MAX LUCADO

Christ in Me

by Max Lucado

Like Mary, you and I are indwelt by Christ.

Find that hard to believe? How much more did Mary? No one was more surprised by this miracle than she was. And no one more passive than she was. God did everything. Mary didn't volunteer to help. What did she have to offer? She offered no assistance.

And she offered no resistance. Instead she said, "Behold, the bond- slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

Unlike Mary, we tend to assist God, assuming our part is as important as his. Or we resist, thinking we are too bad or too busy. Yet when we assist or resist, we miss God's great grace. We miss out on the reason we were placed on earth-to be so pregnant with heaven's child that he lives through us. To be so full of him that we could say with Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)

What would that be like? To have a child within is a miracle, but to have Christ within?

To have my voice, but him speaking.
My steps, but Christ leading.
My heart, but his love beating
in me, through me, with me.
What's it like to have Christ on the inside?

To tap his strength when mine expires
or feel the force of heaven's fires
raging, purging wrong desires.
Could Christ become my self entire?

So much him, so little me
That in my eyes it's him they see.
What's it like to a Mary be?
No longer I, but Christ in me.

From Next Door Savior
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2003) Max Lucado

IN LIFE & DEATH.

and so in 7 days i've encountered 2 births and 1 death and connected with good friends. 

tragedies & celebrations, are poles apart - yet somehow draw people closer together. 

- selah - 

and so in 7 hours i've encountered 2 lives before death was allowed to set in. 

i was reminded about why i am doing what i was doing. 

an email from a friend telling me how he envied what i was doing. because the work of my hands impacts lives. a text from a friend said the same thing the night before. 

it's funny/amazing how Daddy God always knows when i'm teetering over the edge. 

how he always sends something, someone to reach out and pull me back before i fall.

i rest easy, knowing that You're watching over me. 

keep watching, Daddy. 

keep watching. 

xoxo

THE FRIENDS STAND -

another one of my favorite days cabbing to my favorite place. 

church. 

i passed a marathon and something caught my eye. 

not the banners. not the barricades. not the fancy brocade of a vest the police were wearing. 

oh, it was what i'd affectionately call: the friends stand. 

all along the way, the long treacherous route were clusters of people. 

holding clappers and cheering the runners on. 

oh wow, i thought. it was only 10 mins shy of 730am and they looked like the dawn of day. 

waving enthusiastically, they clapped, cheered, whistled, reassured, encouraged. 

all for one motive - so that the participants will never give up. 

i call them the friends stand for one reason. 

they remind me of the friends i have. 

love that. 

there are times i stumble and fall, but they are there to pick me up. to see that i press on. 

there are times a fleeting thought throws me off guard and when i contemplate throwing in the towel, they remind me the reason why i'm doing what i'm doing.

and i couldn't ask for more. 

not just them but i see Jesus cheering me on, in the stands. 

the firm, strong yet tender look in His eyes that tells me everything's gonna be alright. 

i am super blessed because of my Savior's love for me. the love of my family & friends. 

xoxo 

SO MUCH TO SAY BUT JUST THIS FOR NOW

i am about to hit the sack after a long fulfilling rest day that i but i shall leave you with this before i zip off to lala land. it brought about a fresh new revelation of your love for me. His love for me. 

and tears to my eyes. 

"...i couldn't be more sure of my ground - the One, I've trusted in can take care of what He's trusted me to do right to the end." 2 Timothy 1:12 (MSG)

what a privilege to be able to call you "Abba God". 

so loved. blessed night & sweet dreams. 

xoxo

STARRY FRIDAY!

and so we went for dinner at one of my favorite places with the yummiest meatballs & chicken wings. 

ikea. 

even the sound of its name is like music to the ears. 

pretty new shoes.

ouch. 

even the sound of it is like caution to the ears. 

new stuff look good, smell good, taste good. 

but they don't always feel good, do they? 

well at least for a start. then it can only get better. 

oh, ever increasing glory. 

"The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we're going?" Proverbs 20:24 (MSG)

i know where i'm going cause my going comes from Him.

xoxo 

DON'T DESPISE LITTLE THINGS

God started with LIGHT. 
Look how far He's come.


“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zech. 4:10 NLT).


xoxo

MOVING TEETH

the only time you're safe to hear "You're teeth is moving." is when you have braced your teeth.

and so i heard this today and was elated. 45 days into my braces, it was a good report for me. after anointing my mouth from the very first day, i can pretty much eat anything. steak included. still can't eat burgers & hand rolls (my favorite) because i need to bite them in front. oh well, i'm content :)

moment: it's ironic how two couples (strangers to each other) sat beside each other in the same cabin and the boyfriend of one wore the same make of shoes as the girlfriend of the other.

i love to people watch.

love to look, see, learn, observe, think about what you might be pondering. when i take the train, i like to locate an interesting subject and guess their occupation, attempt to read their expression or study what their dressing says about them.

you should try it :) it does reduce the bore factor of my otherwise mundane journey. albeit while plugged in to my ipod. multi-tasking isn't SO BAD when one of the things you're doing isn't talking.

xoxo

lookin forward to svc @ expo tmw!