The Word

My goodness. Sometimes I get so frustrated with myself. Isn't it incredible how hypocritical we can be? Sometimes I'm just shocked at the things I hear coming out of my mouth. Things like, 

It's so important to be in the Word every day--even if it's just for a few minutes. 

It's so simple--just set aside a couple of minutes and pray! 

Talk to God as you go about your life--pray while you cook, clean, drive!

Memorize Scripture--it's so crucial to our ability to get through the day. 

But seriously, Kristin, when was the last time you really did any of this??? I've probably relied too much on the "just pray throughout your day" and neglected to set aside purposeful time with God. 

I just sat down and read Colossians. And I chose to read it straight through, and out loud. I LOVE LOVE reading the Bible out loud. First of all, it helps me focus. Second of all, it just makes the text come alive! To hear Paul's tone, and inflection, and humor, and passion ... At the end of the book, as I read Paul's final words, tears sprung in my eyes because I truly heard his voice, and felt his love and concern for the people of Colosse--and for me.

So my challenge to you is:

• Sit down. 
• Pick up your Bible. 
• Choose a book (probably a short one :])
• Read it straight through, and out loud. 
• And praise God for His Word.

A Photograph

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation."
Colossians 1:15

I've often wished that I had pictures of Jesus. Oh I know there are hundreds of paintings that depict what some artist thinks Jesus looked like, but we all know these are not accurate. I desire a photograph. Can you imagine stumbling across a tattered and worn photo in your grandmother's attic, and realizing as you wipe away the dust that the man in the picture is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of God?! That would be incredible. Incredible because He is the image of God. I would be looking at an image of the "image of the invisible God"--how cool would that be? Those early early Christians--the disciples and other followers--they have no idea how blessed they were to actually see Jesus. To witness His visit to this earth; to possibly even touch his hand or foot. How absolutely divine ...

I've been with Jesus for a long time. I don't say that pridefully; it's just a fact. Since I was a very little girl, I have loved Jesus. The Bible, I must admit, sometimes becomes very dry to me. Some might struggle with reading the Bible for an variety of reasons--I struggle with reading it because it feels like I've heard it all before. I battle this daily, and wish the feeling would go away. I wish I would cherish and love the Word, and only want to dive deeper still into it. But, sadly, that's simply not the case right now.

However, when I read passages like this (Colossians 1), and really consider what Paul is saying, I am astounded by the Lord that I follow.

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." Colossians 1: 16-20

Christ is, does and did all these things. He's not just the pretty face sent down from heaven to be the point person for God. He's not like that creepy green wizard guy in the Wizard of Oz with no real power. Jesus Christ, well, He is God. And He desires a relationship with me--and with you. Isn't that incredible?

Dark Tunnel, Bright Light

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1178/1183780303_1734b59294.jpg

Colossians 1:13-14

“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”


Picture this:

I’m rollerblading through a dark tunnel that runs under the very busy main road near my house. The graffiti-stained cement walls are rounded; there are light fixtures every two feet, but the lights are not on. The ground, which I can barely see, is bumpy. Perhaps it’s dried mud; perhaps it’s debris. Either way, I can’t see whatever it is that is causing this seasoned blader to stumble. When I entered, I cruised with confidence, sure of my path and ready to go. As I near the center of the tunnel, it is so dark—dark enough to force me to slow my pace and creep carefully along. I begin to feel that even though I know there is light at the end, it seems like eons away. I doubt. It’s so dark in the depths of the tunnel, that I can’t see the light. Will I ever reach the sunlight at the end of this dark, cold, cement tunnel?

Picture this: The dominion of darkness. There is no light at the end of this tunnel; there is no light at all to guide a person along. Your dominion of darkness does not look or feel or smell the same as mine did. You struggle and fight and blade toward what you desperately hope is the end, but you never make it. Not on your own. It is endless.


Light bulb:

The light that you hope is at the end of the tunnel—it is there. It is the kingdom of Jesus Christ! God rescues us from our dominions of darkness and brings us into the light. The light that somehow we knew all along was there, but could not get to by ourselves. When I’m rollerblading through the dark cold tunnel, I despair that I will ever again see the light of day. As I finally burst into the sunshine, my eyes drink in the bright blue sky, the green buds of spring, the glistening water of the pond before me. My ears tune in to the meadowlark singing her song, and the hum of the roads around me. My muscles tense and release as my body swings into a natural rhythm and settles in for a perfect blade … I feel right. I feel complete. I’ve left the darkness of the tunnel behind me. Just as when I was brought into my Lord’s kingdom, felt His forgiveness, and knew I was home. 3-08-06