Take 5 min and... SHOW UP & SHUT UP!

Listen to your Jesus for a minute…

“And he whispers, ‘Now is the time! The unreal world of glanost and Gucci. Hagen-Dazs ice cream and Calvin Klein jeans, beaver vest, Persian rugs, silk underwear, and the Super Bowl is passing away. NOW is the time to stop running around frantically like Lancelot’s horse in four directions at once and QUIETLY remember that only one thing is necessary. NOW is the time for personal decision and creative response to MY Word. (114)


“has it crossed your mind that I am proud you accepted the gift of faith I offered you? Proud that you freely chose Me, after I had chosen you, as your friend and Lord? Proud that with all your warts and wrinkles, you haven’t given up? Proud that you believe in me enough to try again and again? Are you aware that I appreciate you for wanting Me? I want you to know how grateful I am when you pause to smile and comfort a child who has lost her way. I am grateful for the hours you devote to learning more about Me; for the word of encouragement you passed on to your burnt-out pastor; for your visit to the shut-in; for your tears for the retarded. What you did to them, you did to Me. Alas, I am sad when you do not believe that I have totally forgiven you or you feel uncomfortable when approaching Me.” (154)
(Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennen Manning)



This is a much different Jesus than I perceive most of the day, but refreshing, exciting, and motivating me more and more toward being SEIZED BY THE POWER OF A GREAT AFFECTION!