Glory and Honor and Power

 

Friday, April 29, 2022

Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast.  The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.”  And instantly I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it.  The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow.  Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them.  They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder.  And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames.  This is the sevenfold Spirit of God.  In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.  In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back.  The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.  Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out.  Day after day and night after night they keep on saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”  Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever).  And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.  For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”   Revelation 4:1-11

Most of the scenes in Heaven stop me dead in my tracks.  This scene is one which captures my attention for weeks at a time.  I want to shout, weep, celebrate, and mourn all at the same time.  I mourn for my human inability to adequately do what the elders in the throne room accomplish – ascribe all possible glory, honor, and power to the King of Kings.  I shout, because I’m an introverted, quieter person by nature, but the images of Heaven’s splendor and righteous power in my brain won’t let me be silent.  I want to weep, because in the presence of the source of all power and righteousness, it’s impossible to not sense my unworthiness, stripped naked of any pretense of personal holiness in the presence of He who is the Almighty I AM.  And, despite emptying all my false claims to belong to God, I want to celebrate with complete abandoning of dread, or uncertainty, because the blood of Jesus Christ shouts from that throne that I do, indeed, belong to Him!

What a scene!  Every time I consider it, like Peter, James, and John at that moment of transfiguration on the mountain top, I want to stay right there, build a memorial, and never leave.  But the longer I reflect on that glory – more accurately, the more that glory reflects its light and power to overshadow me, and what God has created, and His grace that unfolds every bit of it for me…the more I realize the purpose for all of that splendor; I am His blood, bones, sinew, and awareness, and I must do the work of He who works in me.  I am, as are all who believe, like the 24 elders bowing before the throne, commissioned to reflect that power, laying all honor and glory humanly possible back to the throne.

For You Today

If you’re hunting for some purpose in a life that has turned boredom into an hours-long Facebook or Instagram distraction, put down your tablet, leave your smartphone in the drawer, walk past the desk and computer, and head for the prayer garden.  Do a little weeping, celebrating, mourning, and shouting in the presence of the King.  You just might bump into purpose for your life.  That happens a lot when you hang with the Author of all honor, glory and power. 

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road with Jesus; have a blessed day!  

[1] Title image: Pixabay.com & Pixabay.com  Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©   

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

 

Friday, May 7, 2021

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.  Psalm 139: 14

Fifty years ago this morning I became a Dad.  That morning was one of those truly unforgettable experiences that changes one’s life.  Elizabeth and I wanted a family, but after a few years of that not happening, we were wondering if we’d ever be parents.  Then came Jennifer Anne…and, with the truth firmly in place, that a child changes everything, life with (eventually) three children, began a journey of finding out just how fearfully and wonderfully we are made.

Jen was full of surprises from day one.  When Elizabeth went into labor, we called Dr. Matheson for instructions (probably the 200^th time).  He said, C’mon, I’ll meet you at the hospital.  (I wondered how he could be so calm at a moment like this).  He was even more chilled-back when we got there.  They took Elizabeth into the labor room, and I was told to wait - outside.  Fifty years ago Dads were even more in the dark than these days.  After several minutes, the doc reappeared and told me to go on home and get some sleep; the baby would be hours and hours away.  So I trudged back home and, on doctor’s orders, drifted off.  Ten minutes later the phone was ringing…Congratulations, said Dr. Matheson, you’re a Dad!  I’m not certain what it was I actually said, but I remember thinking, Doc Matheson, you’re a man with a medical degree and thirty years of OB practice, and, Doc, my two-minute-old daughter played you into sending me home.  My wife’s gonna kill me for not being there…thanks a bunch!

Later, that morning of May 7, 1971, I saw that little face for the first time, and the reality that my world had changed began to take hold.  A few minutes later I beheld the face of Elizabeth, one who had done battle with labor, and who knew I had been asleep while she gave birth, and I knew that my world had really changed!

Milestones are simply markers along a journey.  Fifty years sounds like a long time; and it is, but I tend more and more to look at it as a treasure-trove of memories of the wonder-in-reverence of God’s marvelous plan and love for us. 

Jen has had a life of joys, disappointments, victories and love.  She is an artist, nutritionist, accomplished musician, master gardener, wife, mother of 3, grandmother, homemaker, and has even worn a hard hat “pulling wires” when Ken (her husband of more than 25 years) needed help on a job. 

Jen is strong, beautiful, and a bubbling presence, filled with love, compassion, and a willingness to help.  But these words are not just a resume’ – rather a commentary on what God has been able to create in a heart that has been opened to His love and gifts.   Above all the accomplishments, joys, and sorrows, stands one governing force of our first-born – her love for Christ, and Biblical wisdom gleaned from many hours of studying God’s Word, along with putting that Word into action in her daily life.  We love our Jen, and her family, along with our other children and theirs.  Family is God’s way of telling us just how important we are to Him.  And Jen, your part of that message stands strong!  Happy Birthday, sweetheart! 

For You Today

The joys of God’s family are all around you; and you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Don’t miss that about His love for you!

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road; have a blessed day!  

[1] Title Image: Pixabay.com   Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation^©