Embrace

Some things are certain, some can never be planned

We live and wonder

Not always able to understand

Sky full of gray clouds, rain is on the way

This life’s journey

Confusion and doubt cloud our day

Do the questions dominate our being and soul

How can the mind survive

The voices that ridicule

With night comes day and this too shall pass

We long and we dream

For a hope that will last

We can make it through this day

The sky brings forth His love

It’s time to embrace the rain

Of God’s mercy and His grace

I can almost hear it, the way the wind moves

Sweet fragrance of hope

Where everything is renewed

So hold on to the words of life and be not dismayed

We have a future and a plan, He is the only way

The promise of new life may seem far away

The worry, the pain and the fear turns the skies gray

But hold on there is joy in becoming an eternal spring overflowing

To keep us growing more and constantly knowing...Him

Kids Rock

A couple of weeks ago, I ran in one of the largest fun runs in the world, the "Run Around the Bays" along Auckland's eastern bays. Over 70,000 people participated so you can imagine the first two kilometer's felt like cattle running down a chute. Runner's, walker's, kids, stroller's and even a dude on a unicycle. Great experience and worth causes.

I was scheduled to speak that Sunday at one of our Korean churches in the afternoon so I enjoyed the morning sun, wind and scenery and decided to sit on some jetty rocks along the bay going into the ocean. Turning my ipod on, I sat back on a smooth rock and listened to words like;

Come, Come, Come to the river,

You are the living water.

Wash me clean, wash me clean.

In this place we have found freedom,

Cleansing streams have set us free.

You are all that we ever need, Jesus, Jesus.

(Come to the River by Parachute Band)

The warmth of the sun, God's Spirit blowing all over me and witnessing his creation all around me became my sanctuary that morning. I thought to myself, "Here I am sitting on a rock, sitting with The Rock of Ages."

Playing and climbing over the rocks on the jetty were little children with their fathers walking alongside them, watching, smiling, waiting.

A girl with curly hair around the age of 4 made her way over to me. She was loving the freedom and experience of climbing the rocks that were as big if not larger than her. I paused the music when I begin to hear her say something.

"I'm walking on the rocks!" "You sure are", I said. "I'm staying on these rocks forever!"

I couldn't help but smile. Really big.

Someday child, someday. We will not be standing on the Rock but will be walking alongside Him forever and He will not be able to stop smiling. Really big.

Will You Pray for Me?

Keep praying for the youth of New Zealand!

Roads

Have you ever walked down a road

Where you came upon a dead end?

What once seemed so promising

Was brought down by your best friend

Have you ever turned on a road

and suddenly lost control?

When all you know and who you trust

caused everything else to unroll?

How do you know that this place is

where you’re supposed to be?

Life has so many questions

Answers are on short supply

A moment is all we had

It vanished into the sky

Have you ever been down a road

That was smooth then turned into holes

The ride was rough but much was learned

Sometimes that is the way life goes

Have you ever found a new road

Where unexpected gifts were found?

Hope and life opened up your eyes

And true goodness was all around

You know that this is the right place

And how this is supposed to be

A life truly lived despite all the risks

Forgetting what is behind

Because now is all you have

You cannot move forward in rewind

Inspirational Mystery

(During my trip up Northland in December of 09, I was overwhelmed with God's natural beauty and became inspired with these words...but they barely capture the senses of those moments.)

My eyes were in disbelief

My mouth unable to speak

At these stellar wonders

A glimpse of glory

Every rock, every tree

All the sand and all the sea

All created and made

A glimpse of glory

We are created with creation

Surrounded by so much beauty

It’s inspiring and a mystery

We worship the Creator and King

Tonight the stars were full

Illuminating life

Pulsating power and purpose

A taste of heaven

Your wind against my face

Waves cascading with grace

The aroma of nature

A taste of heaven