Today is the Friday of Holy Week. This is the journey of Christ to the cross. This is the darkest day that brought brightness. This is the culmination of the light shining in the darkness, and the darkness not overcoming it (John 1:5). This is the day that Jesus died on the cross for us! The day that called each of us to obey his words…

“If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. - Matthew 16:24 CSB

Jesus calls us to follow him, and following Jesus means following His steps down the path to the cross. This path is the one we must walk down each day—a path that ends in being drawn—drawn toward Christ or drawn toward the world. Walter Brueggemann shares the following in his wonderful Lenten devotions book, A Way other than Our Own.

Lent is the time we stand, each of us—liberal and conservative—just between the Lord of suffering love and the ruler of this world. We stand there pulled in both directions and sense the enormous ambiguity of our life, wishing to care and be generous but wanting also to be selfish and have it our own way. …We are all in this process. We are being drawn toward. We are being drawn away.

The Internal Struggle

What causes us to be drawn away from Jesus and toward the world? We have an internal compass called selfishness. If we are honest, every one of us is selfish! Oh, there are times when we are magnanimous, but deep inside, we really want our own way. In reality, we are like toddlers who never want to share our toys. This creates an inner tension, because we know that Jesus said we are to deny self.

The Apostle Paul understood this struggle intimately. In his letter to the Romans, he shared his struggle to live in obedience to Christ.

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do... For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” - Romans 7:15-19

This is the human condition—we are caught between our desire to follow Christ and our natural inclination toward selfishness and self-gratification. We think that the only way to succeed and live the good life is to put ourselves first. Deny ourselves! That is mere stupidity. That makes no sense at all. Yet, Jesus said he came to give us life in its fullness if we follow him (John 10:10). His ways make little sense because they are counterintuitive and countercultural. To deny ourselves goes against our fallen nature in so many ways. Which means that, by our intellect and by society, we are naturally drawn toward the world, not toward Jesus.

The Paradox of Kingdom Values

If we put Jesus first and obey him, he calls us to take up our cross. But what does that mean? Jesus sets the example of denying self, not only by going to the cross, but also in what he taught. Consider his teaching on the Kingdom of God:

• The last shall be first

• The least shall be the greatest.

• Love and pray for your enemies

• Turn the other cheek

• Don’t store up treasures on earth

• Don’t worry

We think that these do not make logical and practical sense. So, it is easy to travel down the path of the world. It is easy to say to ourselves, “Jesus was just using a metaphor when he said that we are to deny ourselves and take up our crosses.” Yes, Jesus used metaphors, and this, in a way, is a mixed metaphor. The first part is real (not a metaphor) that directs the metaphorical second part.

The Reality of Self-Denial

Denying ourselves is not just a saying; it is the real life Jesus calls us to in our real world. How then do we live it? Denying ourselves begins with an attitude of complete obedience to Jesus. If we obey him and his teachings, then denying self naturally falls into place. That is because we can’t obey him without denying ourselves. He becomes first place in our lives. He “calls the shots.” We want to please him above all else.

If we put Jesus first and obey him, he calls us to take up our cross. But what does that mean? Think about where Jesus came from and what led him to die for our sins on the cross. He left the majesty of heaven and was able to go to the cross by denying himself. Consider his words in the Garden of Gethsemane as he prayed that he might not have to go to the cross.

He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” - Matthew 26:39 NLT.

The Essence of Self-Denial

“Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” That is the essence of denying self and taking up our cross. That is the path we must walk down. We don’t know where it leads. We do not know what it entails. We only know that we must deny ourselves like our Savior, and God will bring into our lives whatever it is he wants us to experience. Taking up our cross is an attitude of denying self and humbly submitting to God’s will.

When we embrace the cross, we embrace not only the joy of our salvation but also the obligation to deny ourselves for the glory of God. Jesus died for us! We need to live for him by denying self and living in obedience to him. In 1 Peter 2:21, we are reminded:

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

Living it Out

When we embrace the cross, we embrace not only the joy of our salvation but also the obligation to deny ourselves to God. Jesus died for us! We need to live for him by denying self and living in obedience to him. This is not a burden but a privilege—the privilege of being conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and of participating in his redemptive work in the world.

As we journey through Holy Week and beyond, may we remember that embracing the cross is embracing life itself—true, abundant, eternal life found only in Christ.

A Poem: Consider

Consider that the sun ever morning rises,
Consider seasons every year change,
Consider breathing inhales then exhales,
Consider life is born and then dies,
Consider that everything has a beginning;
Except God.
He exists forever and always,
In the present,
In the future,
In the past!
Beyond time;
With no beginning,
No birth,
No starting point,
Or place.
He exists forever
In eternity past.
He exists forever,
In eternity future.
Mystery upon mystery,
Beyond reason,
Beyond conceivability,
Beyond comprehension.
Beyond time,
Existing all in all,
In all dimensions.
Everywhere present.
He is God!

A Prayer: Beyond All

Lord, you are beyond…
All understanding
All comprehension
All reality
All reason
Because…
They are created
And contained in you.

Father, this day I recognize
That you are 
Incomprehensible,
Immeasurable,
Indescribable.
You are beyond all.
Yet  in your greatness
You choose to watch over
And care for me.

APassage: For Reflection

Am I a God who is only close at hand?" says the LORD. "No, I am far away at the same time. Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" says the LORD.
— Jeremiah 23:23-24 NLT

A Poem: Naked

Like the first two,
We are naked
And afraid.
Not physically;
Just transparent,
See-through people
We are afraid,
Before God;
Knowing he knows everything,
Knowing he sees all.

Afraid of the world, too.
Of what will happen,
Of what might happen,
Of what will never happen.
Our fear barges in
Even in our faith,
Covering us with doubt.
Smothering us
In our imagination.
So, we try to hide,
From the world,
From God.
But…
We can’t,
We can’t!

Why do we hide?
When he says, 
Come!
I took your shame,
I took your guilt,
Let me love you,
Accept you,
Protect you.

But we keep on
Living in fear;
Guilty!
Ashamed!
Why?

A Prayer: Help Me This Day

Help me, O Lord, this day 
To reveal to you the ugliness in my soul,
for you already know it.
Help me move beyond guilt and shame,
remembering that you took them away.
Help me turn to you with my feelings of anger and frustration,
for you always hear me.
Help me to rely upon your presence and power
to live the way you desire.
Thank you, Lord, for your patience with me. 
Thank you for your faithfulness to me.
Never giving up.
Always present.
Even when I am not.
Amen.

A Passage: For Reflection

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
-- Hebrews 12:1b-2 NIV 

A Poem: Unravel Me

Lord, 
Unravel me!
Unravel
My selfishness,
My unkindness,
My carelessness,
Knit my life
Into yours.


Lord, 
Untangle me!
Untangle
My messes,
My stresses,
My excesses;
Straighten my way
Along your path.

Lord,
Unknot me!
Untie
My faults,
My fears,
My failures;
Secure them in
Your everlasting love.

Lord, 
Unravel me,
Untangle me,
Unknot me.
Weave my life
Into a tapestry
Of your image.

A Prayer: Your Presence

Father, 
This day allow me
To hear your voice
Above all the clutter.
Unravel me from 
Things that don’t matter;
Unknot me from
Distracting worries;
Untangle me from the
The trap of busyness.
Let me settle
Into the joy of
Your presence.

A Passage: For Reflection

When Jesus had finished praying, he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" The man who had been dead came out. His hands and feet were wrapped with strips of burial cloth, and a cloth covered his face. Jesus then told the people, "Untie him and let him go."
-- John 11:43-44 CEV

My wife and I started dating when we were both seventeen. Two young teenagers, who knew nothing about the world, soon found out we were madly in love. My wife must have really been drawn to me because I was totally self-absorbed during our first date. After going to our high school’s varsity basketball game, we were sitting in my parents’ car at the favorite teenage burger drive-in. My future wife noticed a scar on my hand and asked how I got it. I proceeded to tell her all about how impetuous and stupid I had been, which resulted in a deep cut that produced the scar. She seemed to really enjoy the story, so I went on to tell her about many other scars – even lifting my pant leg to show her a “gnarly” scar on my shin. I talked about my scars for about half an hour. I don’t remember how the subject changed, but I’m pretty sure my future wife changed it to talk about something besides my scars. But get this! She agreed to go out on a second date!

Scars Define Us

In certain ways, our scars define us. They are reminders of our wounds that have healed in some way. We all have scars – physical, emotional, and spiritual. Most of the time, we try to cover them up. We don’t want to be reminded of the circumstances and pain we went through that created them. We would like to forget that they ever happened.

However, scars actually help us grow. Scars allow us to both look back and to look ahead. A man named Jacob had a life full of scars. We don’t know much about his physical scars, but the Bible tells us of scars of deceit, favoritism, betrayal, and fear. He was even given a scar directly by God — the most important scar of all. In fact, that scar changed Jacob forever – changed his name and his entire future. God wounded him, leaving a legacy scar that impacted an entire people.

Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he could not defeat him, he struck Jacob’s hip socket as they wrestled and dislocated his hip. Then he said to Jacob, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied.

“Your name will no longer be Jacob,” he said. “It will be Israel because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”

Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.”

But he answered, “Why do you ask my name?” And he blessed him there.

Jacob then named the place Peniel, “For I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared.”

The sun shone on him as he passed by Penuel, limping because of his hip.
-- Genesis 32:24-31 CSB

Scars Remind Us

With Jacob as our example, we can see that scars help us grow in four major ways.

1. Scars remind us of our resilience. A scar symbolizes that we have gone through something painful and harmful and have come out the other side. We have suffered the pain and have been healed in some way. We have been hurt, but we are still alive. We have been knocked down, but we’ve gotten back up. We have endured! We have lived out the saying, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”

2. Scars remind us that we need healing. They are a reminder of what has happened to us, physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Unfortunately, some people have wounds that have not yet healed. We can’t really call these scars, because they are still open wounds. They have not healed. Looking at our scars reminds us that the open wounds we still have or those we will experience in the future need to be healed. Our scars can be a reminder and motivator to move through a healing process with our open wounds – whatever they may be.

We sometimes need the help of others for healing to happen. We sometimes need medical personnel to help with physical healing. And we may also need help with the healing of our emotional and spiritual wounds. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the great healer. That is who we need to go to first in helping us heal. But God also uses other humans as “wound healers.” Pastors, counselors, and other mature Christ Followers who can walk with us and help us through our healing process. Most deep wounds need help with healing. If you currently have a deep, open emotional or spiritual wound, I encourage you to begin the healing process by asking the Lord to help you heal. But also, seek a trusted person to walk alongside you, offering support, encouragement, and advice.

3. Scars remind us that adversity helps us grow stronger. Going through adversity and pain is not pleasant. In fact, it is downright awful. However, when we walk “through the valley of the shadow of death” and emerge on the other side, we are stronger. Looking at our scars can help us negotiate our current pain and woundedness. We can look back through the lens of reflection and see how stronger we are now as a result of the hurt and pain we experienced. Scars remind us of that.

4. Scars remind us of what to avoid in the future. Scars also serve as warning signs. As we consider the source of our scars, we can know what to avoid in the future. Sometimes, adversity and pain cannot be avoided. Sometimes they blindside us. However, often they can be avoided. Scars help in that respect. They remind us of a journey that was, at best, unpleasant, and possibly downright awful—a journey to be avoided in the future.

Seeing Our Scars Through Eyes of Faith

We don’t like to look at scars. They are ugly. They often bring back the hurt, the pain, the disappointment, the betrayal. So, we avoid them. Yet, looking at our scars can help us look at the reality of life. Life is not fair! We are fallen people, living among other fallen people, in a fallen world. Yet, when we look at our scars through eyes of faith, we see the most important scars ever — the scars of our Savior.

Jesus told Thomas to “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”(John 20:27 NLT). The scars of our Lord led Thomas to respond with “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28 NLT). Our personal scars help us grow, but the scars of Jesus let us believe. They are a reminder of how much he suffered on the cross because of his great love for us.

Scars help us see reality. The reality of our own lives – what has made us stronger because we endured and survived. The reality of a Savior who was willing to suffer not only physical pain, but humiliation and shame because he loves us so much.

Next time we notice one of our scars, let us think about the scars of Jesus. They are there because he loves us beyond anything we can understand or comprehend!

I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. — Ephesians 3:17a-19 CSB

A Poem: Scars

Ever present;
To remind us
Of stupidity,
Of sensibility,
Of ignorance,
Of innocence,
Of recklessness,
Of responsibility. 
Ever present;
Physically,
Emotionally,
Spiritually;
Forever
On our skin,
In our hearts,
In our spirit;
For us
To see,
To feel,
To know;
Our past,
Our resilience,
Our hope;
Our need
For healing;
For someone
To see
The pain 
Under them;
The hurt
Through them,
The care 
We needed,
The love 
We sought.

We touch them
And know,
We are stronger
Because they are there.

A Prayer: Lord, How Can I?

Lord, how can I ask why,
When I don’t understand?
How can I ask how,
When there seems no way;
How can I ask when,
Knowing your timing is perfect.
Because You ask me to ask;
Because asking shows my faith
That you are there listening;
You are there responding;
You are there doing;
Even when I don’t know it,
Even when I don’t see it,
Even when I don’t comprehend it.
Lord, I believe.
Help my unbelief!

A Passage: For Reflection

"How long has this been happening to him?" Jesus asked his father. "From childhood," he said. "And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." 

Jesus said to him, "'If you can'? Everything is possible for the one who believes." Immediately the father of the boy cried out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!"
— Mark 9:21-24 CSB

The title of this article may have surprised you. Why would I say to stop trying to be like Jesus? Notice the main operative word here. It is “trying.” We can never become Christlike by trying, because trying implies that we are using our own intellect and willpower. Becoming like Jesus is not about trying, it is about transformation. No matter how hard we “try” to become more like Jesus it just doesn’t work. Here is the typical process that most people follow in “trying” to be more like Jesus.

1. We hear a sermon, Bible lesson, or read a Bible passage on a specific aspect of living the Christian life.

2. We are convicted by Holy Spirit that we need to change.

3. We then “try” to change using our willpower to create the change.

Consider this a real-life example:

You hear a sermon on not worrying. The pastor uses the text from Matthew 6 and focuses on the following words of Jesus.

“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -- Matthew 6:25,34 CSB

So, you say to yourself, “Jesus says not to worry. So, I am committing to try not to worry so much.” Notice again the operative word is “try.” You may become somewhat better at not worrying, but there won’t be much change by just trying

WHY? Worrying basically comes from fear, and because of our fallen nature, we are naturally fearful people. After Adam and Eve sinned, God walked through the Garden in the evening, but they hid from him.

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. So the LORD God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Noticing that they were not anywhere to be seen, God says, “Adam, where are you?” -- Genesis 3:8-9 CSB

The answer that Adam gives shows that one result of their sin was fear.

And he said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” --Genesis 3:10 CSB

“I was afraid… so I hid. Because of the original sin of Adam and Eve, we have inherited a deep-down fear. Often, we cannot pinpoint why we are afraid, but it is always there. We are afraid of not being loved and accepted. We are afraid of not being financially stable (Jesus’ focus in Matthew 6 on not worrying). We are afraid our children might go astray. We are afraid of __________. You fill in the blank.

Because fear is a part of our sin nature and worry comes from fear, trying harder will not take away our worry! It is only by the power and action of Holy Spirit changing or “transforming” our inner being that we can begin not to worry.

Worry is just one example of how trying to be like Jesus just won’t work. In order to become more like Him we need a change in our interior being that has been bent by sin. Even though we have been redeemed, we still have a basic sin nature that plagues us. The Apostle Paul put it this way…

I have discovered this principle of life-that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. -- Romans 7:21,23 NLT

How we can change!

The only way that we can truly change is to allow Holy Spirit to change or transform us. But, “How can we allow Holy Spirit to transform us?” Does being faithful in church attendance, listening to sermons, attending Bible studies, and reading our Bible every day accomplish this? Not necessarily! These things are good, and we should do them. However, doing them can just become more information in our mind’s “spiritual library.”

Two things are needed if we are going to be transformed into becoming more like Jesus. The first is desire. We have to desire to be changed into the image of Christ. Second, is to provide time and space for Holy Spirit to work in our lives. This is where spiritual disciplines come in. Through positioning ourselves before God through Spiritual disciplines, we give Holy Spirit the opportunity to shape and form us – to transform us. There are a variety of spiritual disciplines that position us to be transformed. However, here are five foundational spiritual disciplines and a brief description of how each discipline might be used to make us more like Jesus. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of spiritual disciplines. There may be other disciplines that we are led to practice that can be used by Holy Spirit to bring about our transformation.

• Worship (both individual and corporate)

  • Praising God for who he is brings us into the reality of his majesty, greatness, love, and grace

  • When we truly see him “high and lifted up,” we become like Isaiah and are aware of our sinfulness (Isaiah 6:1-8)

  • Being in the presence of God in worship allows Holy Spirit to show us what holiness truly looks like.

• Solitude & Silence

  • Sitting before God in solitude and silence allows Holy Spirit to speak to the depths of our spirit. It creates a time that is on God’s agenda, not ours.

  • It allows God to say whatever he wants to as we attentively listen.

• Devotional Bible reading

  • Most of our Bible reading is for information, not transformation. Saturate your Bible reading with a focus on what God is saying to you through the verses, not what you can learn.

  • Lectio Divina is an ancient way of engaging God’s word for transformation. Here is a brief overview.

    • Read

      Choose a short passage of scripture that you can slowly read. Be mindful of each word and phrase. This may mean reading the text multiple times and then identifying a word or short phrase that speaks to you in some manner.

    • Reflect

      Use the above passage or phrase to guide you in a time of reflection and self-examination. How does the passage apply to you and your circumstances? Invite God to speak and reveal what He desires to show to you through the text.

    • Respond

      Share your thoughts with God about your engagement with his Word. Be honest! Share whatever is on your mind, no matter how light or dark it may be.

    • Rest

      Sit in silence, resting in God’s presence, being open to what he may say to you. Receive His forgiveness, assurance, or whatever else He may have for you

• Prayer

  • Continually bring the area of Christlikeness in which you want Holy Spirit to transform you before God in prayer. Allow God to show you specific incidents where you have fallen short. Specifically ask him to empower you to change.

• Community

  • Lean into your faith community by sharing your victories and setbacks. Allow others to pray for you and encourage you.

This has only been a brief overview of how we can stop “trying” to become like Jesus and allow Holy Spirit to actually transform us more into the likeness of Christ. Look for upcoming articles that will dive deeper into our being transformed.

A Poem: Beauty Wasted

Do we waist
This gift called beauty;
Running against
The giver?
With…
Things that don’t matter
Things that splatter
All over beauty everywhere?
Without thinking
Never blinking,
Somehow sinking
Into a cloud,
Of unknowing,
Into a crowd,
Of groaning,
Singing aloud
Our own song;
Seeing only
Our selfish desires.

Every step of creating,
He saw as good!
Shouldn’t we
See the beauty
As he does?

A Prayer: This Is The Day

Lord, this is the day you have made. 
Help me focus on you
Let me focus on your majesty and greatness;
Let me focus on your love and grace;
Before I focus on anything else. 
You have created this day;
I have done nothing to bring it about.
I can only respond to the newness it brings.
Let my response be one of praise and adoration.
Let my response by rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Let my response be awe and wonder,
For this is the day you have made.

A Passage: For Reflection

For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God's sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility-not willingly, but because of him who subjected it-in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God's children. -- Romans 8:19-21 CSB

What is the primary purpose of being a Christian? Why has God called us, saved us, and set us apart? Let me ask the question in another way. What is God’s greatest desire for your life? Is it to praise and worship him? Is it to try to live a life without sin? Is it to serve him in some way? Is it to know the Bible and become doctrinally correct? Is it to tell others about Jesus? Is it to be involved in trying to impact and change culture? All of these are important, but they are not the primary purpose of being a Christian!

I have concluded that the majority of Christians view their primary purpose in life through the lens of knowing and doing. Many believe that being a “good” Christian is measured by knowing what the Bible says, believing the right doctrines, and participating in the life of the church. These things are indeed good. However, a person can faithfully do all of them and not be changed. They can be full of Bible information, believe the doctrines of their Christian “tribe,” and yet not be transformed. Believing and doing the “right” things is not our primary purpose as Christ Followers. We can easily be caught up in the belief that doing is more important than being. Yet, God primarily looks at our being—how we are being formed, or transformed, on the inside. When God led Samuel to the house of Jesse in order to anoint the next king of Israel, he showed the prophet this very truth.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab, and he thought, “Surely the LORD has appointed this person standing here before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the LORD looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:6-7 NCV

So what should be our main purpose as Christians? What is God’s greatest desire for our lives?

God’s greatest desire for our lives is to shape us into the image of Jesus!

So, how do we know we are being changed and transformed to become more like Jesus? One marker is to live out what Jesus said in John 15:5.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. — John 15:5 NIV

When we live in the presence of Christ (abiding), Jesus says that the result is bearing fruit. However, a lot of Christ Followers tend to equate bearing fruit to what we do, not who we are becoming. Yet, we are told in Galatians that the fruit that comes from being with Jesus, through the presence of the Holy Spirit are interior characteristics — being, not doing.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. - Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Questions to ponder:

1. Do I tend to measure my life in Christ by what I do (reading the Bible, mnistering to others, attending church, etc.)?

2. When I consider the story of Mary and Martha (Luke 10:38-42), am I primarily a Mary or a Martha?

3. As I look at the nine characteristics called the “fruit of the Spirit” in Galatians 5:22-23, which one does God need to create in me the most?

4. How and when can I create more time each day to “abide in Jesus?”

A Poem: Other Poets

Other poets pen more magnificently,
With rhyme and rhythm on angel wings;
Words in perfect harmony,
Stanzas speaking beyond the page,
Saying more than mere letters
Strung together in proper order;
Beyond brain’s comprehension,
Into the heart, 
Into the soul,
Painting pictures of beauty and truth.

Other poets pen more magnificently,
But God has given me
This gift of creativity;
No matter how small,
No matter how insignificant.
To neglect, to ignore,
This gift would be sin.
So, I sit in the shade of giants,
Writing my little lines,
Leaning against their greatness,
Learning from their genius,
And scrawl simple word etchings
On the walls of eternity. 

A Prayer: Father, You Formed Me

Father, you formed me
In my innermost being.
There is no one like me.
You created me with,
A unique
Personality,
Physical attributes,
Abilities and gifts,
A mind to think,
Humor to laugh,
Spirit to worship you.
May all I do this day,
And every day,
Give you glory,
Praise, 
And honor,
For my oneness
In your image.

A Passage: For Reflection

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
— Colossians 3:17 CSB

A Poem: Two Roads

Frost wrote from reality,
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”*

There are always two roads!
Beauty or ugliness;
Generosity or scarcity;
Safety or risk;
Acceptance or rejection;
And so the list goes on and on.

Being bent we constantly choose
The road of lesser being;
The road most traveled;
The road of…
Hurt, hate, hostility;
Rejection, rebellion, refusal.

“Narrow is the road leading to life,”
The Savior said.
Finding it is not the end.
There are still choices
Along the way.
The road less traveled
Is always the best choice,
For few live as He taught.

A Prayer: Focus

Father, this is the day you have made. 
Help me focus on you
Let me focus on your majesty and greatness;
Let me focus on your love and grace;
Before I focus on anything else. 
You have created this day;
I have done nothing to bring it about.
I can only respond to the newness it brings.
Let my response be one of praise and adoration.
Let my response by rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Let my response be awe and wonder,
Let me be open to your shaping me
Into the image of Jesus this day.

A Passage: For Reflection

"Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. [14] How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.
— Matthew 7:13-14 CSB

*”The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

Genesis is the name of the first book in the Bible. But the word caries meaning beyond the beginning of all creation and the birth of God’s called out people. Genesis means beginning. If we are going to sink deep into following Jesus, our lives must continually have genesis moments. We must have times when we “begin again.” Situations when we see things from a different perspective. Moments when we begin afresh.

We have a tendency to look at life through the lens of what we have lost, instead of what can be gained. We tend to look back instead of looking ahead. Yet the present is alive with genesis possibilities - the birth of new ideas, new directions, new actions. We are also people of habit. We are people who dislike change. We are people who like “things the way they are!” Unless the status quo brings us discomfort. That discomfort, if we realize it, can bring a genesis moment.

Even in our failures, we have genesis opportunities. In the book Culture Care, (to which I am indebted to the overall concept of this article), the author Makoto Fujimura says…

“I have discovered that something is awakened through failure, tragedy, and disappointment. It is a place of learning and potential creativity.”

Failure can be a place of learning and potential creativity. A genesis! Sometimes, our failures are benign. They are not sinful, just mistakes. But we still beat ourselves up, declare how stupid we are, have our little pity party. We get over our mistakes and continue living our lives. But do we really learn from them? Are they places of creativity - to create a new focus, new habits, or new directions? By acting with intentionality, we can creatively begin anew from our failures, tragedies, and disappointments. A place of genesis.

Sometimes, however, our mistakes are sinful. We are fallen people who although have been created anew through Christ, still sin. It is in and through our sin that we really need to have genesis moments. We begin by truly repenting, which literally means to turn around and go in a new direction. The direction God desires us to go. We can then have genesis moments that are guided by God himself.

This is exactly what happened to the Apostle Peter. On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus predicted Peter would deny him. Peter boldly pushed back, saying…

“If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.” - Mark 14:31a CSB

Yet Peter did deny Jesus. Three times! The shame. The agony. The disappointment in himself that Peter must have felt. When the realization of what he had done hit him, we are told that Peter wept bitterly (Mt. 26:75, Mk. 14:72, Lk. 22;62).

We see, however, in John’s gospel (Jn. 21:15-19) Jesus creating for Peter a genesis of restoration, hope, and direction. A new beginning for Peter. He was to feed Jesus’ sheep. His genesis was to be the shepherd of the church that would soon be born at Pentecost.

We were not alive when our Lord walked this earth, and we are not Peter. But God still is calling us to genesis moments. Moments of fresh starts. Moments of new directions. The question becomes, “Are we recognizing our genesis moments?”

Are we aware of the encounters, situations, failures, and even successes where God could create something new for us? How do we step into the mindset of “genesis recognition?” How do we recognize our genesis moments?

First, we need to realize that life and genesis moments are not linear. We do not live our lives in a straight line. Life is a zig-zag hodge-podge of encounters, thoughts, reflections, elations, disappointments, failures, successes, and everything else we call living. This means that genesis moments can happen at any time and in any situation. Even the smallest thing can bring a genesis moment.

Second, we must not only be aware of what is happening in our lives, we must be sensitive to Holy Spirit’s prompting and leading. If we are open, God will reveal to us our genesis moments. He will show us the new directions, new opportunities, the needed changes he is leading us into.

In his book, Makoto Fujimura tells of how he discovered the concept of genesis moments. After their marriage, he and his wife moved to Connecticut so his wife could complete her master’s degree in marriage counseling. Like many of us starting out, their income was meager, and they struggled to make ends meet each month. Then the bouquet of flowers happened! Here is Makoto’s telling of the incident.

One evening I was sitting alone, waiting for Judy to come home to quiet our small apartment, worried about how we were going to afford the rent and pay for necessities over the weekend. Our refrigerator was empty and I had no cash left.

Then Judy walked in, and she had brought home a bouquet of flowers. I got really upset.

“How could you think of buying flowers if we can’t even eat!” I remember saying, frustrated.

Judy’s reply has been etched in my heart for over thirty years now. “We need to feed our souls, too.

Judy’s words, ““We need to feed our souls, too,” brought into existence a genesis moment for Makoto – in three parts. I believe that the three areas he shares are a helpful foundation for stepping into our genesis moments.

The first is a renewed conviction of who we are in our uniqueness. Makoto is an artist. That is not only what he does, but who he is! God has created each of us unique. There has never been, or never will be, anyone like you or me. We have a unique personality and giftedness created by God himself. In genesis moments, God is continually presenting genesis moments as he says “This is how I want you to live out your uniqueness.” It might be a minor change in our daily habits or focus. But it could be a major change of direction that changes our entire life! Think of the Apostle Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. That is a magnitude ten genesis moment.

Second, is a new perspective on how God wants to use us. It is easy to get “stuck” in our service for God. We step into a pattern of using our giftedness a certain way, in a certain ministry, in a certain church, in a certain location. God’s genesis for us is always something new – a new beginning. It may be as simple as changing how we do things in our current ministry. Or it could be a total change in ministry. Or even a new location in which to do ministry. Whatever new perspective our God-given genesis is, we need to embrace it.

The third aspect is a deliberate focus on the new genesis. I love the story of Abram, later named Abraham, and how he was totally focused on his new genesis. Let me remind you of the story.

The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. - Genesis 12:1-4 NLT

“So, Abram departed as the LORD had instructed” – to the land God would show him. He didn’t even know where God was leading. He only knew that God said to travel south and when he got to the new genesis land, God would let him know. And he did it! After living seventy-five years in the same place, God gave Abram a genesis of relocation. A huge promise to become a blessing to the entire world. But that genesis promise carried with it a scary relocation to a place where he didn’t even know the location.

So, when and how will God show us our next genesis? Only he knows. Our role is to be ready – to be walking closely with Holy Spirit and to be open to our next genesis opportunity. In order to do that, we must know and be comfortable with how God has uniquely created us. We must be open to new ways in which God wants to use us. And finally, we must wholeheartedly accept and embrace the new genesis that God has opened up before us.

God calls us to be “genesis people” – people who are always living in a beginning newness in him.

A Poem: Love Locked

They hang there,
Day and night,
Night and day;
Rain and sun,
Sun and rain;
Through every season.
Through every year.
Padlocks!
Hanging on bridges,
Locked in time.
Each one tells a story;
Known only
To those who threw
Away the key;
Declaring their love.

He hung on a cross;
Only a few hours;
Declaring his love,
Forever.
A love…
Deep enough,
Wide enough,
Long enough,
High enough,
For all humanity,,
For all time,
For beyond time,
Locked for eternity.

A Prayer: Passionately Seeking You

Lord, this day
Show me how to,
Passionately seek You,
Run hard after you,
Lean full into You,
Rely totally upon You,
That I might  live today
As a sacrifice to you.

Help me today to...
Rejoice when You rejoice,
Grieve when You grieve,
Love as You love.

Help me this day to...
Live as You created me,
Made in Your image.

A Passage: For Reflection This Week

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
— Ephesians 3:18 NLT

WARNING: This article reaches into my roots as an engineer who grew up in an engineering family. So, it is going to get a little “geeky.”

The triangle is one of the strongest shapes. When engineers design structures, they need to make sure that what is built withstands the weight of the structure itself and whatever other “loads” it carries. Therefore, the basic structure of bridges, roofing trusses, towers, etc. is the triangle. That is because…

A triangle effectively distributes force. When a load is applied to one of its corners, the force is distributed along its sides. The two sides facing the load experience compression, while the third side is under tension, pulling it sideways. This balance of compression and tension makes triangles very strong and stable. (https://www.asceville.org/why-is-triangle-strongest-shape)

Not surprisingly, the strength of triangles is also seen in nature. Here are a few examples. Spiders use a triangular structure to create stable, load-distributing webs. Insect wings have triangular vein patterns to add stiffness. Bees build honeycombs with hexagonal cells that can be divided into six equilateral triangles, creating a stable and efficient structure.

The Trinitarian God is three in one - Father, Son, and Spirit. There is nothing stronger in the entire universe than our omnipotent Triune God. I believe that is why he created aspects of nature using triangular structures. And why he led those in early history who began building structures to discover the strength of the triangle. The triangle mirrors God’s three in oneness.

So, what does the triangle have to do with the power of God in our lives? Richard Blackaby states it like this.

“When God’s people allow God’s truth to realign them to God’s will and God’s standard, then the power of God will be released through them the same way it was through the first disciples.”
(”Experiencing God Day by Day” by Richard Blackaby)

This can be visualized in the image below. When we build our lives on the foundation of God’s truth, accept his standards, and realign our will with his, we will experience his power.

However, there is a caveat to this reality. We cannot do it on our own - within our own power. Our “success” depends on allowing Holy Spirit to direct the entire process. We do not have enough willpower or strength to live out God’s standard and God’s will on our own. This is one reason we are given Holy Spirit at conversion. Only by allowing Holy Spirit to work in our lives can we experience the power of God. However, we are not passive in this process. The Apostle Paul said…

Therefore, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. -- Philippians 2:12 CSB

Paul is not saying that we are saved through our works. Salvation by grace alone is evident throughout God’s word. What he is saying is that we have a part in living a life pleasing to God. When it comes to living out God’s standard and will, we become participants with Holy Spirit. This is one of the many paradoxes of God. Living God’s standard and will happens only as we are empowered by Holy Spirit. Yet we are responsible for it happening. How does that work? The illustration below can help explain this.

Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth and convinces us it is indeed true. He then convicts us of the gap between our lives and God’s standards and will. Then, it is up to us. We can respond in one of two ways—obedience or non-obedience. If we respond in obedience – telling God that his truth, standards, and will are what we want in our lives, Holy Spirit empowers us to change. This process is known as the theological term “sanctification.”

If we want to experience the power of God in our lives, it begins with a triangle. God’s truth reveals God’s standard and God’s will, which leads to God’s power. Just knowing those two things, however, does not allow us to live in God’s power. We must allow Holy Spirit to transform us by agreeing that we really want to live out the truths and standards of God. When we do, we can experience the wonderful power of God in our lives!

A Poem: Present Tense

In English class
We learned about tenses ;
Verb designations of
Past, present, future.
In life we live those tenses.
Living in the now,

But…
We are always “is,”
Before we “were.
And, “are” before we “will be”
But, we are still the same person.
Or, are we?
The tenses of time
Change us as we move from now
Toward then,
Remembering when.

A Prayer: Nothing

Lord, thank you for this day,
That I did not bring into being.
Thank you for my life, 
That I did nothing to create.
Thank you for my blessings,
That I did nothing to deserve.
Thank you for my salvation,
That I did nothing to earn.
May this day, 
My life, 
My blessings, 
My salvation
Bring glory to you.

A Passage: For Reflection

I remember the days of old. 
I ponder all your great works 
and think about what you have done. 
I lift my hands to you in prayer. 
I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.
— Psalm 143:5-6 NLT

A Poem: Behind the Prayer

The prayer behind the prayer
Screamed into my brain;
Without waiting,
Without warning
Without being asked.
The prayer the Father desires,
That he wants me
To sing into his ears!
What prayer does he want?
Surely what is on my heart.
Surely what is on my mind.
Yes, but so much more!
He desires the prayer
Behind the prayer;
The prayer that moves
My heart, my mind
To agree with his,
The prayer that says,
“Not my will, but yours.”
The prayer that says
“ Here am I,
Mold me into the image
Of the Son!”

A Prayer: Lord, I Want To

Lord, I want to
Please you with every
Thought,
Every word,
Every action.
But that is impossible!
I cannot reach that high,
I cannot live holy as you ask,
I cannot live in righteous obedience.
Unless...
I submit
Each moment to
Your presence,
Your purpose,
Your power.
Even in that,
I need your help.
Conform me today, Jesus,
Into your image.

A Passage: For Reflection

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
-- Romans 8:26 NIV

I promised you something big in January - Here it is!

It is a Christ Formed Prayer App! I have tried several mobile and online prayer apps through the years, only to be frustrated with each one. It seemed as if I spend more time entering my prayer requests than I did praying for them. Most of the apps also were not organized in the way I organize my prayer life. So, I decided to develop my own app to help me and you (if you want to use it) pray throughout each day, weekly, and keep track of specific prayer areas and requests. Yes, the geek in me does come out occasionally. After all I started out as an engineer. I guess it is still in my blood! I actually have had a blast developing this app. Even though it has taken a lot of time and some monetary investment, I am making it available to anyone absolutely FREE! So, if you use and like it share it with someone else. Just give them the link: https://christformed.org

Now about the app itself. Below are some screenshots with a brief explanation for each app section.

LOG IN PAGE:

Simply enter your email the first time you use the app. The first time you log in you will need to provide a password. You will not need to enter your email or password again, unless you log out.

SPLASH PAGE - What you see when you first enter the app.

MAIN PAGE -Menus and links to the different sections

Here is your main page for accessing the different areas of the app. Here you will see…

• Today’s date

• Menu links to the various sections

• A daily scripture

• Menu Items (see below for explanations and screenshots)

  • Daily Guide - Daily prayer prompts for praying three times each day - Morning, Mid-Day, and Evening (these prompts are different for six months, then they begin repeating).

  • My Requests - a place where you can enter and keep track of your prayer requests (you can sort them by date and by category).

  • Weekly Prayer - a place to list prayers for specific subjects for each day of the week.

  • My Reflections - a place for reflecting on your prayer journey each week

  • Info - about the app, detailed info on each section and what to do if you have issues

  • Install - how to install the app on your mobile device

Prayer Prompts - Morning, Mid-Day, and Evening

Each day the prompts and scripture references change. They will challenge you to pray about various things throughout your day. The screenshot above is an example.

My Prayer Requests - Keep track of your praying

Here is where you can list and sort your prayer quests by category. You can also sort them by date. In addition, you can mark prayers answered as you see God answer them. The screenshot above is an example.

Weekly Prayer - Organize prays by days of the week

You can organize prayer themes for each day of the week (see how it works in the screenshot above). Also there is a “Daily” category for prayers themes or requests that you would like to pray for each day.

ABOUT THIS FREE PRAYER APP

First, you need know this app is what is called a Progressive Web App (PWA). This means that is not an app like you download in the Apple App Store or Google Play. It is actually a website that acts like an app when you install it on your phone or tablet. Why a PWA? Developing a native mobile app is still quite expensive - even with AI. You must pay for AI to develop the app and then pay Apple and Google to make it available for downloading on mobile devices.

HOW TO ACCESS THIS FREE PRAYER APP

To access this free app, you begin at the website at https://christformed.org.

When you enter that website, you will see the app just as it will appear on your mobile device. If you prefer not to install the app on your mobile, it can be used on the website. The app syncs across all your devices and the website, so what shows on your phone or tablet will be exactly as it is on the website. If you enter a prayer request on your phone, it will show up on your tablet and the website, and vice versa. ALSO NOTE that what you enter is private No one will be able to see your entries unless they use your email address and password.

To load the app on your mobile device, you must access the following website on the mobile device on which you wish to install it. Go to https://christformed.org on your mobile device (phone or tablet) browser. Enter your email to log in and create and add a password. Once on the main page, click on the “Install” menu button and follow the instructions. It is that easy.

Final Words

This prayer tool may not be for you, but it is very versatile. I hope that you will at least try it. I have been using it, testing it, and tweaking it for over a month now, and I love it! It helps me focus my prayers on subjects three times each day that I would probably not think about praying for. Plus it helps in organizing and keeping track of my daily and weekly prayer lists.

If you use the app, I would love your feedback. What do you like, don’t like, wish was changed or added? Let me know if you have any issues or questions, or if there are any glitches. You can email me ap greg@christedformed.net.

I have tested the app extensively on a PC, iPhone, and iPad. I do not have access to an MAC computer or Android devices, so there may be some glitches there. I would really love for someone who uses and Apple computer, Android phone and tablet to test it out and let me know if there are any glitches.

Feel free to contact me and I will answer whatever question or issue you have. Also, if you would like to support this labor of love, I could use a cup of coffee or two.

A Poem: How Can I?

How can I comprehend
The incomprehensible?
How can I understand
The non-understandable?
How can I describe
The indescribable?
I cannot!
God, you are set apart,
You are holy!
God you are beyond,
You are holy!
Holy, holy, holy!

And yet…
You are near,
You are close,
You are personal.
You are Emmanuel,
God with us,
God near us,
God  for us.
So far away,
Yet, so close.
Beyond all comprehension!

A Prayer: Lord, You Are Beyond

Lord, you are beyond…
All understanding
All comprehension
All truth
All reality
All reason
Because they are all
Created and contained in you

Father, this day let me realize
How great you are
And in your greatness
You choose to watch over
And care for me.

A Scripture: For Reflection

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! 
No one can measure his greatness.
Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; 
let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor 
and your wonderful miracles. 
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; 
I will proclaim your greatness. 
— Psalm 145:3-6 NLT

Every Morning Realization

Each morning, each new day is an opportunity for us to be formed more into the image of Christ. God gives us one day at a time to be lived in his presence, for his purpose, leaning into his power. Frederick Buechner in his book Wishful Thinking says,

Every morning you wake up to something that in all eternity never was before and never will be again. And the you that wakes up was never the same before and will never be the same again either.

Yet,so often we miss the actual opportunity of each day. Instead of focusing on the day's unique opportunity, we often focus on other areas. We can think about the mistakes we made in the past. Often, we relive, lament, and criticize ourselves. We go through mental gymnastics thinking about what we could have done differently. Stepping into a "woulda, coulda, shoulda" mindset is what we do. Or we can focus on the future. What is going to happen in our lives, in the lives of our loved ones, in our country, in the world? This usually takes us down the path of worry. “What if’s” can lead us down some very dark and depressing paths.

We can awaken, eat breakfast, and go about our entire day without realizing that every day is uniquely given to us by God. We forget that there has never been and never will be another today like today. Every new day becomes a yesterday - never to be recaptured or relived. There is no “Groundhog Day“ like the Bill Murray movie. There are no “do overs.” Once the clock strikes midnight, the day disappears forever. God created the earth to spin on its axis for day and night to occur, but no two days are the same. And with each sunrise, we have a unique opportunity to allow God to continue his great transformation of making us more like Jesus. I believe this is the motivation behind the Apostle Paul's writing…

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. — Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT

How then do we make the most of each day? How are we to make the most of every opportunity? Here are seven tips for realizing the opportunities present in each day..

1. Realize, first and foremost, that God’s main desire for your life is to form you into the image of Jesus.

2. Realize that each day you live is a gift from God

3. Realize that every day is a series of unique opportunities

4. Realize that many opportunities are unplanned

5. Realize that all opportunities are not equal

6. Realize that distractions are often disguised opportunities

7. Be in a continual attitude of prayer, asking God to give you wisdom to recognize opportunities.

Below is a suggested morning declaration and prayer that I use to start each day. I encourage you to use them, adapt them, or develop your own in order to focus each new day.

Every Morning Declaration

Begin each day by saying to the Lord something like the following.

Lord, everything that this day will bring my way can be used by you to shape me into Christlikeness. THEREFORE, I open my heart and mind to the promise, purpose, presence, and power of Holy Spirit to guide me and to form me into the likeness of Jesus.

Every Morning Prayer

Father, this is the day you have made. 
Help me focus on you.
Let me focus on your majesty and greatness;
Let me focus on your love and grace;
Before I focus on anything else. 

You have created this day;
I have done nothing to bring it about.
I can only respond to the newness it brings.
Let my response be one of praise and adoration.
Let my response by rejoicing and thanksgiving.
Let my response be awe and wonder.
Let me be open to your shaping me
Into the image of Jesus.

A Poem: Thoughts

I gather my thoughts
In spray cans of living;
Painting mental murals
On the walls of my life.
It seems absurd,
To pretend,
I know how
To paint reality.
Pain, hurt, 
Joy, gratitude.
Life, love.
What do I really know?
So, I paint them slowly,
With vivid colors
On memory canvases;
And store them
In the silent attic
Of my thoughts;
Afraid someone
Will see them,
And know.

But you, Oh Lord,
Live in the attic
Of my thoughts,
In my imagination,
In my false reality;
And tell me,
It doesn’t matter
That I don’t know,
For You do.

A Payer: My Extreme Poverty

Father because there is extreme poverty in every area of my life, I ask you to provide for…

My physical needs. Please provide  all that is physically necessary for my functioning in this world.

My emotional needs. Help me find my significance and security in You alone.

My social needs. Because you created me to be in community, help me to flourish in the community that you have provided.

My spiritual needs.  You have given  me all that is necessary for living in Your Kingdom: Holy Spirit, scriptural understanding,  the "fruit of the Spirit,” a local faith community, wisdom, and discernment. Heavenly Father, help me not only to exist in Your Kingdom, but to thrive!

A Passage: For Reflection

"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
— Matthew 6:31-33 NLT