Psalms 27: Functional Blindness

"...to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek him in his holy temple." (v.4b)

I would like to think
that others are blind,
but I am not.
I would like to think
that I have
clarity of vision,
a penetrating insight
that lights my way.
I am good at recognizing
the sight problems of others.
I am skilled
at pointing out
the gaps in their vision
and the blind spots
that alter how they see
and the way they
respond.
I would like to
believe
that I have 20/20 vision,
but the evidence points
to the sad fact thatI don't.
I have the stunning ability
to look around
and not see You.
I see my
busy schedule
tasks to complete
problems to solve
people to see
demands to be met
things to repair
pressures to face
temptations to fight
pleasures to consume
things to build
things to tear down
plans to make
difficulties to survive
huge responsibilities
and short days.
I gaze at my life
every day
and again and again I fail
to see You.
It is a scary reality,
humbling to admit.
Though this world
is filled with
Your glory,
I exist
so much of the time
glory blind.
In Your love
You created a world
that is a sight and sound
display
of Your magnificent glory.
No matter from what perspective
we're looking,
no matter what vista
we're taking in,
no matter where we're standing
and which way
we're gazing,
Your glory is visible
and evident.
Yet, again and again
I fail to seeYour beauty.
So I seek Your
healing
one more time.
Please place Your
powerful hands
on my broken eyes
and give me sight again.
Please place your
powerful hands
on my wayward heart
and make it seek again.
Don't let me be
so blinded
with me and mine,
that I fail to seeYou.
For it's only
when my eyes
see Your beauty,
and my heart is filled with Your
glory
that I'll quit seeking
identity
meaning
satisfaction
purpose
fulfillment
and life,
where it can't be found.
So I would pray
this simple prayer,
"Please touch me by
Your grace
so that there'll never
be a day
where I haven't
somehow
someway
gazed upon
Your beauty."

-Paul Tripp

God Is

God spoke creation into being and He
Is the Word
The Creator of the Heavens
Is the treasure
The One who made land
Is the firm foundation
He created the seas and
Is the living water
God filled the earth with vegetation and He
Is the food for the hungry
The One who brought light to day and night
Is the everlasting light
The One who formed life
Is Life

God is even bigger...

There once was a big, bold man
That lived a life as big and bold as he
He had a son that yearned for closeness, but didn’t know quite how to be
His son had a daughter who was a little scared of that big, big man and all that was told of he
Even at the age of five she prayed every night for God to intervene

As time past, the sun rose and set, and God’s minutes lasted years
Then the big man grew old and weak, just as God had for seen
There came a day when this son drew courage to share his softened heart
His father took his hand, looked up and screamed to the Savior Jesus Christ
Shocks flew threw their arms as Jesus heard and the angels they rejoiced
That day both men changed and neither heaven nor earth would ever be the same

Just ask the little girl if Jesus lives,
Her eyes will widen and she’ll proclaim I’ve seen his work there is no doubt of the Messiah’s reign
If you ask the son of the Holy Spirit’s truth
He’ll stand up straight, shake your hand and proudly make his plea,
I’ve felt his power I cannot deny his plan it’s something much greater than you or me
And that big, bold man well… he would answer…

But, he’s a little busy dancing with the KING!!!


"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Rich or Blessed?

Two women are invited to an office party. The first is very wealthy, she eats gourmet meals, drinks fine wine, and travels abroad. As it seems to everyone she meets, she has the world by its heels. Her attendance at the office party is a necessary nuisance. Her father owns the company and he always wants to show off his little girl. She sighs at the invitation, but decides that if she has to go she will be wearing the latest trend of clothing. She heads straight to the designer boutiques and buys several outfits with shoes and handbags to match. She returns home a little discouraged, she wasn't impressed with the new spring line, the trip was not as fun as she had hoped. She tries the clothes on again thinking one will stand out, but alas none of them will work. She consoles herself with a glass of red wine and decides tomorrow will be a better day. Shopping the next day is unsuccessful, she blames the clerk for her misfortune and returns home. She takes her frustrations out on the treadmill thinking if she loses at few pounds by the party maybe that will brighten her spirits. She returns home in time for another gourmet meal, which she only nibbles at thanks to her new diet, and exhausted she heads upstairs to lay down. Even though her bed is made with the highest quality sheets and the mattress is brand new she still and turns tosses all night, sleeps has not come easy for a few years now.

Money is the main obstacle in the second woman's life. Her husband has recently been laid off and she has become the sole bread winner. The bill collectors have started to call and her family is beginning to worry. Their diet has consisted mostly of beans and rice, vegetables, and bowls of cold cereal. She is really at the end of her rope, but is trying not to show it so her husband will not be hurt. She prays every night for God's grace to carry them through just one more day. The party invitation is met with a long sigh. She is up for a raise and wants to go to show her enthusiasm about the team and company. She enjoys her job and the people she works with, this is just not a good time for a party. She sets the invite aside and determines that she will worry about it another day. The week before the party she moans to a friend that she has nothing to wear. Her friend gives her a little hope, there is a dress she just had cleaned that might fit. The generous friend arrives later with a gorgeous dress, now if only it will fit. She holds her breathe as the zipper is zipped, looks in the mirror and her friend squeals. It really does fit her perfectly, those beans and rice have helped lose a few pounds. She pulls out her old heels from the closet and does a little twirl for the mirror. Her husband walks in and raises his eye brows, now that's a look she hasn't seen for a while. She smiles back and in her head whispers a prayer. Thank you...

"That everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all his toil-this IS a gift from God."
Ecclesiates. 2:13 (emphasis mine)