3.28.2011
Cheers!
I knew that March 1 was beginning a transient season, and so it's exciting to watch the Lord unfold His plans for my travels. On Saturday I'm leaving for Florida to join 2 ladies that I'll be travelling with, and then on Wednesdayish I'm off to the UK! The Lord has put a long standing desire to see Western Europe receive the fullness of the Gospel and be moved from apathy to passion. This desire started when my college campus ministry had a partnership with Rome, Italy and I travelled there first in 2002. This time out, I'll be on mission with the organization called World Trumpet Mission. I covet your prayers in this time of preparation (both spiritual and practical) and during the duration of the trip (I should return around mid May.) I hope to update here as the adventure unfolds!
3.23.2011
Crying Out
"As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. They told him, 'Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.'
He called out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'
Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'
Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near. Jesus asked him, 'what do you want me to do for you?'
'Lord, I want to see.' He replied
Jesus said to him, 'Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God."
Luke 18:35-43
Every time I read this account, my heart stirs within me. I love this man. Sitting alone, outcast, hopeless that his life will ever get any better, everyday is worse and worse, just trying to survive. But this day is different. Something stirs in the atmosphere, and it buzzed all around him. I can picture him scurrying to figure out what is going on. I bet it took awhile before someone responded to him. And when he finds out it's Jesus of Nazareth...it's go time.
"This is my only shot! I've heard of this man! My life is nothing, I'm desperate! I can't see him, but I know he's here! I gotta be heard! 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'"
I can see the people all around getting embarrassed by this nobody they've rejected making a scene, so they turn around and scold him. But this man knows what's at stake. He knows who Jesus is. And so he cries out louder! "SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!!!" He rejects the thought of further ridicule, He knows who Jesus is!
And Jesus hears him. And Jesus responds. And the man's life is changed. And he follows Jesus. And his heart is full of praise. And all the people praise the Lord. Because Jesus can take a life that was hopeless and despairing, and restore the man to purpose.
Many lives were changed that day because one man, who, even though he couldn't see Jesus, cried out to him, and trusted that when he heard him cry out in desperation, would respond, and his life would be absolutely changed.
He called out, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'
Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'
Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near. Jesus asked him, 'what do you want me to do for you?'
'Lord, I want to see.' He replied
Jesus said to him, 'Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God."
Luke 18:35-43
Every time I read this account, my heart stirs within me. I love this man. Sitting alone, outcast, hopeless that his life will ever get any better, everyday is worse and worse, just trying to survive. But this day is different. Something stirs in the atmosphere, and it buzzed all around him. I can picture him scurrying to figure out what is going on. I bet it took awhile before someone responded to him. And when he finds out it's Jesus of Nazareth...it's go time.
"This is my only shot! I've heard of this man! My life is nothing, I'm desperate! I can't see him, but I know he's here! I gotta be heard! 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'"
I can see the people all around getting embarrassed by this nobody they've rejected making a scene, so they turn around and scold him. But this man knows what's at stake. He knows who Jesus is. And so he cries out louder! "SON OF DAVID, HAVE MERCY ON ME!!!" He rejects the thought of further ridicule, He knows who Jesus is!
And Jesus hears him. And Jesus responds. And the man's life is changed. And he follows Jesus. And his heart is full of praise. And all the people praise the Lord. Because Jesus can take a life that was hopeless and despairing, and restore the man to purpose.
Many lives were changed that day because one man, who, even though he couldn't see Jesus, cried out to him, and trusted that when he heard him cry out in desperation, would respond, and his life would be absolutely changed.
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