Milk and Me

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. (1 Peter 2:2)

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Do you remember the days when life was simple? The only thing you did was depend on your parents to do everything for you such as giving you a bottle, picking you up when you cried, and rocking you to sleep at bedtime. Actually, I cannot remember many of these moments very well. However, I do recall eating supper around the family table, telling mom and dad about tough situations at school, and being able to go to bed, sleeping peacefully in the security of my parents’ home. Looking back, it was a joyful time because my parents provided all of my needs and simply asked me to obey. How much easier could it get than that? Life then was simple.

Now, with a six-month-old in the house, I am relearning valuable lessons about loving God and family. Most mornings, I wait for Daniel to start crying when he is waking up in his crib. When I hear that he is stirring, I walk to his bedroom and bend down for his reaching arms. He normally has the brightest expression on his face when he sees me. It is in this moment I realize that all he wants is his mother or me. His love is raw, real, powerful, and intimate, and I know he is completely depending on me for everything. Once he is secure in my arms, the next thing he wants is a bottle of fresh milk. Of course, I give him what he needs and desires, as he rests in my arms.

As he continues to grow, he is beginning to enjoy watching cartoons, playing with remote controls, and exploring the world in which he lives through crawling. Sometimes, he gets distracted from me with the door stop or something on the coffee table, but at the end of the day, all he wants is milk and me, as he says, “da-da.”

Are you still depending on your heavenly Father every day? He was there the day you were “born again” into His family. He has provided for you every single day before and since then. Have you lost touch with Him? Have you forgotten that He is your “Abba, Father”? If so, let Him know how much have missed His intimate fellowship and are thankful for the gift of his Son. His Son died that we may live, and it is in Jesus Christ where we see the glory and reflection of the Father. Jesus said, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

Keep looking up to Him as the Psalmist reminds us, “I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalms 121:1-2). As you look up to the Father, may “the LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). Knowing Jesus is sweeter than the radiating smile of a newborn babe reflecting from the face of a loving father.

A Simple Penny

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You. (Psalms 139:17-18)

What kind of intimate moments do you share with Christ? Are there little things in your life that make you look up and realize that He has been watching over and protecting you ever day? It is a great blessing to be a child of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. It is not something that is just written on paper, but it is a living reality. He is so gracious to speak in the small moments of our lives. I heard a story about a preacher a few years ago who made a deal with God. This was the simple deal that he made in his heart with the Lord. Every time he saw a penny on the ground whether it was on heads or tails, he would pick it up and think about the innumerable thoughts that God thinks toward His children everyday.

One day, the old preacher was getting a little tired and weary and needed a good boost. Of course if you are a true child of God born from above by the Spirit of God, we must realize that our Lord Jesus will give us the sustaining grace that we need for every moment of every day. The old preacher needed a little reminder, and as he was shaking hands with the congregation one Sunday outside the church, he came to a little girl who had found a penny on the ground and wanted to share it with her pastor. The old preacher was elated by that little penny, because it had more worth than a cent and pointed him to the eternal truths of God’s holy word. God’s thoughts toward us are deeper than the oceans, higher than the sky and vast as the grains of sand of the earth. Isaiah 26:3-4 reminds us, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusts in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

Over the past few years, I have used this same reminder in my own life. Every time I find a simple penny that has been dropped, thrown by the wayside, or buried in dirt, I pick it up and remind myself that my Heavenly Father is watching over me and caring for me as His son. I realize not everyone will understand what it means to be a child of God. It comes through repentance of sins and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died, was buried and was raised to complete the work of redemption. It is not enough to know the facts but actually know Christ personally. I was born by God’s Spirit on April 7, 2003 in my bedroom one night when my heart was convicted and condemned by my sin. That night I found peace for my troubled soul. Ever since then, I have tried to walk with the Lord though failing often. A simple penny reminds me of God’s abundant grace to pardon guilty and common sinners like you and me.

I am learning more and more that Christ is concerned with every area of our lives and truly is Lord and Savior. Recently, I have been trying to find a different car for my wife. With gas prices going up, we wanted to get into a more economical one. After much prayer on when, where and what to buy, I found one that would fit our needs. Of course, I had to go through all of the talks with the sales managers to get a fixed price. We went back and forth a few times, and finally, I gave them my final offer. The salesman went to talk with his manager and came back with a smile and bad news. He told me that they couldn’t reach my final price no matter how they worked it. He said, “every time we put the numbers in the computer, we were left with a one cent difference.” He placed a penny on the desk, and I laughed inside when I told him I would take the car. What a wonderful joy to have a Lord and Savior so near!

A Day in Autumn

(10-15-03 Dallas, TX 1:32PM)

A passionate sweet seduction
Like the autumn air
Caressing me with instruction
To live in God’s dear care

He’ll hold you up
When no one is around
Letting you drink from his cup
Poured in to fill, then spilt to the ground

His skies are clear
With never a cloud
That I may walk as a mir’
Amongst any crowd

His love is like the sun
Beaming into my face
It’s not another pun
But a symbol of hanging grace

His mercy is like the rain
Falling when skies are gray
Reminding that He’s taken my pain
Just talk to Him in prayer by day

His peace feels like the coolest gentle breeze
Filling me throughout
As the wind blows through the trees
Lifting them up from pout

His joy is like the littlest child
Playing with a brand new toy
Laughing and untamed from wild
Peculiar, set apart, kingdom employed

He is exalted with kindness
Helping every man
Forever my Highness
Helping me to stand

As the cloud in sky does float
Standing still or blown
In Jesus’ redemptive power I’ll gloat
While bowing in love at His throne

Encompassed and ravished by rarest beauty
Enjoying everyday He brings
Will be my duty
As this living sacrifice as chime does sing