lock.  It's now time for me to refocus on the bigger picture and start searching for new doors, preferably open ones, and walk through one.

On the subject of doors, should you be the one whose hand is on a door knob deciding if it should be open or closed, please look first and ensure no one is standing in the doorway before closing it.  Also, slamming the door is not nice.  If you ever have to close the door on someone, no matter how large or small, please close it gently.

And now, for my inspirational quote to wrap this thing up -- "But he giveth more grace."  James 4:6  I'm so glad I know the one who is in control.

Oh, and just as a heads-up, next on the reading list is Terry Esau's followup to "Surprise Me", titled "Be the Surprise."  Be on the lookout for some commentary and real-life applications coming soon.  Pray for rain!

Read Luke 15:11-32, then continue...

I'm sure if you've been around my blog for very long, you will have become familiar with my reading of Surprise Me by Terry Esau.  A great book, capturing the essence of growing closer to God by waiting patiently on Him and His timing.  The main concept is to simply pray each day for God to do something unexpected in your life.  "Surprise me, God!"

I read this passage a few days back and got to thinking...did the father of the prodigal son read this book, as well?  I believe the father prayed daily for his son to come to his senses and come home.  I can't imagine a father who wouldn't want the best for his son -- not to rescue him from this trouble, as that would make him weaker -- but to have his son do right.  Each day, I can hear the father saying, "Dear Lord, my son has left my loving arms.  He does not know how much protection I can offer and he does not know all the ways of the world.  Lord, please bring my son home to me, that I can teach him to be a great man.  Please get your hands on my son's heart and bring him home."  The father then stands from his bedside and goes to his older son's room, peeking around the corner, whispering another short prayer to himself, "Thank you, God, for giving my elder son a good heart, that I can spend more time with him before he departs."

The tables turn one afternoon, on a dusty road leading to the father's house, as the younger son walks up, thinking to himself how he will restart his relationship with his father, whom he betrayed.  The father glances out the door to survey the sun over his fields when he catches the sight of dust and a figure on the road.  He recognizes, even at a distance, the outline of his sons shoulders, and arms.  He sees his sons figure has changed slightly out of his hunger and change in lifestyle, but inside he knows who is coming home.  He runs out the door, full speed ahead, eyes wide open, ready to bring his son back to his safe haven.

The son, hearing the footsteps running toward him, just began to look up as his father came into full view between the plants in the field onto the road.  They meet each others eyes, and before the son could even utter his apology and ask for forgiveness, his father had already given it.

Now, the younger son has asked for a forgiveness which was already given, and the father decides to celebrate his son's homecoming, rather than to rub his son's face in his sin, saying, "I told you so."  At this time, the elder son noticies a change in the atmosphere as he looks toward the house from the field, where he was still working.  The elder son asks what is happening, but reacts very poorly to the answer.

I am reminded of how our Father forgave us before we even thought of our actions long enough to realize our stupidity, and how He doesn't take each thing we do and rub it in our face.  I am so thankful for a gracious and merciful God, who forgives each sin, cleansing it from our life with the bllof of His son, the lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world.  Our God is an awesome God!  Should you find yourself in the place of either of the man's sons, whether your're coming home, or observing someone else's homecoming, be sure your heart is right.  Keep your arms wide open to receive a repentant heart and support those who are trying to make a difference in their lives.

You'll find true happiness here.

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." Hebrews 4:9

I hope that you are looking forward to eternity as I am.  Someday, God will provide for us a day fo rest, for those who trust Him.  There is coming a day when all knees will bow and every heart will rejoice and all will know that Jesus Christ is King.  My name has been written in the Book of Life and cannot be erased.  His love and His blood has covered all my sin and I know that in any time I have need, I can come to Him for peace.  He gives me real peace, abundant as a river of water, flowing over the stones in my heart, smoothing the edges each day with each passing moment.

I'm thankful for His guidance in my life and wish only that I could serve Him better.  His love is extravagant and his mercy unending and His grace, unfettered, brings forgiveness that I can, in turn, pass on to others.  He has given me friends and family who are more beautiful than life and help to color the sunrise each day of my life.  When the sun sets, I take time to ask forgiveness for my wrongdoing and wisdom for the next day.  He giveth more grace.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16 (Read the whole chapter)

So, I always knew and I firmly believe that God can do anything -- absolutely anything -- that He wants to do, including, but not limited to, walking on water.  Furthermore, He can have others join Him there.  However, I considered this miracle a little closer today, and found that there could be a lot more in this story than many people see at face value.  I'll tell you up front that I thought of many of these ideas myself today, which is why I'm taking the liberty to write them down, but the same things were actually vocalized by my adopted parents (great minds think alike, eh?), so I can't take all of the credit.  Here goes:

Matthew 14:22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

Vs 23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Vs 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

Vs 25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

Stop.  Rewind.  Play.  Walking on the sea?  In the storm?  Well, if anyone can do it, I'd vote that God can.  Let's keep going, the exciting part is yet to come.

Vs 26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

Yeah -- hurricane like storm conditions, wood boat, I'd be crying out for fear, too.  And a ghost on the water on top of that!  Let's get out of here!

Vs 27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Thank you, Lord.  Now I feel much better.  Can we do something about the storm?

Vs 28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

Ah.  As much as I'd love to come out there and walk in the hurricane-force winds and bounce around on the water, Lord, I think I need a little more assurance that it's really you.  I can trust you, God, but you have to help me know for sure that it's really you out there calling me!  There is a difference between foolishness and faith -- I'll have faith if you'll promise me that we'll be OK.

Vs 29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

OK.  It's you, God.  I'm on the way!  You can almost hear the confidence in Jesus' voice as he simply says, "Come."  There was no second guessing or wavering.  Simply -- "come."

Vs 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Pause.  Step one, trust God.  Step two, follow God.  Step three, don't look down.  I'd like to think that once I had the faith to get out of the boat, that I'd be able to make it to where God is -- but perhaps the journey is tougher than we think.  Here's a thought:  Peter had time to say all three words, "Lord, save me."  When was the last time you stepped into a pool (not diving or jumping, just stepped) and had time to utter three simple words before your head goes underwater?  I think Peter did not loose faith entirely, but just lost sight of the goal.  This is very similar to our Christian lives.  We start to lose sight, and when it's almost too late, we cry for help.  Let's not stop here -- pressing on.

Vs 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Peter, why did you take your eyes off of me?  I'm in control of everything.  The wind and the seas obey my command.  I bid you to come unto me, I would not hurt you.  I love my almighty God.  With Him, nothing is impossible.  His timing is impeccable, too.  Notice how He immediately stretched forth His hand to catch Peter.  No lecture, no foot tapping, just instant forgiveness and assistance.

Vs 32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Here's a gray area with an alternate ending.  I wonder how this happened.  Did Jesus and Peter just appear on the boat?  God could do it, but would it suit His purpose?  I think God took His time and walked back to the boat, on the water, with Peter and his renewed faith.  Isn't it wonderful when Christ lifts us up from the miry clay and then continues to walk with us as if the problem had never occured?  His love is extravagant.

Vs 33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

I guess it takes a little more to show some people who to believe.  Thank you Lord, for bringing this thought to mind, give me faith like Peter.

Ah...familiar words in this technology age.  As humans, sometimes we should sit down and think about what's happening.  We should think about how God is working.

Once in awhile, a lesson I see that can be taught to others can be best learned by me.  That's how today worked...

Tonight was the first time I can remember being invited to church.  I don't think this is because no one likes me, or because I'm difficult to approach.  However, I got to thinking -- well, I haven't exactly been an example of going forth myself, have I?  Why should I expect others to be doing the great work?  I'm a 23 year old American boy.  In a country where each man has a sovreign right to choose the God they will serve and where so many do know of God and worship him, there's still others who may not know about Jesus.  Back to business -- so I got an invite to church from someone I've only recently began building a friendship with.  The sermon was powerful, taught from Daniel 3, about standing up for what's right and having the courage of my convictions, no matter who's around.

Afterword, a cool, windy drive up Riverside drive was in order.  This was followed shortly by a pitstop at McDonald's, where I met up with some of my other friends.  God has an amazing way of orchestrating life's events to really make an impression on us braindead humans.  He gave me opportunity to pull some cash from the ATM and caused me not to spend it on lunch.  Then, tonight, he gave me an opportunity to split the $20 bill so I'd have $1 bills available.  Now, I can easily pitch in to help a friend pay for a meal.  Simple right?  Wrong.  God did it.

I'm striving to have a relationship instead of simply practicing a religion.  Pray with me that I'll grow in His ways and be set apart for His work in this fallen world.