Got Mountains?

Have you got mountains in your life that you don’t know what to do about? Though they were usually too ashamed to talk to Jesus about their issues the disciples often faced that too. The great news for us is that these totally ordinary guys who also had to pay their taxes figure out where their next meal was coming from and who even argued about who was the most important were loved by Jesus Christ. He didn’t get fed up with them and go out looking for more spiritual disciples.

Instead in answer to their fears and doubts He said something like; “Hey guys why don’t we go for a hike up this mountain today?” As they trudged up the steep winding path towards the summit suddenly Jesus turned around and they saw that His clothing began to shine brighter than anything they had ever seen on earth.

And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. Mark 9:2-3

Then a strange series of events took place beginning with the appearance of Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus; and just when they thought it couldn’t get any weirder a shining cloud surrounded them and a voice spoke to them from heaven. As Peter recounted many years later; that was an experience that forever changed their lives. Though they had faithfully been following Jesus for a couple of years and had witnessed miracles and listened to His teachings they all still had questions and doubts just like we do. But God in His mercy called them up the mountain to see who Jesus really was and He is calling us  this morning too. He is waiting to show us great and mighty things that we don’t know anything about (see Jeremiah 33:3) There is still hope and we can still praise Him. This is a new day and as the sun rises today we need to remind ourselves that God is still in control and that if we will look to Him He will give us a hope that will change us forever.

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Two Men and Two Boats

Two Men in Two Boats

To the sea one day two men went down

Paul as a prisoner and Jonah skipping town

“I’m out of here!” was all Jonah could say

Then he slept through the storm when he should have prayed

 

But prisoner Paul cried to God in his boat

Till an angel came down with a message of hope

Then with determination he encouraged his friends

Saying Jesus would keep them all safe in the end

 

It took a big fish to get Jonah to go

Tell others of mercy and God’s love for the world

But our friend Saint Paul shows us the right way

That if God sends the storm we must trust and obey!

 

 

 

 

Wings of the Morning

 

Forty five years ago we left the Christian commune where we lived which had slowly degenerated into a cult. Thankfully unlike other groups our leadership majored in booting people out rather than trying to force them to stay.  That morning we hurriedly packed our car with suitcases while squeezing our 6 week old son in between all the stuff in the back seat. A grey cloud of spiritual confusion surrounded me, but then God brought to my mind His promise.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:9-10

That morning I wished that I had real wings so I could fly fast and far from my fears and disappointments. People I had trusted had misled me but on the other hand, I was young and foolish enough to follow them away from what I knew was right. Thank God that His love was greater than all my sins and stupid choices.

Looking back, I now can see that He has kept and led us all through the long years to heal and rebuild our faith. Over and over He has patiently shown what true humility and forgiveness we can find in following Jesus Christ.   People say that you can’t run away from your problems, but the good news is that God can fly faster than our problems! He always has a plan in place for us even when we don’t know what it is. When we fly away with morning wings we will discover that when we land on the other shore He is already there. In our darkest hour He reaches out His hand to lead us and then He takes in His arms and holds us through the night until the new day dawns.

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